I think I was misunderstood when I asked who was afraid of Trump.

[smirkymonkey]

I think that we the people, the citizens of the US, have a very good reason to be afraid of Trump. More than any other politician than we have seen to date. He is a threat to everything decent in this world and to our democracy.

What I meant was, Why are so many POWERFUL people afraid of Donald Trump. There are people who are surely aware of the destruction he can cause. Where is the leadership? Why are so many powerful people kissing his fat, flabby ass? That is what I want to know. Where are the heroes in this country?

[edhopper]

1. Currying favor with PE Trump

will give them more power and make them richer.
Opposing him could cost them.

It's that simple, you expect the rich and powerful to have ethics and a consonance?

[Warpy]

5. They call it "access" and they know if they're the least bit confrontational

the thin skinned and spiteful Twittler will cut them off completely.

[Eliot Rosewater]

2. We need them now more than ever.

I hate to do this, because it is such an important topic, but your screen name, did you ever watch the HBO comedy series "Family Tree?"

If not, your screen name implies you will get a big kick out of the sister character.

[smirkymonkey]

13. No, but I will have to now.

It''s from when I first found DU and it's a nickname for GWB. I should probably change it by now.

[JenniferJuniper]

3. They're afraid of being sent away first?

Trump is like the cornfield kid from the Twilight Zone. Completely nuts and soon to be one of the most powerful people on the planet.

Not excusing their cowardice, but I really think they will all continue to cower because Trump is so unhinged.

[WhiteTara]

7. He will use Putin's model of jailing his opponents and

then selling off their possessions for pennies to himself...

[smirkymonkey]

16. It just baffles me that someone so stupid, so inept could wield so much power.

And that so many others with power are just so willing to stand aside and let him take it.

[LisaM]

4. Maybe they are afraid of Putin

And his other connections.

[smirkymonkey]

10. Maybe, I don't know. It's just really depressing me.

I just hate this passivity in the face of evil.

[LisaM]

12. It reminds me of Bif in "Back to the Future".

For the life of me, it doesn't make sense how people like that get a following to begin with. Why wasn't Bif always a joke? Why did time travel have to factor into it? Why do people enable bullies?

People keep making the comparison of Trump to Hitler, but I'm reminded more of Oswald Mosely, who, thank God, became a joke eventually.

[CentralMass]

6. They. see dollar signs. He is going to let thrm gut social programs and let big oil run the show.

[smirkymonkey]

9. But there are decent people who have money and power as well.

Where are they?

[unblock]

8. it's not just *him* they're afraid of. even a dictator isn't about just one person.

dictators stay in power by serving the interests of people who protect that power.

in donnie's case, he's got an insanely biased media and anarchic social media forum, and a posse of brownshirts who yell and scream and call and email and hack and threaten.

[smirkymonkey]

14. The media is the biggest problem.

We'll never solve that as long as republicans are in power.

[unblock]

21. yeah, and it's hard to kick the republicans out when the media is so biased....

[smirkymonkey]

22. Is there nothing that can be done?

This can't go on. It is destroying this country.

[unblock]

23. well for starters, we have to get *way* smarter about our messaging.

coordinated like they are, with frames that serve our interests, not theirs, etc.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. Normal reaction to a dictator. A dictator speaks - but no one can ask

him any questions. He will throw insults and seek retribution for the tiniest hint of insult spoken about him. He has done that over and over - to the rich and powerful down to the poor and meek. And thus, the people stay silent, out of fear of retribution.

[smirkymonkey]

15. I still want to believe that there is someone - or a number of someones - out there

who can challenge his power. How can someone so stupid, so weak, so pathetic wield so much power in this country? It's just not right.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

24. if we could tie it to money or ego somehow..

It is his only language. For us little people start with a complete boycott of every trump interest we can find. Run it to the ground. Protest in front of his hotels? Golf courses?

[Bettie]

17. They are people who currently hold power and want to keep it when

he declares himself president for life.

[smirkymonkey]

18. I am thinking they do not know the disaster that is awaiting them.

It makes me sick that so many people can put their own personal quest for power over their country. What has happened to this nation?

[Bettie]

19. I don't know

but it makes me really sad for my kids.

I have two boys hitting 18 during this buffoon's term. I'm so afraid for them...and they are white males, who will have an easier time than many, many others.

[smirkymonkey]

20. I am sorry for your children and for everyone's children.

I hate to think of the world they are going to grow up in.