I increasingly take issue with this wishful thinking that the American people are “smart enough” about anything."
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Agreed. It's almost like the late 1700's all over again, only now...~1/3 loves this country and is willing to fight for it, ~1/3 hates this country and is willing to fight against it and ~1/3 are either ignorant or indifferent (or both).
We may either be at, or fast approaching, a point of no reconciliation.
Americans are fast assuming this conformist and indifferent attitude so characteristic of the Soviet people back in the day.