The reasons are as vast as the territorial United States. Let’s say American history was fated to have a rendezvous with the strong man. After all, America is fascinated with strong men and a strong culture of imposition on other countries. The GI Joe cow syndrome finally arrived at the barn.
But one issue I find most critical is the widespread new hatred for democracy. And the notion that this democracy cannot be trusted. And, indeed, our democracy cannot entirely be trusted.
The United States' democratic institutions are well intertwined with the idea of unrestrained capitalism. And this would be a fine idea if people weren't greedy. Unfortunately, we all know — people are greedy. And the progressive corrosion of our institutions has created millions of disenfranchised individuals and groups of people.
Some services, such as health care, are completely privatized by for-profit corporations; taxpayer money for social services is now spent on providing support for large corporations, and the results are here for all to see.