As someone who lives in a VERY red rural state, I just want to say two things:

[MadameButterfly]

46. i'm distinguishing the people with poor critical thinking skills from the ones who actually revel in the cruelty

That doesn't make it ok with me. It's just a different level of offense.

Rather than punishment, i'd like them to learn. These people aren't completely lost like the cruel ones.
These are the people we need to win over to succeed. They still have their humanity, as imperfect as it is.

I don't know why they can't connect the dots. We don't know what they've been through, what adversity they've survived. With the growing income gap, people are falling through the cracks.

It sounds like you've overcome a lot. I don't consider you average. Give yourself credit. Not everyone meets your challenges the same way you do. I also suspect your mom's high school diploma might not be the only measure of what she gave you. Given that she raised you to be who you are.

Don't get me wrong, I have to resist throwing shoes at the TV when I hear them figuring things out, too late, and telling us they couldn't have known. I just won't enjoy their pain and suffering. I do think it will be necessary though, to right this ship.