"Trump’s way of governing is not an advance toward liberty but a regression toward slavery."
Sheldon Richman, contributing writer to the liberal blog CounterPunch, hits deep in his article Trump's Americanized Fascism with the comparisons of Trump to Benito Mussolini, the founder of Italian Fascism. He uses Trump's recent address to the UN General Assembly as a jumping off point. Richman clearly defines Americanized fascism and helps his readers think beyond the surface. He makes it very obvious what he thinks of our President, and I agree with the majority of his argument. I also think that the relationship between Trumpism and fascism is an important one for the American public to examine in order to form their own opinions about President Trump and educate themselves on possible outcomes of his presidency.
Like Mussolini, Trump rails against intruders (Mexicans) and enemies (Muslims), mocks those perceived as weak, encourages a violent reckoning with those his followers perceive as the enemy within (the roughing up of protesters at his rallies), flouts the rules of civil political discourse (the Megyn Kelly menstruation spat), and promises to restore the nation to its greatness not by a series of policies, but by the force of his own personality (“I will be great for” fill in the blank). All of these actions fit the fascist ideology that liberal democracy is weak and obsolete. Fascist followers push for a one-party system led by a strong leader in order to forge national unity and maintain stability. Richman stresses the obsession by Trump of "America First" and sovereignty of our national government, justifying the suppression of individual liberties. This calls into question the ever evolving idea of American federalism. It seems that the under Trump, the lines between state and nation, individual and collective whole, are being blurred into unforeseen chaos. Where should we, as the American public, draw the line between personal liberty and patriotic duty?
