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Why has America and much of the World shifted so far right? [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-02-03
The rightward shift toward a Nazi-Totalitarian world did not happen today, or yesterday, or last week, or last year. There has been a concerted effort, under many names and guises to co-opt organizations and ideologies since before I was born, I am 83. I am speaking from the perspective of an American but I believe the entire world is experiencing similar issues.
I am convinced these are the three most important factors driving the rightward movement globally and their interactions:
Media and Online Influence
Economic Anxiety and Inequality
Nationalism
Media and Online Influence is available in many forms.
I will include churches since they present a regular message weekly if not more often. Evangelical churches have presented a consistent narrative since I began attending in the very early 60s. I remember my first visit and a John Birch Society table manned in the entrance hall. Over time there were many similar organizations. It must be understood that Evangelicals have a life message that most truly believe. In the 70s and 80s, I noticed a much more aggressive and militant tone to the message. And the churches became more strident over time. The message changed from peace and love to a strident message of intolerance, bigotry, and exclusion.
The misinformation websites are not new but have gained more followers because other fringe groups and right-wing media give them notice and credence. Musk’s “X” has gone all in on lies and deceit and forced the viewing of right-wing propaganda. Facebook is moving in that direction. There are so many. They strive to outdo each other. Opposing media have sprung up to counter the misinformation so now we have a situation where, to quote Kellyanne Conway. “We have alternate facts.” Truth no longer matters. Media has become tribalized.
I believe with certainty that the person most responsible for dragging the world to the right is Ruprt Murdock and his Media Empire - without a doubt. Murdock has outlets in Australia, the UK, and since the 90s, Asia and South America. He has a media monopoly in much of America with the help of Sinclair Broadcasting. I and perhaps many of you have traveled much of America, only to find Fox News playing in the background at airport terminals, doctor’s offices, fire stations, and even churches. Fox News is pervasive and has shaped the American political narrative to their interest and profit. I expect they have a similar impact wherever they broadcast.
Economic Anxiety and Inequality is part of the RepubliKlan Playbook.
The RepubliKlans create the problem. The RepubliKlans exploit the problem. The RepubliKlans profit from the problem.
The South of America is my shining star of RepubliKlan hypocrisy. It is stridently anti-union since I have memory. They keep the wages down. They strive to provide minimal or no benefits or healthcare. But, they agitate the citizens telling them the bad guys in Washington are the cause. The pity is that these desperate people have aligned themselves with the problem’s cause when searching for a way out.
They caused it. They exploited it. They benefited from it.
The rise of Nationalism or, perhaps, clanism seems a natural result of media indoctrination and being exploited by political agendas.
People are told some terrible monsters of another color will come to steal their children and their shack while raping their wives and stealing their jobs. And they hear nothing to refute those claims. The people become desperate and ripe to join organizations such as The Klan or The Proud Boys in the hope of finding a way out of their poverty. The media and online hype, propaganda, and outright lies mostly go unrefuted and indoctrinate fear. Fear becomes desperation. Desperation becomes hate. Hate becomes violence.
I am pessimistic that the ship, World, with its passengers, including America, will be turned before she hits the iceberg, Totalitarianism.
Murdock has spread his poison across the world through audio, video, media, publishing, and more. He and his media machine must be stopped if there is to be a small possibility of a return to normalcy.
Churches must again become churches. Many pastors must be introduced to Jesus and his teachings if minds are to be changed.
I am not happy to have expressed these thoughts.
I do not foresee a good outcome.
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