"This is a great system. Think about it. Not only should you support the Republicans for support-the-underdog and level-the-playing-field reasons, you should also support them for majoritarian reasons and because their side has the best chance of winning. It's the best possible world short of coming out and saying 'Insofar as it makes you want to vote for us, we are in total control of the country, but insofar as that makes you not want to vote for us, we are a tiny persecuted minority who need your help'. "

Reading 1984 pointed out to me the general pattern of the propaganda enemy: they are a fear-inducing terrible threat, while simultaneosly being ridiculous and doomed to inevitable defeat. I remember realising how well the Satan I was taught about fitted the role.