Journalists avoid the term “fascism” for the current power politics. To use that word for your political opponent is considered disrespectful. 80 years ago, in my lifetime, fascism was respectable. Think of Lindbergh, a national hero. Fascism was another word for national socialism. Nothing wrong with loving your country and eradicating poverty. We abhor the way Goebbels, Himmler, Hitler used the new media of film and radio for their propaganda. “We will make our country strong. We are the greatest”. They had the support of the big industrialists, Thyssen, IG Farben, Krupp. The German economy was booming. Many people saw their dignity restored. Is it too far fetched to see similarities ? Sure, Germany in 1933 is different from the USA in 2020. Building a wall is not the same as building a concentration camp. But what happened in Germany in the thirties shows that a civilized society can succumb to collective barbarism. Let’s call the similarity lack of decency. That is bad enough. Lack of mutual respect erodes morality and makes democracy into the popularity contest we are witnessing.
I saw a guy wearing a sweatshirt saying: "Trump! Fuck your feelings". That’s why at least 40% of voters still support this fascist. They are angry and resent the conditions they have to deal with. The more obnoxious Trump behaves, the more he is their man. They were brought up with the idea that America is the best and things will only get better. Now they feel betrayed and disrespected. It is the logical consequence of American exceptionalism. Democrats are as responsible for the wide-spread disenchantment as Republicans. Biden in the White House will not resolve anything
This Atlantic article describes militant Trump supporters. The similarity with “Braunhemde” in Germany 1929 is striking. In most elections the better educated call the shots. Now with al the fake news, the less educated prevail. The Republican Senators are different again; they are addicted to power. Like addicts, they distort reality in order to maintain power. "I am following the wishes of my voters" is their excuse for their immoral stance. The Republican party is a cult and Trump is the ideal cult leader. Collective distortion of reality is nothing new; take religion.
When I speak in these terms about the USA, I am sometimes told “When you think it is so bad here, go back to the Netherlands”. I trust I will not be persecuted for being critical. I love to live in Vermont. I love the energy, the audacity, the willingness to try something new, the willingness to stand up and speak up. I admire the way the Founders designed this country. I hate to see all that corrupted by a lack of decency.