Paranoia Strikes Deep

Tom Taggart (RE: Gookin: CdA’s Tammany Hall? ): Conspiracy theories provide wonderful hiding places for lazy thinkers and cowards. No matter what happens or what the facts are they can be twisted to fit the creator’s warped view. Once you decide the city is full of corrupt and criminal behavior you don’t have to spend any effort pondering, you just fill in the blanks. There is a behavior I have seen over the years from various people on both sides of the political spectrum that springs from enormous egos. These people can’t fathom the idea that others might just disagree with them. No…. if someone doesn’t see the issue their way it can only be possible if they are being paid off or part of a criminal conspiracy.

Question: Why do so many people in this area believe in conspiracy theories (i.e., the United Nations is taking over, Coeur d’Alene City Hall is corrupt, etc.)?