To the Editor:

Startling new findings show that if you are a middle-aged white person, your life expectancy is dramatically declining. Almost every other demographic in the western world is doing better. In the United States, every other group — including blacks, Hispanics, the young and the old — are all living longer. According to Angus Deaton, a Nobel prize winning scientist, the reasons driving these higher death rates are suicides, drugs and alcohol abuse, and chronic untreated diseases. 

I think the real underlying reason is fear. Fear of change; fear of losing power; fear of other religions; fear of immigrants; fear of losing your job; fear of rising minorities; and fear of the rising power of women. You name it. The ground they grew up on has shifted under their feet. Most have worked hard all their lives and have little or nothing to show for it. And many in this group have no health insurance. For this group their anger is palpable, and for some, the only escape is through drugs, alcohol and suicide.

Fear is a powerful emotion and it is basic to our human nature. When used in a smart way, it can be a effective political tool. Its use in politics is nothing new. Our history is littered with effective rants against immigrants, religions, minorities, especially blacks. Today's politics are no different. Just mention, the Muslim religion, Syrian refugees, Mexican immigrants, minorities or women's rights, and that fear fills the room with angry voters who are looking for someone to bring back the good old days.

This use of fear is not only dangerous to individuals but it is corrosive to our politics. We have real problems to solve. If all a candidate has to offer is fear and divisive attacks, then the solutions we can all agree on are never going to happen. Promising to recreate the false nostalgia of the past, ignores who we are today, the real changes we must accept, and the bright future that is possible.

We must find a way to work together, and ignore the fear being trumpeted by the hate mongers. Our goal should be fairness and equality for all. That can only be achieved if we all put our emotions in check and get down to the hard work required for real democracy.

Louis Vitale

Franklin