I think this can be explained by Stockholm Syndrome, sadly. "Hang the petty thieves, appoint the big ones to high office", and then keep attacking the messenger

I think this can be explained by Stockholm Syndrome, sadly. "Hang the petty thieves, appoint the big ones to high office", and then keep attacking the messengers who try to inform you of the degraded situation you're in. If had a penny for every time that happens when blindly accepted authority is criticized in any way, I could simply buy the NSA and DARPA, and start implementing some of Bill Hicks' ideas, like shooting food at starving people.