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What has been happening over last 20 yrs or so, is the slow erosion of Public Trust, that weird invisible force that holds communities, societies, & nations together.
But now it isn't just a slow erosion, but a full scale collapse. 1/
But now it isn't just a slow erosion, but a full scale collapse. 1/
Now that Public Trust might have not been rightfully earned, or justified in the first place
Minorities, & to a lesser degree all lower income Americans, have close to an air tight case for that
But it was there & it defined the landscape, both political & beyond politics 2/
Minorities, & to a lesser degree all lower income Americans, have close to an air tight case for that
But it was there & it defined the landscape, both political & beyond politics 2/
That lack of Public Trust defines Emerging Markets -- some in Argentina call it the Motel Mentality -- idea that citizens feel they don't owe anything to Argentina, behaving instead like visitors without a real stake in their country
They have good reason to feel that way 3/
They have good reason to feel that way 3/
In EM countries the ruling class, the elites, the politicians, have given citizens little reason to have faith in them or their leadership.
They view the political class as just grifters looking to make a quick buck.
That is more and more how many Americans feel. 4/
They view the political class as just grifters looking to make a quick buck.
That is more and more how many Americans feel. 4/
I look at erosion of Public Trust & I largely blame the Elites. Some call that my shtick, fine, but I truly believe it.
Partly because I spent so much time in EM countries, but also because I believe the old saying, "A fish rots from the head down."
Elites make the rules 5/
Partly because I spent so much time in EM countries, but also because I believe the old saying, "A fish rots from the head down."
Elites make the rules 5/
While someone like @RadioFreeTom largely says. No. The fault falls more with the Public & their lack of hard work, or ethics, or focus. (I shouldn't put words in his mouth. I hope I got that right)
But I would guess we agree that an erosion of the Public Trust can be very bad 6/
But I would guess we agree that an erosion of the Public Trust can be very bad 6/
Because a country can't run without it. Well it can, but it bumbles from one crisis to another
Look at Argentina, which over 50 yrs went from being one of richest countries in the world, to a president literally bombing, with jets, protestors in front of their white house 7/
Look at Argentina, which over 50 yrs went from being one of richest countries in the world, to a president literally bombing, with jets, protestors in front of their white house 7/
As Public Trust falls apart those in power try to legislate & mandate to fill the gap. They make absurd number of rules to control behavior that otherwise is controlled by people doing the right thing for the good of the community
So authoritarianism becomes a big thing 8/
So authoritarianism becomes a big thing 8/
Just to be super clear, there are a lot of groups in the US who have very valid reasons for not believing in the idea of a Public Trust, because it doesn't serve them, and never did.
That is partly what is behind the current BLM protests 9/ https://americancompass.org/respect-the-rage/
That is partly what is behind the current BLM protests 9/ https://americancompass.org/respect-the-rage/
But between 08 financial crisis, Iraq war, and ever growing inequality, the Public Trust has eroded with everyone, not just certain groups
And now the Pandemic has exposed all of our various inequalities, and shown how deeply unfair our country is 10/ https://americancompass.org/libertarianism-for-me-authoritarianism-for-thee/
And now the Pandemic has exposed all of our various inequalities, and shown how deeply unfair our country is 10/ https://americancompass.org/libertarianism-for-me-authoritarianism-for-thee/
The Pandemic has been our low tide, revealing what is beneath the surface, which is a lot of inequalities -- across race, class, gender, and geography.
Perhaps is the final hit to an already diminishing Public Trust 11/ https://americancompass.org/chaos-in-the-time-of-covid/
Perhaps is the final hit to an already diminishing Public Trust 11/ https://americancompass.org/chaos-in-the-time-of-covid/
