Broken Government

[KoKo]

36. "Yet Hope Remains."

Good points...Critical Thinking Skills:

The "failure" of the Fourth Estate relates to the intended function of the free press to inform the citizenry pursuant to the informed consent of the governed. Today's major media is a business increasingly controlled by fewer and fewer hands. The most benign function is profit, which has nothing to do with truth or civic responsibility. An underlying function, epitomized by Fox News, is propaganda to manipulate the citizenry pursuant to the interests of the oligarchy.

The "dysfunction" within our government is also intended, to a certain extent. Ronald Reagan ushered in an era of "conservatism" by proclaiming government is the problem, not the solution. Part of this relates to traditional conservative free market philosophy, but I think it has become a concerted effort to alienate the American people from their own government -- which allows the oligarchy to exert more control. THAT is the intended function, as opposed to dysfunction.
The sheer numbers of voting citizens supporting the likes of Donald Trump is strong evidence that our educational institutions have failed. Many schools are little better than day care centers trying to deal with disruptive behaviors, and the schools categorized as better performing still fall far short of teaching critical thinking skills, a true appreciation of history, an understanding of the world outside our borders, and civic responsibility. Colleges are all too often focused on the means to make money, shortchanging the paths to an enriching life and enlightened self interest within the larger human community. If we really cared about our children and grandchildren we would make a well rounded education with diligent mentoring our highest national priority.