I have this nagging feeling the world in general is spiraling out of control

[BlueMTexpat]

60. Unfortunately, I believe that you

are correct on many points. But I see them applying primarily to the US as a nation, rather than to the world as a whole. This, IMO, is a tragic shame, when for so long we were seen by the world as an admirable example to follow. No more, I'm afraid. Not at all.

If anything, the US is serving as a VERY bad example of what happens to democracy when a population is deliberately dumbed down, people do not inform themselves about the issues, preferring personalities to programs and money rules the airwaves. Most developed nations around the world - especially in Europe - are determined NOT to follow this example. Even some in the developing world are paying attention.

This is not to say that everything is perfect here and there are lots of niggling problems that need to be addressed. But there is strong national commitment to European unity and the strong post-WWII social democracies that evolved healthily in most of Europe - even in the UK until Margaret Thatcher - are well entrenched here. Best of all, with the horrors of Trump made manifest on a daily basis, most have learned that they must never take anything for granted - if they ever really forgot. After all, this region LIVED through two world wars in the 20th century, while the US was largely spared.

The only good thing about having the Orange Abomination in office is that most I know in the international community and my local community here are now well on guard about Russian and other meddling in their processes and institutions - to an extent they might never have been otherwise.

But yes, if it weren't for events like the Women's March and other good work that is being done by many to elect good Dems to office in order to turn the tide, I would have given up on everything in the US by now.

There has rarely been a day since Election Night 2016 that I have not been in tears for my country. I will NOT forgive.