Someone please explain this to me...

[madaboutharry]

I don't get this at all. I am having a great amount of difficulty understanding the overwhelming ignorance of the American people, or maybe it is just republicans. Yes, that's it isn't it? It's republicans and the truth is that they love authoritarians and that Trump is what they have been wanting all along.

So with Putin standing over Trump's shoulder, they somehow believe that their lives are going to suddenly get better. Do they not understand that the daily life of the average Russian is very shitty?

[Warpy]

1. Americans have been disinformed by corrupt, corporate media for a very long time

Media buyouts, hostile takeovers, and consolidation began in the 1970s. We sour lefties tried to warn people what was going to happen when they reached near monopoly status, which they did by the end of the 80s, but as usual, no one listened.

Now six corporations own over 90% of media trusted to report the news and the result has been appalling. Our press is now particularly unfree and the messages getting out are lies, either outright or by omission.

[RKP5637]

2. Many Americans are literally stupid and brainwashed by propaganda. They believe all of the

hatred and lies they see/hear. It's a very very easy country to propagandize, plus most are naive and far too trusting. And one can't trust the media as most are propaganda outlets. Then, one has the republicans. Republicans will vote for anyone with an R by their name. That's all they need. In short. it's really fucked up.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. It is a complex, toxic mix of fear, authoritarianism, ignorance, selfishness

and in some cases, extreme misuse of religion. But I would expect ignorance - both willful and otherwise - and brainwashing from right wing TV and radio explains a lot of it.

Of course there really is no conceivable way we really could understand it - because we don't at all think and live and act like them.

[Skittles]

4. I think the sad truth is

a great percentage of Americans are highly susceptible to propaganda