The USA has become a "low trust" society. The citizenry does not trust any government institution or those that work for them and don't believe that any elected official is working in their best interests. The very fabric of American society is unravelling, which is what the theocrats want.

I think the most disturbing aspect of the last nine years is that the US&A has been exposed - laid bare - raw. It is a racist nation ruled by old white guys at every level of government and law. As a non-American I was clearly blinded to this fact by the consupmtion of US entertainment content.

One can judge a country by it's commitment to educate it's citizenry. Countries like Singapore and Denmark place a high-priority on public education and recognise the value of critical thinking. Others governments believe that its easier to control the uneducated and try to keep it that way.