It's that hidden funding that scares me. Whether it's massive spending by mega-corporations or targeted ads by foreign intelligence agencies. We can't understand how our democracy is being affected unless we know who is behind the money.
In terms of shaping views, welfare was designed to allow single mothers to stay home and raise their kids. Yet by twisting the issue people no longer support the idea.
Unions are no longer seen as something that helps 'you', they now help 'other' people.
In other words people might vote yes, yet at the same time prefer it not come up for a vote.
Tens of millions of dollars keep it in the forefront of your brain. There is no accident here. There is no "simply comes up"
I'm suspicious of some topics and the support they get myself, but your approach here seems much too fast to dismiss a topic that maybe you don't like. It's way too easy to just say something is not organic or illegitimate when the issue is unpleasant rather than really deal with it. I don't know if anyone has a good way of getting their finger on legitimate, or topics that are more "important" than others in a democracy.
But it's very clear to me that it's an artificially promoted issue that plays on people's emotions.
Divisive issues are not accidents. They're focusgrouped and marketed with extreme care.
I don't think I understand what you're saying. There can't be divisive issues?
Really, it's more than just being divisive that's at issue. At core you need to consider two factors.
1. Strong minority support vs general but weak opposition
2. Minimal direct impact
The point is these things both provide support and distractions. But, when one side gets into power they don't actually try and change much.