Always has been gif.
Hunter would tell you it was Nixon's election. He's probably right, given how much damage has been done since then and that Nixon was never truly punished (a theme that resonates throughout the years). Reagan another one. Bush senior did a ton of damage. Both of those were during my lifetime but I wasn't politically astute enough to know that the boiling pot was cranking up. Only in retrospect do I start to comprehend the damage done.
As I became more politically aware, I was like Charlie Brown trying to kick that football. Surely everyone will see through W, right? Right? And that for me was the point of no return--W's second win. That he could be re-elected with all we knew at the time. That was my personal revelation that nothing was ever going to get better. I don't have Brisket's ledge routine, and its a good one, but I've been on the 'doomed' train for some time. For a hot minute Bernie kind of drew me back in, and then the machine reminded me that was dumb to be hopeful. I also very much remember the first time Trump was elected posting that this country will never recover. Hmm.
Now just deciding (fantasizing) whether I retire to Mexico or Southeast Asia or.....