Summary:

Ben Shapiro's column argues that the enduring fascination with the JFK assassination conspiracy theories, despite evidence pointing to Lee Harvey Oswald as a lone gunman, reflects a broader decline in trust in the American government since the 1960s. Here's a summary of his key points:

• Prevalence of Conspiracy Theories:
  • Shapiro highlights the widespread belief that others were involved in JFK's assassination, citing a Gallup poll showing that a majority of Americans reject the "lone gunman" theory.
  • He contrasts this with historical examples of presidential assassinations committed by lone individuals.
• Declining Trust in Government:
  • He links the rise in conspiracy theories to a significant decrease in public trust in the government since the 1960s.
  • He emphasizes that while distrust of government can be healthy, the current distrust is different, focusing on the belief that "uniquely bad men" are in control.
• Scope of Government vs. "Bad Men":
  • Shapiro argues that the founders' distrust stemmed from concerns about the inherent ambition of those in power, whereas modern distrust often attributes governmental problems to specific individuals or groups.
  • He believes that focusing on conspiracies distracts from the real issue, which is the over expansion of governmental power.
• The Danger of Unsubstantiated Conspiracies:
  • He warns that a society prone to believing in conspiracies without evidence is vulnerable to demagoguery.
  • He states that conspiracies exist, but they require evidence to be valid.