I wish I had an answer to that. For me, it’s knowledge and recognition. Having an open mind to hear both sides of an argument and trying to focus on facts, not “what ifs”. Then paying attention to not just what’s being said, but how it’s being said. It’s pretty easy to see when someone is trying to get you emotional rather than logical,but you have to be looking for it.

When I hear a politician say “they’re trying to take away…” or “they want you to…”. That’s them trying to make you fear the other side. I don’t give a shit if you’re left, right, capitalist, communist, or a dictator, if you’re goal is to make me fear what the other side will do with power then you’ve already lost me. Because I know, that really you’re afraid to lose power and so you make other people afraid too. Unfortunately, it works for way too many people.