Judge For Yourself by seeing if Donald Trump Fits the Picture
Merriam Webster Dictionary defines fascism as “a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.” [efn_note]Merriam Webster – Fascism[/efn_note]
Robert Reich in a recent YouTube video make a striking list of elements targeted directly at Donald Trump. [efn_note]Robert Reich YouTube Channel, August 8, 2023 – Is Donald Trump a Fascist?[/efn_note]
What makes a fascist?
- Rejecting democracy for a strongman
- Stoking rage against cultural elites
- Nationalism based on “superior” race
- Glorifying strength and warriors
- Disdain of women and LGBTQ+ people
These five elements find exact expression in Donald Trump.
Other commentators such as Vince Wade make similar accusations in his video, Donald Trump wants to go to Jail – but not Prison. [efn_note]Vince Wade Commentaries, August 2023 – Donald Trump wants to go to Jail – but not Prison[/efn_note]
Fascism: A Warning – by Madeleine Albright
A personal and urgent examination of Fascism in the twentieth century and how its legacy shapes today’s world, written by one of the most admired public servants in American history, the first woman to serve as U.S. secretary of state
A Fascist, observed Madeleine Albright, “is someone who claims to speak for a whole nation or group, is utterly unconcerned with the rights of others, and is willing to use violence and whatever other means are necessary to achieve the goals he or she might have.”
The twentieth century was defined by the clash between democracy and Fascism, a struggle that created uncertainty about the survival of human freedom and left millions dead. Given the horrors of that experience, one might expect the world to reject the spiritual successors to Hitler and Mussolini should they arise in our era. Fascism: A Warning is drawn from Madeleine Albright’s experiences as a child in war-torn Europe and her distinguished career as a diplomat to question that assumption.
Fascism, as she shows, not only endured through the twentieth century but now presents a more virulent threat to peace and justice than at any time since the end of World War II. The momentum toward democracy that swept the world when the Berlin Wall fell has gone into reverse. The United States, which historically championed the free world, is led by a president who exacerbates division and heaps scorn on democratic institutions. In many countries, economic, technological, and cultural factors are weakening the political center and empowering the extremes of right and left. Contemporary leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un are employing many of the tactics used by Fascists in the 1920s and 30s.
Fascism: A Warning is a book for our times that is relevant to all times. Written by someone who not only studied history but helped to shape it, this call to arms teaches us the lessons we must understand and the questions we must answer if we are to save ourselves from repeating the tragic errors of the past.
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