February 24, 201610 yr Interesting read. Topical re:Trump. Noam Chomsky: We Owe the Rise of Trump to Fear and the 'Breakdown of Society' | Alternet More detail would have been nice but... Williams: What are your opinions on the surprising progress of Donald Trump? Could it be explained by a climate of fear? Chomsky: Fear, along with the breakdown of society during the neoliberal period. People feel isolated, helpless, victim of powerful forces that they do not understand and cannot influence. It’s interesting to compare the situation in the ‘30s, which I’m old enough to remember. Objectively, poverty and suffering were far greater. But even among poor working people and the unemployed, there was a sense of hope that is lacking now, in large part because of the growth of a militant labor movement and also the existence of political organizations outside the mainstream.
February 24, 201610 yr Ironic. This morning I heard a sound bite on the radio by Trump saying people would still vote for him if he murdered someone and this Hitler comparison came to my mind. I do think a large part of Trump's rise is a sign of how angry people are with what is going on in Washington. But I would say the same anger is a large part of the rise of Bernie Sanders.
February 24, 201610 yr There are some interesting similarities between the inter-war period in Europe and the rise of Trump and Sanders here. I think I've made the connection a few times recently. Both fascism and socialism emerged as populist movements in response to the post-war destruction in both economic and nationalist terms. Soldiers came home to every economy mostly in ruin with little opportunity, poor working conditions, and little to show for their victories. The losers came home to the same with the further aura of humiliation hanging around their necks, especially the massive economic reparations due in Germany. The socialists emerged as organized labor unions and parties to push back against the working conditions and to make political demands, which was especially spurred by the revolution in Russia. The fascists emerged as organizations that believed in the purity of their nations and the source of their problems being foreign meddlers (mostly Jews who they believed controlled finance and were responsible for the war and their devastated economy). I think there are some similarities to what's going on here, though on a much less severe side. Economic disaffection is driving new movements on both the Right and the Left, and they loosely mirror how these movements emerged in inter-war Europe. Key differences: The level of economic devastation there was magnitudes beyond what it is here. The collapse of the American stock market would be the catalyst that pushed Europe over the economic abyss. Most governments in Europe were newly formed parliamentary democracies. Little experience with democracy and faith in its institutions meant that subverting them was easy. Neither Hitler nor Mussolini's parties ever won national elections or majorities in parliament. They were both appointed by conservative governments (to Chancellor and prime-minister, respectively) in attempts to appease the fascist movements and to thwart the rise of socialist movements. This is mostly impossible here, for a variety of reasons. Trump surely points the finger at foreigners and his supporters are gung-ho behind it, but thus far little violence has sprung from it. In both Italy and Germany fascist groups would be responsible for hundreds of deaths during some of their rampages. Though, the desire for violence abroad is notable.
February 24, 201610 yr Not reading it. Comparisons of any American leader to Hitler are just lazy and have zero basis. We're talking about one of the most evil people in the history of the world. Trump is an arrogant jack-wagon, but he's not evil.
February 24, 201610 yr Author Not reading it. Comparisons of any American leader to Hitler are just lazy and have zero basis. We're talking about one of the most evil people in the history of the world. Trump is an arrogant jack-wagon, but he's not evil. You should read it because you've completely misunderstood what he is saying. In no way is he comparing ANYONE to Hitler.
February 24, 201610 yr Not reading it. Comparisons of any American leader to Hitler are just lazy and have zero basis. We're talking about one of the most evil people in the history of the world. Trump is an arrogant jack-wagon, but he's not evil. You know him well, huh? How well do we really know someone? How many Germans probably made the same statement about Adolph? I'd say Trump is no Hitler but do we ever know what we are getting when they are placed in power? Mr Chomsky is not saying Donald = Hitler. Could there be similarities in outside forces which may have given rise to each man?
February 24, 201610 yr You should read it because you've completely misunderstood what he is saying. In no way is he comparing ANYONE to Hitler. The dude said he doesn't care if the Earth is 6,000 yrs old or 4.6 billion yrs. Would he be curious enough about this article to see what Chomsky really had to say?
February 24, 201610 yr First Trump = George Wallace Now Trump = Hitler (I get it, it doesn't say that...but that's what the title looks like) What's Next?
February 24, 201610 yr First Trump = George Wallace Now Trump = Hitler (I get it, it doesn't say that...but that's what the title looks like) What's Next? Satan?
February 24, 201610 yr First Trump = George Wallace Now Trump = Hitler (I get it, it doesn't say that...but that's what the title looks like) What's Next? I guess the only logical move is Trump = Obama, because to most of this board that's a stronger complaint than even Hitler!
February 24, 201610 yr We are not going to compare , just going to look at " commonalities" ... and any intellectually honesty can just be put on the shelf for the duration of this thread . Some should really consider whats on the screen in front of then before hitting " submit"
February 24, 201610 yr I will give props to Habib , he included Bernie in with Trump under the same umbrella ( fringe politicians)
February 24, 201610 yr Satan? Whatchu talkin' bout, Farrah? All good right-wingers should know that Obama = Satan.
February 24, 201610 yr Everything has a cause. IMO the cause is most people are fed up with the lies and more lies career politicians keep saying. Fed up with corruption and disagreements between congress
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