As the American people begin to closely examine the shroud that has been pulled over their eyes–seeing the veneer of misinformation that has been cast over the country’s exponential and perpetual profiteering and war-mongering–the people slowly awaken to the prospect that, in its simplest terms, they have been lied to.

The Choice to Follow Their Lead

This country is in the midst of a massive awakening, and the average person is being confronted with a choice: address the looming dark realization that their reality is not what it seems, or double down on the comforting lie and brace for the consequences. With the level of information being thrown at the public in today’s battle for the American mind, it is no wonder many have chosen the latter. It is a far easier path to stick with what’s familiar, however sinister it might be. As Aldous Huxley predicted, people are being overwhelmed with so many conflicting narratives that many are choosing to stick with what they knew. Despite the pressing feeling that they are being misinformed, at least they can feel good about themselves, or so they are told to believe. It has almost become another form of religion: memorize these talking points, spread the taking points, and have faith that you are on the right side.

What this has produced is an entire class of Americans who have been convinced that they are “informed;” whose attention, prior to this election cycle, was scarcely directed at much other than the latest reality TV scandal. In essence, that is what this past election was turned into, a crazy reality show. This was ingenious, as those caught by the similarities of the two are slowly turned on to the new reality show: American Politics. This has awakened a dumb sleeping giant, waiting to be pointed in the right direction. These are the very same individuals screaming at rallies that Trump will end the world, or conversely, yelling that we need to “Make America Great Again” with no conception of how that is to be done, or what it even means; as if those that have been politically active, prior to the new shiny political show, have been just sitting on their hands waiting for this amazing slogan to come along and give Americans the insight they have been waiting for.

In reality they are simply parroting what they saw on their chosen pulpit and aggressively defending these falsehoods with no real understanding of the surrounding dynamics, and why they have the position they are claiming to hold. When confronted with contrasting information, even while attempting to have a civil discussion, these are the individuals who quickly get agitated and lash out, throwing out terms like “un-American” or a “conspiracy theorist.” These are the preconditioned responses to any idea that even slightly contradicts their treasured gospel of truth.

The Divide

This past election cycle, with its supposed “anti-establishment candidates,” has completely changed what was previously a political insider’s game. With rising support for outside the box candidates such as Trump and Sanders, the country has witnessed a rise of the previously voiceless and currently uninformed. The sudden arrival of this previously silent 40%, who chose not to grace the nation with their opinions in previous years (by opting out of the voting process), caused a staunch divide within the American populace, due almost entirely to the incendiary rhetoric being spouted by those for whom they have risen in defense of.

Whether these supposed “anti-establishment” presidential potentials were genuine in their intentions or just more Manchurian candidates with designs to continue business as usual, a clear divide has arisen. This invigorated a previously nonexistent “middle-class” (if there is still such a thing) to come out in droves to cast their vote for whomever their favorite program told them they were smart for already thinking about picking; it was nothing more than intentional validation of preexisting, preconceived ideas; no real critical thinking involved. This is by design.

Some feel that the intention was to syphon enough votes away from the other potential candidates, using Trump and Sanders, to allow for what was clearly the establishment hopeful, Hilary Clinton, to easily fall into office as the obvious lesser of two evils. Yet, despite the legitimacy of that claim, no one actually informed was able to call Clinton the lesser of any evil, let alone the best choice. It was certainly argued that she was a better option, yet it all hinged on whether one felt the scandals surrounding Clinton were political hype, or legitimate crime. With all of continued chaotic aftermath, it should now be quite clear that it was the latter.

It would seem the laughable idea of literally choosing the lesser of two evils to represent the American people and stand as commander-in-chief of the largest military force on the planet, is now this country’s “democratic” status quo. As supposed free individuals, it is hard to address this fact and not come away feeling cheated. So, most ignore it, taking solace in the fact that at least they got to choose between the two; but did they?

Time and time again it has been shown in this country that the electoral college (the system that is used to dole out votes after they have been cast) is anything but democratic. Currently in 24 states, the electoral college does not even have to vote for the candidate who wins the popular vote, they can literally vote for whoever they want, despite what the people have chosen. Take that into account with gerrymandering and super delegates, and it becomes clear that this system is cleverly disguised as a democracy, but quite far from being one.

Some feel that this invigoration and divide of the previously uninvolved was created in order to garner the type of violence and unrest being witnessed in all political arenas at the current stage. The end goal being a push into “an obvious need for more control, more government, more more more,” and ultimately, the big aversion for most of the uninformed, the New World Order, or a one world government; which has been openly discussed and is a genuine agenda.

Conclusion

Whether one chooses to listen to the obviously biased mainstream media or an independent source, not following up that observation with research of one’s own, is not truly being informed, but just taking another’s word for it. Should one really bank their future and the future of this country on the thoughts and potential ulterior motives of another?

The only way to truly be informed is for one to take it upon themselves to not only research a topic they wish to understand, but to actually understand the topic, and not just repeat what was last heard as one’s personal opinion.

Do not be another manufactured tool of those pulling the strings. Do not allow yourself to be distracted and beguiled by the proverbial bells and whistles of the current political theatre. Take it upon yourself to understand the true inner workings of the US government and know when action must be taken and when it is in the best interest of the American people for that action to be avoided.

Sources: http://www.thenation.com/article/figuring-out-why-93-million-people-didnt-vote/, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-steven-friedman/antidemocratic-electoral-college_b_1744138.html