Two Peas In a Pod: Hitler and Trump

THERE ARE THOSE TO WHOM Donald Trump is remindful of Adolf Hitler, circa 1932. He lives in a nation awash in fear and anger, in decline, seeking comfort in a super strong leader who promises to bring a return to the glory days of the past. Both Hitler and Trump gave the promise of a return to glory, both used bombastic, aggressive rhetoric, and we see how tat act played out the first time around. America will provide an encore at its own peril. what frightens me, and maybe some other folks, is that I like Trump. I, a left winger, liking the Donald. that worries me. We all seem to like his brash, bold, unrehearsed style, his apparent honesty, which is only apparent. Maybe we're all a bit angry, or a lot angry, and are looking for our own Uncle Adolf. Whatever, we should all sit down, take a deep breath, and ask ourselves: "why"?... Hitler's scapegoats were communists and Jews, Trump has chosen Moslems and Mexicans as his targets of opportunity. Hitler, to his credit, was reasonably articulate, if a bit histrionic and banal, but at least had the good sense not to say things like: "I listen to myself for foreign policy advice, because I have a good brain, and I say a lot of things." Strike one up for der fuhrer, and a red check mark on the Donald's usage exam. If Hitler had talked like that, he might never have gained power in the literate German nation, and the world might have averted the second world war. Both Trump and Hitler have/had enormous charm and charisma; in private conversation, both are reputed to have been warm and gracious, for all the good that does a duped electorate. Seventeen million Germans voted for Hitler in 1933. At least that number have already voted for Trump, and might well do so again, unless cooler heads prevail. Fat chance of that in the land of smoke and mirrors in the great American funhouse. Hitler was angry and obsessed; Trump is cocky, self absorbed, and constantly seeking attention. Take your pick.