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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Jonathan Fahey

One thing that hasn’t changed in 250 years: Americans’ willingness to get suckered

America Oil
America 250-Nation of Suckers - (National Library of Medicine via AP)

America: land of possibility. And also: land of suckers.

Our enduring belief that anything is possible — whether based in reality or not — has helped the nation become the world’s largest economy. It has also led us to fall head over heels for hucksters and charlatans, again and again.

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