Trump is the first president in my lifetime who doesn't believe in liberal democracy.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Rule of law
Pluralism
Habeas corpus
Due process
Individual rights
Sanctity of the ballot

Even Nixon did. He just tried to find a way around it. As they say "hypocrisy is a tribute vice pays to virtue."

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I wouldn't accuse Reagan of not believing in liberal democracy.

I would however claim that he didn't know what it was.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. I despised his politics but he was Hamiltonian in his understanding of politics compared to Trump.

I don't think Trump is Hitler.

I think he is more like Marcos, Batista, Mubarak, Trujillo, Galitieri, Reza Pahlavi, et cetera.

You get my drift.

I think he like they saw the leadership of their nation as a vehicle toward personal aggrandizement and enrichment.

[JHan]

2. The problem with Donald is..

He possesses no convictions thus easily malleable. That is more frightening to me.

[First Speaker]

3. The GOP has been abandoning liberal democracy for a generation...

...Trump is a symptom, not the disease...

[gordianot]

5. Trump arrived in the Presidency with a Fascist message.

Apparently his followers want Facism who wants to bet eventually Trump and the Republican Party delivers?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. I know some people disagree

I know some people disagree but I believe Trump is fundamentally different from his GOP predecessors and many of his supporters are as well.

I don't believe Nixon, and Reagan and Bush saw themselves as God Emperors and their supporters didn't see themselves voting for one as well.


None of them claimed they could fix everything.


As much contempt as I have for the GOP I see him as a departure and not the apotheosis.

[gordianot]

7. Remember Rove?

Only problem Republicans thought it would be easy and bloodless. Trump will prove both Republicans and many Democrats wrong.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. I believe if I was sitting in a bar shooting the breeze with Bush and Rove

I believe if I was sitting in a bar shooting the breeze with Bush and Rove they would agree that due process, the rule of law, checks and balances, separation of powers et cetera is a good thing; that liberal democracy is better than autocracy. I believe Trump would say he should have absolute power .

[gordianot]

10. Rove wanted to end the Democratic Party.

There was no end to the lengths he would attempt. 1000 year rule. The Architect

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. I want to make the GOP so small you can fit it in a bathtub, but legally while honoring ...

I want to make the GOP so small you can fit it in a bathtub, but legally while honoring democratic norms.

[Coyotl]

9. Trump isn't a president.