It isn't all that bad. Our leaders still LARP as if what they say/do matters, but they haven't been in contact with reality recently... ever, maybe. Anyway, being on top means there's only one way you can go next and being down... well, you can extrapolate yourself.
I'll leave you with the message Sir Sidney Smith left Napoleon when he was imprisoned by the French wanker. I think there is a lot to learn from our forefathers.