Donald Trump and American Fascism?

[KamaAina]

http://contraryperspective.com/2015/07/13/donald-trump-and-american-fascism/

A reader wrote to me this morning about Donald Trump and American fascism. Is Trump, with his anti-immigrant posturing and his generally bombastic demeanor, tapping into a “fascist spring” in America?

The question seems unduly alarming as well as absurd. But let’s pause for a moment. I recently saw on TV the results of a poll in which Americans were asked, “Which presidential candidate would best revive the American economy?” The clear winner: Donald Trump. Yes, maybe it’s just name recognition or an association of Trump’s name with money-making, but the result was nevertheless disturbing.

Here’s the thing: It’s easy to view Trump as a joke. His bad hair. His vulgar manner. His obvious bombast....

Before he got his grip on power, many in Germany thought that Hitler was a joke: bad haircut, ill-fitting clothes, vulgar accent. Hitler was known as the “Bohemian Corporal,” a euphemism which in colloquial American English translates to “Hillbilly Grunt.” As a result, “good” Germans just couldn’t take Hitler that seriously. They underestimated him — and when they tried to move against him, it was far too late.

[RKP5637]

1. None, should take Trump as a joke. He has all the stuff to climb right to the top of

the republican heap. He has the characteristics many republicans love.

[AuntPatsy]

2. I hate even acknowledging anything on this defected Hunan but your right, I've been

blown away in my neck of the woods by others commenting positive on him, makes my blood boil and I cannot help going after such ignorance but the fact is, it's downright feeling as if I live in the twilight zone ...

[KamaAina]

3. Best. Autocorrect. Ever!

this defected Hunan

20 minutes later he makes another gaffe!

[AuntPatsy]

4. I was going to change it and thought why, ;)

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Please don't bring up Hitler...

At the time, Germany was hurting worse from the Depression than any pretty much any other country, and blamed it on the Versailles treaty which hammered it after WWI. With a complete breakdown of the economy and government, Stalin on the east drooling over his Communist front in Germany winning and no help coming from the West, Germany took Hitler as its only hope. The industrialists and power brokers of the time hoped to be able to control him, but found out too late that wasn't happening.

Trump ain't Hitler and it ain't happening here.

However, if you must bring up Hitler, and why not after all, read Sinclair Lewis' "It can't Happen Here" written back in those times and a thinly disguised rant about what could happen if Huey long actually became President. An American Hitler as good as it can get, and still relevant today.

[KamaAina]

6. Nice post, Dr. Weiss!