To hear the sincere, “patriotic” fervor in the voices of the Capitol rioters is to be reminded that in modern America, ignorance isn’t a problem to be solved, it’s a resource to be exploited.
Think of the businesses that couldn’t exist if it wasn’t easy to fool people into making bad decisions. If the average American were well-educated, our economy might collapse.
In our politics, exploiting “low information voters” with dishonest, emotionally manipulative messaging is the business model of the modern Republican Party; of each member of its right-wing media support system; and of the money-printing enterprise that is much of evangelical Christianity.
“I love the poorly educated!” as lifelong grifter Donald Trump once crowed.
So does everyone who profits from the looting of America, which under Trump became the business of the chief executive of the United States.
The Founders knew that rule by the people could not work unless the people were well-educated. As Jefferson wrote (in a 1786 letter), “No other sure foundation can be devised for the preservation of freedom and happiness.”
To hell with that, say Trump, Hannity, Falwell, and company.
Who cares about democracy? There’s money to be made.