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Contrast The Candidates And Their Platforms; Leave The Lies, Exaggerations, And Falsehoods Behind
By Frank LoBuono
Fear and Loathing was a term popularized by Hunter S. Thompson, the father of what became known as Gonzo Journalism. It has been defined as: “a style of journalism that is written without claims of objectivity, often including the reporter as part of the story using a first-person narrative.” He used the phrase most famously in 1971 with the publication of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, followed by 1972’s Fear and Loathing on The Campaign Trail. It became a recurring theme throughout his legendary career. Based on Thompson’s adventures as a free-lance journalist, they are his attempts to discover the so-called American Dream.
In Rolling Stone magazine, Mikal Gilmore wrote that the “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” peers into the best and worst mysteries of the American heart and that Thompson sought to understand how the American dream had turned a gun on itself. Gilmore believed that the fear and loathing Thompson was writing about—a dread of both interior demons and the psychic landscape of the nation around him—wasn’t merely his own; he was also giving voice to the mind-set of a generation that had held high ideals and was now crashing hard against the walls of American reality.
Well, with less than 10 days left until the most consequential election of my lifetime, it couldn’t be more appropriate than right now.
We are a fractured society, deeply divided over the future direction of the Country with both sides presenting a clear contrast with the other. I have no issue with this. In fact, it’s the way it should be. There is no moral ambiguity here. You have a choice, make it. What I do take umbrage with is the use of the Fear and Loathing tactics that have gotten us here; Fear what you don’t understand. Loath those whom you do not agree with. Throw in a dose of mis and disinformation and you have a recipe for disaster.
We’ve all seen the avalanche of political ads that started weeks (if not months) ago and have reached a fever pitch. The only thing that can rival them in frequency are the ubiquitous ones selling Medicare Advantage plans! And, as we approach election day, the number of commercials has not only grown exponentially but have also increased the Fear and Loathing to sell their candidates’ message. Exacerbating the issue and much to my anger and consternation, it is done at the expense of accuracy.
There are many examples of this on both the local and national levels. Commercials hammer home their Party’s message depending on their core principles, attacking their opponents in the most personal ways, often using exaggerated statistics and outright lying in an attempt to make their points and win over voters.
One of the most frequent platforms the GOP uses to attack their Democratic opponents with is crime, painting them as being “soft” and allowing “dangerous criminals to roam the streets.” And their commercials are created to reflect the sinister nature of their claims i.e., videos of violence in the streets, ominous music and sound effects, and narration done in a dark, threatening voice. They’re like scenes from the apocalyptic movie, “The Purge.” Obviously, these spots prey on our primal fears of being safe. I don’t like it, but I get it. They’re creating a mood that suits their message: Fear and Loathing. Then, as if that’s not bad enough, they often really go off the rails by making claims that simply aren’t accurate if not downright fabrications.
In addition to the images I described, particularly in New York, GOP ads make the claim that after the passage of the the bill supporting bail reform, crime skyrocketed. Combined with the violent videos, music, and narration, it makes for a shocking accusation.
There’s only one problem: It’s not true.
Using simple search methods that are available to everyone via the internet, I found that there was no significant jump in crime after bail reform. In fact, the so-called massive increase in crime was statistically insignificant. But that political ad continues to run to this day. And this is but one example of many.
Now, Republicans have not cornered the market on spreading Fear and Loathing through false claims. They just seem particularly good at it. However, the Democrats seem to be gaining ground in that department with their attempts to ratchet up their own fear driven rhetoric. For example, many Democrat’s ads paint their opponents as “anti-woman”, using dramatic statements by fearful women and distressing images to support that position. It may not rise to the level of Fear and Loathing, but it can certainly be seen at least as hyperbole. And there are other, more extreme examples perpetrated by other Democrat candidates.
So, in the end, can we just stick to the facts? There are plenty to go around and enough contrast between the candidates – all candidates – to make intelligent, informed choices while leaving the Fear and Loathing behind.
