Democracy in this country has been dying a slow death, since the 1960's.  I am not sure people are putting their heads in the sand.  Our political culture is one built on trust in our system.  If wrongdoers are put into government, we will remove them in the next elections.   (Or, in the case of California, engineer a coup).

Needless to say, it is a scary thought to think our Democratic process has been hijacked.  It is a scary thought to think that the American public does not see that "our liberties are being taken away to protect our freedom".  And, they are not questioning why the world is against us.   After all, we are a perfect country, since we go to church.