Playing the Game

THE RUSSIANS are at it again, according to Microsoft, trying to influence American politics, probably for the purpose of trying to elect extremist demagogues, much of which they have already done. It appears their targets now are conservative think tanks which are mad at Trump over tariffs and other issues. They may may be trying to get them back on board the Trump bandwagon. But, who knows. really, who cares? The fact of their interference is sufficiently egregious, without knowing the intent. It can be argued that the American public needs to be influenced, but benignly, with education, not malignly, with propaganda. it surely has occurred to us that the Russians are not alone in the opportunity and motive to influence American elections. anyone can give it a try. The Chinese, the French, the Estonians (who are particularly internet savvy), and about one hundred and eighty five other nation-states have internet access, special agent operatives, and dark ops. One can scarcely imagine the ingenius methods other than digital schemes employed by the U.S. to influence politics in foreign lands, methods other than the usual threats, sanctions, invasion, conquests, occupation, regime changes, the installation of puppet governments, and so forth. Democrats and republicans are far more accomplished than any foreigners at manipulating the political process with fake news and misinformation, but since they operate within American borders and formerly, overtly sponsor the candidates, we forgive them. There are several possible remedies to the brainwashing, foreign and domestic. We've tried economic sanctions, against Russia, without apparent effect. short of nuclear war, the American government seems powerless to prevent foreign intervention and must confine its efforts to domestic players.Here, we know the answer, but seem unwilling to implement it. Overturn Citizens United, and pass a law which says: "the sale and purpose of political advertising is prohibited". Let the billionaires distribute their money as they please; politicians will still be purchased as usual, not their election, but only their legislative behavior. We can never prevent anyone from influencing an elected official's legislative agenda, so we the people must all try to do it. Foreign intervention is best remedied by ignoring it. One way of doing this is by turning off one's computer, crazy as that sounds. Another way is to learn to discern the difference between facts, opinions, and lies.As Goethe said: we are never deceived, we only deceive ourselves.