The horror show that is politics. At least any perception that the degradation in the calibre of politicians in general must be recent is most probably in error, historical evidence:

"Politicks are now nothing more than means of rising in the world. With this sole view do men engage in politicks, and their whole conduct proceeds upon it."
-- Boswell, Life of Johnson

"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it."
--- Mark Twain

Another classic grumpy old man whinge then? Along with Hanlon's Razor, perceptive bias is a comforting explanation...sort of.