It's a black day for America and the world. Democracy will die today. I am honestly scared of what is to come in the next four years. We will have a president without morals. We will have a president who lacks intellectual curiosity. I can't believe we have stooped so low that we elected a reality tv star as president.
A professor at University of Vermont was recently asked: Is Trump a fascist? His response was "Not yet." What did he mean by that? By most definitions of fascism, the fascist needs a militia of their own. As of now, he lacks that. He is however a nationalist. He uses race as a scapegoat. He's anti-equality. He believes that government should be run like a business. He believes that he can rule through executive order and suspension of the law.
This is a very black day. To acknowledge that, I am dressed almost completely in the color. And I've noticed already, I am not the only one.
ReplyDeleteDevasted. I donated to the ACLU today. I feel they will be on the forefront of fighting him and even the smallest donations will help.
ReplyDeleteI really think your fears are overdone. Democracy hasn't died; and IMO the real enemies of democracy were the proto-fascist mobs who rioted in D.C., refusing to accept the outcome of our established political processes. I agree that Trump lacks morals. He's unprincipled, and I think he's a megalomaniac. I don't think nationalism is necessarily a way station on the road to fascism.
ReplyDeleteIn his speech today, he gave no indication of using race as a scapegoat. One of his major themes, which he brought up twice, was unity. "At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other. When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice." Later, he returned to it: "A new national pride will stir ourselves, lift our sights, and heal our divisions. It's time to remember that old wisdom our soldiers will never forget, that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots. We all enjoy the same glorious freedoms. And we all salute the same great American flag." To me, "no room for prejudice" and "heal our divisions" are the polar opposite of using race as a scapegoat. I was very pleased that he was so clear in rebuking any racists among his supporters.
As for equality for LGBT, I think the jury's still out. During the campaign, he held a rainbow flag at one or more of his rallies, and in an interview he said the issue of gay marriage was settled. So I think at worst we have to wait and see. His apparent thought that making money for the country is the primary objective is wrong-headed. But he seems to be learning that he can't rule by decree. His executive order today on Obamacare said, and, I believe, repeated, "to the maximum extent allowed by law."
One thing that concerns me is the number of business and financial honchos he's bringing into the cabinet. I'm afraid they won't share the concern he expressed today for "the forgotten man and woman." But more generally, I think he has people around him who will say, "You can't do that, sir," or "That's probably not a good idea, sir." I just hope he'll listen to them. I think there's a good possibility he will.
It has begun. He is dead set on building the wall and excluding Muslim immigrants.The protests against his election were no worse than those against Obama.The only difference I see is that the protests against Trump went international. His attorney general pick is against hate crimes legislation which punishes crimes against persons of color and LGBT people. The same man that he picked for his attorney general voted against the Violence against Women's Act. His pick for attorney general is a racist.That is why he did not get a judgeship 30 years ago.His pick for Secretary of the Treasury is known as the foreclosure king..google Steve Minuchin and onewest or steve minuchin and foreclosure..There is a good article about him on the intercept.His choice for Secretary of Education believes in conversion therapy for LGBT person.The Daily show with Trevor Noah did a spot on her that is both sad and devastating.His pick for Secretary of Labor is known for wage theft against his employees.so yes, this is a dark day.White nationalism can lead to fascism..
ReplyDeletehe will and can say anything.When he comes after medicaid medicare and social security and he will what will his defenders say then
And his choice for an important post in the Justice Department in the Civil Rights Division fought for racial gerrymandering in cases across the South.His name is John Gore.Human Rights Campaign has an interesting take on him as well.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should just wait and see. As far as the economy goes, his decisions so far look good to me. Granted, only time will tell. Otherwise, I'm relieved it isn't the Muslim-apologist Hillary in the White House. I prefer a President like Trump who actually called out Muslim homophobia directly when discussing the Pulse Massacre. With Hillary there was too much danger of further Pulse massacres as well as the Rotherham rapes and Charlie Hebdo slaughters coming to our shores.
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