Re: Democratic Challengers 9: Can we climb this mountain? I don't know.
Those were very interesting and well-written. As an aside, I really think you should adopt Casey and Miranda as your name on this site as well.
I don't think I've ever argued that it can never happen here. I think it could happen anywhere. I just don't think it is happening here.
In part 2 of your article you touched on some of the points that I raised in my earlier post that I think greatly differentiates what was happening under Hitler and what is happening here today. Unlike Germany where freedom of the press was suppressed, here it is flourishing. No doubt Trump would like to squelch it, but with the internet it is an ever-expanding presence in this country.
We also aren't seeing the constitutional amendments and concentration of power in one individual like occurred in Germany. We also still have a very strong state system that is not afraid to go out and directly contradict what Trump purportedly stands for or wants. Things like adoption of sanctuary cities, new human rights laws, etc..., are evidence of this.
Finally, I've always thought that a common theme to outright fascist dictatorships was something that you referred to as the cult of the leader. I think that's absolutely correct, that we usually see someone who develops an almost cult-like following, usually through some combination of charisma and speaking ability.
I don't think Trump has any of that. The extent to which Trump has received support from the Senate has largely been due to political gain, not some cult-like intoxication with Trump's leadership or personality. I suspect Republican Senators and Representatives will be happy to see the day when Trump is gone, although they will certainly mourn the loss of office.
Those were very interesting and well-written. As an aside, I really think you should adopt Casey and Miranda as your name on this site as well.
I don't think I've ever argued that it can never happen here. I think it could happen anywhere. I just don't think it is happening here.
In part 2 of your article you touched on some of the points that I raised in my earlier post that I think greatly differentiates what was happening under Hitler and what is happening here today. Unlike Germany where freedom of the press was suppressed, here it is flourishing. No doubt Trump would like to squelch it, but with the internet it is an ever-expanding presence in this country.
We also aren't seeing the constitutional amendments and concentration of power in one individual like occurred in Germany. We also still have a very strong state system that is not afraid to go out and directly contradict what Trump purportedly stands for or wants. Things like adoption of sanctuary cities, new human rights laws, etc..., are evidence of this.
Finally, I've always thought that a common theme to outright fascist dictatorships was something that you referred to as the cult of the leader. I think that's absolutely correct, that we usually see someone who develops an almost cult-like following, usually through some combination of charisma and speaking ability.
I don't think Trump has any of that. The extent to which Trump has received support from the Senate has largely been due to political gain, not some cult-like intoxication with Trump's leadership or personality. I suspect Republican Senators and Representatives will be happy to see the day when Trump is gone, although they will certainly mourn the loss of office.
