Sometimes, living in the U.S. is like being in an abusive relationship, says Dr. Bruce E. Levine.

Constant disappointment has led to a spiral of disillusionment—even depression. What can we do about it?

From Counterpunch:

Can people become so broken that truths of how they arebeing screwed do not “set them free” but instead further demoralizethem? Has such a demoralization happened in the United States? Do sometotalitarians actually want us to hear how we have been screwed becausethey know that humiliating passivity in the face of obvious oppressionwill demoralize us even further? What forces have created ademoralized, passive, disCouraged U.S. population? Can anything be done to turn this around?

Can people become so broken that truths of how they are beingscrewed do not “set them free” but instead further demoralize them?

YES. It is called the “abuse syndrome.” How do abusive pimps,spouses, bosses, corporations, and governments stay in control? Theyshove lies, emotional and physical abuses, and injustices in theirvictims’ faces, and when victims are afraid to exit from theserelationships, they get weaker; and so the abuser then makes theirvictims eat even more lies, abuses, and injustices, resulting invictims even weaker as they remain in these relationships.