The rule of law was a real thing for much of American history, and it's a real thing in many other countries. If we want it back, we can't be tricked into thinking this problem is in any way universal or inevitable.
"Those politicians are all the same, there's no point in voting or being politically active, it's all going to hell, etc."
It's so not true, and it's just the kind of disempowering disregard for one's own agency that anyone who's greedy for power would love to hear. Man, when I hear that shit now, I just want to shake those people and say, "YOU'RE THE PROBLEM!!"
You're right, it is a continual fight. It never ends. There's no final set of laws or behaviors we're going for. The process is what matters.
When was that?