http://jameshowardkunstler.typepad.com/clusterfuck_nation/2006/01/legitmacy.html#comments
Part of the problem with the apathetic public is that, as Jim's noted in several books and, frequently, on this blog, the American citizen has had a long, cheap ride to a world of incredible choices, choices in housing, vocational opportunities, education, even food. In short, we've become 'spoiled,' suffering from the same kind of 'entitlement' thinking that most of us would prefer to see disappear. It is, by virtue of the 'psychology of previous investment, easier to 'ignore' the 'real,' in favor of the 'preferred,' even when that option becomes more narrow with each passing day. Short of the serious consequences and public shock that will eventually occur, I doubt any well-intentioned, knowledgeable poltician would be brave enough to actually 'tell the truth' about the serious issues soon to confront us and expect to survive even a primary campaign. I think there are capable, bright people with good ideas and the foresight to see the need for implementation of programs designed to ameliorate the impacts of 'oil shock,' but there does not currently exist any viable framework for presenting these ideas to a populatation that's grown fat, lazy, and uncaring that will shake them from their lethargy. So, in the end, old friend, I think as you do, we're screwed