Emotions in Politics

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-19905786

This article from the BBC talks about the use of a Soldier killed in Libya as political propaganda. While propaganda has been a major tool used in politics, it remains a controversial one. While this article is about Mitt Romney's use of an anecdote about meeting Glen Doherty, a Navy SEAL killed during the attacks on the US consulate in  Benghazi, Libya, it calls into question the use of propaganda to fuel our emotions and influence voting, and when that propaganda goes too far. The mother of this soldier asked Romney to stop using her son as a political tool, and he obliged, but should he have ever used this soldier in the first place regardless of the wishes of the family?

It is impossible to separate your emotions completely from politics. The things we care about influence the way we see the world, and the way we vote. I chose this article because it made me think a lot about the way we are inundated with propaganda, from the candidates, political action groups, and in the age of the internet anyone who writes a blog or comments on a news story. My Facebook news feed is filled with memes of candidates and key issues, and everyone has an opinion to share. When I think of propaganda, I always think of World War II posters, not of the modern world, but in some ways we are much more inundated with propaganda now than ever before, even if it is more subtle in some respects.

Propaganda is going to be a tool used in politics. I don't see that ever changing, but when does propaganda go too far. Many candidate use anecdotes about people they meet while campaigning. It's a way for them to relate to "average Americans." It is propaganda, and it pulls at out heartstrings to influence the way we vote. Mitt Romney went a step further and used a soldier's bravery to attack his opposition. That is crossing a line. It is important as citizens that we recognize propaganda for what it is, so that we can separate logic and emotions to make an informed decision.