When i left my ex-communist country for greener pastures, many years ago, one of the biggest shocks was learning about “lobbying”.
What we backward peasants from communism considered plain corruption, was perfectly legal and normal in the USA. Less so in Western Europe, though. Not only normal but seems to be one of core means of getting into power (and holding onto it), whether it is business or politics. Mind you, I never lived in the USA but based on everything I see/hear that is absolutely the case.
I am still flabbergasted by it…
What we backward peasants from communism considered plain corruption, was perfectly legal and normal in the USA.
The purpose of propaganda is not to convince people of this and or that.
It’s purpose is to make people not see the obvious.
And the US is far, far more successful at that than the USSR could ever have hoped to dream.