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I don't think it's so much that the government wants people to be afraid as it is CYA for the people in charge. Politicians want to claim that they've made thin
by michaelbuckbee 16y ago
I don't think it's so much that the government wants people to be afraid as it is CYA for the people in charge. Politicians want to claim that they've made things safer and none of them are brave enough to say: "Lets take things down a notch because they're ineffective."
It's similar to the state of "tough on crime" policies like 3 strikes and mandatory minimum sentences - even when proven ineffective no one wants to reverse the statutes for fear of being seen as weak on crime.
- jdp23 16y agoThere certainly are people and organizations inside and outside the government who want people to be afraid. Martha Stout's "The Paranoia Switch"* looks at politicians who exploit this reaction and how the media contributed to the environment after 9/11. And the "surveillance-industrial" complex makes their money (and keeps their power) based on fear. * good summary/review at http://www.sott.net/articles/show/142725-Limbic-Warfare-and-Martha-Stout-s-Paranoia-Switch- http://www.sott.net/articles/show/142725-Limbic-Warfare-and-...
- callmeed 16y agoNot to mention the jobs issue. 9/11 resulted in an entirely new govt. agency being created. I doubt many politicians want to axe jobs given the current state of the economy.