The signs were there though. Take for example the fact that the USA is the only first world country without some form of decent public healthcare. We'd always joke about it but it has always been a red flag signalling how many Americans felt about their fellow countrymen.

Same for guns etc. And now finally the chickens have come back to roost.

It's funny because the US hasn't really changed all that much. If anything, violent crime since that time is down overall. NYC is still the same city. People in California still surf. It's only perception that's changed. And that perception is driven by media.

I miss that too.

I've described it as losing your big older brother that was always there for you to a crippling addiction. It's really sad for everyone involved.