Too bad, but perhaps inevitable. Then perhaps we can appropriately modify our democracy, sifting out its shortcomings. Or we may even do so gradually as we go. This is the politicians' pitch that justifies their authority. But the people themselves on the whole do not fully buy into it.
Popular cynicism is far more rampant than faith in the system.
Most Americans see democratic politics as a huge game and tend to judge the politicians largely by their apparent skills as players. Many voters are primarily influenced by considerations having only the most remote connection with government, if any at all. The voters are acknowledged as holding and exercising the solemn power to choose, but then customarily inundated with overwhelming distortion offered with a straight face as assistance in the discharge of their responsibility. And only the most rudimentary standards of intellectual honesty are observed. It is also to be noted that much of what goes on is a muted process of outright purchase.