
If you feel like the system is completely broken, you're not alone. In fact, Americans today are seeing firsthand just how dysfunctional the establishment has become. Whether it's chaos at the border, skyrocketing debt, or elites refusing to address everyday issues, it's clear that our institutions are failing. Journalist Alana Newhouse, writing for Tablet Magazine, calls this "Brokenism," a perfect term to describe the state of our government and public institutions.
What is "Brokenism"? It's the idea that our system isn’t just flawed—it’s shattered. We see this in the failure of public schools, overwhelmed healthcare systems, and cities that have become nearly unlivable. Newhouse points out that major crises like wildfires in Hawaii, floods in the South, and even the chaos at our southern border are exposing a system that’s completely out of control.

Two Types of People in a Broken System
Here’s where things get interesting. Newhouse explains that our society is now split into two groups:
Brokenists – People who realize that our system is beyond repair. They believe it needs to be replaced by something new, something bold. These are the Trump supporters, the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) crowd, and even folks like RFK Jr. They want change from the outside because they know the establishment can’t be trusted to fix what they broke.
Status Quoists – These people know the system is broken too, but they still cling to the hope that the same people who broke it can somehow fix it. It’s like watching someone try to put out a fire with gasoline. They want to believe that if we just trust the elites and bureaucrats, things will magically get better.
Here’s where the absurdity comes in. Status quoists understand the system is collapsing, yet they put their faith in the very institutions that caused the mess in the first place. It’s a lack of logic that is hard to ignore.
Trump and the Outsider Solution
For those who support Trump, the message is clear: you can't trust the same broken establishment to fix the problems they created. Trump is the outsider who refuses to play by the corrupt rules of Washington. His leadership challenges the status quo in a way that no insider can. This is what made his presidency so revolutionary and why so many Americans are calling for his return.
Kamala Harris recently tried to defend her administration’s failure to control the southern border, saying they are “about finding solutions, not creating problems.” But anyone paying attention knows that the flood of illegal immigration began after they loosened border policies—policies that worked under President Trump. When asked about the 400% increase in illegal border crossings during her administration, Harris did what elites do best: she dodged the question and blamed Congress. This shows just how out of touch the establishment is with the reality of the crises they’ve created.
Brokenists Are Winning the Battle for 2024
So, what does this mean for 2024? The political landscape is clear. People are either on Team Brokenism or Team Status Quo. The MAGA movement is gaining ground because more and more Americans see that the system can’t be trusted anymore. The idea of fixing it from within, as Biden and Harris suggest, is laughable.
The rise of Trump, along with other outsiders like RFK Jr., represents a realignment in American politics. It’s about rejecting the failed bureaucrats, the career politicians, and the elites who have had their chance—and failed miserably.
If you're looking for hope in these chaotic times, look no further than Trump. His presidency shook the system to its core, and that's exactly what we need again. America needs a leader who understands that the swamp cannot be drained from the inside. Only bold, uncompromising leadership from the outside will do.
Sources:
- Tablet Magazine's article on "Brokenism" by Alana Newhouse