Thank heaven for those gullible Americans. Let’s hope they never wise up. If they do, we’re out of jobs.

One wonders whether that thought crosses the minds of Russian disinformation specialists who have had success sowing dissension in the United States. If not, it should. Many Americans seem to be determined to allow internet liars from Moscow and other U.S. foes manipulate them.

Just a few days ago, a website linked to the Kremlin put out a false report that five Ukrainians died after taking a COVID-19 vaccine made in the United States. Media outlets in Russia picked up on the report. So did thousands of U.S. Facebook users, who began spreading the word as if it was gospel.

U.S. efforts to develop a safe, effective vaccine against the coronavirus have provided the disinformation crew in Russia and elsewhere with a prime target. The more distrust they can incite, the fewer Americans will trust any vaccine. That will kill people. The internet villains know that.

It also will drive an even deeper wedge between many Americans and our government, regardless of whether it is controlled by Democrats or Republicans. That is the long-range goal of the propaganda campaign.

The foundation of disinformation campaigns’ success is the gullibility of a certain segment of the American population. They, in turn, disseminate false reports, which take on lives of their own simply because so many people forward and re-post the garbage.

Perhaps we need to adopt a new social/political slogan, applicable to Democrats, Republicans and independents alike: Make America smart again.