IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Barnicle: The Only Thing They're Selling Is Fear

Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio—the GOP presidential frontrunners—are terrifying this country for personal gain.
Republican presidential candidate, businessman Donald Trump speaks about Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, left, as Republican...
Republican presidential candidate, businessman Donald Trump speaks about Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, left, as Republican...

The language of fear pervades our politics now. Mike Barnicle wonders what it's doing 'to the light and hope so many see and have always seen in this country so many pray for and look to for direction and protection.' 

Barnicle writes in The Daily Beast: 

Fear is hugely contagious. Used skillfully by politicians looking to manipulate voters it can become toxic and capable of infecting more than just a few. That’s what we have now. In Iowa. In New Hampshire. In South Carolina. In our country.  We have A Clockwork Orange parade of candidates seeking to capitalize on the legitimate worry many have about where the world is headed. ... No wonder much of the country’s mood is a mix of anger, fear, frustration, crushed hopes, and diminished dreams. Seven years ago a lot of people lost jobs, incomes, houses, health care, a lot of their net worth, and even more of their optimism and belief that a combination of hard work and living by the law would mean a better future for them and their families. Didn’t work out that way for many of them. And what do most of those running to succeed Barack Obama offer: Be afraid. Be very afraid.

For the full article, read here.