America hasn't been a true beacon of democracy since political parties were formed and allowed to propagate. As long as corporations are allowed to continue funding elections, as long as the 6 counties surrounding Washington DC continue to be the wealthiest in the country, as long as money is left in the hands of private institutions and offshore bank accounts, America will never know true democracy. Trump's rise to power on the backs of disenfranchised poor whites and general xenophobia is sad because, as with Obama and his foundation of minority backing, they will realize his promises are empty. But the belief that this country has any moral superiority that would suggest he is unfit to tout his loud mouthed bigotry while in office is laughable.
Race relations are at an astounding low. A few trigger happy cops are giving the entire uniform a bad reputation, made constantly worse every week. Political events (the death of Justice Scalia, everything surrounding the NSA, Hillary's ongoing investigation and the FBI's recommendation and documented shady ****) allow the public body to not unreasonably doubt even the guise of a fair and just government.
It's all bad.