This past weekend, the nation learned just how dangerous Donald Trump really is!
We saw violence and bullyism at public events by racists and nativists who were being rough, assaulting demonstrators at Trump rallies, and journalists being harassed by Trump aides, and Trump said he would support paying the legal fees of a 78 year old man who gave a sucker punch to someone being removed by police from a rally.
Trump blamed Bernie Sanders supporters, and called Sanders a Communist, and said he would send his supporters to disrupt Sanders’ s rallies. He would not tone down the rhetoric or tell his followers to avoid violence, and would not take responsibility for the hostile atmosphere his rhetoric and oratory has caused!
This display by Trump and his followers shows clear cut evidence of Fascist tactics, and it is clear to anyone who wished to keep his or her eyes open, that Donald Trump is a dangerous authoritarian figure who threatens the maintenance of civil order and democracy in America!
Trump is more dangerous than George C. Wallace was, or Pat Buchanan, or David Duke ever was, as he has millions of followers who are deaf, dumb or blind about the dangers of Trump becoming President.
It seems that Trump is someone who could, if a major untoward event occurred, such as a terrorist strike or the collapse of the stock market, convince enough Americans to elect him President, although if there is no such horrible event, the odds of a Trump victory are miniscule!
We cannot afford to have a demagogue, who could be a threat to the nation at large, ever reach the White House, and all efforts must be made to oppose Trump vigorously, before he gains power and threatens our way of life!
Hello, Ronald!
I just want to quickly say that, from what’s been going on with these primaries (both parties), that it’s pretty easy for me understand why people choose to refrain from voting.
I have an elderly parent who stopped voting more than 10 years ago. We have had a couple conversations. And the best way to put it, at this time, is that my parent considers the electoral arena a cesspool.
D, I would have to agree with your parent.
I mean, come November we will likely have to choose between Hillary Clintion or Donald Trump. . . Really? I don’t even have to list the flaws in each of them, as they seem undeniable to me. It certainly could discourage one from voting. Yes, every candidate has their flaws as they are of course human like the rest of us but these two are exceptionally flawed in my opinion. I for one, sadly will probably not vote if it comes down to the two of them. If anything I may just vote for someone else, but I don’t see myself being able to vote for Clinton or Trump.
Clinton may seem like a strong candidate for the POTUS, but there are things about her that I and many others (including some Democrats) very disturbing and I could not vote for her with all due respect. Of course, if one votes for a third party candidate it is obvious that the one they vote for has no chance of winning, so it can seem like their vote is in vain. Sad. . .
I agree that it’s a cesspool but it’s clearly the Republican side only.
Exactly right, Rational Lefty!
See here for an excellent piece bashing the myth that both parties are the same:
http://pleasecutthecrap.com/now-about-this-both-parties-are-the-same-bs/
Rational Lefty,
You are dead wrong if you seriously think that only the Republican Party are a cesspool.
Are you not familiar with Debbie Wasserman Schultz?
Here is some of the latest from this Democratic National Committee chairwoman (and U.S. Rep. from Florida #23):
@ http://observer.com/2016/03/rigged-debbie-wasserman-schultz-strikes-once-again/
Mike,
There is a lot more I could say. But, I don’t want to be offering such a lengthy response which would reach a point in which I may as well be getting my own blog. (Respect, of course, to and for Ronald. This site is his baby.)
D, sadly you are right about Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who I have met twice, but something has gone terribly wrong with her, and she has lost the purpose of public service ! (Sigh)
Precisely right, Rational Lefty! I’ve also always very strongly disagreed with the notion by some on the left that the two parties are the same. This hits the nail on the head for me in regards to that.
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-consequences-of-republican.html
As Milt Shook wisely points out in his blog, no politician is “pure†and the purity tests by some on the left is why progressives don’t gain ground. http://pleasecutthecrap.com/no-one-is-pure/
D – The thing is Pragmatic Progressive, Rational Lefty, Southern Liberal, Princess Leia, Former Republican, and myself consider ourselves to be pragmatic progressives and we consider ourselves to be moderate.
When we initially started checking out progressive blogs, we would read blogs such as Fire Dog Lake, Daily Kos, Common Dreams, etc. but got sick and tired of moderates being bashed, so we sought out pragmatic progressive blogs, such as the link that Pragmatic posted.
I guess you consider my blog a “pragmatic progressive” blog, Rational Lefty?
One party (Democrats) wants to move the country to the future. The other party (Republicans) wants to move the country back to 1900. That’s the difference between the two and why we don’t consider the Democratic party to be a cesspool and why we have always voted for Democrats since we were old enough to vote.
The first pragmatic progressive blog we came across was Winning Progressive. They’re now on Facebook only. Their blog had your blog as one of their links.
As to parties constantly evolving over time, there is an interesting piece in this week’s New Yorker magazine by Amy Davidson on the 1924 Democratic National Convention who describes how the party almost gave an institutional seat to the KKK!
This not too many years after Woodrow Wilson’s views on race….
Here’s the piece for those interested:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/03/21/donald-trump-and-contested-conventions
D – As Southern Liberal said, we are referring to the policies of the parties as a whole. Here in the South, many Democrats we encounter are more like us – identifying as somewhat liberal – and not angry at the establishment.
The People’s View is another pragmatic progressive blog that Winning Progressive had as a link before they went to Facebook only. We like to read there from time to time.
This article from their blog explains that many Democrats are satisfied with President Obama and they would like to build on what he’s achieved.
http://www.thepeoplesview.net/main/2016/3/7/bernie-sanders-doesnt-get-democrats-not-hungry-for-revolution
The thing I haven’t liked about some of Bernie’s supporters is that they’ve been very vitriolic towards Hillary, spreading around on social media sayings such as, “Bern The Witch”. See more here: http://www.thepeoplesview.net/main/2016/3/11/trump-is-inciting-anger-so-is-bernie
He and his campaign have spoken out against the sexism thrown at Hillary and people who support her, which is good. However, considering how it keeps happening, he needs to speak out again and more forcefully.
Name calling like that is stooping to Trump level. They should take their cue from Bernie and respectfully disagree with her on the issues.
It’s very important for Bernie supporters and Hillary supporters to come together and win in November. The presidency is the last stop we have to avoid all the good progress we have made over many years to be undone. I will vote for the Democratic nominee regardless of who it is. With the danger that Trump represents, sitting out this election or voting for a third party is definitely not recommended.
This is an excellent question: http://bluevirginia.us/2016/03/wont-bill-bolling-republicans-answer-simple-question
Where are all the Republicans who have the moral courage to state unequivocally that under no circumstances will they support this neo-fascist thug and bigoted sociopath and demagogue for president?
Also, it should be interesting to see whether or not those Republicans who do vow never to support Trump, actually hold to those vows if and when it comes down to Clinton vs. Trump.
Professor,
Great article on Bobby Kennedy approach vs. Donald Trump approach:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/03/13/what-bobby-kennedy-would-say-to-trump.html?via=ios
Thanks, Paul, for the great article!