Letter to the Editor: Beware of misleading campaign messages

Dear Editor:

Holy squirrel nuts, Batman! Rep. Steve Scalise is sounding the alarm about the “Bolshevik takeover” and “Bolshevik Revolution” of the Democratic Party. The new scare tactic is here!

Every election season we have something new to be scared about: DEI, wokeness, transgender people, socialism, communism, death panels, teachers brainwashing our kids, restroom chaos, critical race theory, welfare queens, immigrants eating cats and dogs, immigrant hordes marching toward our border, the gay agenda, etc. Now, Rep. Steve Scalise, dusts off the old “Bolshevik takeover” alarm and rings it like they’re the town crier in a history-themed escape room. 

 Suddenly, the city council’s proposal for a new stop sign, a library budget increase, or a free hot dog at the community picnic is apparently the first step toward the workers seizing the means of bratwurst production. Before long, Karen from accounting is being described as a revolutionary threat because she suggested a potluck. You’d think Lenin himself was hiding behind the copier, waiting for the right moment to nationalize the office coffee maker. 

Oh, how could I forget litter boxes in schools!? Schools can barely keep enough tissues and dry-erase markers in stock, but somehow, they’re supposedly managing a secret feline restroom program? It’s a reminder that a lie repeated often enough can sound convincing, even when it falls apart the moment you ask for actual evidence.

The problem with fear-based campaigns is that they work with a certain segment of our population. That population votes. I would also bet $1,000 they have no clue who the Bolsheviks or Lenin were. Who cares that we can’t afford anything anymore, there is some guy with painted nails.

We all need to take a beat and think about what we read and hear. Use multiple sources for facts and have discussions with friends, even if they don’t align with your political tendencies.

This letter was written to me by a friend, printed with their permission. I wanted to pass it on because I concur with his thoughts.

Wendy Henderson

Greybull