I think it's more like the thing where everyone hates it, but it doesn't matter because US public policy literally has nothing to do with what an average person

I think it's more like the thing where everyone hates it, but it doesn't matter because US public policy literally has nothing to do with what an average person wants, except by accident, and reflects the desires of the wealthy pretty well. I wish I were joking or just being cynical. This is a legitimately defensible position. Political science studies have shown this sort of thing: https://oxfordre.com/politics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-74 https://oxfordre.com/politics/view/10.1093/acrefore/97801902... . I believe it because it reflects my experience in the US in my lifetime. Nothing happens with government except knee-jerk reactions to things like the Sept 11, 2001 attacks and the TSA. Aside from that, business as usual. The infrastructure crumbles, healthcare costs keep going up, tax code never gets fixed, and on and on. It works fine for the wealthy, doesn't represent or help the people, and never gets any better. That's all, that simple. Incidentally, I didn't downvote you. I just disagree.