the narrative will be set that the american people do not want a handout
That only works for so long. The reason that corporate mass media is so effective in the US historically is that most of the population has been relatively stable and comfortable and thus willing to buy whatever the talking heads tell them ("Hell yeah capitalism works, I've got a house, 2 cars, and a boat!"). When mass evictions start hitting and millions of people find themselves living on the streets, they're not going to accept the line that America doesn't want a handout, because they need a handout or they're going to starve.
As an example, Syria was widely considered a pretty stable country right up until it got hit with a major famine, then a month later the country was divided among two dozen groups and warlords. Look at how many militias, evangelist cults, and people angry about minorities getting murdered by cops there are; do you think they're going to play nice when society at large fails to provide them basic shelter and food?
That only works for so long. The reason that corporate mass media is so effective in the US historically is that most of the population has been relatively stable and comfortable and thus willing to buy whatever the talking heads tell them ("Hell yeah capitalism works, I've got a house, 2 cars, and a boat!"). When mass evictions start hitting and millions of people find themselves living on the streets, they're not going to accept the line that America doesn't want a handout, because they need a handout or they're going to starve.
As an example, Syria was widely considered a pretty stable country right up until it got hit with a major famine, then a month later the country was divided among two dozen groups and warlords. Look at how many militias, evangelist cults, and people angry about minorities getting murdered by cops there are; do you think they're going to play nice when society at large fails to provide them basic shelter and food?