Widespread economic fear from debt and inflation creates a national 'fight or flight' mode. This anxiety is emotionally taxing, so people convert it to anger. Politicians exploit this by providing specific targets for that anger, mobilizing a populist base.

Social and political chaos are symptoms of a foundational economic decay. When the work-to-reward feedback loop breaks—evidenced by housing becoming unaffordable—people lose faith in the system itself and become open to radical alternatives because they feel they have nothing left to lose.

Societal hatred and tribalism are lagging indicators of economic distress. By the time political polarization becomes extreme, the underlying system is already in crisis due to factors like excessive debt and money printing. The economy is the root cause to watch.

The feeling of living paycheck-to-paycheck creates a 'psychological torture' and a sense of dread that transcends traditional political allegiances. This shared economic anxiety makes voters, including crossover Trump supporters, receptive to populist messages from both ends of the spectrum, whether from Donald Trump or from progressives like AOC and Bernie Sanders.

The inability for young people to afford assets like housing creates massive inequality and fear. This economic desperation makes them susceptible to populist leaders who redirect their anger towards political opponents, ultimately sparking violence.

Populist figures don't create societal problems; they rise to power because existing economic and social issues create an environment where their message resonates. To solve the problem, you must address the underlying conditions, not just the leader who represents them.

Figures like Donald Trump don't create populist movements; they rise by capitalizing on pre-existing societal problems like economic despair. Focusing on removing the leader ignores the root causes that allowed them to gain power, ensuring another similar figure will eventually emerge.

As governments print money, asset values rise while wages stagnate, dramatically increasing wealth inequality. This economic divergence is the primary source of the bitterness, anxiety, and societal infighting that manifests as extreme political polarization. The problem is economic at its core.

Political alignment is becoming secondary to economic frustration. Voters are responding to candidates who address rising costs, creating unpredictable alliances and fracturing established bases. This dynamic is swamping traditional ideology, forcing both parties to scramble for a new populist message centered on financial well-being.