Richie, the reason I disagree with you, at least to a degree on this, is because of the infamous quote attributed to Socrates where he spoke of how disrespectful children were in his new, modern, enlightened era. They no longer stood up when an adult entered the room and showed disrespect towards their parents.

I first read about that in the 1970s.

I certainly wouldn't argue the truths in your OP - demoralize and de-fang a populace and they ARE 'easier pickings'. I just dispute that it's as bad as you make it out to be.

It's taken us 10 years since 9/11 to get to this level of hyperpartisanship bickering again.