The election results this November will be horrifying.

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16. money and greed are powerful forces and not to be underestimated.

generally speaking, humans in general and americans in particular will readily accept greed just as long as it isn't completely, nakedly obvious. any thin veil will suffice, even if it's illogical or demonstrably false.

cutting taxes will increase government revenue? sure, cut my taxes!
cutting taxes will cause massive trickle down? sure, cut my taxes!
cutting taxes will cause an explosion of private sector jobs? sure, cut my taxes!
and just the bottom line, cutting taxes when i'm doing fine and don't need the extra money will benefit me more than cutting the safety net for when i'm not doing fine and really DO need that money? sure, cut my taxes!

the tone of the political debate really shifted with the 1980 election. republicans always sold greed, but reagan made it folksy and fashionable, and republicans have only amped it up ever since.

democrats need to be ivy league-educated, rhodes scholar, head of the law review, squeaky clean, brilliant orators, highly charismatic, perfect candidates; republicans can be inarticulate, idiotic criminals -- just so long as they peddle tax cuts and corporate loopholes.