The cause is the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a relative few, the generally loathsome qualities of those relative few, and the warped, destructive systems they have, in their loathsomeness implemented to protect and expand their wealth and power.

Hierarchical systems tend to favor those who are relatively unconstrained by morals, principles, integrity or empathy - they're more willing and able to do absolutely whatever it takes to succeed. Which is how we end up with a system in which virtually every high-ranking executive or politician is a toxic asshole. And being toxic assholes, they tend to use their power and wealth to further their own selfish interests, regardless of the harm done to others, which is most of why we have, among other things, an educational system that turns out idiots who will vote for a toxic asshole.

But it's not just limited to the high-ranking toxic assholes like Trump and Musk. For example, even if efforts to improve education could make it past the government toxic assholes, they still won't make it all the way to the classrooms, since the bulk of the resources earmarked for improvements are going to end up being siphoned off by the growing legions of toxic assholes in district administrations, to pay for their own entirely unearned privilege.

Education reform is a noble cause, but it's going to require a more fundamental shift in American society and culture before it's going to be really possible. Somehow we need to transition to a system that actually rewards merit rather than rewarding self-interest, amorality, ruthlessness, dishonesty and lack of concern for harm done to others.