There is a lot of truth in what you both said. The average American has given little thought to what has happened over the last 50 years with our government, media and politics. They were busy working and trying to raise their family. It was easier to leave it to the politicians.
Professional politicians. Someone who has applied all their energy and education to learning the art of politics. Professional politicians.
Think about a professional baseball player. He probably has played baseball since he was young, first able to throw a ball. People noticed their natural talent. The ones with the talent and drive, both in excess, make the pros.
We are governed by politicians who made it to the pros. Every move they make is calculated to gain advantage over their opponents. How much room is left for them to do what is best for the country and its citizens? And worse, they are completely focused (they think) on what is best for the country, as long as it aligns to THEIR politics.
I wonder how we might fare if common people, like us here, took a more active role.. I guess we should just watch the World Series of politics every four years on TV and leave it to the professional politicians.
We shouldn't blame the professional politicians for our problems. We should blame ourselves. We should own this.