I have little doubt analogies linking politicians
to villains of the past are generally unfair and unwise, not only for impugning
the individual in the present, but also for minimizing and misrepresenting the
evil of the past. Lately, with the rise
of Donald Trump to the front of the GOP Presidential race, comparisons to
Hitler are popping up and more commonly the word “fascist” is used of both
Trump and his supporters.
Full disclosure, I have no love for Trump as a
potential President. His campaign has
been vulgar, insulting and crass. He
labels his opponents with insults and slurs to avoid discussion of issues and
policies. He demeans the process
itself. But more to the point, I have
little confidence that whatever his current campaign positions are, he will
follow through and not change his poistion if he is elected. If I had to choose between Trump and either
Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders, I would find it difficult to vote at all.
But is Trump a fascist as some of his opponents
claim? (More)
