Fear

Motivation includes success, money, power, luxury, freedom of wealth and ego pleasure. The opposites are: poverty, injury, pain, sickness, embarrassment and fear. The yin and yang of life. The ups and downs.

We hope for something and work for it. We fear of something and work to avoid it.

Marketers know this. So do politicians.

Seeking the positive is less powerful. Avoiding the negative is very positive. It causes people to take action. Now.

This is why the president cancels treaties, trade agreements, installs fresh tariffs, bad mouths people, chides and bullies others. He upsets the status quo and demonstrates he can change things. This makes his enemies fear more of the same. More unsettledness. Discomfort and fear of loss – of power, of freedoms, of economic ability.

Fear is powerful. It is the title of Bob Woodward’s newest book on trump.

Trump’s base believe his antics are working. He is causing a reaction among his opposition. That is a delight to trump supporters.

For the rest of us, we abhor what he does and says. We think it is out of ignorance; it is, but it doesn’t matter, because what he does unsettles the laws, the courts and the markets. While everyone handles the fallout, he is merrily bouncing toward the next move.

It comes to mind that managing this is similar to handling a toddler. Ignore the kid. Go on with life and duties. Ignore the tantrums. The toddler will still act badly but he won’t get his way. That may cause him to change his methods. Those could be better or worse. But don’t give him audience. He is peddling tripe and we have serious work to do.

Same with the press: document actions, statements and all the rest. Ignore him otherwise and attend to those grownups in our midst who actually accomplish things in the name of the people of America.

This tactic may develop other problems and unforeseen issues; but we will just have to learn how to deal with those. Meanwhile, wouldn’t it be better if we didn’t see the trumpster’s face every 15 minutes?

Time will show this man the exit soon enough. Meanwhile, let’s make the best of it. Get on with the business of America.

November 2, 2018