Philosophers through the ages have remarked that history moves in circles. That points us to a warning voiced by Henry A. Wallace, the second of Franklin Roosevelt’s three vice presidents.
With the rise of fascism in Germany and Italy, Wallace sought to identify conditions in those countries that would pose similar dangers to America. According to Wallace, fascists are easily recognized by their deliberate perversion of truth and facts. They can always be identified by their appeal to prejudice and by their desire to play upon the fears of different groups in order to gain power. They use isolationism as a slogan.
Could there be any more accurate description of Donald Trump’s political tactics? He demonizes Hispanics, immigrants and Muslims. Seeking suburban and rural votes, Trump pitches racial fears. He dismisses truthful reports of real conditions as “fake news” while his followers defend his lies as alternative facts. Donald even fostered a political divide over sensible anti-pandemic practices such as mask-wearing and social distancing. His “America first” slogan has dismantled alliances between the U.S. and Europe that made all parties rich.
Loyalty to Donald, and not the Constitution, is demanded. Does any of this disturb you?
