This is exactly how they collapse. We are indeed watching the fall of our Republic.
Every civilization has within its cultural base the seeds of its own destruction. Egypt—successful for so long was unwilling to change. Rome, was destroyed by corruption, “bread and circuses” Our desire to be nice to people who we see as victims of Society (That’s everyone folks). Our greed and selfishness will be our undoing. Why do the Democrats do this? Because it works. WE are no longer a Democracy but a Mediaocracy. A few slick commercials, a movie star endorsement or two and David Duke could be elected.