Even though the country wasn’t so bad after Dabya, imo it’s honestly where it all went wrong in the modern era. And it all started with a corrupt person who should have stayed in the private sector.
It all came down to: there isn’t a law forbidding it so there is opportunity
You forgot the already failed War on Drugs being targeted towards US inner cities with the enthusiastic help of the Democrats. Deregulation of several base industries to maximize profits. The curtailing of union power supported by both major parties.
Oh I haven't forgot