[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by LiverpoolWalrus

Well said, Bucco. I think cable news is partly responsible for this. I've heard educated commentators (I'm sure everyone has) who have said things like "they're coming for our guns," when they know darn well that's not true. It's called propaganda, or pandering to the base, because that's what the base wants to hear. Then when they hear it enough (or maybe even only once), then they believe it.

It's the same with them parroting "socialism" this and "socialism" that. It's because the cable news commentators are saying it's socialism or a person is a socialist, not because it IS socialism or the person is a socialist.

Just the other day I heard a respected commentator say "if we still have to wear masks after getting vaccinated, then why bother to get vaccinated"? My jaw dropped. He's smarter than that. He knew the answer. He was just playing the role of his audience members. He was telling them what they wanted to hear, even though he knew better.

He wasn't telling them what they want to hear. He was dictating to them what they are required to believe. It's called propaganda and it's very effective (obviously).