If Americans have one flaw when it comes to the lessons of history, it’s that we have failed to learn them.
So of course, as Santayana reminds us, we are doomed to retreat them.
A year or two ago, I remember reading something interesting about American history. Basically the writer said that when we solved great problems and improved our country because of it, those solutions only lasted as long as there were people still living who had experienced the original problems.
A classic example of that is the fascination with fascism, in particular with Naziism, on the American right wing. Adolf Hitler died more than 79 years ago, and people younger than 85-90 years old have no first-hand memories of a world in which Hitler lived.
That’s why it is so disgusting to hear Donald Trump make out-and-out fascist statements in general and statements at least sympathetic if not adoring about Hitler.
General John Kelly, chief of staff for part of Trump’s term, said he believed Trump perfectly fit the definition of a fascist, and recalled that Trump said Hitler had done good things as well as bad. He rebuilt Germany’s economy, Trump said.
In fact, Trump minion Candace Owens of Turning Point USA gave an interview in which she said all Hitler was trying to do was MGGA — Make Germany Great Again. She said his only sin was that he wanted the whole world to be like Germany.
At his age and in his physical condition, it’s tough to imagine Trump pursuing any sort of world conquest. My guess is that his fascism would translate to cracking down domestically and punishing the people and organizations who have dared to oppose him.
But Kelly is right.
Trump is fascist to the core.