What are some of the things Americans believe that are just not true?

[Philosoraptor]

I'll start with a couple of easy ones: "Iraq attacked New York City". We here know that's not true, but try, just try to tell that to several million of our next door neighbors.

Another easy one: "America is safer from terror attacks because of the war on terror" No one with a normal brain believes this, not for a minute.

Now a couple other examples: "George W. Bush was elected twice". Millions still believe this.

Another: "We have to fix Iraq before we leave it". And another: "Impeaching Bush would be an embarrassing waste of time". Or: "Surely this election, we'll win".

Millions of our fellow citizens believe that gasoline will last forever. And that the economy is strong. And that none of the fallen soldiers have fallen in vain.

Millions believe that the war is just, and noble, and winnable. Millions believe that our constitution is intact and functioning.

And the reverse of this, millions of Americans see things that are true but absolutely refuse to believe them. For example: The war is a total disaster. The president is a mental case. Dick Cheney is extremely, criminally dangerous. A few thousand fat cats are raking in trillions from the war and from our treasury. America is in severe crisis.

How do you deal with this? How do you make people see what is right in front of them? How do you make people stop believing in things that are obvious lies?

[MercutioATC]

1. Most of the things you claim as "truths" are actually opinions.

Did Iraq attack NYC? No.

However, whether soldiers died in vain, the strength of the economy, the wisdom of impeaching Bush, etc. are all subjective evaluations. It's not a matter of "truth" and "lie"...it's opinion.

[Philosoraptor]

6. Won't you join me in admitting that W at least qualifies?

For impeachment? Is that merely an opinion? The strength of the economy is very real for me.

Not to be argumentative, I see your points, and I admit, I'm not holder of the cosmic truths.

[MercutioATC]

12. Whether or not he qualifies is a legal issue.

Whether or not it would be a "waste of time" to impeach is an opinion.

I hear what you're saying and I agree on some of the issues, but stating them as "truths" is akin to the right stating that Bush being a liberator is a "truth". In fact, they're both opinions.

If we're gonna take issue with freepers for their misuse of words like "proof" and "truth", we have to hold ourselves to the same scrutiny.

:hi:

[Philosoraptor]

18. Our whole language has been hijacked.

Words don't mean what they used to. I think much of this is done with cheap word tricks, backed up with tanks and bombs.

[electron_blue]

2. You can't make people see or stop believing anything.

Look for common ground. Divisiveness and alienation is what Bush wants.

Sometimes I've gotten somewhere with someone by saying "did you know that...." and if they're surprised/interested, I show them the article or send them the link supporting it. For example, most people, even those who still support Bush do *not* want our voting system to be so hackable. If nothing else, they're afraid of the Dems breaking in and taking over next time.

[Roland99]

3. That the media is liberal and constantly attacking this administration

[patrice]

4. Everyone who understands the truth must take every opportunity

to talk to anyone anywhere anytime, in an appropriate non-threatening friendly manner, to give them little bits of the FACTS.

We've got to get over the idea that we can't/shouldn't talk to one another about anything that is an "issue".

[GCP]

5. That America is the most generous donor of aid in the world

To the UN and Third World countries.

[RedStateShame]

7. If gays can't marry, marriage will be saved as an institution.

[Gabi Hayes]

8. George B* is president

Electronic voting is just fine

Flag burning is not

Prayer in schools is

Gay Marriage is not

[Philosoraptor]

9. That's one of the most believed lies right there!

That THAT man is actually the president. I never ever believed it and never will. I'm dead serious.

[BOSSHOG]

10. Citizens of New Orleans are being prevented from returning

[Dr.Phool]

11. Most people believe that we live in a democracy.

Yeah, Right.:sarcasm:

The last time I had a Congressman represent my interests, was 4 years ago, when I still lived in Cleveland, and Dennis Kucinich was my Congressman.

Now I live in Florida, and have this Repuke who represents everyone except his constituents.

[Gabi Hayes]

13. that was the first thing I thought of....forgot to put it in my post above

as the other ones just followed right along

here's another:

there's a big, anthropomorphic hairy thunderer somewhere up in the sky that makes everything happen according to HIS plan

[MercutioATC]

14. They're wrong. We live in a representative republic.

The degree to which it does or not represent us is our doing.

We do, in fact, get the government we deserve.

[Tesha]

15. "God is on our side"

"God is on our side"

For that matter: "God exists"

"America is economically invulnerable (too big to fail?)"

"American media is biased towards liberals"

"Republicans are good for the economy" / "Republicans will make me richer"

Tesha

[xamichee]

16. I thought the topic was...

"things americans believe which just aren't true"

if that's so, then "God Exists" isn't a belief held only by Americans, and whether he/she/it does or not is not fact but opinion.

But here's one:
"America was founded by the forefathers based on Christian principles"


Speaking of religion... many americans are under the impression that only their faith is true.

[blonndee]

37. You said

"Speaking of religion... many americans are under the impression that only their faith is true."

How does this not fall under your disqualification noted earlier in your post?:

"...isn't a belief held only by Americans, and whether he/she/it does or not is not fact but opinion."

[The Stranger]

17. "They hate us for our freedoms."

[Philosoraptor]

20. Iraq is the central front in the global war on terror.

We can eliminate terrorism everywhere forever.

[Epiphany4z]

19. I have a few

The Media is Liberal and out to get George.

Making abortion illegal will actually stop it.

all poor people are lazy.

illegals are keeping wages down.

There are masses of Dem's voting 2x in every election.

Liberal= communist

compassion = weakness

The truth always fits on a bumper sticker

tax cuts to the rich are good and no regulations on corporations are good because tomorrow you might win the lotto became the head of a global corporation.

The republicans will always be the only party that can hack a voting a machine or run caging list.


edit for massive spelling errors...lol..yes hucked on foniks werked fer meeee

[Roland99]

22. Brian Regan fan, perhaps?

"Hook-ed on puh-honics work-ed for me...ME!"


How about this one:

Slapping yellow ribbons on your cars is a great way to support our troops!

[Epiphany4z]

28. smile

Just really poor speller...you have no idea...huggs spell check...

How about this one:

Slapping yellow ribbons on your cars is a great way to support our troops!

LOL specially when they are slapped all over a huge gas guzzlin hummer with just one skinny Little woman in it..shopping at wall-mart.

[raccoon]

33. Democracy=Capitalism.

And, all capitalist countries are democracies.

All totalitarian countries are communistic.

Newsflash to these folks: a country can be totalitarian and capitalist.

Also:

Anyone in America can be (financially)successful.

[Jed Dilligan]

21. Here.

1. We need more cops and guns to keep us safe.

2. We can pay teachers crap and expect kids to be educated.

3. Universal healthcare doesn't work.

4. Worshipping the military makes us seem less gay.

[Philosoraptor]

23. Only Socialists want free healthcare for all.

[Jed Dilligan]

24. And people who have been to the doctor

in Canada or Europe. And seen the sorta obvious like, comparative lack of sheer horror.

[Philosoraptor]

25. Rasing the Minimum Wage will somehow hurt the poor & the economy.

[Toucano]

26. The Myth of America.

America is unique in the world, divinely empowered with supremacy among nations, and justified in all her actions (which are always motiviated by positive aspirations and justified by divine providence, even if the results are negative).

[Philosoraptor]

27. We are the Greatest Nationism.

That was never true, only a grandiose boast.

[kskiska]

29. 3,000 Americans were killed on 9/11

As of October 29, 2003, 2,752 were killed. Approximately 500 of those were foreign nationals from 91 nations.

[The Stranger]

30. Terrorism

Baby, It's Cold Outside

In the past, politicians promised to create a better world. They had different ways of achieving this. But their power and authority came from the optimistic visions they offered to their people. Those dreams failed. And today, people have lost faith in ideologies. Increasingly, politicians are seen simply as managers of public life. But now, they have discovered a new role that restores their power and authority. Instead of delivering dreams, politicians now promise to protect us from nightmares. They say that they will rescue us from dreadful dangers that we cannot see and do not understand. And the greatest danger of all is international terrorism. A powerful and sinister network, with sleeper cells in countries across the world. A threat that needs to be fought by a war on terror. But much of this threat is a fantasy, which has been exaggerated and distorted by politicians. It’s a dark illusion that has spread unquestioned through governments around the world, the security services, and the international media.

The Power of Nightmares (BBC)

http://www.archive.org/details/ThePowerOfNightmares

[bos1]

31. USA is a first world country

[raccoon]

35. Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner! nt

[Javaman]

32. fundies believe the moon is made of green cheese. but I know better...

it's blue cheese...

[Philosoraptor]

34. The Saudis are our friends.

We respect Islam as a religion.

[Philosoraptor]

36. Democrats Hate Christians.