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Now, this is an illustration. I just asked you: What in this country are you proud of, versus 30, 40 years ago what we were proud of? We were proud of all of this. We were puffed up with pride about all of this! We were proud of our achievements. We were proud of our accomplishments. We were appreciative of our freedom. But now look at what they've made us hate. Look at what they've made us detest. Look at the absolute BS that they have more and more educated people believing - that, oil is just a conspiracy, that there is a replacement. 'There's alternative fuels out there, but they don't want to release 'em because Big Oil and big Republicans and Halliburton, Cheney, Bush. They're all in a conspiracy to keep it from threatening their own investments in oil.' Is it not shocking, ladies and gentlemen, to realize just how few educated Americans understand how the world works? More than that, isn't it scary to understand how few educated Americans understand how their own country works?

Rush Limbaugh#61

PoliticsMediaSocietyMedia influencePublic opinionConspiracyTrust

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker contrasts past national pride with current skepticism toward institutions like oil companies.
In plain terms
People used to be proud of their country but now believe in conspiracy theories instead.
What can you take from it?
Examine why public trust in industry and science has shifted over time.

Where it applies

  • political speeches
  • media commentary
  • public discourse

Putting it to work

  • analyze shifts in public sentiment
  • critique media narratives

Questions to consider

  • How has national pride changed in your lifetime?
  • What influences public belief in conspiracies?

Another view

The quote assumes a specific narrative about educational failure without evidence.

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