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0 pointsInternetUser8y ago0 comments

> education won't fix echo chambers.

No fewer than 6 of the coveted "swing states" switched from blue to red[0], and many counties across the country flipped as well. What persuaded hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of 2012 Obama voters to be 2016 Trump voters? Trump himself educated them, in his speeches. I'm one such person, spent the entire election season commenting and chatting with others on Reddit and YouTube with others, and there were countless Trump supporters who had been Obama supporters. Trump educated us more about the political system than any politician or journalist ever has. He taught people the phrase "lobbyists, donors, and special interests." That itself had a very powerful effect.

[0] https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/president

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tyfon8y ago

I'm seriously wondering about the education system in the US if you had to learn about lobbyists, donors and special interests from Trump.

This is primary school stuff in my country at least, along with the explanation for why political ads on TV are banned here.

fhood8y ago

Your not the first person to worry about our mandatory education. It varies enormously depending on the resources of the surrounding area, and I am sure there are some schools that cover modern politics.

dmode8y ago

I have been in this country all of 10 years and I knew about lobbyists, donors, special interests even before coming over. US and lobbying system is famous across the world, even my 75 year old parents know about it and they live in some far flung developing country. I am surprised that Trump had to educate people about this basic stuff.

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