The fact that you aren't aware that anyone is doing this with regard to Trump blows my mind.
No, Joe. I was not aware that anyone here, on this forum, was basically saying Trump=Hitler. Maybe I missed just such an equivalency. That's possible, I suppose, but that's what I was referring to. It was not my intention to blow your mind. I imagine there exists, in our society in general, people who would simply make that call. But I draw the comparison in the manner in which I described. I mean look, we are talking about two entirely different historical personages. It's not as if anyone is saying Trump is the reincarnation of Hitler. Anyway, I appreciate that you do understand the manner in which I am willing to compare 1930's Germany with early 21st century America.
Also, please note that I posted a link to the situation in Brazil. The cultural war ripping that nation apart appears to be quite similar to the culture wars in the United States. I find that fact fascinating, and it does take us away from the comparisons between our nation and Germany of 100 years ago, and instead allows us to examine and note the rise of right wing authoritarianism in our own era. To me, it illustrates that Trump is part of a crisis that is affecting democratic nations in general.
I believe both comparisons, both observations, are useful in understanding the emergence of Trump at this time. On the one hand, the lesson contained in the observation that history does not repeat, but it rhymes. And the observation that the rise of right wing authoritarianism is not confined to the United States. Both observations are helpful in understanding Trumpism. Or so I believe. Mine is not the only point of view, but I will always think my point of view through. I don't settle for half *** sloppy, I hold myself to a standard.
I believe it should also be pointed out that Brazil is a very young democracy. America is much older, relatively that is, a nation that only dates from 1789 is not really all that "old", but in general the age of nation states is not that old. At any rate, we have an advantage, hopefully, of being more resilient to forces that may erode or endanger democratic institutions. Time will tell. But, that Trump represents a danger to our democratic institutions is something that has concerned me virtually from the very day he descended the escalator in Trump Tower and announced his candidacy for our highest office. I will admit that it has been a frustrating experience to me that not everyone shared my sense of alarm.
Edit: I háve posted this before, recently, and probably in the main Trump thread. A discussion by America's leading scholar on the Holocaust regarding comparing 1930's Germany and early 21st century America. I respect the man, and I will not blow off his observations. He is thoughtful about this. I like to think I am as well:
https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2018/10/25/suffocation-of-democracy/
