There is something seriously wrong.
The problem seems to be beyond the ability of people good intentioned or not to solve the problem.
When an issue (any issue) gets out of hand
(which is where society is today) then it becomes beyond the ability of
anyone to solve the problems we face.

It requires humility, and a desire on the part of those who
take the lead in running the country to work together to solve
issues. But that's not going to happen when people decide
their political party, their ideology, or whatever is more
important the the issues that require practical attention.

But that's what happens when everyone thinks their
position is the right way to go about solving problems.
Too bad for John Q citizen. In the end the results are
just as you describe, system wide mediocrity.

__________________
"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….