Little Hawk, I think you do not give people enough credit. You can't generalize, and while your perspective living in Canada is different from ours, it is also a perspective that is cut off from the day to day dealings with people in this country.

Sure, everyone is influenced by the media - the far left and the far right. People tend to let others influence their decision. However, people also look out for #1.   I sincerely DO think that most Americans discuss issues and come to a decision based on their own agenda. Listen to conversations in the workplace, in diners, in bars, at Little League games - anywhere that people gather. Americans are not as stupid as you sometimes make us out to be. Our lives are not the black and white stereotypes that you seem to recall in your posts.   Sure, we have pundits that manipulate, but in the end people see through.   We are also people that admit mistakes and are not afraid to change our minds.

It is easy for all of us to pontificate here on Mudcat, but this is not a true cross section of a nation. You need to rub elbows with those living in this country. I could not possibly imagine what life is like in Canada, nor could I claim to understand their issues.   Without that connection, it is opinion based on an outside view - and by the very nature it cannot be considered an accurate appraisal.