Fascism began in Europe in the 1930s with Mussolini in Italy. Not so long ago, right? After World War II, Italy and Germany were in a terrible state financially, emotionally, there were torn by economic hardships and the constant migration that is part of life in Europe and always has been. Such levels of unemployment and cities destroyed by bombing, there was little to stop the anger building. Mussolini and Hitler both used that bitterness to create an ideology based on the concept of ‘us’ as good, and ‘them’ as evil. All of society’s ills were blamed on ‘them’, the immigrants, and in that case the Jews.

In the United States, during this election campaign in 2016, those same angers, frustrations, unemployment and struggles were blamed upon all immigrants. Trump called specifically upon Muslims, Mexicans, and all immigrants to blame for the economic struggles faced by many.

So what is fascism? And why am I worried about living in this country? When I look back to the history of Europe in the last hundred years, I’m sick to my stomach. Looking at Hitler and now Trump, the similarities are terrifying.

Hitler used racism to rise to power. Trump used racism to rally his supporters and yes, rise to power as the next president.

Hitler proposed and acted on mass deportations. Trump has proposed mass deportations.

Hitler was anti-jew and Trump is anti-muslim. He even claimed at a rally in Ft Lauderdale in August that “ISIS is honoring President Obama. He is the founder of ISIS. He is the founder of ISIS. He’s the founder. He founded ISIS.  And I would say the co-founder would be crooked Hillary Clinton. Co-founder. Crooked Hillary Clinton.”

Hitler blamed jews for all the economic problems. Trump blames immigrants for the problems. His son, Eric, in an interview on Fox, claimed that the wage stagnation is due to Syrian refugees. The concept of building a wall between the US and Mexico has been proposed often by Trump even though undocumented immigration via that border has fallen considerably in the last few years.

Hitler made Jews wear armbands for easy identification. Trump has proposed the same for Muslims, saying  that they need “a special form of identification that noted their religion”. 

The control of the media, of the law courts, of the police, the use of extermination camps for any of those “others” that Hitler blamed, the Gypsies, the Jews, Blacks, Homosexuals, and intellectuals, this all comes under consequences. The consequence of voting into power a man who preached hatred and fear. The German public didn’t see it coming, din’t guess at the level of horror, intimidation, or the extent of the changes that such a personality in power could do.

Who am I to say that Trump will create such atrocities? Look at the similarities in the rise to power. Look at the records of his campaign rhetoric and actions to see the man behind the comb-over.

During the last few months, Trump has called Mexicans rapists amongst other things. “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” June 2015.

Really? Or how about his claim that President Obama was born in Kenya, or at least claimed he was to get aid for scholarships. Or questioning his religion? And why did he even bring it up? Racism. Stirring up the racists in his rallies, that’s how I see it. Don’t you? Such vague statements were used to get them riled up about a potential Muslim as President!  “He doesn’t have a birth certificate, or if he does, there’s something on that certificate that is very bad for him. Now, somebody told me — and I have no idea if this is bad for him or not, but perhaps it would be — that where it says ‘religion,’ it might have ‘Muslim.’ And if you’re a Muslim, you don’t change your religion, by the way.”– March 30, 2011