Conspiracy theories seem to be as American as apple pie.

In the modern era it seems to begin with the John F. Kennedy assassination in which everyone appears to have an opinion, and the vast majority of Americans still believe that the circumstances of his death are questionable.

Recently I was informed of a new theory that originates in our area.

It says that there is a concentration camp here in Berrien County to dispose of the enemies of the Obama administration. After looking in to it a little I discovered that the camp in question was a Bible camp or at least according to the theorists, that’s what President Obama would like us to believe.

Even though conspiracy theories may be intriguing and make for fun conversation, when people believe in them wholeheartedly in the face of facts, it can be dangerous to our nation as a whole.

One group of conspiracy theorists that the Democrats refer to as the Flat Earth Society claim that global warming isn’t happening even though the greatest scientific minds of the world are claiming it is, and there have been multiple reports proving that our world is on a collision course with disaster.

But if they don’t want to believe scientific fact, maybe they should just look out their window. Unfortunately when it comes to climate change people believe that if we enforce more environmental regulations, it will cost jobs. Even if that were true, I’d rather lose jobs than threaten the lives of future generations.

Personally I think disbelievers’ denial have more to do with their hatred of liberals than in any actual facts put out by conservative think tanks that are well paid to make things up. Let’s not forget the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity who personally profit from the conspiracy theory controversies and will continue to do so as long as people continue to view them as an actual source of fair and balanced news.

Other national scandals include the Clinton Whitewater Scandal and more recently Benghazi, over which the GOP continues to make accusations of wrongdoing even after the release of four reports from government agencies stating that the Obama administration was not to blame.

The Benghazi scandal is designed to discredit then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton if she chooses to campaign for president in much the same way they attacked Bill Clinton over Whitewater. Public accusations, Congressional hearings and millions of dollars of taxpayer money wasted, and they never found anything linking the Clintons to any wrongdoing concerning Whitewater. And it will be the same with Benghazi. However, by then the damage may already be done.

Nothing affects an election year more than scandal. One thing our nation’s political parties have learned is that the accusations don’t have to be true, because if they are repeated enough the American people will believe that they are.

I’m insulted by the idea that they can make up facts and expect me to believe it like gospel. In the next election I hope the voters of this nation will cast their votes on fact and not a fabricated controversy designed to discredit opponents.

 

William Crandell is a community activist and member of the Michigan Education Association and the Michigan Democratic Party. He is also a member of the South County Democratic Club where he has served as their communications director and as the chairperson of the SCDC Blue Tiger Community Action Committee.