You chose wrong, and now humanity is in shambles. What happened?
Mass Ignorance
“Two out of three eighth-graders can’t read proficiently, nearly two-thirds of eighth-graders scored below proficient in math, and nearly three out of four eighth- and 12th-grade students cannot write proficiently” (Foundation).
A poor education system left Americans floundering with poor decision-making skills and ignorant to the dangers of believing everything you hear.
Rampant Poverty
In America, the wages of executives have quadrupled since the 1970s. However, for the average worker, wages have dropped nearly 10%. This is merely part of a growing wealth gap. This gap allows people like the Koch Brothers to fund campaigns, buy up businesses, and outsource jobs - all actions that severely limit the average worker’s ability to succeed. If the vast majority of America is only trying to survive, they are easily manipulated into accepting social constrictions that are against their better interests. Someone who has to work multiple jobs doesn’t have time to stand up for what is best for them
Miniority Control
Approximately half of Americans are registered voters, and a third of them don’t vote in elections. This lack of representation is incredibly dangerous, because it allows a minority to decide the fate of an entire nation - which is what the Inner Party does in 1984. When a small group chooses what is acceptable, and especially what isn’t, it enforces an unrealistic standard that doesn’t apply to all citizens.
Sloth Society
The greatest threat to America is the unabated laziness and indifference. People don't care what happens, or try to fight for what they do believe in. It allows a few individuals to rise up and seize control of the entire country, orchestrating what is and is not allowed. The founding fathers had to fight to win the nation's freedom. The harder challenege will be fighting to keep it.