The thing about the worst periods of human history is, that in hindsight, even with the Google-able assistance of the most reliable empirical data, how the rise of the cruelest despots and those that followed them to wreak pain and misery on their chronologically reachable world, is so psychologically difficult to absorb, no less assume responsibility for, that it is destined for repetition.  That we have become genealogically conditioned to pridefully accept our dominant heritage as our default nature, supports the destructiveness of dormant rage against the illegitimate thesis that others are holding us back or down, so that when a loud shrill voice shouts purpose to that rage…fascism.

We are in the midst of humankind’s next horror; past the preliminary rumbling, not quite to the irrational, pitchfork-wielding frenzy, but well on our way.  And the United States of America, (“how” on Earth can this actually be happening?), may soon replace the worst, most morally bankrupt policy the world has ever seen.  Maybe it’s the tainted drinking water, inbreeding, perhaps, but the boisterous crowing about nationalism, race, gobbledygook economy and religious zealotry has set us on a roller coaster ride, wherein truth and science and kindness are merely annoyances.

There is an overreaching tacit correctness that comparing any incendiary rhetoric to Hitler or Nazis sullies the memory of the murder victims of the most recent heinous example of evil.  Yet, blurring our focus to the parallels of Trump and Putin and Assad and Duterte and Erdogan and Fatah el-Sisi and Maduro and Jinping does not protect us from the upheaval of an even greater evil.  The trappings of the fascist doctrine, demonizing the press, disregarding juris prudence, emasculating the opposition, inciting fear and prejudice, lying, lying and more blatant, unapologetic lying, are the sleeping-bear-poking tactics that have brought us to the brink of totalitarian terror.  The obvious comparison of “America First” and “Deutschland uber Alles” is not a stretch.

How, can any caring public servant, (aka Congressman/Senator), not see or care about the free-falling principles and purpose of American democracy under this corrupt and amoral regime?  Isn’t this the plot of every “Pinky and the Brain” episode, sans the humor and cool music?