"From whom, exactly, we wonder"
Well, wonder no more... US citizens (yes, I am one) are incredibly stupid.
In my estimation, authoritarians inside the US are responsible for much of the unease about the democratic process in the US.
There are a significant number of US citizens who are ignorant, and "ignorance is bliss".
History is rhyming (per Samuel Clements, as I recall). The same crap that took hold 80 or 90 years ago is taking hold again.
Peace out.