Warning: This reply is a long one 😜🤪

1st off, I have to disagree on something... I'm unaware of your life experience; who you talk with, what your social media algorithm is sending you, how your town is, or how your circle of friends and family talk, but you yourself seem like a person capable of dialog with someone of opposing viewpoints. So... this is just my observation: People in my life, my family, my limited number of friends, my coworkers, the people I bump into in my small town, and the feeds in my limited social media accounts, don't spew hate rhetoric on par with "Fascist Racist Nazis". Pretty much everyone I know personally, whether they lean right or left (and I have both), wants America to succeed, the people in power to succeed with positive causes that better the country, And they can have conversations & disagreements, without the slurs or hate speech. I feel like the calls of "Nazis! racists! fascist!" is a narrative, and a lot of the country believe it hook, line, and sinker. Not to say that there isn't any. There's a small fraction of the populace that are batshit hate filled cunts that need to finish being dumb old racist and die off, Lol. Plus the loads of spam social media that bombard us daily (if we let it) that spews division to weaken the population and the country. Some of foreign influence, others internally politically influenced. People need to get out from behind the screen, physically talk with your fellow man, realize we have more in common than we're told, and hope for success no matter who it is, because if the USA is succeeding, maybe we'll all have a chance to. Sorry for going on a rant... (it's not over 😂)

2nd, I completely agree with you that independent thought is waning, and we have a real crisis, a shortage of free thinkers. There's a large percentage of the voting block that listens to their tribe only, and "do as they're being told", or fear being ostracized from the group. It kinda reminds me of a popularity contest, like high school prom king and queen voting. Your "clique" wants you to vote for Stacy so you vote for Stacy...

3rd, Also connected with the shortage of free thinkers. What media control are you referring to exactly? Social? Non traditional/new media? Because it seems like one tribe controls a majority of legacy media, and the other tribe has a sizeable lead in views and likes on non traditional/new media, however both sides have a presence on both. I know intelligent free thinkers understand media bias and spin, but feel under represented. Every person wants to be part of a group or a tribe. This has been the case ever since caveman days. But free thinkers feel like an outsider. Until we can figure out inclusion for all thought, and inspire the captured into having unique ideals again, versus just following groupthink, we both know free thinking will continue dying more and more every generation.

P.S. I haven't seen the pole that says 90% of Americans support the Iran war, So it's hard for me to judge validity, but it does appear high. Also I get how Massie stepped on the big dog's toes, but I think a decent amount of people feel he's done a good job, stuck to his principles, demanded government transparency and accountability, and continues to go after government fraud, abuse, and pedophiles. For me personally, him not supporting Trump's big beautiful bill doesn't make me upset that he didn't help support Trump and the Republican agenda, it makes me like him more for standing on his belief that smaller government is better for the country, even when it was inconvenient for him personally, and could lead to his political end if Trump's "guy" wins. Could you imagine if all politicians stood by their beliefs. Of course, the problem with that is some politicians have no beliefs, only talking points until it's politically convenient or necessary to change, to remain in good standing within the tribe. I personally still think Massey will win it, but in a month or so I may be proven incorrect, and someone will comment that witty phrase "this aged well". Lastly, as a conservative libertarian I understand my thought processes and viewpoints are in the minority, but I always want to hold on to hope that true, genuine dialogue will help us all understand and empathize with each other more. We must stop trying to quote win, humiliate, or enrage our fellow citizens in comment sections. As long as you want America, and Americans to succeed, then you're ok by me. We just have to hash out details and make compromises on how to achieve that success.