Tim Daneliuk wrote:
In truth though, the problem lies not with the candidates but with the
voting public. The politicians are merely canaries in the coal mine
signaling just how morally degenerate the population at large has
become in its incessant demands upon government to keep it safe,
educated, prosperous, healthy, and happy - almost all of which
are things that government manifestly cannot do, or at least not
do well. Shrug IMHO, the republic is doomed. The Sheeple are
electing candidates that are merely rearranging the deck chairs
on the Titanic, not trying to patch the leak and keep the boat
afloat ...

I blame the campaign finance laws.

Special interests, lobbyists, and the like were a foil for the great
unwashed masses. Sometimes the monied interests won, sometimes the mob won.
It was a balancing act.

When the special interests won, the mob would get all exercised and vote out
the crooks. When the mob won, those financially affected would pour money
into the next election.

It evened out.

Now, with the special interest mostly emasculated, the rabble wins more
often.