German-born Harvard-educated political theorist Yascha Mounk has said that in Germany, people are tempted to see the Donald Trump phenomenon as a symptom of a "uniquely American disease."
"In no other democracy in the world, it is said, could voters be so openly motivated by greed, show so little concern for less-privileged fellow citizens and be so politically ignorant," he wrote in an article last fall. "Only in hate-filled, under-educated 'Ami-land' could someone like Trump be successful."
Yes, you read that right, history buffs. That's Germany talking. (And 'Ami' is apparently German slang for America or Americans).
I know you're offended, and rightfully so. Stereotypes tend to be unfair and offensive. Then again, there is that new Washington Post story about how Trump routinely called New York reporters in the 1970s, '80s and '90s. How he masqueraded as a press aide for himself named John Miller or John Barron. How this "spokesman" bragged about how great his boss was with the ladies and with money, all to burnish the Trump image. Now what would you call it if people didn't find that behavior bizarre, troubling and, perhaps, even disqualifying, in a potential president of the United States?
Pretty sure the foreigners and I know just the word that fits.
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Eric Frazier is a member of the editorial board at the Charlotte Observer.
Editorial on 05/17/2016