Gaslighting: You’re must be right, It was on Fox News
In the realm of political strategy, few tactics are as audacious, or effective, as the intentional dismantling of infrastructure, only to rebuild it later. We are all realising this the hard way, watching it happen in real time.
This calculated maneuver creates a crisis but also positions an incumbent leader as the saviour who restores order and functionality. The voting public is so bamboozled and distracted as to not connect the dots, thus creating a powerful campaign tool. Those that do sound alarms are shouted down or otherwise dealt with. It is a time honoured tactic documented since before the Renaissance.
After Saddam got his ass kicked in 2003, Iraq faced widespread destruction of its infrastructure, much of it brought about by the policies of the occupying forces ( now who was that we wonder?). The reconstruction efforts were framed as a monumental achievement, with puppet leaders and international actors taking credit for the rebuilding. Was this in fact a test case for 21st century Machiavellian politics?
It is happening, shock and awe, in the world’s “greatest democracy” as the Orange lunatic discombobulates pretty much everything. He can’t be the one to “save it all “, two term limits and all, but those controlling him can, making it all the more effective. They actually stated as much beforehand and the American public bought in. Duped, gaslit, conned.
It is happening, not necessarily like Elon’s chainsaw, all around the world.
The psychology behind this tactic is simple. Apparently humans are wired to respond to immediate needs and visible results. When a leader steps in to rebuild after a disaster, any big one like say a hurricane will do, the public sees tangible evidence of competence and care. The original chaos fades quickly, overshadowed by relief and gratitude that accompany the restoration of normalcy. This phenomenon is amplified in societies where the narrative is controlled, usually by those in power. Gaslighting and propaganda machines work overtime to convince you that you are the problem for not understanding, feeding you any amount of BS to achieve this. Opposition ‘experts’ become talking heads on CNN, KTN and other mainstream media. No one listens or even hears them any more because of all the noise. The leader gains the upper hand even if he is despised by half the electorate.
3 bags full sir.
However, this strategy is not without its risks. The deliberate destruction of infrastructure can lead to long-term economic and social instability, undermining the very foundation of governance, cue again the USA and the soap opera playing out there. In Syria, Assad took off like a rocket when the electorate had enough, but it did take almost 30 years and he left scorched earth behind. Yet, for leaders willing to gamble on short-term gains, the rewards often outweigh the risks, mostly for self enrichment.
Now China looks like a real good guy in all this. Having been ridiculed and belittled for decades, suddenly everyone wants to be their friend. The world is learning China always plays the long game and yet, they haven’t invaded anyone outside their immediate sphere of influence. And on top of that they are making money flat out with two fingers at the bully. But that is besides the point of this rant.
Closer to home, Kenya offers a stark illustration of this tactic in action.
Are We Winning Yet?
The failure of key social projects such as the Social Health Authority, the Housing Levy, and crippling taxation policies has raised questions about whether these initiatives were designed to fail and piss everyone off. Is it deliberate? Because surely no one can be this inept and incompetent for the sake of it? These failures create crises that demand intervention, allowing leaders to step in with “solutions” that position them as saviours. They will wait it out until just the right moment, and suddenly all will start working, for just long enough to get re-elected. Proof of this might be evident in the deafening silence of the Executive branch about these failures. It doesn’t make sense to you and me but then what does these days? And if Trump’s recent re-election is anything to go by then the die is cast.
They will utilise previously looted funds to re-boot failed systems and projects, start new grand schemes to loot some more and for a little while, everyone will be cheering and dancing, forgetting the pain of the previous 3-4 years. Once in, popular or not, simply refine and repeat in readiness for the next election. The cycle of destruction and reconstruction is not just a distant phenomenon; it is a reality that resonates deeply within our borders.
Whoever it was that said “The Public is an Ass” knew all about it.
BTW: Does the baseball cap now symbolise everything that is wrong in politics?
April 24, 2025
Last Updated on April 24, 2025
