[glenndebacker]

You should really read the book “How democracies die” for some insights and signals how it begins.

Maybe it’s because I’m from Europe and there are numerous examples (Germany, Spain, Italy,…) how it starts, but there is no single bone in my body that does not think that Trump has the same traits. (Not that the solution should be violence)

And the problem is that “the shining city upon the hill” is dimming and it’s becoming more and more a bad example for other countries. I never ever would think to live in an age that political parties would question if we should throw basic human rights in the trash while dealing with people we don’t want.

[sam_goody]

We are descending too deeply into politics for HN, but my take is different.

Trump signals the opposite of a dictator. For example, in Covid he required the States to make their own rules, while the media was punishing him for not making federal rules about masking, etc. Regarding abortion, he was all about giving the States the right to decide, that it should not be federal. Etc. All the European strongmen were doing the opposite - using any excuse they had to increase their authority.

Sure, he talks tough. And sure, the media makes him into a demagogue. But they also take his words out of context (ALOT [1]) and have a storyline to sell.

Methinks the media doth protest too much.

[1]: Even the "dictator for one day", which was said about closing the border [opened by an executive order ("decree") by Biden on "day 1", and which will need an executive order to close again] and energy - and in which his point was that he would NOT use his term authoritatively - is turned into "I will be a dictator, starting from day 1"

[bamboozled]

For example, in Covid he required the States to make their own rules,

He also suggested injecting bleach and sunlight might wipe out COVID in the body [1]. Federal institutions and health organizations had to warn people not to drink bleach after that, oh man.

In my opinion, any leader who actually cared about solving the problem would try understand basic things better or delegate to someone who does. If anything it proves he is an authoritarian. Do you think Kim Jong Un actually tries to solve any problem for his people, or just bullshits about it to stay in power / popular with those who matter?

You might see it as some type of freedom preserving move to let states do whatever they want, but his actions were about being popular with conservatives. If he actually has his way and is completely unaccountable for anything he does, he wouldn't even done anything at all.

A pandemic is a thing which absolutely requires a federal response, not a "hey Texas you do this, and California, you do that".

Please do not let this guy become king of America, It was fine when he was on the apprentice. He should stay there.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33QdTOyXz3w

[defrost]

> You should really read the book

Why would you assume I haven't read it?

Any reason I should reread a book that was published some 36 years after I studied politics in university ?

Again, Trump literally said that he woud only be a dictator for a day .. which I personally think sums him up beautifully and encapsulates just about everything you need to know about the man; starting with an over inflated sense of time management.

I blame the US system TBH, it was a shining star 300 years ago but heed was not given to Franklin's advice on tending it with care and avoiding despots.

Maybe it's because I'm from a politic system penned by grandparents who looked at the flaws (as they saw them) of both Washington and Westminster and created a Washminster hybrid (still flawed, but fresher and so far better tended).

[meiraleal]

How does it work to be a dictator for only a day? Are you ok with that like if kamala harris could be a dictator for a day if the democrats win?

[binkethy]

Hey now, your rhetoric is out of control here.

Biden is most certainly not "behind" this assassination attempt.

I heartily disagree with what i see as your projection on nearly all your comments here.

Please step back, you are taking this down an unwelcome road

[theblobawakens]

Starts way earlier