Who’s behind QAnon?Follow the money and consider the targets. Hollywood types and Democratic politicians. These are the ones behind the “deep state,” the dark forces of evil whose tentacles control our government and our institutions.
But is there a deep state? Well actually, it’s well known that there are powerful and wealthy forces that do corrupt our government and institutions. Like the consortium of cigarette companies suppressing government health warnings, the consortium of car companies suppressing fuel efficient engines, the health care industry behind the Affordable Care Act mandate, the finance companies behind the mortgage crash.
We can group these forces and simply call them Big Money.
We do all know this, because there is one group that repeatedly calls them out. Hollywood. Movies like “The Big Short,” exposing the finance companies and “Erin Brockovich,” where she takes down PG&E. We just recently watched an excellent movie “No Sudden Moves.” Trying not to be too much of a spoiler, it’s based on a true story with a Big Money car consortium behind the evil doings.
Hollywood loves these stories, in fact, people love them. It’s Robin Hood fighting the Sheriff of Nottingham. James Bond against international crime syndicates, and Avatar where the evil investors want to destroy the Tree of Souls and are stopped by the valiant warriors protecting it.
It’s a cliche in movies of smaller scope as well. How many detective movies have a rogue detective following the clues only to learn it’s the commissioner in cahoots with, yes, Big Money?
This is all a problem for Big Money. It’s bad PR.
The other problem is Democrats. Neither political party works particularly well for the people, but the Democrats are more likely to tax Big Money, more likely to put in environmental, safety, health sorts of laws that cost Big Money money. The Republicans are more likely to cut taxes on the wealthy and stop that expensive oversight.
How can Big Money fight these forces aligned against its interests? Here’s a brilliant idea. Take that story everyone enjoys and spin it upside down. QAnon.
It’s brilliant! The deep state isn’t Big Money, but despicable sex offenders. And it’s not working class heroes who battle them, it’s, yes, Big Money!
The Sheriff of Nottingham is the good guy! Fighting that bandit Robin Hood (and his merry? wink-wink men)! The Joker is the good guy, taking down the evil Batman (and what’s with him and Robin?)
Can there be any doubt that Big Money is behind QAnon? That it’s a brilliant spin to get Hollywood and the Democrats off its back? To let the Sheriff of Nottingham keep the land he stole from the people, to protect the Joker’s criminal enterprises? To bail out the big investment banks, the car companies, to protect the drug companies, to….
Consider their savior. The man who will lead “The Storm.”
A man who self identifies as the epitome of Big Money. The man behind the Trump Tower (which kind of looks like a Hollywood prop for an evil corporate headquarters).
Readers, if this rings true, spread the idea, let your QAnon friends know that they’ve been had, that they’ve been tricked into fighting for, not against, the very deep state/Big Money conspiracy they fear.
Dennis Merritt lives in Shelburne Falls.