This all got messed up from the top levels directing the bottom, and it spread. In other words, they screwed education so kids no longer learn about civics. They watch TV, where people who act like idiots are rewarded by being noticed. Mostly, because they're uneducated, they believe whatever their hero tells them.
Man, question everything - not just "authority", but what the people you like say. We have a whole generation (or maybe two) of stupid people. Educate their kids, at least.