So with that level of cynicism, and no one to be trusted (except, I assume, you) we should do — what?

It's easy—in fact, lazy, to say "they're all in it together." It absolves us from any attempt to discern what's true at the core. I think we should do the work and learn, remember, who to trust. The fact that everyone has a point of view, is self-interested to a degree, and is fallible, doesn't mean they're out to get us or in cahoots. But I understand that purity and paranoia are the flavors of the era.