Never Underestimate the Desperate

One of my favorite movies of the ‘80s was Ghostbusters.  I thought it was Bill Murray’s finest moment (no it wasn’t Caddyshack; Rodney Dangerfield stole that flick).  Among the more memorable lines was this little often forgotten gem, which took place as the third member of the Ghostbuster crew was being interviewed for the job.

Janine Melnitz: “Do you believe in UFOs, astral projections, mental telepathy, ESP, clairvoyance, spirit photography, telekinetic movement, full trance mediums, the Loch Ness monster and the theory of Atlantis?”

Winston Zeddemore: “Ah, if there's a steady paycheck in it, I'll believe anything you say.”

Right there, two simple sentences in a comedy film, nailed the entire human experience and wrapped it into one rather neat and sad little package, complete with a bow and ribbon.  Give somebody a paycheck – especially somebody who hasn’t had one in a while – and they’ll believe anything you say.

I’ve been trying to wrap my head around how so many people can be deaf and blind to the outrageous comments and tactics of the GOP over the last two and a half years, especially when that very same party got the hell beat out of it in two consecutive election cycles.

It’s quite simple, really.  People – a lot of them – are getting desperate.  Not only isn’t the economy “recovering,” it appears to be sliding backwards.  That tends to scare people, even those who have jobs and are actually doing quite well.  After a while you get an avalanche of negativity and despair.  People not normally given to rash judgments start thinking the sky is falling in on them.  In that moment of vulnerability and desperation, where reason fails, people tend to do stupid things, like listen to and agree with policies that only a short time ago they thoroughly rejected as being ridiculous.  Snake oil salesmen begin looking like miracle workers, and the inane looks like the greatest thing since sliced bread.

That’s why I am not overly optimistic about Democrats’ chances in 2012.  It’s not because I don’t think they have the right positions, it’s because, at the end of the day, fear and ignorance may very well end up trumping sanity and reason.  In the end, it’s never about whether one actually believes in UFOs – or supply-side economics – it’s about whether they can put food on the table.  Ultimately, that’s the deciding factor for many voters.  To get the security they lack, most would gladly join a three-ring circus.  And if they’re given the opportunity next fall, the Republicans will be more than willing to oblige them.

Who ya gonna call?  Right now it ain't the Dems.      

Comments

Anonymous said…
On the other hand, you don't want to start discussing details about your personal life on your business blog. Your topic will also influence how personal or professional you want to come across in your style. If you're having second thoughts about writing something in your blog that might be crossing the line, it's best to err on the side of caution and leave it out.

[url=http://cheapjordans2013.22web.org]jordan shoes[/url]

Remember that your blog is only effective if it serves the needs of your readers and keeps them interested in your business.

[url=http://cheapnfljerseys168.fast-page.org/]Cheap NFL Jerseys[/url]

Anonymous said…
gjhjc [url=http://www.beatsheadphonesuksale.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] nlhzypmc http://www.beatsheadphonesuksale.co.uk isafdwick ndhxpz [url=http://www.cheapbeatsukheadphonesale.co.uk]beats by dre[/url] hberczathttp://www.cheapbeatsukheadphonesale.co.uk nzgfuxmux mgugrq [url=http://www.cheapbeatsbydreuksales.co.uk]beats by dre[/url] ejhthznt http://www.cheapbeatsbydreuksales.co.uk qgkqmqkfp uvukyd [url=http://www.cheapbeatsbydresaleuk.co.uk]dr dre beats[/url] vvdamhzj http://www.cheapbeatsbydresaleuk.co.uk gwdnsrqwd nvreox [url=http://www.cheap-beatsbydreuk.co.uk]dr dre beats[/url] suuwmmfp http://www.cheap-beatsbydreuk.co.uk ossuuzqhd amzwio [url=http://www.beatsbydrdreukonsale.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] sqimypyi http://www.beatsbydrdreukonsale.co.uk kmnodosqx h
Anonymous said…
jtsxl [url=http://www.beatsheadphonesuksale.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] tdsrbbcw http://www.beatsheadphonesuksale.co.uk xwiplfcqm hmpern [url=http://www.cheapbeatsukheadphonesale.co.uk]dr dre beats[/url] peyjkmyxhttp://www.cheapbeatsukheadphonesale.co.uk wlworyhep zmszhg [url=http://www.cheapbeatsbydreuksales.co.uk]beats by dre[/url] sokxbfym http://www.cheapbeatsbydreuksales.co.uk uzkolrdey uijfuk [url=http://www.cheapbeatsbydresaleuk.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] pusfjxei http://www.cheapbeatsbydresaleuk.co.uk vuoqpzerq ifatfg [url=http://www.cheap-beatsbydreuk.co.uk]beats by dre[/url] kyowtnxk http://www.cheap-beatsbydreuk.co.uk ocmithwuu massvf [url=http://www.beatsbydrdreukonsale.co.uk]dr dre beats[/url] hebbznpb http://www.beatsbydrdreukonsale.co.uk qygrshznt q
Anonymous said…
klfnt [url=http://www.beatsheadphonesuksale.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] ufydukza http://www.beatsheadphonesuksale.co.uk duizedcqi oaaewj [url=http://www.cheapbeatsukheadphonesale.co.uk]beats by dre[/url] yojwwonshttp://www.cheapbeatsukheadphonesale.co.uk anowvipzj sjvdhl [url=http://www.cheapbeatsbydreuksales.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] msgaqisj http://www.cheapbeatsbydreuksales.co.uk fplnisnrm gbtjjn [url=http://www.cheapbeatsbydresaleuk.co.uk]cheap beats by dre[/url] djfnxfrj http://www.cheapbeatsbydresaleuk.co.uk cmjczbmwy inwrmx [url=http://www.cheap-beatsbydreuk.co.uk]beats by dre[/url] lotgcksw http://www.cheap-beatsbydreuk.co.uk ezmulokya mbqkvw [url=http://www.beatsbydrdreukonsale.co.uk]dr dre beats[/url] hfijgeil http://www.beatsbydrdreukonsale.co.uk cegefocfm r