By Matt Underwood The America we knew is rapidly slipping away, and the sentiment is far from new. It’s a feeling of a fundamental shift, a tectonic plate of cultural and political values fracturing, and the landscape we once recognized is undeniably changing. This isn’t a recent phenomenon; many feel it’s been underway for quite some time, perhaps even decades. The election of certain figures, with their disregard for established norms, acted as a catalyst, accelerating a process that was already in motion.
The erosion of critical thinking, the ability to discern truth from falsehood, and the increasing prevalence of disinformation, especially through social media, have created fertile ground for this change. It’s a breeding ground where baseless claims and outright lies can spread like wildfire, undermining the very foundations of informed decision-making. This has been compounded by the hyper-capitalist culture that glamorizes wealth and the ultra-wealthy, breeding a sense of corruption and prioritizing the interests of the privileged few over the collective good. The focus on accumulating personal wealth, often at any cost, has also played a role in this shift.
Some feel that the New York Times bears a significant share of the blame. They, like much of the mainstream media, are accused of complicity in the downfall of America. They are called out for their role in normalizing dangerous rhetoric, failing to hold leaders accountable, and seemingly giving both sides of an issue when there is not a debate. This is not about the truth or reporting facts, but to create controversy and generate clicks.
Looking back, the current situation isn’t a sudden shock. It’s the culmination of a long, slow burn, fueled by a series of failures and misguided choices. The normalization of egregious behavior, coupled with the apparent indifference of certain institutions, has left many feeling betrayed and disillusioned. The consequences are not temporary; the damage inflicted will last.
It’s a feeling of being in a dystopian reality that’s finally been revealed, and the veil of perceived democracy is crumbling. The question now is how to navigate this new reality. The answer isn’t clear, but it demands action. Do we fight for what we believe in, or do we succumb to the forces attempting to rewrite the rules? The stakes are high, the future uncertain, and the path forward unclear.
The current leadership has revealed what many considered to be a long-held joke. The leadership has destroyed the foundations of the country, and it’s gone beyond repair. The country’s trust and stability have been destroyed, and we are at a crucial point. In a decade or two, other countries will move away, becoming less dependent on the United States’s insanity. We’re at a pivotal moment where the America we knew is no more.