Agree with your overall comparisons but in a discussion of democracy why not even a mention of Israel's profound denial of legal and human rights to the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories?
The US is the only major power (that I am aware of) that has a divided (not a parliamentary or authoritarian government). There are a lot of third world or Latin American systems that do (and we have seen a lot of problems with those governments over the decades--various coups, creeping authoritarianism).
Given the historical evidence, our exceptionalism up to this point has been that we have not had those problems to the same degree as many of these smaller or poorer countries. Probably because we have faced fewer crises (having more wealth and power) and because of our position/relationship to the other major powers.
This gives rise to several questions:
1) What changed so that we are no longer the exception (and no it isn't Trump, Trump is a symptom)?
2) Is our form of government inherently unstable in that fashion--and are we just now actually becoming more aware of it?
3) What can be done about )1); and
4) If (2) is correct, then what can and should be done about it?
More importantly, WRT 3 & 4, what are REALISTIC options--and are those options even realistic in the current environment (are any?) short of some major crisis and political violence?
Is it your view that the Trump Putin Conspiracy to rig the 2016 election was real corroborated by hard evidence or was it a fabricated narrative to overturn the 2016 election, in effect and in intent, a coup as the right wing alleges?
I agree with your overall thoughts without splitting hairs about which countries were included or not mentioned. What makes America's election of DJT so much worse than what has happened in other countries is two-fold. One - we were the standard-bearers of the light of democracy (at least in our minds), and this light is now dimmed. Two - no country had so profited from its liberal democratic laws as America has done. We turned our backs on a successful economic-political system to elect a man who is the poster child of hate and stupidity. The far-right has tapped into a deep well of hatred towards minorities - people of color, different religions, and different sexual needs. Regardless of this Congressional investigation's outcomes, a segment of the country is firmly in the grip of white Christian nationalism. These people represent a fifth column working to destroy America's democracy and turn us into a theocracy. Their aims and goals are loosely aligned with the fascists in Europe, and both groups learn from each other.
The Republican party has been taken over by the cult of Trump and provides a home for the lunatic fringe of hate mongers. Any existing (if there are any) moderate republicans are hiding and are no longer providing a counterweight to the extremists posing as Republicans.
The Democrats are led by an older man who still thinks it is possible to work across the aisle. Based on their actions and words, Mr. Biden and Ms. Pelosi are past their primes and no longer accepting the reality of today's political realities.
Our government is led by older white men who have been bought and paid for by special interest groups. They do not represent the will or the best interests of America. Our best hope lies with the younger generations - if we can get them involved.
Agree with your overall comparisons but in a discussion of democracy why not even a mention of Israel's profound denial of legal and human rights to the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories?
The US is the only major power (that I am aware of) that has a divided (not a parliamentary or authoritarian government). There are a lot of third world or Latin American systems that do (and we have seen a lot of problems with those governments over the decades--various coups, creeping authoritarianism).
Given the historical evidence, our exceptionalism up to this point has been that we have not had those problems to the same degree as many of these smaller or poorer countries. Probably because we have faced fewer crises (having more wealth and power) and because of our position/relationship to the other major powers.
This gives rise to several questions:
1) What changed so that we are no longer the exception (and no it isn't Trump, Trump is a symptom)?
2) Is our form of government inherently unstable in that fashion--and are we just now actually becoming more aware of it?
3) What can be done about )1); and
4) If (2) is correct, then what can and should be done about it?
More importantly, WRT 3 & 4, what are REALISTIC options--and are those options even realistic in the current environment (are any?) short of some major crisis and political violence?
Wish I had some answers :P
Civil War is not out of the realm of the possible in the U.S. and the potential combatants are already armed to the teeth.
Is it your view that these government officials who certified the 2020 election can be trusted?
Is it your view that the Trump Putin Conspiracy to rig the 2016 election was real corroborated by hard evidence or was it a fabricated narrative to overturn the 2016 election, in effect and in intent, a coup as the right wing alleges?
I agree with your overall thoughts without splitting hairs about which countries were included or not mentioned. What makes America's election of DJT so much worse than what has happened in other countries is two-fold. One - we were the standard-bearers of the light of democracy (at least in our minds), and this light is now dimmed. Two - no country had so profited from its liberal democratic laws as America has done. We turned our backs on a successful economic-political system to elect a man who is the poster child of hate and stupidity. The far-right has tapped into a deep well of hatred towards minorities - people of color, different religions, and different sexual needs. Regardless of this Congressional investigation's outcomes, a segment of the country is firmly in the grip of white Christian nationalism. These people represent a fifth column working to destroy America's democracy and turn us into a theocracy. Their aims and goals are loosely aligned with the fascists in Europe, and both groups learn from each other.
The Republican party has been taken over by the cult of Trump and provides a home for the lunatic fringe of hate mongers. Any existing (if there are any) moderate republicans are hiding and are no longer providing a counterweight to the extremists posing as Republicans.
The Democrats are led by an older man who still thinks it is possible to work across the aisle. Based on their actions and words, Mr. Biden and Ms. Pelosi are past their primes and no longer accepting the reality of today's political realities.
Our government is led by older white men who have been bought and paid for by special interest groups. They do not represent the will or the best interests of America. Our best hope lies with the younger generations - if we can get them involved.