And their effects are multiplied because most people have zero connection with compassion, making them easily fooled by the most bald-faced of liars. We are filled with a world full of people "too stupid to know how stupid they are".

We must utilize and orient our moral compass consciously in accordance with universal compassion, or we are susceptible to the ravings of the powerful, who, as you accurately said, tend to be callously cruel liars who crave only money, power, and pleasure, at the cost of anyone and everyone.

Peace be with you.

"The Way goes in." --Rumi