A republic, If we can keep it

In the 1920s, Germany suffered deep unemployment, hyper-inflation, food shortages and pervasive crime; by the late 1930s, Nazi rule had brought full employment, booming industry and lavish public works. Civil liberties were fading, but so what? The ends justified the means!

Donald Trump isn’t much like Adolf Hitler. But there are two unnerving parallels.

First, the will to absolute power. Trump adores Vladimir Putin and scorns leaders of democracies. The phrases “checks and balances” and “separation of powers” mean nothing to him: he regards Congress, the courts, the DOJ, the Fed, etc. as his factotums, and rages when they fail to grovel. He demonizes the free press and anyone who crosses him. With vicious insults and lies, he divides us. He’s the very model of a proto-dictator.

Second, durable popular support. Hitler rose with much of the German public’s approval. Trump’s escalating abuses of power are possible only because about 40% of Americans stoutly defend him.

The scariest thing about the man never has been his policy-making, but the nontrivial chance that he will destroy our constitutional democracy. Trump supporters: you like his policies. Fine. But do you also like his assaults on the Constitution, democracy, the rule of law, decency and truth? Does the increasing likelihood of bloody civil war delight you? If not, then act. If you won’t throw Trump out, at least urge your Republican representatives to rein him in.

Brian Keeling

Spokane