How did the United States arrive at the present moment? To answer this question, Jon Meacham quoted two statistics: Only 17 percent of Americans trust the government (down from 77 percent in 1955), and average household income is $58,000, some $70,000 less than what a family of four needs for a middle-class life. “These numbers have created uncertainty and anxiety and led to the ebb and flow of perennial forces, such as xenophobia, racism, nativism and isolationism, that are always with us,” Meacham said. “Leaders are far more often mirrors of who we are rather than makers of who we are, and that’s an uncomfortable reality.” 1 Column Content Background Color White Ali...