Why Are Americans So Unhappy With Their Leaders?

Declining Trust and Disillusionment

American trust in government has steadily declined for decades (except for anomalies like September 11th).
Elections often seen as choosing the lesser evil rather than an inspirational leader.
Some believe the system is broken and only an outsider can fix it.

Historical Leadership

America has had inspirational leaders but they are perceived as rare.
Questions arise: Why is a large country unable to consistently produce satisfactory leaders?

Nature of the Presidency and Public Perception

Founders' Intentions: Wanted to avoid both elitist rule and rule by mass passion.
- Constitution drafted in secret to avoid popular influence, inspired by Athenian and Roman examples.
Checks and Balances: Power must be fragmented to avoid tyranny.
Federalism: Adds complexity by distributing power across federal and state bodies.

Presidential Overpromising and Public Expectations

Modern candidates overpromise to win elections, setting unrealistic expectations.
Historical Context: Earlier presidents focused on fewer issues (e.g., George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, FDR).
Expanded Responsibilities: The complexity of issues has grown, increasing demands on presidents.
Changed Primary System: Post-1968 reforms shifted candidate selection power to the public, leading to more populist promises.

Structural Constraints on Presidential Power

Presidency is designed to be constrained, avoiding concentration of power.
Presidents can only recommend laws; actual power diluted through government machinery.
Example: Lyndon Johnson's inability to control long-term executive employees.

Isolation and Stress of Modern Presidency

Modern presidents face extreme stress, lack of privacy, and tightly controlled schedules.
Public and media scrutiny: Every aspect of personal and professional life examined.
Example: Obama's yearning for normal life post-presidency; modern presidents visibly age quickly due to the pressure.

Polarization and Public Cynicism

1968 as a Turning Point: Assassinations of MLK and RFK, Vietnam War disillusionment led to social fracture.
Media and Polarization: People consume affirming content, increasing division.
Impact: More difficult to reach consensus, legislative stagnation, half the population often opposes the president.
Declining Approval: Presidents start with high support but often end with lower approval due to unmet expectations.
Scandals and Crises: Further erode public trust and increase cynicism.

Conclusion

American attitudes towards leaders are increasingly cynical, often for valid reasons.
Decline in trust makes presidency less desirable, leading to poorer performance and more cynicism.
Uncertain future: Whether trust can be rebuilt or if the trend of declining faith in leaders will continue.

Overall, the confluence of high expectations, structural constraints, isolation, scrutiny, and polarization has made it increasingly difficult for American presidents to meet public expectations, leading to widespread disillusionment.