I was always under the impression that despite ups and downs there was (on average) progress, improvement, in some broadly defined way. I am no longer sure. On

I was always under the impression that despite ups and downs there was (on average) progress, improvement, in some broadly defined way. I am no longer sure. One could always think that we hit a local minimum. But the comatose, practically non-existent debate suggests there are no reacting forces, the malaise runs deep. Its puzzling and confusing because none of that phemomena seem pre-ordained. Its all self-inflicted through abysmally bad governance. Literally made up through behavior and choices.