From the day the country was founded pols have used purse strings for their own political benefit. It is by no means a new problem and isn't even at its worst right now (arguably).

All this points to are the reasons why our younger generation seems to be disengaging. To the point where some polls show inordinate numbers of young people thinking dictatorship is better (for many, probably more of a lefty dictatorship). I assume social media plays a role in pack mentalities when we all sit around and complain, woe is us, the sky's falling, man, our country is just so awful. In fact that's the attitude that gave us Trump to an extent. When we say young people are moving away from repubs, it is a mistake to assume that means they are always moving towards dems.

The world of instant gratification. If I can't get my way I need to tear it all down. So we lose sight of how inefficient and difficult democracy is, because that's how it has to be in diverse countries that place high value on individual freedom. Dictatorship is the easy way out. Just let a decider impose on us.

But that tends to come with other very high costs. Which I think the entire world is losing sight of. I hope very temporarily.
[Post edited by hoolstoptheheels at 03/23/2018 10:38AM]