Table stakes for a civil society: Clean water, fighting fires, drivable roads, edible food, reliable electricity, safety net for the poor elderly and infirm...

Table stakes for a civil society: Clean water, fighting fires, drivable roads, edible food, reliable electricity, safety net for the poor elderly and infirm... And delivering the mail. And running the elections. How did we get to this point in history where any of this is up for discussion?