I think about this often. I don't like the direction my country, the US, is heading. But I also look around the world and see problems everywhere. The problems that the US is facing are not unique to the U.S.

I do see some encouraging signs in America. More people are waking up to elite corruption and incompetence. People are losing trust in mainstream media and mainstream politicians. They are looking for something different. Progress is slow because the institutions have such a stranglehold on the flow of information, and tribal politics keeps people from seeking alternative viewpoints. But I do believe that it is happening, slowly and surely.

So I am cautiously optimistic about the U.S. There are more levers for common people to fight the corrupt and incompetent here than in most other countries.