How did we get here? The dumbing of America, from Reagan to Trump and beyond Every Trump tantrum makes headlines, while the actual president's work is ignored. This is Reagan's legacy

USA ONE@lemmy.world to politics @lemmy.world – 776 points –
How did we get here? The dumbing of America, from Reagan to Trump and beyond
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Reagan was a symptom, not the cause of the disease. The press has always acted like Watergate was simultaneously a moment of pride and a moment of shame.

First I've heard this claim. Got any sources?

Boomers elected Reagan. Their first big showing in politics and that was their choice. They have been making terrible choices since.

The media wasn't what it was today. Reagan created it.

Don’t forget to include Nixon’s contribution to how the GOP conducts business. He laid the foundation and Reagan just amplified it

The so-called "greatest generation" voted much more heavily for Reagan than the Boomers did. Reagan didn't create the media. He played the media. It turned out the media likes getting played.

He created a Republican party that's publicly obsessed with identity and image, and privately sets all policy to help the rich.

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Ronald Reagan was a actor, not at all a factor
Just an employee of the country's real masters.

Ronald Reagan was a actor, not at all a factor

Slap a symmetric, charismatic face on shit, and people will eat it up.

He has to be a strong "Daddy figure" too.

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