>This doesn't end well. You can't push a large percentage of your population into delusion without some very destructive consequences. Even if it does mean you keep your Senate seat.

I would argue that, for the individuals in question, the long-term consequences literally have no meaning, do not matter, and absolutely are not part of the calculus.

If I get power during my life, and secure my legacy as an important, and very wealthy person, my children can buy away any problem that may pop up for them.

Therefore, my actions of destruction today do not matter, as long as I am the one in power.

This is why I believe it is only going to keep getting worse; if the incentive is to stay in power, at all costs, we're in for a wild ride.