For me the biggest similarities is how peculiarities of the political system are used more and more as weapons against the political enemy instead of behaving a

For me the biggest similarities is how peculiarities of the political system are used more and more as weapons against the political enemy instead of behaving according to some unspoken agreement or the way of the ancients as the romans Called it. In Roman times it was the use of tribunate powers and circumventing the senate. In the US today it is gerrymandering, filibusters and not allowing votes on the Supreme Court nominations. This kind of behavior can be very divisive politically, making the other side into a real enemy instead of merely and opponent one will need to work with again. Interstingly in Roman history it was basically a Democrat using these powers for true social reform that tipped the republic. So if you elect a new Obama that is worth the hype and he actually does too much for the poor and he then gets killed by the Republicans. Then you might be out of luck.