IMO, the problems intensified when we as a nation elevated education to the level beyond the status of religion in our society. The schools received the status of churches, the professors the status of priests. Tuition, and tuition support from the government, became the equal of donations to a church. The money poured in easily eclipsing the total of all contributions to organized religions. The major universities function now as virtual city states of liberal thought. They hire from within, outsiders need not apply. Their leaders care not one whit for the country as they dwell on their navels.
RE: IMO, the problems intensified when we as a nation elevated education to the level beyond the status of religion in our society.
I don’t think this problem is limited only to the USA. Have a look at other European countries and tell me you don’t observe the same woke phenomena...