Politics of hope, the politics of fear

There is a real dichotomy between the messages of the two major political parties. The Republicans play the politics of fear. The Democrats play the politics of hope. Which will win out?

People vote out of fear, and Republicans realize this. The issues of illegal immigration, terrorist attacks, nuclear holocaust, and abortion all play to fears. Especially in the post 9/11 climate, people are scared of what will happen. But, when an electorate votes out of fear, they lose sight of what really matters. The past eight years are indicative of this fact. Yet, there is hope on the horizon.

Sometimes, just sometimes, people vote out of hope, and Democrats play to this. The issues of health care, the economy, education all inspire the idealist in us. The positive tone of the Democratic campaigns seem to be generating interest. The voting turnout in the early primary states are indicative of this fact. After all, shouldn't politics be about bettering our future? Shouldn't we focus on fixing a broken health care system, bettering education, improving our economy? Why can't our polity push an agenda that betters our domestic situation, while protecting us abroad?

Only time will tell which politics will win. However, the American people are fed up with the past eight years of fear mongering by the Bush administration. Maybe, just maybe, hope will win over fear