When facing propaganda, be wary and wise,
schemes that profit, state actors will disguise.
Modern charlatans, manipulating with skill,
using fake media, false equivalences will instill.
Our emotional instincts, no match for their deceit,
repeating blatant lies, brings societal defeat.
Your money and dignity, both are at stake,
casinos and lotteries are both on the take.
When Trump asks, “What the hell do have to lose?”—
it’s obvious your sovereignty, he wants to abuse.
A smooth operator, gambles with your wealth,
an authoritarian—with your liberty’s health.
By: ElRoyPoet © 2024
Trump’s gamble: A failed bet in Atlantic City
Why do people believe outlandish lies? The concept of believing in something seemingly impossible can be intriguing, and the more animated liars are, the more persuasive their lies become. I must admit that I have fallen for the outrageous lie that I could win the lottery. Throughout my life, I have purchased numerous lottery tickets, hopeful that I would strike it rich, only to be continuously disappointed.
The Largest Lottery Jackpot Winnings in U.S. History
But what drives this false perception in my mind? Is it the constant bombardment of state lottery advertisements or the influence of social media? Why does my emotional brain hold onto the outlandish idea that I could potentially be one of the lucky few to win the lottery?
Gambler’s Fallacy: The simple math error that can lead to bankruptcy
Statistically, the odds of winning the lottery are as low as 1 in 292 million people. This means that, technically, 292 million people, except for one, end up as losers. Even in instances where the highest payout reaches nearly $1 billion, each of those 292 million losers contributes about $5 to the winner.
What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?
It almost feels as though the state is scamming its citizens under the guise of entertainment. Participating in the lottery is a choice, not an obligation. However, it poses a significant disservice to society as it creates a gambling addiction crisis. The main beneficiaries are the state itself and those in charge of lottery commissions who pocket a sizable portion of the revenue generated by controlling the rules and revenue.
The game of Poker, on the other hand, requires a level of skill, nerve, and luck. Winning the Lottery is purely dependent on luck, but casinos and lotteries have found ways to trick people into thinking that winning depends on the player. These smooth operators have cleverly framed the marketing to convince the public that the odds of winning are similar between card games and the lottery.
If society was less gullible, state lotteries and casinos would have already shut down due to a lack of interest. Unfortunately, these evil capitalists are taking this scam to the bank because as the saying goes, “a sucker is born every minute.” They keep winning while the population keeps losing.
So why did I fall for the state-sponsored marketing campaigns and believe the big lie that if I try harder, if I have real faith, if I’m more persistent, I will win this time? All these tactics were employed to influence me to spend more of my hard-earned money on lottery tickets.
Why would anyone in their right mind believe they could win in the first place? My rational brain understands this, but my emotional brain takes over the decision-making process. It clouds my reasoning and causes me to throw away my money on lottery tickets. Why did my emotional brain ever think it would win, or was it just hoping to win because it was feeling sorry for itself, considering I still struggle financially, living paycheck to paycheck?
When my logical brain regains clarity, it reinforces the fact that I’m still a loser. In the end, my self-esteem is deflated because I didn’t win. Time goes by, but eventually, my emotional brain feels sorry for itself again and disregards the humiliating experience I put it through the previous time and repeats the lottery binge cycle all over again.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. However, the emotional brain perpetually believes it will always get a better result, because this time it’s really going to do a better job of hoping.
This “hoping for a better result” is a liability to our emotional state and a necessary source of dopamine that boosts our self-esteem. We are hardwired to keep on trying; otherwise, we would become cynical and eventually lose our optimism for the future. However, this vulnerability can be exploited by smooth-talking individuals, if our self-esteem is low. Charlatans who know how to push our buttons can rob us of our dignity and money.
The Secret About Undecided Voters: They’re Predictable
Now, how does this inclination to believe outlandish lies tie into our political lives and the civic duties we must fulfill to maintain our democracy? As independent voters, we are presented with a choice between the liberal narrative advocating for social programs and the conservative opposition emphasizing fiscal responsibility, which is frequently reiterated by politicians and pundits.
During his 2016 campaign, Trump appealed to black Americans, asking them to give him a chance with their vote by saying: “What the hell do you have to lose?” He was pandering to black voters, attempting to convince them that voting for Republican representation would make them part of a winning team. In reality, he was merely gaslighting them, hoping they would give him the opportunity to maintain his status quo of winning as a billionaire.
After being elected president, he got the infamous nickname: the “liar in chief,” because he was actively working against the interests of minority communities. The Republican party continued with his agenda by implementing legislation targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Black Lives Matter (BLM), critical race theory (CRT), voting rights, affirmative action, and public education on black history, all of which contradicted his initial message to black voters. But I digress, he did sign one executive order to assist Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Ultimately, his focus was solely on maintaining his winning position, which meant countless others had to continuously lose.
Another blatant lie repeated by MAGA politicians and their minions is the incendiary rhetoric that not voting for Trump would lead to the loss of our country. Despite such outlandish claims, we have still not lost our country after eight years and two different administrations. So why do conservative commentators persistently repeat this propaganda?
When the Republicans assert that only they can improve the economy, despite historical evidence showing increased costs of living and persistent inflation, independent voters often find themselves swayed by their rabble-rousing. They gamble on what seems most beneficial, leading them to vote solely along party lines, with the hope that their circumstances will finally improve, so that they won’t have to play the lottery again.
All these scenarios highlight how we can be manipulated by scammers. Our emotional brain deceives us by assuming that what worked in one situation will work in another, ignoring the various factors at play. Hoping for something does not make it true; we need to be logical and evaluate our circumstances, much like assessing our poker hand. The old saying, “a fool and his money are soon parted,” also applies to our votes.
When faced with such massive lies, we must be logical to ensure we are not being drawn into schemes that only benefit those profiting from our losses. Therefore, it is crucial to be vigilant against modern-day charlatans who exploit social engineering and advanced media technology to propagate false equivalences. Our traditional emotional instincts are no match for their deceptive tactics. Believing in outlandish lies can result in financial losses and diminished dignity, as observed with state-sponsored lotteries, and can negatively impact society as a whole within the realm of politics.
Ultimately, when Trump asked, “What the hell do you have to lose by voting for me? Your community is already all messed up”. What you have to lose is your sovereignty! The bottom line is to never trust a casino operator, because he is gambling with your money, just like you can’t trust a government autocrat because he is gambling with your liberty. Trump was both of them. He and his cronies don’t have good intentions; they will take it all; they want all the power. They don’t want you to win because they need you to lose, so they can dominate. Consequently, if he gets re-elected in 2024, he’ll keep on winning, and minorities will keep on losing!
“A lie told once remains a lie, but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth. If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself. Propaganda works best when those who are being manipulated are confident they are acting on their own free will.
There was no point in seeking to convert the intellectuals. For intellectuals would never be converted and would anyway always yield to the stronger, and this will always be “the man in the street.” Arguments must therefore be crude, clear and forcible, and appeal to emotions and instincts, not the intellect. Truth was unimportant and entirely subordinate to tactics and psychology.” By: Nazi Joseph Goebbels (the only way to defeat a rational man is to attack his emotions)
Fact Checking: President Trump’s impact on the black community is a matter of debate and differing perspectives. Some argue that he took steps to address issues affecting the black community, while others believe his policies and rhetoric were harmful. Here are a few actions often highlighted by his republican supporters:
- Criminal justice reform: Trump signed the First Step Act in 2018, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill aimed at reducing recidivism and improving prison conditions. This law aimed to address issues such as mandatory minimum sentences and offered opportunities for early release.
- Opportunity Zones: Trump established Opportunity Zones, a program designed to promote investment in economically distressed areas across the country, including predominantly black neighborhoods. The aim was to create jobs and promote economic growth in these communities.
- Funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Trump signed legislation to provide more funding to HBCUs, including a 14% increase in federal funds for these educational institutions.
The Trump administration took various positions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Black Lives Matter (BLM), critical race theory (CRT), voting rights, affirmative action, and public education on black history. Here are some notable aspects:
- DEI: The Trump administration did not prioritize DEI initiatives at the federal level. While federal agencies under the Obama administration had established DEI programs and guidelines, these were subject to rollbacks or eliminated during the Trump administration.
- Black Lives Matter (BLM) and CRT: Trump and his administration criticized the Black Lives Matter movement. Trump referred to it as a symbol of hate and heavily focused on law and order, often positioning himself against protests related to racial justice. Critical race theory, which explores the role of race in society and institutions, was also targeted by Trump and his administration, as they sought to ban its use in federal training programs.
- Voting Rights: The Trump administration was noted for its efforts to impose stricter voting regulations, including voter ID laws and purges of voter rolls. These actions were criticized by civil rights and voting rights advocates, who argued that they disproportionately affected minority and low-income communities.
- Affirmative Action: Trump’s administration rescinded Obama-era guidelines on affirmative action in college admissions. The move signaled a shift in approach, suggesting a skeptical stance towards affirmative action policies.
- Public Education on Black History: The Trump administration did not specifically prioritize public education on black history, and there were no significant initiatives or policies directly addressing this area during his presidency. However, Republican legislators, influenced by Trump’s efforts to ban CRT from federal training programs, have started passing laws against public education on Black history.
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