For sure it's about selling soap, cars, and beer, Jack. That's Job # 1 without a doubt. (Regarding the Kardashian girl...I realize she's BIG NEWS to somebody. I see her at the grocery store checkout every time I buy my groceries, alongside Jeniffer Aniston and Angelina Jolie. But I still have little or no idea who the hell she is or why anyone even cares!)

But it's also about manufacturing consent (when preparing the public for a foreign war or a financial bailout, for instance)...and creating division (when useful for those in power). In my opinion, it's about those things too.

I quite agree about the monied right wing fringe using the "Liberal vs Conservative" narrative to prevent compromise and sensible governance.