Outsiders have always found plenty to criticize about America: the violence; the religiosity; extreme levels of inequality; crass materialism; and our supposed lack of sophistication. They have always admired us, however, for our openness to new people and ideas. America was never about blood and soil; the American idea revolved around concepts of tolerance and limited government that could apply to anyone at any time.
Until now. We’re only a week into the new administration, and it has already thrown away one of our greatest national assets. Let’s hope the rest of the world sees the demonstrations and realizes this is not a settled issue.