Our local Costco had its busiest February shopping day ever last Saturday — busier than the usual December holiday panic days. The store completely sold out of toilet paper, of all things. Stores across the area ran out of hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, and face masks.
Hand sanitizers that you would usually find in the Dollar Store are popping up for sale online for $100. France has plans to nationalize the manufacture and distribution of face masks and respirators, so they can be made available for those who need them most. Oregon is rationing its coronavirus test kits, screening first for verified need.
Whether we were aware or not, we’ve been commemorating “Fear Itself Day.” Franklin Roosevelt coined the famous term during his first inaugural address on March 4, 1933. He addressed a panicked nation and world 87 years ago this past Wednesday. It’s worth revisiting.
“First of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.”
There’s more, and it speaks to the mood and state of our nation today.
“Rulers of the exchange of mankind’s goods have failed through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence…. Practices of the unscrupulous money changers stand indicted in the court of public opinion, rejected by the hearts and minds of men…. We [must now] apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit….”
“Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to … our fellow men. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.”
There’s a lot to unpack here. Working backwards: Foolish optimism has been on full display from the White House, now mixed with dark insinuations about the motives of anyone who recognizes the dark realities of the moment.
Public trust has been squandered for monetary and political profit. Cynicism and suspicion fill the vacuum, mixed with poisonous tribalism. We don’t expect scruples or competence or responsiveness from our leaders. We’ve given up even expecting such things from those in control.
Those failures perversely affirm our refusal to give the government a dime more in taxes, an ounce more of trust, or a moment of self-reflection. We feel justified about our low state, even as we wallow in it. This self-fulfilling circle becomes a spiral of panic.
We have nothing to fear but fear itself, but that fear itself is scarier now. Good thing we bought plenty of toilet paper.
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Don Kahle (fridays@dksez.com) writes a column each Friday for The Register-Guard and blogs at www.dksez.com.
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