As someone who is deeply concerned about what is happening down south and has been following the disturbing trends in US politics for years, and has a political science background, I'd like to chip in my two cents.
Some of you have blamed "Extremist Liberals".
No. It is Political Extremism period.
Extremism in any form, whether to be right, left, conservative, or liberal is destructive. The public discourse in the US has become so divisive and so toxic in the last decade or so, that the future of your country is jeopardy.
To lift a line from BBC, "In recent years, due to the over reliance on social media to stay informed and bloviating cable news, the US has divided into two alien camps. That neither understand each other, nor have any desire to do so."
If you are unfamiliar with "The Index of Failed States", have a look. You'll notice that the US has been moving up on that list. One of the main reasons for it, is growing political dysfunction.
The viability of a liberal democratic nation, and yes the USA is a liberal democratic nation (Stop booing and hissing, I'll get to it in a minute!), relies on political moderates. People who can talk to one another, debate the issues using factually correct information, an come to a compromise. This ability is sadly lacking in the US.
Unfortunately, it not just happening in the US. To some degree its happening in just about all of the Western Nations.
Now, about that whole Liberal Democratic Nation statement I just made. Calm down and read!
I like the way some of you use the word Liberal like its an insult.
It isn't.
In a very brief summation, Liberalism is best described as the belief that you should be able to lead your life with minimal government interference. That government is formed by the people and governs with the consent of the people. That it should always govern in their best interests. That when a government fails in this responsibility, you as a citizen has the inherent right to duly reconstitute that government. Sounding familiar? It should.
No, I'm not summarizing the Declaration of Independence or the US constitution. I'm summarizing the first chapter of "The Second Treaties on Government" by John Locke. John Locke is considered the founding father of Liberalism. The founders of the US were huge fans of Locke and his writing. These principles that Locke wrote about drove your revolution.
Don't believe me?
Pick up a copy of "Second Treatise" and read it. You'll notice the language is exactly the same.
Better yet. I'm more than willing to assume that some of you are huge supports of the 2nd Amendment. That as law abiding and responsible citizens you should be able to own a gun, or as many guns as you choose. That my friend, is a very liberal belief.
Your Founding Fathers were liberals. They used that ideology to found a nation steeped in the belief that "government for the people, by the people and of the people" was a natural wonderful thing. That it is the people that rule, not some priest claiming to speak for a god, not some absolutist monarch. That idea was revolutionary.
The Liberal Democracy that was founded in the USA has had a profound impact on the way we governed ourselves. The French Revolution in 1786 and the Liberal Democratic revolution that swept Europe in the 1800's can all trace their origins back to the US Revolution, a revolution that gave birth to the first country based on the principals of Liberalism as described by Locke.
I don't understand how you can use the word Liberal as an insult.