The United States’ economy has grown enormously in recent decades, yet many Americans are not cheerful and confident. Polls in early 2026 reported consumer confidence in the United States was at the lowest point in a dozen years. Furthermore, the 2025 World Happiness Report showed the American people’s contentment dropped to 24th in the world. That was the lowest level ever recorded for the USA in that international happiness survey.

Consistently near the top in the global happiness rankings is Norway, a country somewhat like the United States. Norway, too, is a wealthy nation, and it, too, benefited from a huge expansion of energy production.

Why do many Norwegians report satisfaction about their economic and social condition, while many Americans indicate much less satisfaction?

Critics worry that President Trump has threatened a federal takeover of voting activities throughout the USA. That is a significant danger, but another risk is getting much less attention. Americans stirred by false charges about voter fraud might try to take matters into their own hands and try to shape the outcome of an election.

That behavior was evident in a small but significant case of hijinks during the 2000 presidential election.

The story of that intervention by angry citizens and party officials has a name: The Brooks Brothers’ Riot. An examination of the event shows how aggressive action by ordinary citizens in tandem with political agents can undermine American democracy. The Brooks Brothers Riot could serve as a model for efforts to sway the 2026 and 2018 elections.

There have been many shocking news stories recently about aggression by uniformed, masked, and armed ICE agents, but none excited as much public outrage as the shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis. That tragedy was sadly predictable. When armed paramilitary agents confront protesters complaining about injustices, there is potential for bloodshed.

One of the most notable examples of that combustible situation occurred 56 years ago when a governor sent armed national guardsmen to deal with protests on a university campus. Soldiers fired into a crowd, killing four students and injuring others. The history of that event contains lessons for our times.