[Goose]

I think those who cite history to draw parallels between the USA today and Germany in 1933 are very far wide of the mark. Germany had been a monarchy until 1918, pretty much an absolute monarchy, with no tradition of democratic government. Most of the upper and upper middle class were still monarchist in political leaning. Germany had been defeated in a major war and then their country had been occupied, the Rhur twice. Inflation was in the thousands of percent. Their was open fighting in the streets between various political groups. Freikorps still existed. There had just been several elections in a row where no majority existed and the resulting government had existed only for a short time before another election was necessary. The vast majority of the country had no love for the Weimar Republic and wanted something else, anything else, but above all wanted to survive.

Hitler was a charismatic leader with a plan. Even in 1933 there were people who would die for the cause. Hitler took full advantage of his appointment (caused by desperation of any other alternative) to seize power. I seriously doubt that you will find anyone who is willing to "Die for the Donald". Trump is not a leader, let alone a charismatic one. He has done nothing like Hitler did to cement his own power, and he is President of a country with a strong democratic tradition that believes in democracy. This country is also not in severe economic distress, at least not as compared to Germany in 1933. Trump has not exactly "bound the Reichswehr to himself" as Hitler did even before he became chancellor. In short, the idea that Trump could retain control of the government after his term expires is very, very far-fetched. This is not to say he may not try, which would be an embarassment to the nation. However, he has no chance of success.

[Goose]

I think those who cite history to draw parallels between the USA today and Germany in 1933 are very far wide of the mark. Germany had been a monarchy until 1918, pretty much an absolute monarchy, with no tradition of democratic government. Most of the upper and upper middle class were still monarchist in political leaning. Germany had been defeated in a major war and then their country had been occupied, the Rhur twice. Inflation was in the thousands of percent. Their was open fighting in the streets between various political groups. Freikorps still existed. There had just been several elections in a row where no majority existed and the resulting government had existed only for a short time before another election was necessary. The vast majority of the country had no love for the Weimar Republic and wanted something else, anything else, but above all wanted to survive.

Hitler was a charismatic leader with a plan. Even in 1933 there were people who would die for the cause. Hitler took full advantage of his appointment (caused by desperation of any other alternative) to seize power. I seriously doubt that you will find anyone who is willing to "Die for the Donald". Trump is not a leader, let alone a charismatic one. He has done nothing like Hitler did to cement his own power, and he is President of a country with a strong democratic tradition that believes in democracy. This country is also not in severe economic distress, at least not as compared to Germany in 1933. Trump has not exactly "bound the Reichswehr to himself" as Hitler did even before he became chancellor. In short, the idea that Trump could retain control of the government after his term expires is very, very far-fetched. This is not to say he may not try, which would be an embarassment to the nation. However, he has no chance of success.