We’ve been told, over and over and over again, that Kamala Harris is the candidate of “joy.” Tim Walz, upon accepting his vice presidential nomination, thanked her for “bringing back the joy.” Rolling Stone gushed that Harris’ “new politics of joy is the best way to fight fascism.” The New York Times headlined, “Harris used to worry about laughing. Now joy is fueling her campaign.
Now, for most Americans, this simply is not a time of joy.
Not a single poll shows more than 35% believing that the country is moving in the right direction. Two-thirds of Americans think America is on the wrong track. Meanwhile, the supposed candidate of joy has the approval of approximately 46% of Americans; almost 50% are unfavorable on her. Three years of extraordinary inflation means that everyday items now cost at least 20% more than they did in 2021. Uncertainty and chaos span the globe, from Ukraine to Taiwan to the Middle East. Americans no longer know whether they can safely say that a man is different than a woman, while simultaneously being informed that it is deeply important that they elect a woman president.
But … joy.
It’s a brilliant marketing gimmick, to be sure. Kamala Harris’ career has been filled with three marked characteristics: blatant and manipulative calculation; heavy-handed government interventionism; and awkward, off-putting mannerisms ranging from word salad to laughter. But “joy” can be used as a shield against all these charges. She’s not manipulative — she’s genuine! She’s not tyrannical — she’s caring! She’s not awkward and phony — she’s joyous! That laughter you hear isn’t the strange cackling of a machine politician caught in a lie. It’s a sheer outburst of happiness springing directly from the heart of a woman who is dancing on the inside. She is youth, she is joy, she is a little bird that has broken out of the egg!
Joy is also a sword to be used against opponents. Donald Trump, we are told, is a candidate of darkness and revenge. JD Vance, his vice presidential candidate, is “weird” and authoritarian. Why can’t they feel the joy?
In fact, why don’t you feel the joy? Is something wrong with you? Why can’t you bob your head to Beyonce’s “Freedom” while Kamala dances and Tim Walz pastes on a smile so broad it would turn Jack Nicholson’s Joker green with envy? Do you hate joy?
All of this is, to put it mildly, slightly sinister.
It is one thing to demand that Americans vote for a candidate for the presidency on the basis of her policies, or even on the basis of her opponent’s supposed unworthiness. It is another to demand that we feel the joy. It reeks of authoritarians of the past, all of whom suggested that the failures of their policies were not failures of leadership, but failure of the people to change their hearts of stone for hearts of flesh. It is not a coincidence that Joseph Stalin’s propaganda posters routinely featured small children gazing adoringly up at him, with the slogan emblazoned, “We Are Warmed by Stalin’s Affection!” Or that Mao’s posters similarly featured celebratory children, with the words, “Mao’s Words Bring Joy!” Or that Hitler offered free vacations to members of the German Labour Front with the slogan, “Strength Through Joy!” (One legacy of “Strength Through Joy” was the German “People’s Car,” later to be known as the Volkswagen Beetle.)
Authoritarians demand emotional fealty, not merely political fealty.
This doesn’t mean that Kamala Harris is a Stalinist, Maoist or Nazi (although members of the radical Democratic Party base seem to be warm toward aspects of all three regimes). It does mean that authoritarianism papers over its totalitarian policies with the soothing platitudes of paternalism and maternalism, and demands that you sacrifice the true joys in life — family, church, community — in favor of a Big Brother. Or, in the case of Kamala Harris, a Big Mother.
Just feel the joy. And stop asking questions.
Ben Shapiro‘s new collection, “Facts and Furious: The Facts About America and Why They Make Leftists Furious,” is available now. Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and co-founder of Daily Wire+. He is a three-time New York Times bestselling author. To find out more about Ben Shapiro and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website.
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Her attempt to be the candidate of joy is beyond pathetic. She does not inspire , does not project efficiency or confidence . She is not up to the job ,the ability simply is not there. She is way out of her depth. I can’t see her at the finishing line, she is hopelessly helpless .Yes she is deceiving and dangerous, yes she lies and treachery oozes out of her as she tries to ingratiate herself but it is shallow and false and even the legally blind must see it.
Theatrics and vitriol are the two best words for last night’s presentation of the Democratic convention in Chicago. Michelle Obama is right up there with Liz Cheney, Nancy Pelosi, not to mention Hillary Clinton and the press. I have never been more ashamed of being a woman by the simple mindless hatred of a member of my own birth given sex. It was outright human hatred of any person seeing matters of voting different from the likes of the majority of the supporters of the Republican ticket. It was a mindful, deliberate and warped presentation of the truth. Yet, another effort to take down a presidential candidate. The Democratic Party should be sanctioned for all illegal means of underhanded moves used to hold on to control of this once great country. It began with every single move by the Democrats to unseat Trump in his first election likely fueled by humiliation and hatred from the day he came down the escalator and won the Presidency of this once fine country. Since that very day, and likely before it, the wheels of vitriol began. And, that type of rot has been fueled by the ruthless Democratic power that has been the downfall we are now facing as a country. Trump has been on trial illegally since before the day he was first elected. He has never been given the right owed him and every person in this once great country. Look at what power has wrought and the ladies mentioned above have done more to trample women’s rightful gains than any man alive. Shame on such underhanded political manipulation of freedom. Not a single woman mentioned hasn’t been made rich by the government they now want to fully control their way.
Hope has never been a method for leading. Hope requires defined policies, methods, and action steps. I have not seen any of that proposed or promoted at the DNC.
Walz comments about bringing back Joy, appears to be a self declaration about socialist policies and programs, about to be unleashed.
As a veteran, I respect all who have served and have been willing to run to the sound of fire. No Balz Walz, First to Flee, has brought no honor to the words veteran.
A true veteran, of any gender, is someone who, at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America,” for an amount up to and including their life. That is honor.
No Balz Walz, First to Flee has no honor.
Excellent article. People need to force Dictator Beijing biden and Communist harris on why they are destroying our Food Supply.
Joy is, after all, in the heart of the beholder. The Waffen SS joyfully packed Jews into cattle cars, for example. What I found amusing was how, at the DNC, the American people were subjected to angerly delivered messages of Joy – we will be joyful and like it, or else.
Four weeks ago this cackling idiot was a LIABILITY to an obliviously senile, corrupt, babbling, buffoon, protected by the DNC until forced/bribed to withdraw from the race for president and now she is the SAVIOR of democracy. What A country!
Stupid is as Stupid does or believes. The witch of the west is riding in on her broom tonight.Kamala will be throwing a pail of water on herself and all the monkey’s will be dancing with real Joy!Joy, Joy, the witch is dead, the witch is dead.
Her speech sounded flat and uninspiring but I’m sure CNN will say it was either “Obamaesque” or “the greatest speech since Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address”! She’s no Obama…
That’s funny and appropriate!!
She would be the WORST thing that ever happened to this country if she were to be elected.
Hmmmm…so I guess the liberal platform is “The scourging will continue until the joy returns.”
We aren’t voting for the prom king and queen. Vote for the business minded person which is Trump. He hasn’t done anything in business that all the folks in DC haven’t done. How do you think they have 3 houses, vintage corvettes and billions in the bank account. Think about it. And just who went to Camp Cupcake???
JOY=J=Jesus, O=Others, Y=Yourself.
I do not think the democrats know how to follow that premise because they consider themselves Just Them, Others and Themselves. Forget everybody else, so much for their DEI…no matter what someone will be left out and they don;’t care. There is no perfect inclusion because of human nature.
No! She is not up to the job! Raised in a Marxist household. Born to two radical foreign students on visas. A red diaper anchor baby!
The left and democrats support her with NO agenda or policy!
The country is in serious trouble and you want to be a comedian. MAGA?
I’ll be voting Republican. If I don’t leave the President line blank, I’ll probably write in Nikki Haley. She could have beat Harris. I don’t think The Donald will. Hopefully, he will then fade away and the Republican Party can fix itself and take back Congress and the White House in 2028. I hope that I’m alive to see it.