You can't start a business, because they'll shut it down. You can't have your interests represented by the government, because they'll steal the election. And you can't even get rich, because they'll tank your investments.
This is not a Republic. This is a plantation. We're all just field slaves.
No one actually tells you when your country loses primacy and becomes subservient to another nation-state. They just take over your elections and loot your treasury. Lawlessness reigns. Investment flees.