Trump has “Latin Americanized” U.S. politics

(Photo: Evan Vucci – AP)

I have seen many U.S. elections since I arrived in the United States four decades ago, but this is the only one that has polarized the country to the point of ending long-time friendships and straining family ties.

For the first time, this feels like an election in a populist Latin American country. Much like we have seen in Venezuela, Ecuador and other populist-ruled countries in the region, a narcissistic demagogue — Donald J. Trump — is enchanting the masses with a hate-filled rhetoric blaming foreigners for his country’s problems, and claiming that the election is rigged if he doesn’t win.

Until now, political civility was a distinctive American trait. It was one of the first things foreigners admired when they arrived in this country. Politicians got angry at one another in Congress, but it was rare to see average Americans get mad at each other over politics, much less fight over it.

But in this election, everything has changed. Violence has erupted in political rallies, with Trump and Hillary Clinton supporters blaming each other for starting it. Many people I know have decided not to talk about politics with friends and relatives for fear of breaking up close relationships.

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