- Credits:
- Photo: Shutterstock
Helen’s Place LLC Update: November 21, 2021
It’s terrifying when bullies go after you – terrifying. But in a tough world where those wishing to do you harm are confronted – and you stand up to them with defiance, not retaliation – you win. In this fight, it’s not necessary to be loud – just resolute and emotionally fit to do what you can.
Although vindictiveness doesn’t solve conflict, violence is still perpetuated and passed down through generations, in a never ending cycle. The best we can hope for is to hold firm against it and try to break the pattern.
But maintaining objectivity and strength is difficult, even in the best of times, and for most people, emulating strong behavior takes more practice and determination then they have. As a result, democratic voices are silenced; women are marginalized; books are banned, and violence reigns.
In most of the news, the habit of covering the political parties’ equally in a “both-side-ism” kind of way, adds to the mistaken belief that fairness in reporting is more important than presenting the facts.
Instead, for accuracy, news would need to cover how the radical right is maneuvering to take over and silence the majority of people, destroy our democracy, and eliminate the government institutions we rely on. The coverage would be more like an updated version of civil war reporting.
Why the Radical Right is Doing This
The radical right is battling for power and control. But, unlike the last U.S. civil war, today an imaginary battleground exists between the perceived “have” and “have not’s.”
The unreal fear of losing out, perpetuated by right-wing media, is causing people to believe they must fight to regain control over themselves and their American way of life.
The problem is that people who believe this are shooting themselves in the foot, by following the right-wing agenda that would limit their freedom and enslave them in the end.
Exploitation for Money
Right-wing networks and social media sources – promoted by corrupt businessmen, politicians and thousands of others – earn millions through a cynical con game called “giving the consumer what they want.”
In this fabricated world, facts – like the U.S. has a resilient economy and most people are working who want jobs – are obscured by the opposite meaning that disaster is looming and the sky is falling in every direction.
The truth is that negative information sells, and the practice of exploiting the angry and weak minded for money is nothing new in human history.
However, what’s different is the use of new technology, like artificial intelligence (AI), and manipulative, internet platforms, which exacerbate the problem by spreading misinformation through social media.
Key Threats from Within
It’s not lost on those paying attention, that misinformation distracts people from seeing the real threats facing them. Stories about the Chinese, Russian and other hostile governments’ campaigns to destroy America from within, are underreported.
The Chinese, for example, produce fentanyl and market this deadly drug to people in the U.S,. including children, via Mexican drug cartels. The increased use of fentanyl has significantly contributed to the rise of addiction, gun violence and mental illness in the U.S.
Other Threats to Democracy
- The loss of “Reliable Sources” on CNN (about news coverage in America), and the demise of small town newspapers;
- Censorship of libraries holding controversial books;
- X (formerly Twitter), and other social media platforms removing fact checking and source identification mechanisms, and;
- Meta and other groups preventing some subjects from appearing on their platforms; like the Meta’s social media app “Thread” striking down mention of the subject “COVID-19,” as too controversial, while misinformation in a paid add, appears to be fine – like one promoting the stolen election lie appearing on Facebook.
Radical Right Trends
- Efforts to shut down the government by a small group of right-wing House of Representative extremists, are ongoing. The goal of this group, is to destroy the U.S. government and replace it with a Christian Nationalist autocracy to rule over American citizens. On October 25, 2023, they orchestrated the election of Mike Johnson, a known Christian Nationalist, to fulfill their plans.
- Efforts to shut down social media platforms to limit free speech are happening under the guise of parental rights and legitimate safety concerns. Instead of regulating social media to label sources and put warning labels on false content, for example, legal efforts are underway to prevent kids from speaking out by banning “TikTok” in various states.
- Attempts to dominate social media platforms with right-wing talking points, like on X (formerly Twitter), are succeeding.
- Misuse of artificial intelligence is becoming an acute breeding ground for creating and spreading false information, including making up stories to slander opponents.
- Unhinged, disturbed Americans are behaving badly. This includes people or organizations that make life miserable for teachers, librarians or educators.
Hope That Trends to Erode Democracy Will End
Eventually, it’s possible that although reality isn’t valued by the radical right at this time, they could conceivably snap out of their present state of mind at some point in the future – like waking up from a bad dream.
At this moment, however, they appear to be trying to make made-up narratives real.
This is why it’s likely that millions of American’s will keep their conspiracies going for as long as possible until they realize they love their freedom more, and stand up to fight for it at the last moment.
As Winston Churchill famously said, “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing – after they’ve tried everything else.”
Indicators that Right-Wing Takeover Efforts are Failing
- The inspiring moment when Cassidy Hutchison (former Trump White House employee), and Jenna Ellis (former Trump attorney), expressed their regret at supporting stolen election lies. These young woman testified under oath that they believed in truth and democracy, and against Trump’s efforts to remain in power after the 2020 election.
- The Trump trials underway, started in 2023, where a number of right-wing conspirators in Georgia pled guilty for their part in interfering with the 2020 election.
- The November 2023 elections when initiatives to ban or limit abortion rights, and right wing candidates lost.
- The recent success of unions fighting and winning concessions for workers to earn better wages, working conditions and benefits. Union successes in 2023 include the GM autoworkers, writers and actors guilds.
It’s important to note that in the future unions will become more important to workers in negotiating compensation from robots and artificial intelligence replacing them.
Additionally, workers who feel empowered are less likely to joint right-wing efforts to overthrow democracy.
Emotional Fitness for a Better Future
It’s possible to think better and do better by:
Holding firm – the majority of Americans really do care who wins and loses, but believe that how the game is played is equally important. Good sportsmanship – part of The Golden Rule – is the American way; and to remember that leads to greater emotional fitness.
Remembering the three musketeers theme – “one for all and all for one” illustrates how important it is for rugged individualists to hang together as a team for the greater good.
Emulating heroic figures from our American history like Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln cared so much for humanity and democracy, that if he were the president today, he would calmly be working to win the new civil war being waged to destroy democracy through disinformation and lies. American citizens can do the same in his memory.
Defeating MAGA insurrectionists at the ballot box to raise the emotional fitness of the nation – allowing Americans to return to contentious politics as usual, while preserving and celebrating diversity.
Additional Transcript:
Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, reminds us why we are fighting for Democracy.
Lincoln’s Gettysburg address reposted on Helen’s Place LLC
Related audio/video recording:
War Room podcast featuring November 2023 Democratic election wins, and interview with Thomas Edsall, NYT, regarding return of religious right.
YouTube, November 9, 2023, “Politics War Room (with James Carville & Al Hunt)
Other related article you may be interested in:
Article discussing freedom vs security regarding TikTok social media platform from a youth perspective.
USA Today, Savannah Kuchar, November 20, 2023, “Will TikTok be banned? Young voters call leaders ‘out of touch’ as officials wage war against the platform.”
Helen’s Place LLC is an information and educational materials company celebrating English Language Arts, Cognitive Science and the love of birds. It’s the maker of printed instructional, educational, and teaching materials for children and adults in the field of English Language Arts and Cognitive Science.
Your comments are greatly appreciated. Send them to Helen’s Place LLC via email to info@helensplacenet.com. We’re always interested in learning more about you and the issues that are important to you.
