quoting Torco:

Of course, a "this is the state of the country" image will describe things about the state of the country, isn't it ? suicide rates suggest the gravity of all the other problems.
Plus, is it not true that capitalism *is* associated with higher rates of suicide, with anomie and whatnot?

it is just as of-course that politicians will suggest that all the bad things are due to their political opponents, and the bad things will go once their opponents are gone