Could Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, or Joni Ernst make a red state conservative believe his poor hard working neighbor, or his mother, is a traitor to America even if they are not? You betcha. Republicans and conservative pundits know that if the message is from a source conservative are told they can trust, they can get them to believe anything. Even a lie.
Predatory conservative politician and pundits know that all they have to do is keep repeating the same lie and soon everyday conservatives are convinced that the most outrageous lies are God inspired patriotic truths. That's the power behind the conservative lie.
If conservatives lies are anyone's only source of ideas, thoughts, and information, then they are relegated to the pathetic position of believing lies because that is the only information they have. Furthermore, it's from a source they trust.
If a conservative is not a critical thinker he likely is incapable of thinking: " wait a minute, I know this about Mom and what you are saying isn't true." if he trust the source, of course, and if he hates his mother, because he has been taught to hate his mother, then the lie is much easier to believe.
Research has show that the conservative brain would rather believe an accepted lie is true than alter that position. Consequently, no amount of facts can intellectually and/or emotionally get lay conservatives off a lie they believe is true.
The power of the redundant lie is such that professional conservative liars can convince everyday conservative Americans...
1. That climate change is not real nor can climate be influenced by human behavior.
2. That a President who works to provide affordable heath care for all Americans is creating "death panels" and ruining the American economy.
3. That conservatives who love war but ignore veterans are patriotic Americans.
4. That trying to secure peace through negotiations is weak while lies and mindless rhetoric leading to war is a demonstration of strength.
5. That President Obama has never advocated equal pay for women, paid leave, taxing the rich, helping the middle class, rebuilding America's infrastructure, and eliminating student debt.
6. That A Republican who begins by saying "I am not a scientist" or "I'm not a doctor", and proceed to make a statement or proclamation only a scientist or a doctor is qualified to make is a good source of truth and information.
7. That fracking that pollutes ground water, causes earthquakes, causes city tap water to ignite, and causes the destruction of families and communities is good for America.
8. That Republican governors and other conservative state politician who pass laws forbidding stricken counties and cities to ban fracking in their jurisdiction do so in the best interest of the citizens of their state.
9. That Republicans who have killed every job bill proposed in congress have actually created jobs for Americans.
10. That An American citizens demanding clean drinking water are activists while corporations who pollute and destroy the sources of American drinking aren't domestic terrorists.
The world is a scary place. And life can be difficult. But believing a lie because it is emotionally and intellectually easier than facing the truth does not make life easier. Nor does it make life less difficult. As a matter of fact, believing the lie and not facing the truth expose you and your family to more difficulties and is more scary than the truth could ever be.
We wish you well America. But if Red State conservative America doesn't wake up and stop voting for their abusers and tormentors, neither wishes nor prayers will be enough to save you from yourselves.