One reason why the election is so close, assuming that it is.

[thucythucy]

I was at a family gathering this past weekend. One of my nieces--an otherwise intelligent and thoughtful person--expressed some outrage at the so-called $750.00 limit for FEMA assistance to people devastated by the hurricanes.

She's not a Trump supporter, neither is anyone else in the family, who were quick to correct this bit of Trump humper disinformation.

My point is that the campaign of lies has reached so far that even reasonable people are being exposed in ways they find credible. In short, our world is being swamped with bullshit.

I'm at the moment re-reading William Shirer's Berlin Diary. In it he remarks again and again at the effectiveness of Nazi propaganda. Those Germans who didn't believe it outright were at the very least confused and disheartened by the constant stream of hate and anger and lies.

I think it's imperative we find a way to confront the people--foreign and domestic--ultimately responsible for this state of the media landscape. Specifically, that "loose affiliation of millionaires and billionaires"--to quote a Paul Simon song--who have been allowed to control so much media.

My own quick solution: a stark increase of the taxes on the accumulated wealth that enables such control, followed by anti-trust action to pull apart the largest media conglomerates.

All of this is of course dependent on the election of Vice President Harris.

Which means: GOTV!!

Sorry for ranting, but I've been obsessing about this since I heard her comment and felt the need to vent.

[oldsoftie]

1. "He keeps saying it over & over so it MUST be true"

He knows that & thats why he keeps on. This election will be a squeaker because of it
I really hoped that when SO many of his own former people came out against him it would move the needle. Doesnt seem to have happened.
My ONLY hopes are the "silent" anti-trumpers. They're not going to vote for him but dont DARE say so. I know 3 of these people; all 2016 trump voters NONE will be voting for him in '24. While my experience is anecdotal, it would be odd if I was the only one. In '16 there were the silent trump voters. This cycle I think its reversed.
My other hope is something comes out about trump so bad that even DUers haven't thought of it. NO idea what it would be.

[thucythucy]

2. The constant repetition is indeed a major reason for the effectiveness of all these lies.

The tactic comes straight out of Mein Kempf and the Goebbels playbook.

I hope you're right about silent anti-Trumpers.

We're going to need every single vote.