Traumatic stress and the resulting debilitation are poorly understood in America. This is deliberate. Many veterans suffer from PTSD because of what they did to others in the crime known as war. I worked closely with Vietnam veterans for many years.
truth-out.org/news/item/23935-reasons-for-intellectual-conformity
"In theory, many people hail the idea of independent thinking and praise the courage of speaking truth to power. In practice, however, the pressure of “group think” and the penalties inflicted on dissidents usually force people into line even when they know better."
www.alternet.org/economy/federal-dollars-help-gentrifying-neighborhoods-not-most-distressed-communities
The privatization of Dilworth plaza and Clark Park provide good local examples of diverting taxpayer money through deception. The 50+ million dollars for the upscale ice skating rink was supposed to improve public transit infrastructure. The gravel pit in Clark Park, designed as a food court for the new hi rise, diverted money set aside to keep rain water from running off of paved surfaces.
www.truthdig.com/report/item/thomas_paine_our_contemporary_20140525
“When it shall be said in any country in the world ‘My poor are happy; neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them; my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars; the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive; the rational world is my friend, because I am a friend of happiness’: when these things can be said,” Paine wrote, “then may that country boast of its constitution and its government.”
