Trump Fear Tactics Sells Food

If you are not yet one of those rare human beings who notice the widespread use of “Trump Fear Tactics” to sell food, you will be pleased to know, “the truth will set you free.” This is your clarion call.

Regardless how one intends to vote in the upcoming presidential election, most agree that at the heart of the art of “Trumpian Fear Tactics” is the deep understanding Mr. Donald Trump has about how vulnerable we all are when we are afraid. On lists of Donald Trump’s shortcomings, you may find “small hands,” but you will never find, “small understandings of human vulnerabilities.” While many argue “The Donald” may not be able to FEEL vulnerabilities like the rest of us, no one argues that he cannot SEE them in all of us. Mr. Trump, “the builder,” made his campaign on it. Many others, like the food industry, did it too. Being reminded that campaigns are designed to “incite,” gives “insight.”

“Fear of…” is an effective motivator, and a loud call to action. Using fear to drive a political campaign whose aim is to sell a particular candidate, (promote oneself), bears a great deal of resemblance to fear tactics used to drive a food-industry campaign whose aim is to sell food (feed itself).

“Fear of…” makes us listen. Loudly and clearly we hear them: Fear of ISIS, Fear of Invasion by Immigrants, Fear of Skipping Breakfast and Fear of Not Getting Enough Nutrition. It is when we finally become “scared enough to…” that “FEAR OF” becomes our true vulnerability. Building more walls becomes a simple solution to complicated immigration issues. Never skipping meals (eating more food) seems a reasonable way to lose weight. Fear Tactics offers the fix for our “fear of,” not for our problems.

Trump cares only how much he is voted for, not why. Food companies care only how MUCH we eat, not how well.

Just as Donald Trump did not invent fear tactics, chickens did not invent “chicken rings” or “chicken fingers.” Chickens have wings, not rings. Mr. Trump has the fingers, no matter how small. Chickens do not have them. Not ever, not at all. Both “The Donald” as the nominee and the chicken as the rings resulted from effective campaigns.

No matter one’s political leanings, it is time to stop blaming Trump for our vulnerabilities, and the chickens for the rings. Or, as Political Analyst, Ana Navarro said on CNN following yet another one of so many political moments of Trumpisms Revisionisms: “Well, we’re a little smarter than that, and it’s getting a little old.”

In other words, having insights into ground games is like getting our wits back. It turns around fears and scares away the bears. In health, as in politics, joining Ana Navarro in getting “a little smarter,” will leave many exasperated – but no longer in “Fear of.” Once unafraid, we can unhook from campaigns designed to be built on top of human vulnerabilities.

Turns out, breakfast is NOT the most important meal of the day, obesity does NOT stem from failing to move enough, skipping meals is NOT bad, and vitamins should NOT be taken “just to be sure.”

Whether it is by Donald J. Trump, or about Kellogg’s “Special K,” it is time to unhook from “what many people are saying.” It is not evidence of the truth. “The only thing we have to fear is…[not noticing fear tactics] itself.” And, as Ana said, “…it’s getting a little old.”