Hubris
We’re watching the dissolving of a superpower, one that broke from the rule of kings, decided their new home was all theirs, driving natives into smaller, less desirable spaces.
They told others, from East and West, not to try and get a foothold anywhere near them and were pulled from the precipice of annihilation more than once.
They carried a big stick, but walked softly, sometimes saving the world, often making things worse, even tearing itself asunder.
They spend more arming themselves and their customers than everyone else combined. A subset of the population arms themselves beyond reason.
High ideals, deep flaws. Great words, brutal suppression. Brilliant legal system, unfair justice. They’re a dichotomy, a tinderbox awaiting flame and *boom*.
When people start getting sick, and the “government” is slow to help, anger becomes that flame. All bets are off.
Who takes the blame? Greed and bigotry. Wins every time.