Raised on Rush

The Donald Trump ascension to the top of the Republican platform for President of these United States continues to create anxiety and confuse many  people. Many who say they support Trump are not quite sure if it is his message that draws them to him or his presentation.

Take a minute and look at what Americans have been subjected to, for many years by Rush Limbaugh and an assortment of Conservative talking heads. Those who listen to these folks on a regular basis have been brain-washed to the point that entirely too many of them have lost the ability to think for themselves.

When I hear someone call in and admit that they have been listening to the same talk shows for many years, a light goes off in my head.   How should someone be expected to behave and think when he/she willingly and eagerly feed from the trough filled with the swill from these talking heads, day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year?

I listen as callers pour out their hearts to these talking heads; telling them how difficult life is for them. Most claim to have all kinds of problems, especially financial. Of course, talking heads, including Rush Limbaugh, without a moment’s hesitation, explains to them why they are having difficulties. I have yet to hear one of the callers ask one of these talking heads how they have managed to do so well, in the same environment they profess to be so bad.

Although most Talking Heads have different way of making their appeal and presentation to their audiences, the messages are usually the same-blame most if not all of the problems of this Nation on the Liberal establishment. The thing called fear works very well. For instance, they have convinced their listeners that if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, they will use it to attack America. The United States has thousands of Nuclear weapons. Common sense suggest that just maybe Iran is not foolish enough to take on our thousands with one nuke. Talking heads have convinced their listeners that corporate tax rate is what has driven US Corporations overseas. They tell their listeners what the tax rate is, but neglect to tell them at what rate they actually pay (effective tax rate.) I am sure this is not a deliberate omission of facts.

Take your pick; Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill Cunningham, Mark Levin, Savage, Herman Cain, Glen Beck and other light weight, less recognizable talking heads. They all tell the same story and use the same tactics-mostly fear. Lets us not forget what comes at listeners, almost 24 hours a day on Fox.

Trump’s ascension to the top has these Talking Heads in a pickle. Trump has actually divided them, and they are unsure how to handle it. At some point, there will certainly be more open warfare between these folk. Look what happened between Trump and Fox. It is unclear who backed down. Fox and Megan most likely were forced to eat crow and bow down to Trump. Look at what is happening between the Republican old guard and Trump. Trump appears unwilling to go along just to get along. This is all new to the Republican Party.

How this situation will eventually pan out is very uncertain.. However, Talking Heads will continue to fight for control of the minds and thoughts of their listeners. As voters look to replace the old guard of the Republican Party, they should devote some time and energy to finding new sources of information.