By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The author, drawing on their experience observing societal collapses in various countries, argues that the United States is experiencing a similar decline. Through their work with the Northern Kentucky Truth & Accountability Project, they have documented corruption within law enforcement, the courts, and local media. The author details a breakdown of institutional integrity, including the silencing of whistleblowers and the manipulation of legal processes, mirroring patterns observed in failing states around the world. The author emphasizes a loss of public trust and a need for individuals to take responsibility for uncovering and sharing the truth, as official channels of accountability have failed.
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I’ve Seen States Collapse; Now I See It Happening Here. The sentiment is chilling, and it’s something that has resonated deeply. Having observed the unraveling of nations elsewhere, the parallels to what’s unfolding here are undeniable, and frankly, terrifying. The unsettling reality is that there’s a growing sense that the same forces that brought down other societies are at play, and the warning signs are flashing red.
One of the most disheartening aspects of this looming crisis, and it’s the elephant in the room, is the sheer difficulty in reaching a significant portion of the population. It feels like we’re facing a pervasive anti-intellectualism, a resistance to education, and a distrust of facts that’s incredibly difficult to overcome. You can present evidence, explain the historical context, and lay bare the manipulations of those in power, but it often makes no difference. It’s as if a certain segment of the population actively fights against understanding, embracing a willful ignorance that makes rational discourse almost impossible.
The challenge is, this aggressively stupid segment of the population, as it has been referred to, has a powerful grip on the trajectory of the nation. Their resistance to facts, their unwavering faith in misinformation, and their embrace of tribalism make it hard to envision a path forward without some sort of major upheaval. The question is: what will it take to shake them out of this state of delusion, and can the country survive the consequences? The answer sadly is probably not, or at least not without a lot of pain.
For those who are already seeing this, a sense of preparedness is setting in, the desire to find a safe haven from the chaos that’s on the horizon. It’s about acknowledging the reality and making personal decisions that may mean making an exit strategy or finding a way to survive the collapse. The future seems uncertain, and the feeling of helplessness is overwhelming. There is a very real sense of being on the precipice, of watching the foundations erode.
The interference of religion in daily life, coupled with the relentless culture wars being waged, adds another layer of complexity. As the country becomes more divided, it can be easy to feel marginalized and under attack. The rise of anti-intellectualism and the outright rejection of science and critical thinking are creating an atmosphere of distrust and hostility, pushing people to their breaking points. The very concept of the social contract feels like a joke, something that has been broken and is now beyond repair.
The focus on personal survival, the urge to educate oneself, and the recognition that skilled and educated individuals will always have opportunities, even in times of turmoil, are common themes. It’s a mindset of self-reliance, of preparing for the worst while still hoping for the best. There is a strong desire to tax the elites and redistribute wealth to the common people. Yet the lack of political will among the Democrats, coupled with a growing sense of disillusionment with both major parties, makes even this seemingly obvious solution difficult to implement.
The comparison of the US to states that have already collapsed, like Afghanistan, highlights the problem of an educated minority being surrounded by a largely uneducated and religious population. The parallels are uncomfortable, particularly the shared love of guns, flags, and the distrust of anything that isn’t deemed ‘traditional’. The dismantling of the public education system, the decades-long assault on critical thinking, and the rise of media illiteracy have created a perfect storm of ignorance.
The situation isn’t going to improve any time soon. The feeling of the country is declining, with the most recent generation being the worst. Many wonder what it will be like to hit rock bottom. The American dream is no longer guaranteed, and people are having to plan accordingly. The key question is how to ‘deprogram’ the people within the cult-like nature of Trumpism, yet the real problem may be that most Americans have already lost touch with reality.
The situation is made even more complex by the fact that for many people, supporting their political team is more important than facts or the well-being of the country. They are so focused on the team, that they are willing to accept any narrative, no matter how delusional it may be. This tribalism, combined with the failure of the Democrats to combat the conservative agenda, makes progress almost impossible. This is a tragedy of generations of effort, of sacrifice, is being squandered.
The bottom line is this: it is not enough to say that people are choosing their fate. Voting restrictions and gerrymandering are active forces. The challenge is to find some kind of path forward, while preparing for the worst. It’s a daunting task, a struggle against a tide of ignorance, division, and apathy. It’s a terrifying time to be alive in America right now, but you are not alone.