Maybe this should be in world news. Somebody might want to move it.

 

The coronavirus pandemic could have been a moment of glory for the world's populist leaders. This is a period of heightened fear and anxiety — emotions that typically allow them to thrive.

Instead, some populists are finding themselves powerless against the outbreaks ravaging their countries. The US, Brazil and Russia now have the highest number of coronavirus cases in the world, and as their death tolls continue to rise, their economies are taking devastating blows.

Much to their frustration, the macho leaders of these countries are finding the virus immune to their playbooks. Intimidation, fear-mongering and propaganda just aren't working. Being guided by science, communicating transparently and long-term planning are proving the sharper tools.

 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/31/world/coronavirus-trump-bolsonaro-putin-populists-intl/index.html

And then there is the term populist.  None of these guys are, but they try to pass themselves off as such.  I think part of the big divide in the US right now is between those who see the guy who is currently in the WH as a "man of the people" and those who see the farce.  No one likes to admit they've been conned.

 

populist: a member or adherent of a political party seeking to represent the interests of ordinary people (from COED)

DT bristles when his followers call the Dems elite, "I am an elite, not them!" he's been known to say at his rallies.

 

 

15 hours ago, gargamon said:

Intimidation, fear-mongering and propaganda just aren't working.

Actually, they are working great, only this time it's not the usual "populists" using them.

The fear mongering works, look at how scared to death so many are, locked in their rooms and grateful for getting ordered to lock themselves up. Scared to go outside, scared to come close to other humans, even to their friends and relatives.

The intimidation works, look how so many scientists get silenced, excluded from the decisions, deleted from youtube and FakeBook, self censoring, after they get attacked and discredited and accused of being conspiracy theorists if they dare to have a different opinion as China/WHO/Bill Gates.

The propaganda works, the people believe in the advertised "new normal", and accept all, waiting for the vaccine like hypnotized rabbits.

Humans are still humans, and "intimidation, fear-mongering and propaganda" are working as good as ever.