naively certain that it was simply a matter of educating people, exposing them to new information and ideas. And this, despite the fact that even in high school, I knew that the educational systems were being deliberately, intentionally, dumbed down. I figured there was enough easily accessible information out there to overcome our pathetic education systems.

people don't want to think beyond what is placed in front of them (and some don't want to think at all).

to finish- "Can people really be THAT...

-angry
-overlooked
-jealous
-brain-washed
-gullible

........on and on and on.

Until we listen to their grievances, we will understand or CHANGE nothing.

I'm as pissed off as anyone but we need to start seeing the other side as people once again.

grievances, hatreds, anger, ignorance, misogyny, racism, etc., etc. I have spent many decades hearing/reading, being actively threatened by, the same. It would be nice, completely novel, for them to perhaps actually listen to, actually hear, us. I am not holding my breath.

Perhaps doomed, but hope still makes squeaky noises deep down.

over seven decades of watching this insanity gets very discouraging. Still, I will do my best to keep my promise to any number of pols and idiots that I will outlive them, dance on their graves, and fix what they have messed up. Always said with what I have been told by some is a rather nervous-making grin.

is underestimating the quality of fools in the world.