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The ‘push lie’ - The subtle manipulation of your brain [1]
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Date: 2025-03-09
‘Push Lie’ - A barefaced lie presented in such a way that it actually reinforces the lie
The particular falsehood I’m talking about has been the GOP’s most effective weapon for decades. Without it, I doubt we would be in the trouble we’re in now. This is how it is usually presented:
“But how do you explain that polls show more people think Republicans are better with the economy than Democrats?”
Think how often you’ve heard this, then tell me it’s not orchestrated. Granted, journalists have a herd mentality - especially the mob congregated in Washington D. C. They’re no different than the fashion industry, or car industry. But it’s not as innocent as that.
Let’s begin with the facts. For a long time, Democrats have been far better with the economy as it affects the majority of people and the health of the country. Republicans have been better at helping the wealthy get wealthier and the ultra-wealthy get ultra-wealthier.
Put another way, if you’re wealthy, Republicans are better at fighting for laws which lower your tax burden and help your corporation increase its profits. For you that means ‘better with the economy’. The fact that your selfish interest is often detrimental to the broader population and economic health of the country is of little importance to you. Main thing, you and your wealthy friends are cleaning ip.
Until about a half century ago, the media kept narrow selfish interests in check. The country was often booming - even when the wealthy paid over 70% taxes, and calls to lower those rates were universally mocked. Intelligent people understood the lessons of history, in particular that it was dangerous to a society and its government when only a few individuals and families had most of the wealth. History is full of awful ‘ruling classes’, aristocracies, and oligarchies.
But ‘intelligent’ people were about to lose their influence.
About the time of Reagan, America’s selfish rich had decided there was a way to overcome the barriers. They invested heavily in buying up the media - or buying enough to influence its direction. Once they were established, they were able to start pushing the lie. It wasn’t just fake statistics or exaggerated graphs, but they started using the lie. A simple sentence.
“Polls say a majority think Republicans are better with the economy.”
You can’t argue with the sentence itself because polls often DO say that. The newscaster can repeat it with a clear conscience. If someone presents charts showing Democrats are far better with the economy, the newscaster can respond, “Then why do polls show . . .” and so on.
But the truth is, by repeating this particular sentence, they are helping perpetuate the lie contained therein! If you hear the sentence several times a week, it begins to sit in your head that a majority must really feel they’re economically better off under Republicans. You start to accept that people really feel that way. Even you are subtly persuaded it’s true. The lie becomes self-perpetuating!
Remember what I’m saying next time you hear someone parroting the sentence!
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