Donald Trump is not a joke: A warning to Americans from an Italian who survived Berlusconi

[kpete]

https://twitter.com/notscientific/status/703280910897168385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

[SoLeftIAmRight]

1. Why are many Americans embracing fascism and bashing democratic socialism.

...

[malthaussen]

4. At a guess, because we were well-trained...

... to, ah, see red whenever the word "socialism" reared its head. The ruling class has been capitalizing (so to speak) on that for generations. And let us not lose sight of the fact that it is only a vocal minority who are going full fascist, but they are given much more attention than moderates or leftists because the media profits thereby. Since fascism is no threat to the ruling class -- rather the opposite, in fact -- they, who control the mainstream media are obviously going to suppress the left by any means expedient.

It's hardly an isolated phenomenon. Why has socialism never gained any traction in the U.S.? The New Deal was as close as we got, and it falls short of European-style democratic socialism by a fair bit. And after all, fascism relates much better to certain parts of the American mythos, including the tough-guy self-reliant hard-working image we cherish so. It is arbeit, after all, that machs frei.

(To say nothing of the obvious and blatant appeal to white supremacy, bigotry, and American Exceptionalism)

-- Mal

[Xolodno]

7. And the ultimate irony...

...Socialism isn't Communism. Something the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and China were "attempting" to accomplish (and never did).

[malthaussen]

9. I was just reading a WW2 memoir...

... it's a battle history of a combat battalion written by a vet for the organization, so he has no particular axe to grind or hidden agenda. But it is full of anti-Nazi cliches on just about every page, sneers at the "fanaticism" of the enemy, and digs at the "supermen." The underlying subtext, however, is really along the lines of "You guys weren't the supermen, we are." Thus, I think, perhaps the dislike is not so much of fascism and master races, but with the identification of who gets to be the master race. (Ever notice, by the way, in military writings against ideological enemies, that they are always "ruthless," "fanatical" and words of that ilk, whereas when we do the same things we're "determined" and "brave?&quot

As for the irony that the Evil Empire was no more socialist than my left shoe, it fits right in with the propaganda of "Peace-Loving Peoples" and "Democratic Republics." About the only thing true in the term Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was the word Union. (And that was only true for a while) But the people have never been very tuned-in to nuance, and apparently a good percentage would rather believe what they are told to believe, then employ their own critical thinking facility.

-- Mal

[Xolodno]

13. Race, Religion, Ethnicity, Culture & "Enemy"...

...The usual four things to rouse the masses into war. Just use the one where the masses are most "afraid" of at the time.

As for socialism, hell, Hitler used "National Socialism"...despite nothing about it being "socialist"...but people fall for it hook, line and sinker, thinking Hitler was a "socialist"....despite the fact in his book he took the complete opposite view.

"Critical Thinking"....yeah, well that requires "thinking". Most people get back form their work day....and that's the last thing they want to do. So they rely on flamboyant speeches, cliche's that appeal to them, hear bias that supports their own bias, etc. They want to be entertained and told they are in the "right"...and the entertainer wins. And when confronted with the facts that they don't want to hear, revile the messenger. Reminds me of a Biblical verse (not going to look it up), which says; "A Prophet is not welcome among his own people"

I always here from right wing family (and friends..who weren't right wing to begin with)...."This country is going to fall under those Democrats, Socialist, etc." I chuckle to myself thinking "and what do you plan to do if that happens?"...because I KNOW they are reactionary and wouldn't budge anywhere....whereas myself, I set myself up vacate the USA should it become solidly fascist...My advice to anyone else, always have and exit plan.

[madaboutharry]

2. I actually thought Trump just sounded like Mussolini.

That speech I just saw on tv was friggin nuts. He sounded like an out of control dictator. I wonder what it would sound like if he was talking in Italian or German.

And the cheering crowd...

[malthaussen]

3. An apt comparison.

Eventually, the Italians turned the rascal out and put him in jail. But you can't keep a good man down, Silvio is still running things from inside prison.

He is, however, richer than Trump.

-- Mal

[Qutzupalotl]

5. I thought Schwarzenegger was a joke candidate, too.

A well-known idiot with no clue how to run a state. And I was right!

[UTUSN]

6. & Shrub. & RAYGUN. n/t

[Xolodno]

8. Knowing the political climate of the time.

I'm glad Schwarzenegger took the job and cock blocked Daryl Issa. Sad to say, Gray Davis was...well grey and boring...and not very proactive, at times he really seemed like he was just keeping the Governor's seat warm.

Issa saw that weakness and tried to capitalize by launching the recall...only he didn't count on Ah-nold throwing his hat into the ring...and then his aspirations for the Governors Mansion (and who knows what else afterwards) were destroyed. We dodged a major bullet there...

And lets face it, the whole recall election was a joke, shoot, you had porn star Mary Karey running (heh...probably would have made a better Governor).

But at the end of the day, he didn't destroy the state. Plus he did force the GOP to accept tax hikes....and unfortunately, forced Democrats to make spending cuts. But given the tumultuous era, it laid the ground work for Brown to return, thankfully.

[MuttLikeMe]

10. no one is listening

They think it's all a joke.

[pampango]

11. Part of my brain views Trump's campaign antics as inconsequential reality show entertainment.

(He does have a history of that though I never have watched it.) Then I slap myself and remind myself that this is deadly serious business; he should get nowhere near the White House and he is a danger to millions of people.

[0rganism]

12. sounds familiar, somehow

"Then one day we woke up to find our government overrun by criminals, our economy destroyed, and our cultural mores perverted to the extent that the objectification of women was commonplace."

i think it was early 2003 i woke up to approximately the same thing here. damage done, i guess?