If anyone believes that fascism can never come to America...

[MrScorpio]

Last edited Thu Nov 26, 2015, 04:55 PM - Edit history (1)

They should take a closer look at Donald Trump.

Other than missing the visually symbolic icons of fascism at this point, what about him that isn't fascist?

He tried the militarization of himself as a military school student, which didn't catch on, of course. But if it did, I don't doubt that he'd be running around in jodhpurs, jackboots and khaki shirts with epaulets and fake medals for his rambling speeches by now.

He appeals to naked nationalism, decrying minorities as an internal enemy to be expunged, calling for military solutions abroad, encouraging thugs to attack his detractors, all on a virulently right-wing platform. His own egotism is promoted as "leadership" and his own narcissism runs amuck, while basking in the adornment of his angry and disaffected mob rallies.

Trump is a pure fascist of the classical sense and the only people who can stop him are Americans who refuse to fall in line with his fascist beliefs.

Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. He even looks like Benito Mussolini, "il Duce."

?itok=HvVRJEZI

"Il Douche" suits tRump well, I think.

[napkinz]

5. Il Douche ...

[2naSalit]

12. DUzy!!!

[daleanime]

72. May want to copyright those.....

before they show up on tRump's website.

[tblue37]

76. He also reminds me of Idi Amin--both clownish and brutal, ridiculous and scary. nt

[Art_from_Ark]

83. Oh, yeah, Idi Amin Dada

"President for Life" of Uganda before he was exiled to Saudi Arabia via Libya.

[lastlib]

85. He's Mussolini without the shinies....

...and the charm.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

132. Uncanny resemblance to George C. Scott

[Lizzie Poppet]

145. But I bet he'd also make the trains run on time.

Of course, they'd be privatized and working people couldn't afford to ride on them...

[neverforget]

68. Definitely Il Duce Trump

[The Blue Flower]

124. Uncanny resemblance

Tailgunner Cruz and now Il Douche Drumpf.

[SusanaMontana41]

128. Oh wow

twins

[world wide wally]

2. I wonder if his "fans" would even get it ifhe grew a little mustache

[Coventina]

3. I feel as if I'm living in 1930s Germany lately.

It is truly scary.

[villager]

29. Replete with industrialists supporting the fascists, and quavering "moderates" doing nothing

...substantial to stop the rise of the right...

[Alittleliberal]

79. Don't forget an economic rescission for the vast majority of people.

A propaganda machine that puts Nazi Germany to shame and a populace so distracted by cat videos we could slip into full on Fascism without most of the country even noticing.

[valerief]

35. Weimerica. nt

[Lizzie Poppet]

146. *golf clap*

[SusanCalvin]

53. It is. This isn't funny. nt

[Kyblue1]

69. The German people were not stupid, but they allowed Hitler to take power

Blame all our problems on minority groups, stir up militaristic ultra patriotic fervor, iconsider basic civil liberties as a hindrance or threat to our safety, and a well financed propaganda machine. Unfortunately our political system has become all about personalities. There is no dispassionate discussion of issues. The candidates are more interested in their own ambition and will attack their opponents without any concern for offering ideas to move the country forward.

[SusanaMontana41]

130. Check. Check. eom

[HickFromTheTick]

4. "Il Douche" lol +infinity n/t Sprayed tea all over desk.

[immoderate]

6. “When fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in the flag and waving a cross.”

What's Trump's favoritist book? Da bible!

--imm

[napkinz]

7. ...

[gregcrawford]

10. I believe one of his ex-wives...

... said he kept Mien Kamf on his bedside table. This sonofabitch is dangerous.

[napkinz]

17. ...

Last edited Thu Nov 26, 2015, 08:49 PM - Edit history (1)

[napkinz]

87. "we're going to have to do things that we never did before ..."

[liberalnarb]

8. K&R

[99th_Monkey]

9. I certainly wish Bill Clinton had NOT encouraged Trump to run for President. Not helpful of Bill..

and not very smart either.

[gregcrawford]

11. Did that really happen...

... or was it yet another pile of trumpshit?

[99th_Monkey]

18. Yes, it's true. Bill & Donald now both deny it (of course) but I have no doubt about it.

According to several Trump sources (and one Clinton source) who spoke to the Post, the two men spoke over the phone in late May, shortly before Trump announced his run in June. During the call, the Trump sources said, Clinton “encouraged Trump’s efforts to play a larger role in the Republican Party” and “analyzed Trump’s prospects and his desire to rouse the G.O.P. base.”

That conversation, said the anonymous Trump sources, certainly didn’t discourage the billionaire to run: while Clinton never outright told Trump to enter the race, he reportedly told Trump that he was “striking a chord with frustrated conservatives and was a rising force on the right,” and his tone was supposedly “encouraging.”
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/08/bill-clinton-called-donald-trump-before-presidential-run-2016

Hell they are best buddies, go to each others family events and celebrations, golf together. it's as disgusting as it is completely ignored by the media and by Hillary supporters.

[joshcryer]

21. I doubt Bill's words were "run for President."

I suspect it was more like "you should be more involved politically, I think it'd be great for you and the party."

And I think if that's correct, Trump will have fallen for Slick Willy quite badly.

[Volaris]

37. If true, and Hillary wins the General Election,

It will go down as the Greatest Troll In History.

[joshcryer]

39. No.

The greatest troll will be when Trump goes full left and philanthropic to restore his bruised as fuck ego and people fall for it, because Trump says it was his "plan all along."

[7962]

73. Thats what I've never understood. A lot of what he's been for in the past, the RW hates

I mean a LOT of things.

[joshcryer]

91. It's pure ego.

He's done the right wing shift because that's where his audience is. Believe it, if he had the chance he would've just as well run as a populist Democrat. Trump cares only about Trump.

And he will shift left when he loses because it will hurt his ego too much.

[gregcrawford]

27. Well, I'm convinced.

Slick Willy still hasn't learned that one's choice of friends is very revealing.

[hifiguy]

57. And the Clintons regularly buddy around with

many of the vilest people on earth - Trump, Kissinger, Blankfein, Dimon, Murdoch, Chimpy. Yet somehow this never sinks through the heads of the Fan Club.

[treestar]

129. Keep your enemies closer

[hifiguy]

133. Enemies? Seriously?

Those people are the Clintons' BASE.

[treestar]

140. How so?

How can Trump be part of the Clinton's base?

I think it immature the way people think they should take it all personally and refuse to speak to their political opponents.

Without golfing with Boehner, for instance, you have less ability to get him to do what you want without him realizing it.

[LanternWaste]

144. You have objective knowledge of their voting patterns, or is that merely faith on your part?

You have objective knowledge that they indeed and in fact, cast their votes for Clinton, or is that merely faith on your part?

(Which is yet still commendable if the latter, as faith can often be a good thing... as long as we realize that's all it really is: trust in something we do not have full knowledge of, regardless of whether it's secular or religious.)

[SCantiGOP]

62. Odd to hear a Democrat

Use the term "Slick Willy," but I guess that's what one faction on this board has fallen to these days.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

88. People show their slips occasionally n/m

[joshcryer]

94. I used it ironically...

WTF

[daybranch]

108. I hated it for years wanting to believe Bill was better than that,

but as it became more clear that I and other democrats had been fooled, I started seeing how accurate it was. NAFTA was the first of his right wing ideas I recognized that hurt working people so much. Today approaching 70, I see many more betrayals of the working class by Slick Willie and see that title used frequently by black activists who I have worked with over the years. It seems clear to me that President Obama whom I worked hard to elect both times like Slick Willie works as a negotiator for his rich donors to keep the revolution from occurring and prevent catastrophic change to their donors bank accounts by relieving some of the most egregious inequities but never and I mean never, ever, challenging the status quo of inequity.
So today we have choice, a real choice, and it is up to us to take it now or wait long for a change that will come, a change of our government to democracy, and away from oligarchy. So far only Bernie, is willing to say the name of the peoples opponents, the rich , billionaires , Corporatists, Wall Street, Big Banks, the medical insurance industry and big Pharma etc.
I am increasingly unset by Hillary and her continued negotiation, always trying to move the people's demands toward a more corporatist, right wing position. People want $15, she says an economist friend tells her $12 is better. We want Medicare for All, she argues for some minor changes to the ACA. WE want to get rid of big money in politics, she say if necessary she would support this. We want to re-institute Glass-Seagull, she says unnecessary and her ideas are better and Glass -Seagull really is beside the point. We want to stop the Keystone Pipeline arguing that the oil it carries is too dirty for our environment, she says fine but the bigger problem is the lesks with existing pipelines. Her saying no one can tell her what to do in response to a challenge regarding her Wall Street donors rings hollow beside the positions she has taken to favor the very wealthy over the people themselves.
You complain about the term Slick Willy and I struggle so hard not to call her Shillary,to symbolize her convincing us to support Wall Street even at our peril, a term I am upset we democrats may see as more fitting as she continues to reveal her real loyalties.
So I guess I will start using it as it encapsulates what I believe and reminds others of her lack of trustworthiness.
Today I am sickened to watch the ever increasing push to false Nationalism and war by the right wing and Shillary. I am ashamed as to how the Main Stream Media stokes fears in order to play up Shillary's strong leader perceptions It is amazing to me, that during her stint of Secretary of State that her highest praise came from right wing war zealots, republicans one and all. But her supporters apparently never notice her lack of real achievement except to engineers more conflict according to neocon wishes. Her supporters, women and supporters of women rights, seemed so needy as willing to recognize the praise was coming from many of those same people democrats hate as war mongers. But when you got nothing else except a desire to see a woman as President grab the praise that supports your closed mind.
So I gues I will add Shillary to the vocabulary, it seems so appropriate.

[gregcrawford]

113. He earned it.

NAFTA, gutting the welfare system, abolishing Glass Steagall are only three of the "highlights" of Clinton's tenure. Yes, he left office with a budget surplus, but he inflated it by picking the pocket of the Social Security Trust Fund in direct violation of the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990.

His record of service to the banksters is well documented. A con artist that calls himself a Democrat is still a con artist, but I guess slavish obeisance to a name in the face of brazen betrayal is what one faction on this board has fallen to these days.

Have a nice day.

[Jack Rabbit]

30. It might have been a stroke of genius Clinton's part

I'm not worried about Trump becoming president.

If I were a Republican and Trump gets the nomination, I'd be very worried about the GOP ever recovering from it.

[joshcryer]

38. +1

[rhett o rick]

127. "Stroke of genius" not toward helping our democracy but making a mockery of our two Party

System. We need to viable parties to balance the left against the right. Now we have the conservatives and the whacko's. The left has been systematically disenfranchised. We need progressive policies, not more of the same conservative policies that has given us 50 million Americans living in poverty and the worse health care in the modern world. The f'n status quo has given us the highest infant mortality rate of all modern nations. Thanks conservatives in both parties.

We must change the status quo and get money out of politics. How can some Democrats justify continuing the corruption of our government by big dirty money???

[Jack Rabbit]

134. I'm not worried about the two party system

The Democrats are already a two party system all by themselves.

After the clown car drives over the cliff, Thelma and Louise style, the only thing holding progressives to the Democratic Party (fear of Republicans) is no longer a factor. I don't feel wanted in Rahm Emanuel's party, do you? I don't have Stockholm syndrome and don't want to stay in a relationship with someone who calls me a "retard." Do you? How did you feel when you were called a racist for opposing NSA spying? The same set of principles that draw progressives to support Amnesty International or oppose totalitarian-like intrusion into the lives of private citizens everywhere also draw us to support BLM.

I'm not suggesting that we break with the Democratic Party in this election cycle. I'd like to be able to hold together with the Democratic Party establishment long enough to see the see the GOP swept into the dust bin of history.

However, I will always support humanist principles over corporatism and continue to decry the Democratic Party's mad march to embrace an institutionally corrupt alliance with cold artificial persons over what is made of warm flesh and blood.

[LanternWaste]

143. I can certainly understand your faith-based beliefs.

" Bill & Donald now both deny it (of course) but I have no doubt about it..."

I can certainly understand your faith-based beliefs. Often, our bias compels us to modify the written record, or even dismiss it altogether if it doesn't validate our faith.

[99th_Monkey]

147. Yes, of course. Trump & Slick Willy must ALWAYS be believed every time they open their mouths

NOT.

"I did not have a conversation with that man"

[2naSalit]

14. Are you SURE that really happened? nt

[99th_Monkey]

20. Please see

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027384835#post18

[joshcryer]

19. I doubt he did.

But if Clinton's May phone call gave Trump visions of grandeur it did a bang up job exposing the right wing as fascists.

When Trump loses, of course, he'll swing left, become philanthropic, and say it was all theater.

And the left will eat it up.

[99th_Monkey]

24. I know it's embarrassing and unseemly, but here it is

"According to several Trump sources (and one Clinton source) who spoke to the Post, the two men spoke over the phone in late May, shortly before Trump announced his run in June. During the call, the Trump sources said, Clinton “encouraged Trump’s efforts to play a larger role in the Republican Party” and “analyzed Trump’s prospects and his desire to rouse the G.O.P. base.”

That conversation, said the anonymous Trump sources, certainly didn’t discourage the billionaire to run: while Clinton never outright told Trump to enter the race, he reportedly told Trump that he was “striking a chord with frustrated conservatives and was a rising force on the right,” and his tone was supposedly “encouraging.”"
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/08/bill-clinton-called-donald-trump-before-presidential-run-2016

[joshcryer]

26. I'm well aware of that report.

And I think it's absolute bullshit.

Trump is too egotistical to fall on his sword for the Clintons.

At most he was manipulated into running.

He has no shot at winning and if you think he can win then you may actually believe the shit spewing from his fascist mouth.

[99th_Monkey]

33. Of course you say it's "bullshit" and of course they both are trying to deny it now. Cuz it's ugly,.

But Trump and the Clintons are part of the same Big Club -- AKA the Oligarchy -- that George Carlin
talked about in this viral clip.

[joshcryer]

36. I say that because it's irrational.

Trump would not have run if he didn't think he could win. His ego is far too big for that. Your "theory" presume that Clinton convinced Trump to run, and lose, in order to get his wife in the white house. And even if that "theory" is true, then either way it exposes the GOP base as fascist. Either way Bill is a mad genius.

Trump has no shot at winning.

[99th_Monkey]

42. I have no particular 'theory' about WHY Bill encouraged Trump to run

who knows what else was said, or what Bill's motivations were, or any of that. The
size of Trump's ego has nothing to do with it IMHO.

All I have said here, is that Bill encouraged Trump to run, so he is partially responsible
for this out-and-out fascist being in the race, and for a strong likelihood that he will
be the GOP nominee.

So then -- if Hillary is the Dem nominee -- it's "heads-I-win, tails-you-lose" for the Oligarchy;
which I have posted before when discussing this travesty

[7962]

74. Because he knew Hillary would clean his clock. nt

[99th_Monkey]

86. You mean, because they had an understanding (wink-nudge) that Trump would take a fall

for Team Hillary and the Oligarchy.

[joshcryer]

92. Ooh, yes, Trump as magnanimous.

[99th_Monkey]

98. Trumps sex life would make Bill's look like Mr. Rogers', by comparison

Trumps whole candidacy appears to be some kind of mind-fuck on the American electorate,
intentionally engineered by these 2 fellow Oligarchs .. like I said, who knows what the details
are, but the end result is Clinton V. Trump = 'heads I win, tails you lose" = Oligarchy wins either
way.

The whole thing is disgusting IMHO, funny business? Yes. But not funny ha-ha.

[joshcryer]

107. Trumps whole candidacy is a perfect representation of the far right.

That's why if Bill talked to him it was to nudge him into politics because he knew they'd eat it up. Running for President? Bill Clinton could not have wished for something more amazing.

And if you think Hillary Clinton is the same as Trump you're delusional.

[7962]

95. Oh no, I think Trump believes in himself. I think Bill knew it too.

And Bill knew Trump would go all in, but Hillary could beat him. Not that Trump would do the "job". (pro wrestling term)

[joshcryer]

93. Ooh, you post your theory in #89.

And in the post I responded to you claimed Bill encouraged Trump to run.

Fucking hell, let's go with it, Bill is a political god if he guaranteed a democratic win and destroyed the Republicans for a generation. Yes Trump is just that bad.

[99th_Monkey]

96. What the hell are you talking about? Post #89 is not even my post...

Post #89 is not my post, it's by heaven05 here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7385806

Saying:

89. this dangerous clown

is our Mussolini....... only because misguided and basically racist, hateful people like him and they are a growing legion.

[joshcryer]

106. I meant #86, you reiterate in #98.

Was on my phone when I posted that, hard to go back and double check.

My mistake.

Hint hint oligarchy, lol. Trump would not fall on his sword for the Clintons.

[99th_Monkey]

123. But if it's true Trump won't "take a fall", then it wasn't so smart after-all to "encourage" him

Last edited Fri Nov 27, 2015, 12:47 PM - Edit history (1)

to run for president.

You can't have it both ways.

[tblue37]

77. That's what I thought about Reagan and W, and I also thought Americans were too

spoiled and soft to tolerate the kinds of abuse they've been tolerating sice the 2000 election was stolen.

I do believe, though, that the true powers in the oligarchy have many ways to remove a candidate they cannot control.

[Shankapotomus]

109. If he did I think it's a brilliant strategic move

I also think, to a certain extent, the President intentionally contributed in encouraging Trump to run when he made a fool of him at the White House correspondent's dinner. Trump's ego was severely bruised that night and he saw the position and power that enabled Pres. Obama to embarrass him so badly. Personally I think that was all it took for an egomaniac like Trump to decide he wanted that same kind of power for himself and I think that's what many democratic strategists were hoping for. Why?

Because they know Trump running and being nominated will have only two possible outcomes:

1. Trump just running and participating in the debates is severely damaging the Republican brand, whether he loses or is nominated and wins. The fact that conservatives put this egomaniac on the same stage is a huge win for democrats right there.

2. Even if Trump wins, his nomination and election will have shifted the Republican Party so far into crazy town things are bound to not go well for him and his party while he's in office.

Of course, Trump being elected looks bad if you take the short view. But I imagine democratic political strategist take the long view and see having a wreaking ball leading Republicans, who is going to antagonize all different groups is going to ultimately reap rewards for the Democratic brand.

[99th_Monkey]

126. Will it still be a "brilliant move" if Trump actually wins the GE? I think not.

I can't help but notice how Bill's apologists on this string have gone from "oh no, Bill didn't
really do that did he?" ... to "Oh it was a brilliant strategic move by Bill to encourage Trump
to run".

There's an old saying: Be careful what you ask for. It's also called unintended consequences.

Bill encouraged an out-and-out FACIST with unlimited resources and broad populist support
to run for POTUS. NOT a very smart move IMHO, and the recent incendiary racist rhetoric
being spewed by Trump is ALREADY fanning racist hatred that is getting innocent people of
color beat-up, attacked violently at or near Trump rallies. <-- is this 'brilliant' too?

[yuiyoshida]

13. The GOP propped up this guy and made him...He is their monster.

he belongs to them, solely.

[joshcryer]

15. Fascism is right wing populism.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

16. The marriage of corporation & state & intolerance

[Enthusiast]

41. First they came for the Muslims.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

22. Come to? It's already here.

Oh, it's not in complete control yet, but it has its tentacles throughout.

Everybody should support Black Lives Matter out of self interest. The fascists might not be beating and murdering the rest of us in large numbers yet, but as the poem goes, if you don't speak out, eventually they come for everyone.

[DonCoquixote]

23. actually

as horrifying as Trump is, in his own way, he is doing us a service.

OK, hear me out.

Trump is not saying anything the GOP has not said for years. The difference is, beforehand, some glib "nice person" GOP supporter would get on MSNBC and calm people down, and make people say that candidate X actually was not saying this thing that we liberals heard he said. Trump does not WANT, or frankly NEED that, so while we see the hounds of hell eagerly eating the red meat he throws out, we can also dispense with the silly notion that no one really wants to feed those dogs red meat, especially if they have to butcher us to make it. In other words, the mask is off. My real terror is that Trump walks off stage, and then a Jeb or Rubio takes the mic and says "see, I am the compassionate conservative, not that THAT guy." It is a role that is well practiced in Florida, by the two people who are running from there. What makes the compassionate conservative bit deadly is that it is a candy coating that hides poison. I can tell you as a Florida resident that both these two are well to the right of W. Yes, I said that.

They also know very well how to exploit the weaknesses of Chairwoman DWS. Marco got his job because Crist divided the democrats, or to be more precise, allowed Debbie to throw the liberal to the wolves. They know that Debbie will not allow Hillary to budge one inch to the left, indeed, her people already think Hillary's half cup of dry kibble is already to much red meat, because they only value anyone to the left of them as election day filler. A Trump would make a clear, loud case for even the Hillary haters to get out there and vote, risking the cops, KKK, and others who will do their best to threaten them into staying home. Jeb, Marco, they have worked with Debbie, and they know Debbie will not work very hard to get the sheer numbers out in places like Florida. Hell, her candidates for governor lose by margins that are laughable, stories of fraud hit the news, but they wind up folding like cheap suits.

[chapdrum]

32. DonCo, yer right.

"Trump is not saying anything the GOP has not said for years..."
Your read makes perfect sense.

[Moostache]

25. The continuing rightward lurch of the GOP is terrifying.

The things that they have said and proposed since the Paris attacks are stunning in the approximation to historical atrocities that they are willing to revisit.

Registrations.
Symbols to differentiate.
Detention camps.

Jesus Fucking Christ. They are literally suggesting a return to the Final Solution.

I am sitting here in abject horror that these kinds of suggestions do not end a candidate's career let alone that they propel and keep Trump in the lead.

This cannot be allowed.

[chapdrum]

28. True, but also the American Dream incarnate.

One of his defenders recently referred to Don as "a brand name."
We know much we just love our brand names, so Don has that well in his favor
(and is probably mainly why he's leading).

Who really doesn't want to be rich? So rich in fact, that you have so
much f you money that you're not beholden to any corporation or person, if you decide to run for "president."

Don is now the ultimate Republican, due almost entirely to decades of mainstream media
not making clear that the average Republican politician "has no clothes."

[left-of-center2012]

31. I was wondering ....

When will Trump supporters start giving the stiff armed Trump salute and wear armbands?

[LittleGirl]

34. Not an ounce

of self awareness or reflecting the core of American Values. He only deals with first-world-problems. He's been a member of the .01% since birth. He doesn't know any better and I'll never understand how anyone can think he's good for the US. If you think we have enemies now, just consider what it would be like with him elected President. We expatriates in Europe will have to come up some kind of way to reassure our neighbors that that guy does not represent us/me at all. #FeelTheBern

[paleotn]

40. That's correct.....

....I had to stop watching Man in the High Castle. Not only is it too close to reality in 21st century America, but way too dark for even me (my better half still can't believe that's possible.) Heir Trump is too dangerous even as a third party spoiler. Lets hope and pray he finally implodes like Carson. His only talent seems to be bringing out the absolute, ugly worst in certain Americans.

[hollowdweller]

43. After the run up the the Iraq War I believe anything could come to America.

I mean the UN inspectors were finding nothing. We were giving our allies shit who questioned. The media totally rolled over.

Seeing people who I normally think go by facts totally fall for that bullshit I totally understood how the Nazi's managed to win over even seemingly normal people.

[hay rick]

44. Hitler comparisons.

In recent years, reference to gratuitous Hitler comparisons has been used to ridicule internet discussions generally. With the ascendance of Trump, the dismissive laughter suddenly sounds very hollow.

[spanone]

45. K&R...

[elmac]

46. We already live under fascist control

Michigan, where I live, even the dems go along with the fascist controlled Gov, house and senate. Majority of the state and federal government is under fascist control. Fascism isn't about military control but corporate control of the government.

[stupidicus]

49. http://dissidentvoice.org/2015/10/corporate-media-wont-tell-you-hillary-clinton-is-a-lying-fascist/

eom

[hifiguy]

58. That much is blindingly obvious

to anyone with a functional cerebral cortex.

[stupidicus]

59. or should be

but in many I'm sure, the guilt that might follow of the association kind does get in the way of partial, much less full acceptance of it.

[Hekate]

47. >sigh< Too true. Thanks for bringing this up once again...

People need to be reminded often.

[George II]

48. Very true - right down to the point of Muslims carrying "identification" and Hispanics being....

....rounded up and deported.

His campaign is probably just a week or two from elevating that to concentration camps, serial number tattoos, and maybe worse.

[INdemo]

50. If Trump is the eventual nominee...Will Republicans vote for him

just because he is their nominee and have no other choice?

What is shocking to me is that Republicans that I've talked to or overheard conversations about him
Is hell yes they would and that is scary.

There are some Democrats I know that are not politically savvy say Trump is their choice..

[Marrah_G]

54. My republican friend said he will vote Bernie over Trump

I'm slowly converting him <3

[INdemo]

60. Well good..... but Ive talked to people that just dont know

would vote for Trump citing he is paying his own way and my answer not so.

[stupidicus]

51. It's been a bi-partisan thing since the first Clinton admin

who did a great deal to facillitate it's growth, including strengthening the propaganda wing of it with the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

[Johnny2X2X]

52. Not the only one

All of the GOP candidates are talking about scary things. And what's worse is that they represent a decent sized segment of society. There's about 25% of the country willing to round up people and put them into concentration camps.

These are scary times for the country.

[FuzzyRabbit]

55. Mussolini - Trump comparison

[link:

[napkinz]

63. ...

[RoccoR5955]

56. It's already here! n/t

[Donald Ian Rankin]

61. One obvious difference between Trump and real fascists:

Trump, if elected, would leave power peacefully in 4 or 8 years when the democratic process demanded it.

"Fascist" doesn't just mean "nasty piece of work", or even "nasty, right-wing, militaristic piece of work".

Lawrence Britt has a lot to answer for.

[Chemisse]

65. Would he though?

There have been efforts in the past to press for a change so that a sitting president can run for a third term. There was talk of that with Reagan. It died down; probably because his dementia was becoming pretty obvious.

[hedda_foil]

99. You honestly think Trumpolini would give up all that power once he was president?

My nightmare is that he would ignore the laws and customs of our government when he disagreed with or disliked them ... or simply because they were inconvenient for him. I can easily see him refusing to leave office, even if he were impeached and convicted.

This bastard is running for dictator, and he could just win.

[Nevernose]

135. Fascism is more than an insult; it has a definition

This author -- as well as the many authors she links to -- argue successfully, IMO, that Trump meets the actual standards of actual fascists.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/11/donald_trump_is_a_fascist_it_is_the_political_label_that_best_describes.html

Id like to think that he'd leave in 4 or 8 years, too. But I can't predict the future, and I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around how far Trump has gotten: we can't even predict the PAST with this guy.

[napkinz]

64. ...

[catbyte]

66. WHAT DO MEAN, "COULD NEVER COME TO AMERICA"?!? It's already here.

Trump is just a symptom, not the disease. We the People lost this country around 1981 when Reagan was elected. As I see it, that signaled the beginning of the end.

[TheSarcastinator]

119. long before that!

Do you truly believe that a nation, no matter what it called its system of governance and what type of language it used to propagandize itself, founded on genocide and the enslavement of people they never believed to be fully human, was ever truly anything OTHER than proto-fascist at best?

[blackspade]

67. "Those who forget history are condemed to repeat it. "

Indeed.

[Kablooie]

70. It Can't Happen Here...

It Can't Happen Here is a semi-satirical 1935 political novel by American author Sinclair Lewis. Published during the rise of fascism in Europe, the novel describes the rise of Berzelius "Buzz" Windrip, a populist United States Senator who is elected to the presidency after promising drastic economic and social reforms while promoting a return to patriotism and traditional values. After his election, Windrip takes complete control of the government and imposes a plutocratic/totalitarian rule with the help of a ruthless paramilitary force, in the manner of Adolf Hitler and the SS.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Can%27t_Happen_Here

[hifiguy]

71. No form of government is a better match with predatory capitalism

than a fascist dictatorship.

[LS_Editor]

75. We're so close to this not being satire anymore...

People are being assaulted at Trump rallies and other places because of his divisive and hateful rhetoric.

So close...

Trump Invites Black Lives Matter Activists to "Dogs & Fire Hoses Rally"

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (The Nil Admirari) - Earlier today, Republican presidential candidate and extremely bored billionaire Donald Trump invited Black Lives Matter activists to his "Dogs & Fire Hoses Rally" in Phoenix later this week in order to open a dialogue. Trump supporters are being encouraged to bring breeds of dogs usually used by law enforcement agencies from home - if they have them - to facilitate the exchange of ideas during the rally, but Black Lives Matter activists in Phoenix have told TNA they were told to only bring themselves.

+

Trump added, "The Black Lives Matter people are not allowed to bring dogs. That will just be too confusing having all of those dogs around. How would we be able to exchange ideas with each other in a respectful and brutally straightforward way with all of those dogs?"

Confronted a family member today, who had the balls to deny Trump was racist. We are so far away from where we should be.

[Thespian2]

78. Hell is

being compelled to listen to an endless live-stream of tRump's rambling ego bursts (speeches)...

[Alittleliberal]

80. What I can't understand about the big bear hug the right is giving Fascism

Is how close we still are to WW2. I mean there are people still walking around with numbers on their arms. How have we forgotten already?

[TampaAnimusVortex]

81. Here''s how it happens in real life...

[deutsey]

82. He is blatantly appealing to a very dark and animal side of the human psyche

[A HERETIC I AM]

84. If between now and the election he is gifted a house at the top of a mountain......

by the PTB on the right.....



WATCH THE FUCK OUT!

[heaven05]

89. this dangerous clown

is our Mussolini....... only because misguided and basically racist, hateful people like him and they are a growing legion.

[The Wizard]

90. With his hand gestures and facial expressions

all that's missing is the little square mustache. Check it out. Mel Brooks could make a movie of him, a very funny movie. The best way to take down a tyrant is ridicule.
"Hitler, now there was a painter. He could paint an entire apartment in one afternoon ----- two coats."
(Franz Liepkund)

[drmeow]

97. I don't think it is so much that Trump is a true fascist

While he certainly embraces the corporate control of government which is a hallmark of fascism, I really think that Trump just wants to be a dictator (in everything) and fascism is the only way to become the dictator of the US. If communism was the way to a dictatorship here, he'd be screaming comrade right and left.

[chknltl]

100. Trump does not scare me.

His supporters on the other hand scare the shit out of me.

[Kalidurga]

101. I think that we can check off most the things on this list

But, thank goodness we have the illusion that we have a voice in our government. If it were not for that people might just riot. Oh, never mind.

?itok=TjtJb7eP

[McCamy Taylor]

102. Wow! I can't believe this is a greatest post that does not blame a certain Democrat for all

the world's ills--including fascism. When I clicked on this one, it was with an internal "OMG! They've really jumped the shark this time! They are going to compare Clinton to Mussolini!"

Very pleasantly surprised to find that a lot of folks at DU still have their eyes on the prize---and common sense to boot!

[Jamaal510]

103. Trump shouldn't be taken seriously at all.

It says something about how this country still doesn't have it's you-know-what (rhymes with "fit&quot together when at least 30%-40% of voters actually consider supporting this man and how he's given ample airtime. Between his lack of experience in politics, his hot-headed personality, and him capitalizing on fear and hate, he does not belong anywhere near the White House. A president is supposed to represent all Americans and all walks of life, but how could he possibly do it? He has no ideas that are proven to help non-rich Americans financially, he lacks a detailed vision regarding how to help the country, and his rhetoric creates resentment and otherization. The same thing pretty much applies to his GOP rivals, except he has a shorter fuse and is more blunt. The silver lining about having Trump front and center, though, is that he's bringing out of the closet the bitterness within his party. This should draw an even starker contrast between us and them (as if the contrast wasn't already stark), possibly enraging more people and motivating them to vote against the GOP. The more they have extremists such as Trump representing their party, the less likely they'll be relevant nationally in future elections.

[awoke_in_2003]

104. He is a buffoon

just as Mussolini and Hitler were once thought. He is a fucking dangerous person- he knows exactly how to tap into the hate held by many (well armed) white people in this country. Maybe I am blowing things out of proportion, but he scares me more than any external enemy ever could.

[SadWingsOfDestiny]

105. It is coming with or without Trump.

The format was already in place, awaiting Trump to arrive.

If not Trump, then another, like Trump, would fill the niche.

Once the niche is created, there is a long line of buffoons ready to take the mantle.

[saidsimplesimon]

125. Great discussion thread thanks Mr. Scorpio.

Ted Cruz is even more dangerous. He keeps his verbal fires of faux religion hidden under "Sam, I am" (for the moment).

Once the niche is created, there is a long line of buffoons ready to take the mantle.

[Waiting For Everyman]

110. Oh, I don't know.

I think a Kanye West candidacy for the Presidency, as we're told there will be next time, would be about the same.

I don't think he's much different or worse than Sarah Palin either.

The problem is, the Right has been electing obviously unqualified people to offices at all levels for quite some time. There wasn't a big enough outcry about that, so they kept doing it and getting worse all the time.

I don't like Trump either, but I think a comparison to the major fascists of the 20th century is a bit overblown. (That was deliberate understatement as an emphasis on absurdity.) He's a predator capitalist if anything, and a clown -- just another out of the clown car.

[polly7]

111. I'm astonished this man is even given credibility as a legitimate candidate.

It would be like Rob Ford up here running for PM ....... it would scare the * out of me.

[raouldukelives]

112. He is just a natural extension of having no left wing in our country.

When it truly is all about the money, all about winning, all about the self. When even our left wing appears right wing, you know our right is in full throttle.

The more wealth and power corporations accrue, the more Trump and his ilk prosper, the swifter our descent.

Sometimes, in my darker moments, I think a quick descent is just what the people need to wake the hell up. But, I fear they still wouldn't. When even in the face of assured climate destruction and misery for their own children they refuse to act the least bit responsibly, I doubt a little jackbooted thuggery against the least of us would faze them any more.

[lark]

115. Fascism is totally alive and rising in the person of Trump.

OMG, demonizing minorities, promoting violence against minorities, Muslim registries, closing Muslim religious establishments, control of the nation by the rich corporations, could be resemble Hitler any more closely? That Americans support him is just a sign of how far the rw 1%eres have pushed the sheeple.

[yardwork]

116. Yes.

[DrBulldog]

117. They should take another look at Trump's facebook likes.

He now has more likes than Bernie and Hillary COMBINED. Over FOUR MILLION.

[TheSarcastinator]

118. Oh, you poor deluded suckers.

You think that fascism is something that still needs to "come to" us. You think that electing Obama was proof we are "still" "free".

Your demand for the flying of the old indicators of fascism is the weakness to your analysis. Your understanding of fascism and how it operates is stuck in a mid-20th Century model.

Suckers.

[TheSarcastinator]

122. AND your exclusive focus on Trump as "imminent" fascism actually helps avoid the real discussion

Your choice to single out the loudest momentary proponent of American totalitarianism as threat of fascism's "possible arrival" on US shores actually serves the ruling elite quite nicely. As long as people are focused on the loudest, most offensive distraction they are much less likely to engage in historic, long term systemic analysis of oppression. We are free now because Trump isn't yet elected, right?

Trump isn't saying or doing anything outside of the American cultural mainstream -- he simply says it more clearly and directly than the other candidates. How can any of you think that he is suggesting ideas not already woven through the very foundation of our history and belief systems? Trump is nothing but a mirror for the nation. Look closely. Don't look away or try to pretend that he is "bringing" something not already here.

[Gothmog]

120. Trump is playing to a segment of the GOP base who likes facism

The GOP base has a large number of idiots who do not like the direction the country is moving in and do not want to be minorities because they fear that they will be treated the same way that they treated minorities

[Ishoutandscream2]

121. "It Can't Happen Here". Sinclair Lewis

Excellent reading, and frightening.

[rhett o rick]

131. To stop this we must disregard the distraction that it's all the REpublicons fault.

The Elite of the Democratic Party has sold out to big corporations. Look at the backers of Clinton. This is a giant step toward fascism. The support of the Patriot Act and domestic spying by conservative DEmocrats is another step. We must take our Party back from the conservatives.

[PowerToThePeople]

136. IMO it is already here and in full swing.

[prouddemfromaustin44]

137. The road to fascism started on December 12, 2000.

This country hasn't recovered ever since that fateful day. I just hope we won't see a repeat of December 12 come November next year...

[napkinz]

138. ...

[davidpdx]

139. I would like to believe it couldn't happen because I love my country

Could it happen? Yes, but many more serious events would have to take place to head in that direction. One of those events would be a mass exit of people leaving the country as fast as they could. Mexico would be laughing its ass off given how much of a fuss some people in our country are so anti-immigrant.

[napkinz]

141. ...

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

142. Some of us didn't forget history

but we are still doomed to repeat it because the majority forgot history or never learned it in the first place. Kind of sucks.