We are told to hate (fill in the blank). Politicians, desperate for a simple way to motivate voters, have found hatred to fit that bill nicely. Hate the “libs”, hate the “Republicants”, hate the “Democraps”, hate the MAGAts, hate the “illegals”… ad nauseum. If there is one thing political candidates hate, it is lethargic voters. Political apathy is the bane of the modern politician so hatred is used as a simplistic tool to stir the populous to action. It allows unscrupulous politicians to blind voters to what is really happening, keeping them engaged but distracted.
At its core, hatred simplifies a complex world. Political problems—economic inequality, immigration, crime, cultural change—are difficult, nuanced, and often rooted in long histories. Hatred offers a shortcut: instead of grappling with systemic causes, it points to an enemy. That enemy might be immigrants, ethnic minorities, political opponents, journalists, or entire nations. By turning these groups into scapegoats, politicians transform complicated challenges into emotionally charged battles of “us versus them.”
Hatred’s siblings are fear and anger, and they work together as powerful motivators. Politicians who are adept at mastering this emotional response can drive voter turnout, create intense loyalty, and demand unquestioning support. When people are afraid, they will often seek protection, and comfort can be found in the company of like-minded others. They are no longer alone. They have camaraderie. Anger then motivates action. When voters feel their personal identity, culture, or safety are at risk, other indiscretions pale. Broken promises, a little corruption here and there, or outright authoritarian behavior will be tolerated in exchange for a promise of protection.
Hatred in politics often gets codified with phrases like “taking our country back,” “foreign influence,” or “real citizens.” Voter anger now has direction and purpose. The echo chambers of social media increase the volume of hatred. It becomes the directionless pounding bass that envelopes them. They are lost in a cacophony of hatred. We are no longer discussing the actual problems of the day, but spending our time bitching and blaming others.
Politicians who use such tactics place democracy at risk. When the “other side” is identified as evil or even subhuman, any compromise or cooperation to resolve issues is viewed as an act of treason. Thoughtful legislation is sacrificed in the name of loyalty to a cause. Democratic institutions such as the courts, a free press, or independent agencies not on “our side,” are framed as enemies of the people. This hatred raises the specter of violence when dehumanizing rhetoric is normalized.
The resulting polarization creates societies where education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economies suffer. Division and hatred are the tools of lazy grifters who place their own needs above those of constituents. They use hatred to get elected and to distract when things go wrong. Criticism is dismissed as propaganda or fake news, facts become secondary to group identity, and everyone loses. Blind hatred is an intense, irrational animosity or hostility that ignores reason and understanding. It causes a person to act without objective thought. It often leads to prejudice, a refusal to see good in others, and can stem from emotions like envy, fear, or inferiority. It prevents us from seeing the good in others.
Such hatred is not created out of whole cloth and often relies on existing prejudice or distrust. Hatred is a destructive force leaving long-lasting scars. I could point to the current administration as a prime example of this topic and certainly many would find easy comparisons. This would oversimplify the problem as none of what we witness today happened in a vacuum.
The fires of hatred burn with enough fuel to destroy democracy. Hatred wins elections, silences critics, and energizes voters—but it corrodes democracy. True leaders unite; they don’t divide. Using reason over rage is a difficult position in modern times. Taking the easy road has led us to where we are today and both sides are beginning to see the absurdity. They certainly are witness to the result. Hopefully, we will all understand the folly of hatred before our democracy is destroyed.
We are due to celebrate our 250-year-old experiment in democracy next July 4th. I would rather listen to Stars and Stipes Forever than a funeral dirge. If the April 7th and November 3rd midterm elections are just lather, rinse, and repeat, I’m afraid our democracy will end up on life support. The cycle of hate must end, and we must all try to use reason over rage. In unity there is strength. Divided we fall. Hatred is not an answer.
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