Americans prefer to avoid comparisons with the French lest the subject involve an area in which we could not possibly hold our own. Having already emerged as the laughingstock in attitudes involving mistresses, bidets, and thrift, we are loath to go up against the French unless it can be demonstrated that we have some real chance of finding common ground on a level playing field.

Lucky us. We do now. As our political and cultural collapse continues, we are having our very own version of the “Revolution of Contempt,” Lamartine’s name for the overthrow of Louis Philippe in 1848.

You remember Louis …