rcrt said:
"I think there ought to be limits to free speech. There should be cultural conventions that prohibit or disincentivize speaking authoritatively on subjects you aren't an expert on. The internet has given people the false impression that they are informed on a topic such as the Islamic Republic of Iran, when they don't speak Farsi, can't name a single newspaper from the country, have never been within 2,000 kilometers of Tehran, but then those same uninformed people turn around and post their hot take on it and, next thing you know, their bloviating has become canon. Perhaps Trump is the logical conclusion of this "amateur hour" effect. You can bet that more than half of the people who agree that Haiti is a shithole can't even point to it on a map. We are truly in the age of the idiot."
RCRT, a course in American Government would be very helpful for you.
I'd like to say that you are completely wrong but I'll go with you're 98% wrong.
First, until recently the various bodies of American Government executed their roles of 'checks and balances' well. The somehow, about the time that George W. Bush decided to attack Iraq, Congress and the the fourth estate (the news media) abandoned their role of asking serious questions and searching for the truth. Without them the US is rudderless.
Secondly, in reading your comments I do agree that "We are truly in the age of the idiot."