The entire strategy requires deep cynicism and loads of cash. Despite the EFA, having both newpsaper chains on their side was a huge boon to National. The NZ Herald’s two sections devoted to John Key on subsequent Saturdays was a priceless donations of resources to their preferred party.

The left usually can’t afford it and its supporters too idealistic to find enough cynical people to make it happen and get away with it.

So the “prevailing ideology” is the one the folks with cash have distracted voters into endorsing without really knowing what it is.

The Reagan / Thatcher revolutions were ultimately rejected when voters finally worked out what they really were couldn’t be tricked any more.

But the problem is, new suckers are born every day and the lessons don’t stick….especially now when the dumbing down process is far advanced and so few actually think…..never mind think for themselves.

harsh words, perhaps, but when was the last time you tried to talk about any issue in detail with someone at a bus stop? Almost everyone knows next to noting about almost everything.

It’s scary.