Exactly this. Unfortunately, nearly every American I've met - even the left-leaning - is convinced that, in spite of its flaws, the US is still the safest/best place to be. They're so disillusioned with the American government and society, but still fervently believe every other system and place is worse (except the Nordic model). And they'll believe me if I tell them why whatever they do support isn't as good as they think, but they take serious convincing to even entertain the idea that China isn't as bad as they think. Us Americans have been hardwired to be distrustful of any good thing, to a fault, and it's really sad when you think about it. It's just bizarre we can be so anti-government as a country and still blindly do exactly what the government wants.
Exactly this. Unfortunately, nearly every American I've met - even the left-leaning - is convinced that, in spite of its flaws, the US is still the safest/best place to be. They're so disillusioned with the American government and society, but still fervently believe every other system and place is worse (except the Nordic model). And they'll believe me if I tell them why whatever they do support isn't as good as they think, but they take serious convincing to even entertain the idea that China isn't as bad as they think. Us Americans have been hardwired to be distrustful of any good thing, to a fault, and it's really sad when you think about it. It's just bizarre we can be so anti-government as a country and still blindly do exactly what the government wants.
American exceptionalism is a hell of a drug.
Most effective, most efficient propaganda system in human history at work