Analysis of a Republican Fundraising Letter

Republican leaders say they have much to fear. The latest fundraising letter from the Republican National Committee is designed to be frightening and demanding at the same time, about issues that aren’t a problem.

It warns about:

• Joe Biden’s radical fundamental transformation of America.
• The rich and powerful forces of the Left.
• Stopping Joe Biden and the Democrats from destroying America.
• Stop the Biden Democrats from ruining our nation with their Socialist schemes.
• Democrats want to keep the government gravy train rolling to fund their Socialist takeover of America.
• Biden’s radical transformation of American society and rolling back President Trump’s accomplishments.
• Far-Left, Big Government Socialist policies.

The Republican fundraising letter, signed by RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel, is mighty short on specifics. For example, she wails about “socialism,” but doesn’t say why. But she says it’s bad, even though it includes popular programs like Social Security, Medicare, free vaccines, unemployment insurance, child labor laws, and agricultural subsidies. Actually, socialism doesn’t seem scary at all.

As for destroying and ruining America — under President Joe Biden unemployment has dropped by 60%, 600,000 new jobs were created each month, 77% of eligible Americans are vaccinated, and 40 million families with children got a tax cut. Biden’s approval rating is back up to 50% (Trump left office with 34% approval).

The “radical transformation” Biden is proposing includes lowering prescription drug prices, cutting the cost of childcare, rebuilding infrastructure, making affordable high-speed Internet nationwide, replacing lead water pipes, and acting on climate change, and, in the process, creating millions of jobs that pay well.

Boogeymen!

When the GOP letter finally gets specific, it cites boogeymen like:

• Higher consumer prices
• Record debt
• Surging crime rates
• Open borders
• Government intervention in nearly all aspects of life

Consumer prices. Consumer prices are up because demand is higher, shipping routes are clogged, and ports have labor shortages. High gas prices are caused by OPEC, increased demand, and hurricanes – not Biden.

National debt.  Build Back America will add $0 to the national debt, compared with Trump, who added nearly $8 trillion. The Biden plan will be fully paid for by having the largest corporations, including the 55 corporations that paid zero federal tax last year, and the super-wealthy begin to pay their fair share.

Crime rates. The person in the White House has little to no connection to state and local crime problems. However, the increase in gun sales during the pandemic contributed to the rise in homicides. In response, the Biden Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy in June.

Borders. The Biden administration has expelled more than 700,000 migrants since January. There are now 18,600 Border Patrol agents deployed along the southern border, and the border is not “open.”

Government intervention. These words are code for “vaccine mandates” and “masks in school,” which caused Covid hospitalizations and deaths to decline for five weeks. Unfortunately, the GOP wants to put business interests ahead of a clean environment, labor unions, healthcare benefits, and retirement benefits.

Pay up now!

The letter is quite demanding to recipients. It dictates that recipients send “the most generous check you can afford,” “your prompt reply and campaign gift,” “rush back your emergency contribution…right now.” Finally, the letter warns, “I’m counting on you.”

Republicans respond to fear. Letters like this raised $105 million over the last nine months for the GOP. Republicans recognize that pushing the stolen-election lie is essential to keeping Republican voters engaged without Trump on the ballot. Republican leaders consider Democratic and liberal election victories inherently illegitimate — constituting a profound injustice that must be subject to nullification.

Are you scared yet?