To me, the most terrible loss when it comes to governmental institutions not working properly is those times when the American people are too dumb to realize institutions are working on their behalf, even if they don't understand it.  Right now, I have such little faith in the Federal agencies doing the right thing when it comes to the right thing when it conflicts with the Trump administration's political ends.  At least years ago there was some faith that these agencies would do the right things even when the American people couldn't follow and understand what was going on.  

For example, look back during the Civil Rights era, especially when it came to law enforcement.  Mainstream people, without the benefit of Civil Rights law classes, have little idea of the scope of abuses that went on and how the Federal courts actually carried cases forward to their rightful end.  

Can anyone imagine if these cases were going on now?? (I think we see how with what is going on with the detention of children by ICE).

I mean, shit, look at all this information coming out and what we get with the "legitimate" media - questions in a presidential debate about a gay liberal being friends with a former US President and if it's "too urban" for three liberal women congresswomen to back a US presidential candidate.