...the dumbing down of America.

I think political campaigns in a democracy such as the U.S. have become manipulations. Clever ways to influence minds. And outcomes. With sound bites. With key words. Yes, we are being turned into a nation of robots. Non-thinkers. In essence, we are being told we don't have time to think. To ponder. To reflect. Because we are so busy. With other things. The candidates have become a product. Like a laundry detergent. Or a car. Or a breakfast cereal. Yes, they are being sold to us in advertisements. Often 30-second commercials. With slogans. Often, we are being sold on a personality. Rather than a bona fide issue. The idea is to make contrasts. Black and white. Conservative and liberal. Good and bad/evil. Anyway, I'm sickened by it all. I'm disillusioned over the dumbing down of America. --Jim Broede