There are a lot of scary things in this world.
According to recent reports, people are as scared if not more scared than they were just after September 11th, 2001.
There are new statistics out that report that middle age white working class men and women are now, for the first time in modern history, dying at an earlier age.
And some of the main reasons are alcoholism, drugs and suicide...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/a-group-of-middle-aged-american-whites-is-dying-at-a-startling-rate/2015/11/02/47a63098-8172-11e5-8ba6-cec48b74b2a7_story.html
(There are those who disagree on the scope and magnitude of these reports and site other issues as well);
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/11/13/yes-death-rates-for-middle-aged-whites-are-rising-but-why
I can't help but think that fear has a lot to do with all of this and much more that is going on in our society right now...
Much of what we have been hearing lately especially from some politicians is , you should be very, very scared!
Some of those running for president would like you to know that even though you should be scared they will make you safe because they are going to "make America great again!"
Although they seem hard pressed you tell you just what that means or how exactly they intend to achieve this feet.
So, be afraid but only be afraid of what they tell you to be afraid of...
And some of the main reasons are alcoholism, drugs and suicide...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/a-group-of-middle-aged-american-whites-is-dying-at-a-startling-rate/2015/11/02/47a63098-8172-11e5-8ba6-cec48b74b2a7_story.html
(There are those who disagree on the scope and magnitude of these reports and site other issues as well);
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/11/13/yes-death-rates-for-middle-aged-whites-are-rising-but-why
I can't help but think that fear has a lot to do with all of this and much more that is going on in our society right now...
Much of what we have been hearing lately especially from some politicians is , you should be very, very scared!
Some of those running for president would like you to know that even though you should be scared they will make you safe because they are going to "make America great again!"
Although they seem hard pressed you tell you just what that means or how exactly they intend to achieve this feet.
So, be afraid but only be afraid of what they tell you to be afraid of...
You should be afraid of Mexican immigrants and Muslims and young black men and that someone is coming to take your land, your guns and your freedom...
But, there is no need to be afraid of climate change as it creates devastating storms and oh by the way have you seen Beijing lately?
Or of the increasing economic division between the you's and the me's and the extreme rich of the world.
Or extremist white Americans who blow things up like a certain federal building in Oklahoma City.
You should be afraid of a government that wants to make sure you have health care and a good education and safe roads and bridges to drive on and clean water and air..
You should be afraid of anyone who doesn't look like you or worship were you do or how you do.
Maybe it would be wise to be a little afraid of those telling you what you should and shouldn't be afraid of. Just maybe they don't have your best interests at heart ...
Just remember, a country divided is much easier to manipulate.
Instead of giving in to the fear mongering perhaps we would be better off coming together in compromise and rational behavior. That is how we can truly make America great.
Don't get me wrong there will still be plenty to be afraid of. Right now you could go outside and get hit by a bus!
But if we keep dividing ourselves into little categories and picking out the differences between us, if we only help those who are like us. Only try to understand that which affects us. Then where does that leave us?
We can point our fingers at all sorts of scary things and blame them on anyone or anything we have a mind to.
But what if we all choose to NOT buy the magic beans all those people who keep talking at us are trying to sell us?
What if we were to make them tell us the specifics of what they profess and we hold them accountable if they do not. What if instead of just taking their word that they are telling us the truth, we do a little work and find out if what they are telling us is factual or if they are just trying to hand us those magic beans again...
Maybe if we do a little work of our own we'd all be a little better off and a little less scared.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Noodle and crew
My Mum says it's stupid to be scared. I'm not scared of what politicians say but I get awful scared if Mum and Dad go out and leave me home alone. That's something to be scared of, aye??
ReplyDeleteHari om
ReplyDeleteHear, hear!!!
YAM xx
We understand, and agree.
ReplyDeleteAnd we remember something TBT read to us once from a book:
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
There are NEVER specifics with the politicians who are feeding fear to the public. Specific is not a word in their vocabularies. Most countries with tyrant/autocratic leaders are ruled by fear. I follow Churchhill's "nothing to fear but fear itself" statement during WWII, but yes, there do appear to be many more fearsome things now. However, take a look at the middle ages--talk about fear!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are much better off than we think, but would-be Republican presidents would not have you be aware of that.
Sometimes the world can be darn scary Noodle!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of fears indeed, some well-founded and some not... Purrs
ReplyDeleteYou are a wise kitty, that is so true that a country divided is easier to manipulate. That is scary that so many middle aged men dying.Drugs are definitely a problem, my small town of 10,000 has the most heroin deaths per capita in Massachusetts.
ReplyDeleteWe agree, Noodle, the world is a scary place...but what's really scary is some of the humans who say they will help make it less scary. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteVery cute selfie...and you are so right. It's a scary, scary world in many ways.
ReplyDeleteVery wise words. I am with you 100%!
ReplyDeleteAppaws! Appaws! Great post.
ReplyDeleteLookin' gawjus as always Noodle. We don't believe everythin' dat everypawdy tells us, but unfurtunately sum of da "us" peeps can't be trusted and want to keep us divided. One can say almost anythin', it's da actions dat tell you who a purrson really is. Dat's one of da reasons we know mommy luvs us so much. She duz everythin' pawssible to make and keep us happy. Hope you have a gweat week. Stay safe ad warm.
ReplyDeleteLuv ya'
Dezi and Lexi
Great job with the scaredy pose, Noodle! You are a cutie. Right now we humans are in the unfortunate position that our leaders have so little to offer that they need to appeal to one of our most primal emotions. Somehow fear always crops up around election time. Everyone wants you to subscribe to their plan. It is a very sad reality.
ReplyDeletefear mongering works.. it's sad.
ReplyDelete