I omitted an important point in Trump's racist rule in my
opinion yesterday entitled "My Words are Insufficient" and that is the
racist component of Nationalism: Trump calls himself a "Nationalist."
Most in his sphere especially Trump, I am guessing, have not a clue what
Nationalism means. It sounds so intellectual though doesn't it?
Trump, indeed, is no intellectual. He probably learned that term at the
feet of Steve Bannon his once philosophical guru or Stephen Miller his
extreme right wing racist advisor.
Nationalism
is often racist -- white racist and it is at its heart and most of all a
punishing authoritarianism. It appeals to the many in nations who have a
racist history and, too, have felt ignored in national policy and
perceived by them demeaned and unappreciated in international
sentiment. It rules out of fear of the "other." Trump calls himself a
Nationalist but we know that means white nationalism. Nationalism means
for Trump by his own words America First. America First was used by the Nazi lover and, sad to say, American aviation hero, Charles Lindbergh.
America First adherents do not care whom they hurt or even kill to get
what they want. The followers who call themselves Nationalist must be
unquestioning and submissive to the leader and authority. The penalty
not to be so or to question him or those in authority to him can be, of
course, in Trump's case removal of them from office or in "The
Apprentice" like fashion fired!
Nationalism
is ugly; Nationalism was Nazi Germany; Nationalism was Mussolini's
Italy and Nationalism was Franco's Spain. It is authoritarian, it is
expansionist, it is cruel and it is murderous in its ideological intent.
It seeks war and domination of nations and/or alliances with other
authoritarian leaders. Democracy is its enemy. WWII Nationalism at its
end killed 50 and some say 70 million human beings world-wide. It makes
no pretense about humane policy; it is not humane; it makes no pretense
of being all inclusive. It is not all inclusive. It is exclusionary,
separatist and racist. In the US case it is America First but really
means the leader and his henchmen first. Right now the penalty for
opposition to the leader is removal from a job or any angry puerile
tweet. Trump has removed so many they cannot be enumerated on a cable
TV panels. Most positions in the Trump universe are "acting." The
impermanence of that means the leader Trump can change on a whim persons
who occupy that office. Trump demands total unquestioning loyalty and
appoints those like Trump on this Nationalist path. He is singularly
trying to destroy our balance of power system, placing the Executive
branch Constitutionally first, Congress second and filling the courts
with his right wing extremist lackeys whom he can be assured will do his
bidding. It is chilling that in two years he has been successful in
near obliteration of this system of government's checks and balances
while pitting one American against another stirring simmering racial
animosities that heretofore have remained latent or within fringe groups
vociferous. Trump has given these racist groups an equal voice.
In
reality we are and should be a global community interconnected in a
thousand ways. Yes, we care about our own interests but must compromise
and learn to play well with others. Trump's eradication of everything
Obama will, I hope, ensure his failure. Trump is a failure in business,
failure in governing, failure in ethics, a failure in marriage, and an
egregious failure in telling the truth. Again RESIST Nationalism at all
costs and save the world.
