It's apparent that lots of people, perhaps nearly half the country, believe that America has failed them. To them the American Dream is a fallacy, and only exists for a select few. And that select few in their view, have amassed their wealth by lying, cheating and stealing from everyone else. They believe that the only way to end this American Nightmare is to radically transform the country by upending our values, system of government and way of life. These are the people who cheer on Bernie Sanders, the democratic socialist, when he says that America can only become better by being more like Denmark or Sweden or any other socialist country.
A different crowd, but the same people, beam with pride when Hillary Clinton shifts into high socialist gear, assuring the crowd that she can teach Bernie Sanders a thing or two when it comes to central planning. These are the people who will vote for any candidate that promises to greatly expand the government and its power over our lives. Like hungry little birds, they flutter with excitement at the thought of receiving "free" this or "free" that from big government. And I'm sure they get all tingly when they hear the "r" word (redistribution).
In a sense, I understand how they became champions of socialism. Looking at the country today, it's apparent that many people are struggling. The economy sucks. Wages are stagnant. College is too expensive. Underemployment is real. And far too many politicians (on both sides of the aisle) have pledged their loyalties to special interests instead of to the American people. In short, the nation is in trouble, big trouble. But failing institutions, be they financial, political, social or what have you, are just that, failing institutions. However, the heart and soul of America is not its institutions, its the American people.
