I have been thinking about this and especially in light of dealing with Shadow Work and the archetype of the Tyrant. I would say that even into the 2010s there was still some glue that held things together and even more so prior to the 2000s, but now it seems like there are no common themes of liberty, prosperity, or protection of life and property. Maybe I am over exaggerating, but it seems like that even in the 70s leftist groups (like the black Panthers) paid heed to ideas like freedom and mutual aid. Now it seems more like whether it is left or right it is merely political consumerism of which groups you want to persecute and what is the most bang for your vote. That is not to say that there were no tyrants, but they at least seemed to have more sound judgement. Now it seems like that a progressive from 100 years ago (even if you disagreed with him) has more in common with you as a countryman than a conservative in 2023. This may not come down merely to statism vs libertarianism, but that we live in a country approaching 400 million people. I just don't get the average American any more, culturally, politically, spiritually, morally, or otherwise.