I seriously belive Sara Palin's VP nod was a critical moment when we went off the rails. A shallow self-promoter with neither shame nor concience people tried to treat as serious and legitimate.
I take it back further when America elected a mediocre actor—Ronald Reagan with no other skills.
Much to his son’s horror, Reagan introduced trickle down economics thus eliminating the middle class. Then closed mental institutions thus creating the homeless class.
The destruction of American society is his legacy.
Palin never had that level of power.