Some know they must endure. They must settle for what they can get, expect less, adapt to an existence closer in some ways to the nineteenth century than to the twenty-first. Some people know that if they can only find the people responsible for all the chaos and punish them, stop them, kill them, then all will be well again. Hunting for scapegoats is always popular in times of serious trouble. So is hunting for the great leader who will restore prosperity and stability.
Some people know that that's the answer.
If they could just find the strong, powerful leader that they need, all would be well. And, unhappily for them, they do find such a leader. That leader has his own answers. Because of him, innocent people lose their freedom, lose custody of their children, lose their lives. Because of him, the U.S. starts a war with Canada and Alaska over the Alaskan secession.