Editor's note: Anthony Moretti, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Department of Communication and Organizational Leadership at Robert Morris University in the U.S. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of either CGTN or Robert Morris University.

How low can the U.S. go? And how bad will conditions in the country get before the bottom is reached?

As 2025 begins to wind down, the confidence Americans have in their country and its institutions continues to decline. Related to this, the international community remains uncertain about the value of its partnerships with America. And, no, the most recent anxieties have nothing to do with tariffs.

Let's consider two examples of the corrosive political polarization evident in the U.S. First, the federal government shutdown is now in its second week, and there is no reason to believe that Democrats and Republicans will find the common ground needed to reopen the government. They remain content yelling at each other while everyday Americans suffer.

One concern – and many others could be added to the list – associated with the shutdown is how challenging it is becoming for Americans to fly from one city to another because a sufficient number of air traffic controllers are not showing up for work.

Deemed essential workers are supposed to remain on the job even in challenging situations. However, nothing is preventing them from saying they need a day off because they claim to be sick during the government shutdown. More and more of them are doing just that, and elected and appointed officials know it.

The Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy demanded that the controllers "show up for work" because "you have a job to do." Good luck with that. Imagine me slapping you in the face and then demanding you do what I tell you. How would you react?

Longer and longer delays are being experienced by fliers at U.S. airports, big and small. Around 10,000 flights were delayed on Monday and Tuesday because of a lower number of air traffic controllers showing up for work, according to CNBC reports. One airport in the Los Angeles area had zero controllers for a nearly six-hour stretch on Monday, an embarrassment that drew headlines across the globe.

Thankfully, there have been no accidents or crashes thus far; however, the absence of a disaster does not mean the system is running smoothly. Like any institution, trust is essential for people to have confidence in it.

And as much as some opinion leaders insist that fliers should show patience, not fear, about flying right now, the reality is that the system will inch closer toward breaking each day. Leaders from both political parties – too often tone deaf to the needs of average Americans – might want to think about that as they continue to lob angry rhetorical bombs toward each other.

For now, let's accept that flight delays create a host of inconveniences, but at least no one is in danger when sitting in an airport waiting for their flight. However, danger is everywhere, anytime the White House orders National Guard troops to American cities. And that leads us to the second example of political polarization.

The Trump administration remains adamant that such troops are necessary because some U.S. cities, which are in states believed not to support Trump in the 2024 presidential election, are riddled with crime and "public order" does not exist. Local and state officials do not want the Guard; they insist there is no crime problem. Activists are even angrier, and in many places, they are unafraid that protests could put themselves and others at risk. Such conflicts are most notable in cities or states like Chicago, Illinois, Portland and Oregon.

Here again, the best news is that no one has died; nevertheless, and to borrow a cliche, as more fuel is added to the fire, the chance that change goes up every time the next protest turns violent.

America is in crisis. Instead of showing real leadership and trying to find solutions, the political class points the finger of blame across the political aisle. Whether ignorant or arrogant in their actions, elected officials hold firm to the idea that if the other side would simply give in, everything would be fine.

Too many national news organizations, most notably the cable television networks, amplify the talking points of one party or the other. Americans respond by paying attention to news (and opinion) that aligns with their political beliefs.

This is not democracy, but dysfunction; this is not optimism, but obfuscation; this is not ethics, but egregious. This is, however, America in 2025, and it is led by an administration fully confident that it can bully allies and enemies to do what it says.

Compliant Republicans refuse to show any independence. Meanwhile, Democrats are akin to a hiker lost in the woods, unsure which direction to turn; leaderless; lacking confidence; and in their current position because of a long-standing hubris.

Put too much air into a balloon and it will burst. Put too much hostility into the American psyche and it will snap. And no one knows when that moment will arrive.

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