It would be (very) wrong to look at other important parts of the world right now, and not draw some possible parallels.
Seems (to me) that those parallels are pretty clear: A pushback against what is perceived as anti-nationalism (or, the dilution of nations by immigration and cultural norms). And to get more specific, it's immigration without expectation/requirements of assimilation. There are other issues as well, mostly centering around cultural topics.
We can pretend this isn't happening, or we can consider the possibility that there is a significant number of people who feel this way. To ignore it would be a mistake. To mock it would be a mistake. To attack and punish it would CONTINUE to be a mistake.
Seems to me the concerns are reasonable, even if they are advanced in (very) counterproductive ways. THIS is REAL.
Thoughts?
The far-right Alternative for Germany shrugged off a string of scandals to make solid gains and take second place in Sunday's EU election, according to first exit polls, a result that, if conmfirmed, would underscore the party's resilience ahead of next year's federal election. The forecast...
www.yahoo.com
French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday he was dissolving the National Assembly and calling a snap legislative election after his party suffered a heavy defeat in elections for the European Parliament.
apnews.com
Right-wing forces across the continent are expecting to make gains on their liberal and Left-wing rivals.
www.express.co.uk