Direct elections are to blame.
Every nation that is free and desires to stay free must always implement a secure system whereby votes are weighted/apportioned relative to things like individual property ownership, and educational strength for individuals. And for states, provinces and territories: the size of the state geographically, its economic size, how it supports the goals of the nation overall as well in hard numbers/metrics; how much it supplies and demands from the nation.
State members of a nation who generate more burdens (like drug addicts, welfare queens and criminals) and contribute less overall (ie. resources, human capital,food, energy, wealth, technical and stem quality educational graduates)... should have less weight than those who carry the loads.
Having semi democratic yet proportional components within a structural Republic is a better form of government then a parliamentary monarchy.
One person - one vote direct democracies degenerate in direct proportion to how quick the subjects can vote themselves into a gibsmedat venezuela social construct on the road to hell.
That's why the Founders wanted only property owners to be able to vote. Something like that should exist today.
You’re kinda falling into “philosopher King” territory with this prescription. Educational strength? What does that mean? How do you quantify that —especially in this era? And what constitutes “property?” Who is gonna decide that? “Real “Property? Plenty people eschew property ownership in their later years due to the headaches that inhere. Do they lose their voice once they abdicate their homes in favor of rental properties and assisted living facilities?