Photo Credit: Erika Fletcher on Unsplash
The far-right Republican fanbase will not realize until it is too late that they had been played by Donald Trump.
I have been reading several books and have been on a quest to understand the parallels and correlations of the rise of nationalism, fascism, and authoritarianism as it relates to the political atmosphere of the U.S.
It’s like reading a playbook, and Trump is following that playbook to a “t”.
There isn’t a single playbook, but it is more like a series that culminate into what we are seeing played out in our current political situation. The series involves such books as Mein Kampf, in which Adolf Hitler discusses creating a return to the mythic past in the form of a purist nationalism and the use of propaganda to sway citizens, and the recent history of Viktor Orbán’s authoritarian shift in the nation of Hungary. Erdogan’s moves toward a more Authoritarian state in Turkey is also a part of this playbook.
The moment I mentioned my concerns about the rise of nationalism and fascism on Facebook, I was immediately rebutted that the rise of authoritarianism only happens in “liberal” countries. Along with this rebuke came a linked video of some antifa followers attacking someone… an unconventional way to attempt to prove a point about authoritarianism.
I resigned in my attempts to discuss this amongst my “friends” and peers — removing the post, and removing some of those friends, blocking others, all avid fanatics of Trump (see my post about the cultish following of Trump here). I was told I had an “itty bitty brain” and was called a “Trump-hater”, words I’m sure were meant to trigger me (much less effective on me since I began implementing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for myself over the last few years). While I write and before I post, I continuously ask myself if I am following these three foundations: 1) Is this rational?, 2) Is this logical?, and 3) Is this objective?
As I continue to research and study about the rise of authoritarianism in a country (including its banking system, manufacturing, energy, and industry sectors, among others), I began to realize that those who would be affected most are those who are the greatest advocates for another four-year term for Trump. The middle class and poverty-stricken citizens of this country who are living paycheck-to-paycheck but who have climbed onboard the Trump train in order to “make America great again”. I believe that the slogan “Keep America Great” is presumptuous. One day, we can have a conversation about what makes a nation actually “great”.
If Trump continues to follow the playbook, watch for Bill Barr to take some action for a referendum or amendment to the Constitution concerning the term limits for Presidential tenure, currently limited to an eight-year term. Or possibly a declaration of emergency powers.
Orban was granted emergency powers to rule by declaration amid the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020 (see this report from CNBC, updated April 1, 2020). Orbán is the only one who defines when the “emergency” is over. I would have expected Trump to already push for emergency powers at this point. Could similar powers be granted in a second-term?
The economic disparity in the U.S. has only widened between the mega rich and the poor during Trump’s first term. The coronavirus has only more so revealed this disparity.
All of the Trumpists who blindly follow Trump will be affected along with every other citizen of the States if authoritarianism, fascism, and nationalism continue to rise. There will be no recourse or special treatment for them just because they voted for Trump. “How can you do this to me? I voted for you.” Trump doesn’t care about the plebes, the poor, the non-famous, the hungry, the homeless, the immigrant, and pretty much anyone else that doesn’t appear in his mirror.
Trump doesn’t necessarily have to become a dictator to have ultimate control… he displayed a parade of future “Trump” leaders in Donald Jr. and Kimberly, Eric and Lara, and Ivanka and Jared during the RNC convention a couple of weeks ago. Create a dynasty, and you still have control.
Get out and vote. Honestly, I threw my vote away in 2016 when I voted for the Libertarian candidate. Kanye is in the race simply as a strategy to pull votes away from Biden. Vote Biden/Harris. It may not be where you want to be right now, but all the signs point to something much, much worse if Trump continues to follow the playbook.
Jay
September 5, 2020
