What Freedom Means Today
I don't usually comment on politics, but this current climate calls for a post. What is happening today reminds me of the fear tactics of the McCarthy era in many ways:
Scapegoating and fear-mongering: Both periods have seen public figures use groups as scapegoats to create fear and consolidate power, often based on unfounded claims. While McCarthy targeted communists, modern examples include focusing on groups like immigrants or minorities.
Echoes of "Enemy Within" Rhetoric: McCarthy's accusations of internal government employees serving the Communist Party mirror contemporary concerns about a "deep state" or insidious forces working against the public good.
Media Complicity: Some argue that, in both eras, portions of the media played a role in amplifying fear and misinformation.
Attacks on Dissent: Historian Ellen Schrecker describes the suppression of dissent on university campuses during the Trump administration as "worse than McCarthyism," highlighting similar tactics used to silence opposition.
Trump's apparent war on freedom, his rhetoric, his "Big Beautiful Bill" which guts many social programs put in place to help millions of Americans reeks of conservatism designed to fatten the pocketbooks of the wealthy at the expense of the poor, the middle class, and the elderly, of which I am one.
Even Elon Musk, a former crony of Trump, has abandoned him to form his own political party. I don't think it will help the average American, but my hope is that will divide rich Republicans in the next presidential election to the point where the Democrats can restore power in the White House.
Here is a commentary I found on NPR's website by a citizen that pretty much sums up my feelings about today's political environment.
Freedom means feeling safe
Matthew Favreau, 37, of North Haven, Conn. Most Americans live in fear: fear of falling into poverty; fear of getting sick, and not being able to afford care; fear of losing bodily autonomy; fear of corrupt politicians only out for themselves; fear of book burnings; fear of religious extremism; fear of immensely powerful corporations; fear of never being able to retire; fear of insatiable billionaires who will take until there is nothing left; fear of going back. We'll all be freer when we have nothing left to fear.
It is my sincere hope that before my time on this earth is over, we can return to some level of sanity in our society.
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