I'm in Europe so I'm not having an "identity crisis" either. My views on the US have long been somewhat mixed, but there's definitely a "I thought you were better than that" feeling. Our friendship with the US was always a bit mixed and there were ups and downs, but this feels like a "I don't know if I can ever trust you again" moment. Or at least, it will take a long time to rebuild the trust.
Basically this:
"A Trump victory will be akin to the moment in an unhappy marriage where the spouses are arguing again and one hauls off and hits the other. It might not mean that the marriage is over—but it’ll never be the same. Both partners will have learned something hard about what one is capable of and that will inform their future interactions forever."
Absolutely. I think this is a reasonable take. I think I knew America was already capable of it and it was a matter of when, not if, something bad would happen. But we’re certainly past the threshold now.
For what it’s worth, I have a feeling Canada will elect a questionable conservative next year as well. North America is trending this way. Young men are more conservative than I’ve seen in my lifetime. Things are getting worse in various ways. People are going to vote for a significant change, I think. No other party offers anything of the sort.
Basically this:
"A Trump victory will be akin to the moment in an unhappy marriage where the spouses are arguing again and one hauls off and hits the other. It might not mean that the marriage is over—but it’ll never be the same. Both partners will have learned something hard about what one is capable of and that will inform their future interactions forever."