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“What if we’ve been deceived into thinking we’re more divided, more dysfunctional and more defeated than we actually are?
Yes, deep divisions exist on some topics. But on almost every topic of monthly outrage, it’s a fringe view — or example — amplified by the loudest voices on social media and politicians driving it.
- No, most Christians aren’t white Christian nationalists who see Donald Trump as a God-like figure. Most are ignoring politics and wrestling with their faith.
- No, most college professors aren’t trying to silence conservatives or turn kids into liberal activists. Most are teaching math, or physics, or biology.
- No, most kids don’t hate Israel and run around chanting, “From the river to the sea.” On most campuses, most of the time, students are doing what students have always done.
- No, most Republicans don’t want to ban all abortions starting at conception. No, most Democrats don’t want to allow them until birth.
- No, immigrants who are here illegally aren’t rushing to vote and commit crimes. Actual data show both rarely happen — even amid a genuine crisis at the border.
- No, most people aren’t fighting on X. Turns out, the vast majority of Americans never tweet at all.
- No, most people aren’t cheering insults on Fox News and MSNBC in the evening. Turns out, less than 2% of Americans are even watching.
- Yes, current politics, and particularly the House, seem hopelessly dysfunctional. This flows in part from majorities so narrow that fringe figures can hijack institutions and render them dysfunctional.
- The actual dysfunction runs much deeper for structural reasons, such as redistricting, low voter turnout in off-year elections and geographic sorting (Democrats in cities, Republicans in rural areas).
What has changed is political activism invading everything, from football to beer to Target. Here, too, most normal people just drink, watch football, and shop —without giving a damn about the politics of it all.
This fringe nonsense plays out in the social media bubble before oozing into our lives.”
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All of that, every word, is from my friends at AXIOS. If you don’t subscribe, perhaps you should.
And you can find more reassurance in these anxious times by clicking HERE …