Who in America, as we move from winter to Spring, is afraid?
A better, more exacting question might be: Who in the third rock from the sun is not afraid? (The list is longer than most folks will admit.)
In no particular order, those who are afraid include:
Me. Having followed politics closely since I started a weekly newspaper when I was 19 (61 years ago), I have lived through desegregation. the third or fourth rise of the Ku Klux Klan, the assassinations of President John Kennedy, civil rights activist Martin Luther King, and shoo-in presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War,
You. Most of my close friends and relatives, neighbors and social media followers are afraid of something affecting their day-to-day lives. Although many would fervently deny that was true, Millions of U.S. residents stubbornly cling to the Alfredo E, Newman look at the world: “What, me worry?”
Elected Federal officials, and regular federal workers. Republicans are afraid they will lose their prestige and power position if they go against the expressed wishes of President Donald Trump, who has publicly stated anyone not loyal to his stated agenda will have a primary opponent in the next election cycle, and MAGA voters will ensure recalcitrant GOPers will be sent home. Democrats, for the most part, hold toxic thoughts at bay, hoping the monied interests will not bankroll an opponent in their next race.
Senior citizens. Folks 60 and over are fearful and worried about future retirement with the specter of Social Security being cut or disappear altogether, and future medical bills without insurance due to rising costs and diminished payouts.
College-bound students who are picking career paths, and soon-to-graduate fearful about job prospects. While service jobs —electricians, plumbing, heating and air conditioning jobs seem to be safe for the foreseeable future, other professions will be greatly diminished by Artificial Intelligence. Health services, the Veterans Administration, and teaching jobs will be needed in the near future, depending on the federal government supplying necessary capital to keep a majority of hospitals, clinics, and rural schools operating.
The advent and growth of the business of acclaimed experts and consulting services will become more popular due to the fear of both businesses and jobseekers fear massive layoffs at heretofore stable businesses — import/export, product transportation and delivery, certain local, federal, and global areas of businesses adversely affect by ever-changing technology.
And – entire groups of residents are really worried about the future of their chosen profession and livelihood: Farmers, teachers, financial consultants, real estate investors and Realtors, law enforcement, and professions thinned out by technological advances — librarians, any aspect of the movie business, taxi cab companies, OTR truck drivers, radio DJs, thoughtful politicians, and…the list grows longer daily.
Just had a flash memory: Remember sing-songing your way through the rigors of childhood? “Who’s afraid of the big, bad wolf…?”
So, in 2026, the correct answer to who is afraid is…damn near every person who can R.A.T.: Research. Analyze. Think.