Bill Maher will say what you did, point out all these things, then turn around and make some ridiculous remark about Trump to hoots and hollers from his audience. Fact is he knows from whom his bread is buttered. Moderates in your space can only push the envelope so far. They won't risk having their careers destroyed by not giving the extremists what they want. Even Maher who is braver than most. Fetterman when asked why not join the Republicans said he'd make a lousy Republican with what he believes in. And he's saner than most.
IMO what it comes down to is the proliferation of drugs starting in the 60's combined with the "liberation" of women with the advent of abortion on demand and easy divorce. A culture developed that coalesced around rejecting traditional values, embracing anything extreme. And grown now to where there are two competing cultures in the U.S. Each represented by one of the two competing political parties. With some caught in the middle who are attracted to, and repelled by, attributes of each culture. And who are rejected by the two cultures who don't trust anyone who accepts anything the "other side" is doing.
I may be off base, but that's how I see the state of our country. People ask me how I could possibly be comfortable living in a foreign land? I'm not seeing crazy hair here except from a few expats. The young people act very respectful and are pleasant to deal with. I don't fit into their group, not trying to. It's just easy to get along here without worrying about the craziness that is gripping the U.S. And whether it's Trump or another Republican, whether it's another Democrat who comes to power, the other side will be working feverishly to destroy him to get the power back. Not good for the continued viability of our country. I can't imagine the U.S. being intact in 50 years. Might never be is exactly right.
