H.L. Mencken, writer, editor, and critic

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The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed – and hence clamorous to be led to safety -- by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. -H.L. Mencken, writer, editor, and critic (1880-1956)

I disagree with this in that it is too sweeping a generalization, but I think that its thrust is worth bearing in mind, especially in a time like this election year. Candidates have to differentiate themselves from the competition, and the temptation is strong to emphasize certain issues extravagantly, perhaps turning them into imaginary hobgoblins.

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