Most Americans never knew the first fact about either subject, except
what appeared in the newspapers. Americans were firmly in favor of
whatever politicians did, but they really did not want to have to keep
track of anything. They wanted the government to take care of itself,
and would not tolerate any complaints, right or wrong. One of the first
talk shows on tv was "Dan Smoot Reports", a whistleblower program
reporting waste and boondoggles. It was sponsored by Dr. Ross Dog Food.
People simply stopped buying Dr. Ross and the company folded. Dan Smoot
toned down his act and switched to a newsletter format by mail.
The domino theory was a Cold War policy that suggested a communist government in one nation would quickly lead to communist takeovers in neighboring states, each falling like a perfectly aligned row of dominos.