Ignorance is destroying America.

[yardwork]

Our country is being destroyed from within because too many of us believe things that are simply not true.

Decades of hate radio, Fox News, and internet websites pushing "information" that is the opposite of the truth have resulted in millions of Americans who firmly believe falsehoods.

Examples of FALSEHOODS believed by half the country include:

Immigrants are stealing our jobs and bringing disease and violence to our country.

Christianity is under attack.

There is an epidemic of violence in the "inner cities" (a reference to African American neighborhoods).

Liberals want to take money away from "hardworking real Americans" (a reference to rural whites) and give it to people who don't work (dog whistle).

Hillary Clinton is the most corrupt individual to ever run for office.

Hillary Clinton planned to go to war.

Climate change is not a very big problem.

Obama destroyed the economy and our reputation in the world.

Democratic politicians are stupid and corrupt.

(Believed by many on the left, who don't understand that majority rules in Congress) - Democrats are weak because they're not fixing all these problems.

Trump is fixing all these problems. Trump is making America safe and prosperous again for "people who are willing to work."

I'm not sure how to turn this around other than GET OUT THE VOTE among those of us who have the facts.

This is no time for purism. The Democrats need to regain the majority. It's our only hope.

[still_one]

1. excellent message yarkwork. Thanks for this

[yardwork]

3. Thank you.

[brush]

63. You are so right, which is why repugs continue to defund education...

whenever they can.

Stupid people fall for their lies.

[sheshe2]

2. +1000

Thank you yardwork.

GOTV!!!

[yardwork]

4. Thanks!

[sheshe2]

6. You really nailed it.

[YessirAtsaFact]

5. I get your point

But I would say disinformation is destroying us.

I guess you have to be ignorant to buy all the disinformation, so perhaps it’s a moot point.

To me the issue is how do we stop propaganda in a nation built on free speech?

Talk radio in and of itself is okay as entertainment, but it has morphed into a vehicle for promoting insane conspiracy theories.

Frankly I’d like it shut down, but what about the first amendment?

Every time I think about the situation I’m led to reestablishing the Fairness Doctrine

[yardwork]

8. I share all this frustration. I agree that we need the Fairness Doctrine back.

We also need to overturn Citizens United, somehow. Legislation is the only hope, since we've lost the Supreme Court for a generation now.

[Dustlawyer]

30. I agree with all of what you said as the disinformation is one of two root causes

of most of our problems.

The other root problem is the money in our politics. It is how, along with the propaganda, the rich and powerful have controlled our government to their ends. It is why we have such high income inequality and our politicians never seem to do what the majority of the people agree on.

We need to join together on these two issues to the exclusion of everything else. While we have many serious problems they are used to distract us from their ultimate causes. Nothing will change substantially until we address campaign finance and disinformation!

[brer cat]

44. Oh, FFS!

We need to join together on these two issues to the exclusion of everything else.

Spoken by someone with a whole lot of privilege.

[Dustlawyer]

49. Sorry you believe that.

The trends are going against the 99% on almost all issues including racism, classism, education, sexism, environment... you name it. I believe that we cannot make permanent advances on these issues until we get the money out of politics and some form of truth in our news.

How these beliefs make me “privileged” I do not understand.

[brer cat]

56. You can't make *any* advances on these issues

if you choose to ignore them. Those whose very lives are at risk can't afford to ignore them while you are off chasing the magic fairy who can take money out of politics and lies out of the news. If you think they should be shunted off to the back burner then no, you don't understand privilege, but you have it.

[yardwork]

53. I think that we need to focus on one thing - electing a majority of Democrats.

All these issues are interrelated. None can be solved while Republicans control the entire political process. We need to elect Democrats at the local, state, and federal levels. Only then can we fix things.

[hot2na]

25. Bingo!

Yes its not that people are getting more ignorant but why are they getting ignorant. The surge of propaganda on the right has resulted in a more ignorant electorate. They cannot win elections based on their policies because nearly every one is unpopular.

Remember Fox news claimed it was fair and balanced. That was itself propaganda and most Fox viewers still believe it, even though Fox continues to shift ever further closer to being a total shill for the trump administration.

[calimary]

40. Welcome to DU, hot2na!

I remember when kkkarl rove was quoted as saying that "too much education is not necessarily a good thing." And we know why. An educated electorate tends to vote for Democrats. Because an educated electorate tends to be liberal. Any wonder the bad guys have such a fetish about defunding public schools?

[certainot]

43. FD not possible - it is time to politicize advertising on political talk radio - to democratize it

it just got very easy and cheap to transcribe talk radio - the left can use it to let advertisers and ad agencies know if they advertise on RW/trump talk radio they may be asked if they support him.

Artificial intelligence could spell the end of Trump talk radio before November

it wouldn't take much activism for the ad industry to get the message - it is very easy to list all advertisers on talk radio for any station - getting their contact info - web sites, phone numbers etc, without having to listen to it

in that situation no FD is needed to destroy the monopoly and open up new stations to liberals - then it would be easy

imo since RW talk radio is a well protected 20-1 monopoly it does not deserve to be considered part of the free speech spectrum in a democracy. but even if you do, there is no excuse for allowing it to do what it does without yelling back at it in terms of challenging it with other free speech. waiting for an FD or rich liberals to buy up radio stations is what the cons like us to wait for, and that's why we're here.

and here are 88 universities that are good places to protest anything trump

[dalton99a]

7. GOTV. Democrats MUST retake the House in November - at a minimum

[yardwork]

10. It's our last hope.

[Captain Stern]

9. Sad, but true.

I know plenty of people that I wouldn't consider right-wing, or left-wing, or even very political at all, that believe some of these things. And, they don't really care that much about whether or not those things are true.

The thing I'm worried about is.....what if we actually do like you rightfully suggest, and get the people that know the facts out to vote, and there simply aren't enough of us to win?

I know that's a depressing scenario, but I don't think that anyone that's paying attention would say that it's not a possible one.

Reminds me of an old joke:

Q: What's the difference between ignorance and apathy?

A: I don't know, and I don't care.

[yardwork]

11. The numbers are there if we get them to the polls.

[Pepsidog]

32. Terrifying how many people are so misinformed, ignorant,and could care less.

[George II]

12. Some excellent points, especially about the criticisms of Clinton. How did that work for everyone?

[Ohiogal]

27. I know people who would have voted for the devil if that kept Hillary out

The hate for her among some demographics borders on a mental illness.

[judesedit]

13. Research "The Dumbing Down of America". It's been advised many times.

Last edited Thu Jul 5, 2018, 06:08 PM - Edit history (2)

Once you do, you will understand. It is a real program started in the 40's to make sure kids learned and expressed only what they were taught. No facts necessary. No free-thinking. No descenting. You fail the grade if you don't tow the line. No joke. You are now seeing the results. It's basically called brainwashing.

Too funny. Should be dissenting. Excuse me and still look it up.

[kairos12]

14. Beginnings of dumbfuckistan began with Raygun.

[gay texan]

38. Completely

Repeal of the fairness doctrine

[hibbing]

15. An oldie but a goodie...Iraq attacked NYC n/t

[gopiscrap]

16. I have been saying this for years

and I don't know how to do it, but some how folks should have to pass a civics literacy test to get to vote

[Behind the Aegis]

17. Sort of agree.

It isn't "ignorance" in many cases, though, it is out-right stupidity! "Ignorance" is not knowing something, "stupidity" is knowing something, but doing something or believing something despite the knowledge. Personally, I think many people who are labeled as "ignorant" are really just "stupid" because they either really know what is happening or they know deep-down and refuse to admit it and make excuses. Ignorance I can work with, stupidity, well, it is often a lost cause!

[PatrickforO]

22. Or corrupt. I mean, what do you say about somebody who

KNOWS the shit they are spouting is an outright lie, but does it anyway?

Lots of people getting really well paid by the dirtbag billionaire parasites to do just that.

In the 60s and 70s we called it 'selling out.' Look at the scum Alex Jones. You can't tell me he actually BELIEVES most of the crap he drizzles out from the facial anus that serves him as a mouth. No way. But he's being REALLY WELL PAID to spew it.

[lpbk2713]

18. And ... the Labor Movement is run by communists.

OMFG

[calimary]

20. And don't forget - it was really Hillary who collided with the Russians.

[CloudWatcher]

19. Requiring schools to teach critical thinking would be a good start.

Unless the schools can teach critical thinking, I'm at a loss how the public can decide what information sources are to be trusted. And with the influence that religion has on our country, I don't see that happening any time soon.

[PatrickforO]

21. Yep.

Straight Dem.

[leftstreet]

23. That's not ignorance, that's a lack of counterpropaganda n/t

[Ferrets are Cool]

24. If ignorance is another word for being republican, I agree with you. nt

[spanone]

26. K&R...

[treestar]

28. It is appalling

I can recall a time when the purely ignorant did not win. And those who tried to manipulate with BS didn't succeed. The Orange Idiot has caused so much damage by "winning."

[demigoddess]

29. AMEN!!!

YOU SAID IT!!!

[dlk]

31. There is a Reason for the Half-Century Assault on Public Education by Republicans

Uneducated people are much more easily manipulated.

[lancelyons]

33. You have to keep fighting. We have to keep fighting.

I read somewhere where you have to post a few facts a day. Challenge tactfully people and their facts. Its a very bad time in America for sure. Family members turning on family members. Friends turning on Friends. Lies, Misinformation.

You have to know the real facts well and then push the facts.

[SargeXXX]

34. Fox is the enemy of the people.

[MadDAsHell]

35. There IS an epidemic in inner cities. I was glad to get the hell out.

Pretending it’s not, just because the neocons use it for their own sick purposes, is counterproductive.

The more we argue that there are not problems in the inner city, the less likely we’ll get resources allocated to those problems.

[yardwork]

42. I hear you, but when people are scapegoated, no positive change is possible.

We blame some poor people, but not others, for circumstances that are beyond their control.

As a white person, I recognize the racist undertone to complaints about the "inner cities" while poor rural whites are not blamed for poverty, violence, and addictions in their neighborhoods.

[smirkymonkey]

36. K&R

[OceanPete]

37. more to come

Thanks Yardwork, nice summary. Rupert Murdoch's corporate propaganda machine (Fox et al) is operated with input from Koch Bros and others to brainwash that ignorant segment of our population and get what they want, more $$$$.
Have fun, as we aint got far to go at this point!

[R B Garr]

39. +1000, I remember the first time I heard Rush Limbaugh. He was on

when I was at work, but I had a weekday off and tuned in to see what all the noise about him was about. I was stunned at how juvenile and really ignorant he was. Barely teenage level tripe, mocking people like an absolute child. It was really eye-opening and I thought it could never last. Now that is how all the RWers are.

Great thread.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

41. There may be a little hope...

Read this in entirety, kinda shocked me at first then warmed my growing kinda colder soul.

I Used To Be A Trump Troll — Until Sarah Silverman Engaged With Me


https://forward.com/scribe/402478/i-was-a-trump-troll/

[LAS14]

52. I really like Sarah Silverman and her unpredictable takes on things.

Oh, would that such interactions could proliferate.

[TexasTowelie]

45. K&R.

[Cha]

46. Well Done, yardwork! Everything you stated

is widespread Propaganda that has been pushed by those with their own selfish agenda. Otherwise why would they have to lie.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Thank You, Happy 4th of July!

[yardwork]

58. Happy 4th, buddy!

Hope you are doing well.

[Cha]

60. Well, you too, kiddo.. like Kamala Tweeted quoting Frederick Douglass..

Link to tweet

[yardwork]

62. I hear good things about Frederick Douglass. I think he's going places!

[Cha]

64. Right.. who can see ol Fredrick's

name without thinking of that?

[secondwind]

47. Excellent post!

[marlakay]

48. Absolutely true

I was talking to lady I hired for some landscaping and she agreed Trump is awful person then said but he is such a great businessman! I just about went ballistic. I told her about bankruptcies, debts, tariffs, etc and she calmly said, wow your so excited your blood pressure must be up.

I felt like saying it's almost never down now!

I was instantly angry because people think he has done all these great deals, the ones not like us that don’t pay close attention.

She said it got her too upset to watch news so she stopped years ago, said I should too!

Yeh right, then I could join the cult of, everything is just fine, ughhhhh!

Maybe thats how so many voted for Trump, they vote without watching the news or knowing anything about candidate except successful rich guy so they think.

[Gothmog]

50. Great thread

[LAS14]

51. Soon after the 2016 election I began thinking that...

... the real burden is on the educational system. We've GOT TO educate our populace to THINK. If we don't, we're going to lose our democracy.

[jimlup]

54. We actually don't have to "regain the majority" - we already are!

We just have to enforce that. It is a cold civil war in my opinion. The Republicans are NOT a majority. They are a serous MINORITY party who has wrestled control by being belligerent ill mannered assholes beyond what we could have imagined AND by kissing the asses of of the plutocrats.

We must GET OUT THE VOTE and fight like crazy at every Jerry Mandering and voter purge done by the anti-democracy Reptilians.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

55. I don't think it's people on the left who don't understand that majority rules in Congress.

And almost everyone here is registered and votes regularly. But there are those who quite honestly believe their vote doesn't count, which is actually true at the Presidential level to a large extent. If your state is going to go Republican for the President, the only point in bothering to vote for the Democrat for that office is to make the margin of victory one vote less. Same for the opposite (a Republican in a largely Democratic state). Every other office your vote does count.

An essential underlying problem is that history is very badly taught in this country, and even the best of news programming or newspapers tends to report all news in a vacuum, as if there was nothing leading up to whatever is being presented or written about. Worse, people tend to be quite proud of their lack of knowledge of history.

Frost that cake with the frosting of people not reading very much, or if they do read it's Game of Thrones or the latest Tom Clancy thriller, never a bit of non fiction of any kind, you have a truly ignorant electorate.

[NewEnglandAutumn]

57. It is a teenie bit more complicated

Things Destroying America
-Ignorance: tRump spews lies, his zombies are too dumb to fact check. The same was going on When President Obama was in office. The nutters (and Russia) would makes up stupid lies and the deplorables just lapped it up.

-Selfishness: Too much 'who cares if they can't afford housing, its not my problem' "I don't want MY money going toward universal health coverage, I have insurance through my job"

-Rudeness: "Hello 911 there is a n*$$er kid selling lemonade next door please make it stop" or "I don't care I don't have a handicapped plate, I don't want to have to walk in the rain. Besides I'm sick of having disabled people get free handouts.

-Pro Lifers:"women don't have the right to abortion. It is a human life with rights" "It is past time to get tough on crime. We need to stop cosseting criminals and execute them to save some $$" "You don't have the right to take a brain dead person off life support only God knows for sure". "NO WAY should we have universal health insurance I should not have to pay for those lazy poor people"

-Racism: "I'm not racist. It is not MY fault blacks, muslims and Mexicans are lazy criminals"

[Scurrilous]

59. K&R

[Haggis for Breakfast]

61. Here is an old Turkish proverb --

"It is wiser to fear the ignorant man more than the lion."

[yardwork]

65. Thank you all for your replies. You give me hope.

So many of us here recognize the problem. There must be a way to overcome.

Happy July 4.

[betsuni]

66. I was just thinking about this.

When you have people on TV before the last election giving some vague reason about likability, emails and a speech = corruption, something about being inspired and earning their vote, absolutely sure that Hillary will start WW3 just as they were sure Obama was going to. Saying immigrants are taking their jobs and not once did a reporter ask WHAT JOBS? Nobody in their right mind can look at Trump and Hillary and not see a difference.

It makes Americans look like morons. Such a shame that the Republican plot to turn politics into a war on its own citizens has worked so well. They had the funding, organization, single-minded discipline and patience. I wonder if even they are surprised. Certainly everything they do is based on the assumption that we're all idiots.

[guss]

67. Rich

The big money people
Tells us who to hate.
Tells us who is evil.
Tells us who is ugly.
Tells us who are weak.
Tells us who is the enemy.
Tells us who we should attack.
Tells us who we should sacrifice.
Tells us who we should care for.
Money is not a people they are monsters.
Money just cares about Control to increase the bottom line.

[lambchopp59]

71. See below, lambchopp #70

I referred your post, agree, and hope to be a catalyst for change within our own.
Even if it's just a dismissed thought... it's a thought.

[bucolic_frolic]

68. It's worse than that

It's stupidity. You can't overcome ignorance with stupidity. There's not only no will, but no mental ability to back it up.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

69. It's stupidity and apathy. A sizable percentage of our population just doesn't give a fuck. nt

[lambchopp59]

70. Examples touch on, but skip one plank in the falsehood based platform:

Pounding in the idea that the rich are too poor and the poor too rich.
See "guss" reply # 67 above, with a caveat.
Blast the RW nutjobs all you like, they are horrible people, however:
I keep seeing the political pendulum swinging further right every cycle, and "who's going to protect my money" democrats are complicit. I have very little to lose here, given nothing and ostracized by much of my family long ago. I see how the truly left base gets bashed and subverted here.
Without fully distributive policy-making, the Democratic party has surrendered itself as the left-leaning puppets of the Republicans who hold all the real power here, the economic disparity will continue to rip this country to shreds.
I.E. yes, the ACA was a step in the correct direction. Even that step is being damaged. You know very well why, and I'm ashamed of the greed.

[guss]

72. Agreed

People are complacent and get blocked and makes it too hard to fight.
We March and get blocked by Mainstream.
We tell our stories and Get Blocked by Mainstream.
We show Graphics and bar charts and get blocked by Mainstream.
We Show history and it gets Blocked.
How can we stand up when they keep knocking us down.