Americans and our States and societies are (so we are told) facing a large number of “crises” right now. Among them:

• The immigration crisis, with a claimed 2 million + border jumpers flooding over the border with Mexico since Uncle Joe moved into 1600 PA.
• The monstrous and evil human trafficking by the governors of Florida and Texas of some of those border jumpers (closely related to the above).
• The inflation (at a level not seen since the 1970s) of the American “dollar” (FRN).
• Runaway manmade global climate change.
• Russian imperialism/fascism/communism and the resulting war in Ukraine.
• Islamic-related terrorism and wars, internal and spilling over into other countries.
• Continuing deterioration/breakdown of the supply chain.
• Chinese Communist threat.
• Corrupt elections – particularly the threat posed by Trumpistas and The Donald himself.

What do YOU believe about these issues? What do government officials and politicians running for office tell you? What does the media and the “experts” tell you? How much of what you are told do you believe? Fortunately, many writers and spreaders of propaganda are so stupid (and brainwashed themselves) that we can recognize some of the propaganda. But not all!

It is actually hard to list these without using the same words as the propaganda coming from all sides on these issues. All sides? There are not just the sides – increasingly dug in and hardening their positions – of the old parties, but the various fringe groups: Black Lives Matter, Antifa, Libertarians, Greens, even monarchists and anti-monarchists.

As discussed in a recent commentary, a very common method of propagandizing is the screaming of outrageous exaggerations about the evil opponents. Attacking their motives, their attitude, their beliefs and their actions – and what the results of those actions will be.

At the same time, propagandists greatly exaggerate the wisdom, soundness, and benefits of their own positions and proposed actions – and their past and recent actions (always “achievements”).

But there is, of course, much more to propaganda than telling lies or exaggerating: the objective of propaganda is to get someone to do something: buy, vote, donate, physically express their anger, etc. So we see this daily in the news, in the speeches (and sound bites) of media talking heads, politicians, lobbyists, pundits, and attorneys. As we’ve written before, propaganda is a tool, a tactic, used by enemies of liberty: predators who want victims and power and wealth.

The targets of propaganda? People. Pretty much ordinary people. Sometimes one kind or group, sometimes another, directly or indirectly. But always for the purpose of taking advantage of them. Sometimes to influence politics, or promote products, or just to keep control. And far too often, the targets – sometimes the intended audience but often not! (see above graphic) – swallow the guff. They buy into the propaganda.

The point to the question in the headline? It may be Democrats that are winning, or Republicans. It may be so-called liberals or those who claim to be conservatives. It may be corrupt business, or corrupt government. Or even foreign entities. They seem to take turns, tugging back and forth.

But whomever is “winning,” it is ordinary Americans who are losing. Losing our wealth and prosperity, our liberty and freedom, and both our past and our future. And if we do act, any hope.

As we’ve quoted before in TPOL, “you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” But the obverse is also important to remember: lies enslave you.