01-30-2017, 04:33 PM
(01-30-2017, 02:41 PM)xxlt Wrote: I disagree. I do see strong parallels in the leadership styles and emotional make up of the two leaders in question.
I would agree with this, both men have high, inflated opinions of themselves, both are thin skinned and histrionic and both favor the populist approach to power. If you had confined your parallels to this point we'd have no disagreement.
Quote:And the PhD who taught me the history of the Weimar Republic in high school would likely agree (and I went on to minor in history in college, btw). Painting little mustaches on pictures of Obama and Hillary and calling them Hitler did, I would say, damage the cause of those who opposed them - it was a baseless slur. Pointing out the obvious historic parallels I and others have does not, imho, do anything more than point out the relatively obvious. If you don't see it, so be it.
Trump and Hitler's personalities aside there are far fewer parallels to the US today and the Weimar republic than there are enormous differences.
Germany: A county with no democratic tradition, an autocratic history and a strong militaristic bent. This coupled with a democratic government forced on them by the victors of a long war that killed almost a whole generation and, obviously, engendered a lot of bitterness. Couple complete economic collapse with political chaos resulting in literal war in the streets by extreme political factions.
United States: The longest contiguous democracy on the planet. Self determined government by it's own people with over two hundred years of democratic institutions and tradition. No history of authoritarianism, strong checks and balances in the government, the most robust economy on Earth. A strong societal code and functioning criminal justice system. No politically motivated violence between extreme factions. The closest you get are mass group therapy sessions so people can be reassured that there are others who think like them.
So, no, there are almost no parallels between the two countries and no serious scholar of the time could make a argument otherwise.
Quote:I concur with you that the logic and efficacy of his actions are difficult to judge, even as they disturb and frighten many. I still wonder if he is something else masquerading as the Fascist In Chief some dream of. I mean, why was the Muslim ban only 90 days? So he could fulfill a promise and appease racist morons and in the long term have it make little difference? Interetstingly, by signing that order he probably got more money donated to the ACLU, the SPLC, People for The American Way, and other organizations sharing their values than anyone in history. Intentional or happy accident? Hard to say, when he presents himself as delusional (and thousands of psychiatrists are risking professional sanction by saying he presents himself as just that, among other things). I imagine you don't see that either, and that's cool too.
All of that is fine and to be expected. The man has extreme opinions and plans, extreme for the US anyways. The problem is he was elected as much because of these opinions as in spite of them. Be opposed all day, no one begrudges anyone that right. Just don't cast inane, spurious, allegations and engage in hyperbolic comparisons to National Socialism. You lose far more people than you assure when you do so. It makes me think that millions of people weren't paying attention at all the last 18 months and instead are doubling down on the actions that enabled the current administrations victory. 2018 is going to go very badly for the Dems if this trend continues.
Quote:Also, it seems many Trump voters paid little attention to what he said he would do, they were voting for "not Hillary," "has a penis," or "he's rich, maybe he will make me rich too." How much attention are those folks paying to what he is doing? I honestly hear a lot more lamentations than celebrations - i.e. his critics seems quite vocal and his supporters quite quiet, which may mean they celebrate in silence, question his actions, or are unaware of them. Hard to know, hard to judge...
Sorry, I don't buy this as described. There are many reasons Hillary lost, the one's you listed are way down the list. I think it makes people feel better to believe what you just typed, hence it's extreme popularity. The reality is a huge segment of the US population voted for Trump because they liked his policies. In this regard he at least deserves credit as that almost non-existent breed of politicians, the one who actually does what they say they'll do. He was elected to do exactly what he's doing.
