McCain's Panic in PA, More Than Just Ugly

The panic whipped up by the McCain campaign in PA sounds horrific because of the ugliness and hate that it pours into the election, but the real threat it poses is to our ability to get things done.  If John McCain were to win the election by kicking up enough anti-Muslim, anti-African-American, anti-Liberal, conspiracy theory rage--he would have transformed the country into utter chaos in the process.  Such a campaign--if victorious--would push our civic culture beyond the point where it was able to recover and function. And under such conditions, McCain would ultimately preside over a nation capable of little more than pitchforks and torches.

More and more it seems that John McCain has bet the farm on winning Pennsylvania by turning the race as ugly as possible, which means abandoning all pretense of healthy civic exchange.  The results are disquieting.  In recent days, a Republican group circulated an email claiming that a vote for Obama was tantamount to enabling the rise of Hitler and would lead to a 'second Holocaust.'   Can it get worse than that?   Apparently, it can.  At a rally in Pottsville, McCain supporters gather in a threatening mob shouting 'Terrorist!' 'Communist!' 'Child Killer!'  and openly call for the death of Sen. McCain's opponent.  As high profile Republicans endorse Obama and reject the politics of bigotry and violence, McCain continues to stoke the rage in Pennsylvania in some vain hope that the destruction of democratic culture in one state will win him the chance to lead the country.

(video credit: www.keystoneprogress.org)

Everybody should watch this video.  As disturbing as it is to see McCain supporters in Pennsylvania shout horrific and violent epithets about Sen. Obama, the sad reality is that videos shot at McCain rallies have become the key political symbols of the 2008 political race. 

Either one walks away from watching these videos disgusted, or one walks away believing the voices of those shouting.  The middle ground has vanished. 

As the 2008 race winds down, McCain's cynical campaign in Pennsylvania and other close states has succeeded in undermining any semblance of debate over real problems in America.  In shouting violent epithets, the McCain supporters in Pottsville have abandoned any interest in real problems, choosing instead to tilt at windmills.  Is America in real danger of a Manchurian candidate seizing hold of the White House by hiding his true identity from billions of people the world over for decades?  Sadly, that is not even the real question that concerns the country.  What we should all be asking is:  Can we afford to waste even one more second on useless bigotry and fear that does nothing but prevent us from working together to solve real problems?

The answer is a resounding: No!

Imagine what it would mean for the United States and the world if the mob politics of McCain's campaign were to dominate the next 8 years.   It would ruin this country--destroy it every level. 

A victory for McCain delivered by an enraged campaign mob would shatter any and all possibility for deliberative democracy.  Democratic government based on conversation would give way to rule by mobilizing panic. If victory comes at the hands of rage and panic, governing by the same is quick to follow. 

What a world it would be.  A world completely devoid of solutions to any of the problems we face.  A world without healthcare.  A world without retirement security.  A world without effective education.  A world without renewable energy.  A world not fueled by optimism and American pragmatism, but by constant, never ending alarm.

The McCain campaign panic Americans see in Pennsylvania is more than just a window onto an ugly side of American life.  It is a warning.

© 2008 Jeffrey Feldman, Frameshop

Follow Jeffrey Feldman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeffreyFeldman

Comments

[paforobama]

I am from Pa & PROUDLY for Obama. This video sickens me. I pray Pa stays true blue.
This video looks like a sequel to Deliverence-These people should focus their anger at their dentists!!!

[tobyjack]

All I say to people like this is "Shutr your mouth and open your mind!"

[lvdragonlady]

Straight talk - bull
country first - more bull

a vote for JM - bull -------

This is just disgusting. My opinion of the human race just goes lower then normal....­..........­.

such a shame

[ladydriver]

Just want to assure everyone that not all Pennsylvanians are ignorant, racist, twits like the McCain supporters in this video. The Obama campaign has a strong ground team in action, and we're trying to bring our neighbors away from the "dark side."

McCain is NOT going to get Pennsylvania. I have to believe that and work towards making that goal a reality. If the ignorance and hatred and fear-mongering wins out, this country will be no fit place to live or raise our children.

As far as I'm concerned, McCain/Palin are the terrorists, and they are trying to use terror and fear to rule this country and steal this election. I hate what they are doing.

Everyone, please, do whatever you can to inform everyone you come into contact with, and give them the facts about who Obama is and what his positions are on the issues. Keep working till the last minute, and make sure you vote!

[militarymomforobama]

I am convinced that these haters are terrified of being on the other end of what they have been dishing out their whole lives. They operate on fear--They have no clue what it is to live a peaceful, loving life. The "us against them" mentality is deep in some people--and it's not just Americans.

[Porsche]

I agree and it is really sad to see how losing does bring the worst out of people.

[southernsepia]

Just have to take a moment to say, while I abhor the comments made in the video I am glad this and other such comments have come to light.

This is the America Black folks face and it's good that others have had the chance to see what it's like.

When we point out racism, we are accused of playing the race card - as they tried with John Lewis.

We are always the lurking suspect conveniently at hand to be trotted out for scorn - as in the 6'4 Black man.

We have children out of wedlock, we are low moral animals that can't control themselves. Our young men are said to be thugs and deadbeats for exhibiting the same behavior others get a pass for - as in the Palin clan.

This is not just one area, perhaps some are more vocal than others. Open your mind and think about what it is that you are seeing.

[Yve72]

Well said.

[militarymomforobama]

I will continue to point out racism when I see it--the union of our country depends on it

[Yve72]

Know you can see the behavior and attitudes that Rev. Wright was talking about.

Your eyes have been opened to what people of color have suffered through in this country for CENTURIES.

[protagonia]

Not everyone in America is good. There is a demographic of bad, stupid people here.

Fortunately, they are a minority.

[protagonia]

Those people describing acts of violence against Obama are party to domestic terrorists.

[Yve72]

Its the Law of Projection.

[protagonia]

I do not care for their "Slide-Show", that is for certain.

[schatsie]

this is a part of the continuation of the Republican BAIT AND SWITCH tactics... The WASP mafia has been at work for years trying to split and distract from the real issues of the economy and jobs...It is so much easier to blame Democrats than actually do anything to improve the job situation.... and a black man makes it so much easier....

Here's to Little Alabama and the confederates up north...

[macforme]

The hate and misinformation the McCain supporters evoke in this video is unconscionable.
Watching the video puts a knot in my stomach. And makes me very sad for America.
How can there be such bigotry still? This 2008!! We are supposed to be educated,
compassionate people who can discuss issues like civilized, rational people.
People like to brag that we are the best country in the world.
Do the citizens of the best country in the world act like the people in this video?
The video makes me cry. We still have a long way to go.

[bennettkw]

I read an article/blog a couple of days back which was titled something like "In Defense of non-Racist White Men." It was a lovely article that pointed out how the "subtle" racism of the McCain campaign, coupled with the downright blatant racism filmed at his and Palin's rallies has been thoroughly rejected by the majority of American voters, including whites. When you watch such videos, which is so very hard to do in itself, I think it important to remember that this is NOT America. This is not anywhere near half of America but a fringe minority. Don't get me wrong; they are everywhere but they are nevertheless a distinct minority. The country which contains such vile human beings is the very same country on the verge of electing its first minority to be POTUS.

Showing these videos is a good thing. On a social level, average American whites need to see what minorities in America experience on a regular basis. It is a call to action, not to "no-child-­left-behin­d, but to authentic support of U.S. education, something which invariably leads to a decline in these sorts of unAmerican attitudes. On a political level, independent centrists are, in most cases, also horrified by such behavior. Many will come to believe that voting for McCain is voting in support of this sort of behavior. If they cannot bring themselves to vote for Obama, they will, instead, just stay away from the polls.

[WarriorLemming]

Ask yourself which of those crowds would you want as next door neighbors the sane looking Obama crowd or the angry fringe out-of-control McCain crowd? I wonder if being a Democrat or a Republican is programed into our DNA because the differences are stark, lol

[militarymomforobama]

They were screaming at kids in some cases--shameful.

[RJII]

I commend the Obama supporters who get out there on the front line.

[22Tall1]

I have been to many rallies and volunteered for a variety of different campaign events. You are right. The Democrats, as a rule, do not react to this irrational behavior. The Obama rally that I attended in Dunedin brought out some crazy ideologs. They shouted they we were baby killers, that we would burn in the eternal fires of Hell. The buzz words of socialist, communist, Nazi had not been introduced into the conversation at that time or would have been used, as well. The worst reaction I heard from the long, long, long, long lines of tired people waiting to get into the rally was some booes. Most everyone just looked at these ranting lunatics waving signs in our faces and, if they were like me, felt a sense of wonderment at their anger and rage. Why do the Republicans have such an internal sense of self loathing that they have to vent on anyone and anything in sight.
Maybe we Democrats have been too passive and now that we have become more focused and committed they do not like it and it threatens their turf.

[likeicare]

Mr. F. --

Don't you get it? The country you describe, as the dismal one that the US will dissolve into if McSame is elected, is EXACTLY what the Neocon(victs) have been invisioning for us for decades -- they can't wait until the US becomes a seething social and economic cesspool -- that makes all of us ripe for the scamming, don't you see?

Here's how it works: when the great unwashed masses are deprived of access to education, healthcare, and employment, they'll be more willing to do whatever their corporate overlords tell them to do -- or put up with, as the case may be. Forget universal suffrage, too -- things will return to the way they were before the whatever number amendment to the Constitution it was, that allowed white males the right to vote directly for Senators -- the political "elite" (read: privileged land owners and members of the ruling power-structure) will choose who runs the government, not the people.

In short, the Rethuglicans and Neocon(victs) want the US to return to the way it was back in the 1800s -- with an all-male, all-white, robber-baron-type business structure in place, and where social-Darwinism is the law of the land.

Once you see where we're headed, it's easy to see the plan taking shape.

[simplify]

Some people in America are stuck on stupid. Sad but true