The Republican Party: taking a turn towards the Ba'ath?

[Vogon_Glory]

Some on DU and other political sites have compared Trump’s Republican Party to the old Soviet Communist Party.

I think this is inaccurate. I’d say it’s got much more in common with Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath Party, what with grievances towards its neighbors, persecution of ethnic and religious minorities, service to kleptocrats, and a bullying mindset.

What say you?

[JHB]

1. I'd say that while you may be right, it's a meaningless comparison to most Americans

There are simply not enough Americans sufficiently well-versed in the Ba'ath party -- what it was and how it worked, both in theory and in practice -- to "get" the comparison.

Whereas I've used the Soviet comparison (including today, which I think is what prompted your OP) because so many of the things I was taught (correctly or incorrectly) about what sort of things the Soviets did and why we were better than them have steadily become normalized practice by Republicans and Republican officials. People can relate to that.

There are important things that are not at the same degree, but if given a free hand, they'll get there.

Also, wingnuts are used to being called fascists. Comparing them to the Soviets throws them off. Occasionally.