[tambienben]

>The group also cited concerns over public distrust of political leaders and the media, saying it is drawing away from the focus on real threats.

So... depending on how they meant to word that, are they seriously wagging their finger at the public for not blindly falling in line behind this unprecedented, petty shit-show? That's an impressive amount of hubris.

[iamcasen]

No, I believe they are trying to say that rule of law is breaking down, and the fabric of our society is at stake.

[tambienben]

It still sounds as though they accuse the public for this, though. I can't abide that.

[Thriptic]

Well, it is the public who elected the leaders, the public who chooses the advice of biased talking heads while disregarding those with legitimate domain expertise, and the public that is unwilling to engage in real debate between factions and engage in independent critical thought. So yes, it is the public's fault.

[tambienben]

I agree, but only so far. There is also the enormous amount of corruption that keeps these political machines opaque and inaccessable to the public, by design.

My point isn't that we are blameless, but that this has been forced upon us in varying degrees. Our options each election year are purposefully limited, and no matter the campaign promise, we get the same results each time--and those are the officials we have a modicum of control over through elections.

We're responsible for fixing it, but distrust in the system is an integral part of fixing it.