How did Hitler and the fascists come to power? Take a look and see what Trump is up to as he uses their playbook.
Fascists use supreme nationalism. We have a President who loves military parades, has his face on passports, buildings, etc. He loves to pretend we are the best nation on earth while slowly dismantling our rights. In the U.S., people are being locked up and some deported without due process, a clear violation of the Constitution. ICE has killed Americans.
Fascists use their power to increase their wealth. Trump’s family fortune has increased by billions mostly from insider information, which he admits.
Fascists love bribes. Trump’s new jet just arrived from Qatar.
Fascists love to scapegoat, using words like “illegals,” “blacks,” etc. They are always the problem, but not the billionaires who bought our government.
Fascists push supremacy of the military. We are spending trillions for our military. We spend more than Russia and China combined. Currently, we are in an illegal war any way you spin it.
Fascists control mass media. A handful of billionaires now control over half of the world’s mass media.
Fascists use fear. Trump and Republicans with Fox stoke fears of a foreign or domestic attack. Muslims! Communists! Socialists! Iran!
They also promote corporate power and attack labor unions.
They have a disdain for higher education. Trump said, “smart people do not like me.” Meanwhile, millionaires’ kids go to the best colleges.
Fascists have government run by friends, loyalists, and people who broke the law. Name one Trump appointee that is actually qualified for the job they are in. He only hires loyalists who put him above all laws.
Fascists attempt to manipulate elections by lying and cheating.
Fascists use religion to manipulate the masses. They push Christian nationalism: “God is on our side!”
Trump ignores the Constitution, the Senate and Congress, and the rule of law.
There are enough examples to write a book.
So yes, we are under Fascists now, and unfortunately, most people are acting blindly like the Germans right before Hitler took total control of Germany.
Diana Butsch is a resident of the Village of Newell.