Political tools, in and of themselves, are neither innocent or guilty.
We use our politics in whatever way we choose. There is power lust, ambition, privilege and preference, the possibilities of reprisals and self-seeking and much more...
Where does the danger of malfeasance enter in? Do they derive from the attributes and tools of politics or from the character of the politicians and their twisted principles.
Some in our society, because of their inherent civic weakness and proclivity for manipulation and skullduggery, cannot be trusted with public office, and cannot be allowed the use of public office--which brings with it the powerful tools of politics. You do not allow children to play with dynamite! Nor should tyrants and bigots to be allowed the power to abridge democracy as with Snyder's dictatorially enhanced Emergency Finance Manager Act.
In addition to the merely untrustworthy "them"--the self-serving, or power groveling puppets of moneyed interests--there are the obviously evil subversives, corrupters, etc. What might they do with the tools of political power? They probably would not do much differently than they are already doing in the business world or as crafty religious shaman. If they are really successful at being manipulative, they already have their own techniques which work very well. But these personalities, given power in a weakened democracy, in a time of deep economic crisis; where citizens by default and ignorance have capitulated their franchise (to participate in civic affairs): there we find the unscrupulous politicians play on indifference and will constitute a real danger.
If by chance radical revisionists are using the influencing tools of the press, media, and the bullypulpit afforded their high office, they either do it unconsciously or they already have acquired the necessary techniques of undue influence and propaganda.
The country is well on its way to a showdown of conflicting values: it's all part of the "cultural wars" lusted for by the demagogues and hard-core religionists and anti-tax wingnuts. The power of persuasion is the key to the kingdom for these folk. 3/4 of all Republicans watch FOX Cable news exclusively!
That takes care of the politicians and the ideologues, but what about the ordinary citizens?
This is where "useful" fear creeps in.
What are we doing about this aggressive power play promoted by the use of fear as a political tool?
The power to effect change and make the necessary improvements, the power to stop the abuse and the divisiveness still resides with the citizen.
The voters must overcome their disbelief that American politician can act in such destructive ways as we see some now behaving. Overcome fear with action. Fear is both the root cause and the strength of this radical cultural backlash and "slash and burn" techniques of the Hard Right.
Once you have lost your fear of their ability to manipulate, you are well on your way to taking corrective civic action. Unveiling the demagogue--for the small mind he is--destroys the illusion of power and cuts off his ability to carry forth-empowered by the opportunity our fears present him.
C. G. Jung wrote,
"The evil that comes to light in man and that undoubtedly dwells within him is of gigantic proportions ...He does not deny that terrible things have happened and still go on happening, but it is always "others" who do them..."
"This strengthens the opponent's position in the most effective way, because the projection carries the fear which we involuntarily and secretly feel for our own evil (desires to go) over to the other side and considerably increases the formidableness of this threat."
-- C.G. Jung, The Undiscovered Self, New American Library, New York, 1957.
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