[Someone1234]

That's what their corporately owned, government friendly, media tells them. So a lot of them do.

I think the internet has done a lot to help escape the typical narrative. For one example, there is a stark difference between what young and older Americans think of Israel because of where both groups get their news.

Now, sure, there is a natural tendency with the internet for conspiracies to form. In particular if you hang out all day with extremists. But I'd prefer to have that problem than the alternative problem of most public discussion coming from a dozen or less large corporations.

[johnchristopher]

So, which countries are democratic according to the Americans who escaped the typical narrative ?

edit: it's a serious question

[Sophistifunk]

None. America has a lot of barriers to keep certain people from the franchise, and all mainstream media is lies and ads. But America is the only place where the concept of truly free speech is even held up as a virtue, let alone accorded the people in practice.

[lstamour]

Tough to say. I suppose you need an intersection of high voter turnout, low scores on corruption indexes and laws that prevent companies from donating or having too much sway over individual representation. All of the above is rare, I figure, but not ideally impossible. The phrase "money talks," comes to mind...

[FatAmericanDev]

The bit regarding what my young and old compatriots believe based on source of news resonates with me. I generally don't debate with "pre internet" people.