# No, fascism hasn't come to America. Here is why **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 10, 2016, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321 "2016-11-10T04:04:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/21 "2016-11-10T16:21:28Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > He asked why, if we have nuclear weapons, we can’t use them. And that’s a perfectly reasonable question. Why send people, of whom some may die, when you can send a nuke? And there are reasonable answers. But to fail to ask the question in the first place, that’s a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/22 "2016-11-10T16:27:58Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > On live TV, he threatened his political opponent with jail on no evidence and her having been cleared of any crime. > He has stated he wants legislation to allow him to sue the press for negative articles. > He wants to deport American citizens because _he_ disagrees with the 14th Amendment. > He wants to kill the families of terrorists and re-institute torture. I say, let’s take him at his word (even though historically his word has never been and still isn’t worth a fuck). He says he wants these things. People voted for these things. The simplest explanation… ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/23 "2016-11-10T16:29:25Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > And that’s a perfectly reasonable question. Why send people, of whom some may die, when you can send a nuke? And there are reasonable answers. But to fail to ask the question in the first place, that’s a mistake. There’s only one use for nuclear weapons. And that’s as an absolutely, no options left last resort. One last “fuck you” before the country goes up in a blaze of radioactive smoke and fire. And ISIS is not that. It’s scary that Trump can’t see that and it’s scary that you can’t either. [From here.](https://thinkprogress.org/9-terrifying-things-donald-trump-has-publicly-said-about-nuclear-weapons-99f6290bc32a) > [@](#): > > ``` > RUMP: Let me explain. Let me explain. > > **Somebody hits us within ISIS — you wouldn`t fight back with a nuke?** > > … > > MATTHEWS: OK. The trouble is, when you said that, the whole world heard it. David Cameron in Britain heard it. The Japanese, where we bombed them in 45, heard it. They`re hearing a guy running for president of the United States talking of maybe using nuclear weapons. Nobody wants to hear that about an American president. > > TRUMP: Then why are we making them? Why do we make them? > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/24 "2016-11-10T16:31:43Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > … Or will opposing the president become “treason” and “unpatriotic” as it was called under Bush? We WILL be going back to that bullshit. Some of us have a long memory and I for one can hold a grudge just as well as anyone. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/25 "2016-11-10T16:32:34Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > The left has always been on board with “checks and balances”. The question is: if the Democrats decide to emulate their right-wing brethren for the next Congress, will the right be “on board” with that? Unstinting obstructionism? Refusal to compromise on any point no matter how trivial? Shouting “You lie!” at the President? Or will opposing the president become “treason” and “unpatriotic” as it was called under Bush? [Republicans now want to eliminate the filibuster.](http://www.salon.com/2016/11/10/after-eight-years-of-using-the-filibuster-against-president-obama-republicans-now-want-to-get-rid-of-it/) The utter hypocrisy of the Republican Party is beyond belief. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/26 "2016-11-10T16:33:58Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > There’s only one use for nuclear weapons. And that’s as an absolutely, no options left last resort. One last “fuck you” before the country goes up in a blaze of radioactive smoke and fire. > And ISIS is not that. > It’s scary that Trump can’t see that and it’s scary that you can’t either. > [From here.](https://thinkprogress.org/9-terrifying-things-donald-trump-has-publicly-said-about-nuclear-weapons-99f6290bc32a) I’m _hoping_ that he’s doing that as a “Mad Bomber” bluff: that he wouldn’t use nuclear weapons against conventionally-armed enemies, but would like to scare the crap out of our conventionally-armed enemies, and so wants to convince them that he’s willing to consider it and may well do it if you mess with us, so don’t mess with us. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/27 "2016-11-10T16:41:25Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > There’s only one use for nuclear weapons. And that’s as an absolutely, no options left last resort. That’s your view. Others may think differently. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/28 "2016-11-10T16:46:23Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > I’m _hoping_ that he’s doing that as a “Mad Bomber” bluff: that he wouldn’t use nuclear weapons against conventionally-armed enemies, but would like to scare the crap out of our conventionally-armed enemies, and so wants to convince them that he’s willing to consider it and may well do it if you mess with us, so don’t mess with us. Remember, Trump “tells it like it is.” And that was during an interview, he wasn’t planning ahead, that was straight from seat of the pants to mouth. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/29 "2016-11-10T16:47:28Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > That’s your view. Others may think differently. That is fucking scary that you support bombing an entire country for the actions of a small terrorist group. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/30 "2016-11-10T16:53:06Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Remember, Trump “tells it like it is.” And that was during an interview, he wasn’t planning ahead, that was straight from seat of the pants to mouth. Trump has, though – repeatedly – driven into the ground that he says you never announce that you’re taking anything off the table; even if you _are_ taking something off the table, you don’t _say_ so, because, hey, element of surprise, don’t tell your enemy what you’re going to do, we knew it in WWII, those generals would be rolling over in their graves if they saw us spelling out what we will and won’t do, et cetera. It’s possible his default, seat-of-pants go-to answer to _would you do it_ is “maybe”. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/31 "2016-11-10T17:04:04Z")
I’d like to see a Democratic senator announce that their primary goal is to ensure that Trump remains a one-term president. I’d like to see a Democratic congressman shout “You lie!” at the president during a Congressional address. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/32 "2016-11-10T17:24:41Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’d like to see a Democratic senator announce that their primary goal is to ensure that Trump remains a one-term president. I’d like to see a Democratic congressman shout “You lie!” at the president during a Congressional address. But when THE DEMS do it, it’s treason. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/33 "2016-11-10T20:29:49Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > [Republicans now want to eliminate the filibuster.](http://www.salon.com/2016/11/10/after-eight-years-of-using-the-filibuster-against-president-obama-republicans-now-want-to-get-rid-of-it/) > > The utter hypocrisy of the Republican Party is beyond belief. The Democrats either don’t care or don’t understand the gop is not playing by the same set of rules. That and I personally believe the Democrats like the gop filibuster because they can use it as an excuse for why they can’t pass progressive legislation. Taking it away would eliminate that excuse. Plus if the dems win in 2020 it’ll be easier to bring back whatever Trump eliminates. ---
**Author:** ![Neo-Calredic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/96bed5/32.png) [@Neo-Calredic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neo-Calredic)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/34 "2016-11-10T20:55:52Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > [Republicans now want to eliminate the filibuster.](http://www.salon.com/2016/11/10/after-eight-years-of-using-the-filibuster-against-president-obama-republicans-now-want-to-get-rid-of-it/) > > The utter hypocrisy of the Republican Party is beyond belief. Of course. They know they won’t be needing it in the future, because they have no intention of ever giving up control again – and all that implies. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/35 "2016-11-10T21:02:50Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > And that’s a perfectly reasonable question. Why send people, of whom some may die, when you can send a nuke? And there are reasonable answers. But to fail to ask the question in the first place, that’s a mistake. Yeah, great question in a high school civics class. A 70 year old man should very well know why we have nukes. We have nukes so that we never use them. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/36 "2016-11-10T21:10:30Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Yeah, great question in a high school civics class. > > A 70 year old man should very well know why we have nukes. We have nukes so that we never use them. For real. It’s a fine question even in your undergrad intro to polisci class. I want my president to be operating on some next-level post-doc motherfuckin metapolitical level where these stupid questions that teenagers have aren’t even on their minds. What we’ve got instead is a guy who in preparation for a debate about foreign policy can’t be arsed to learn what Mosul is. That’s our next president. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/37 "2016-11-10T23:06:53Z")
Since the OP did a reverse Godwin, I’m going to mention one point of similarity between Donald and Adolph. Hitler ran off the rails (militarily speaking) because his initial successes (overruling the advice of much more knowledgeable military leaders) led him to overvalue his judgment and ignore good advice. Trump has succeeded to this point beyond all expectations by following his instincts and judgment and ignoring all the experienced politicians and pundits who told him to do things differently. It’s comical to see the same people now telling him what he has to do to succeed in the Presidency. Given his personality and track record, he has every reason to ignore them and continue doing the same things that got him into the White House. At some point (quite possibly many points) he will crash and burn, while blaming sinister outside forces for his troubles (like you-know-who did). ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2016, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/38 "2016-11-10T23:38:23Z")
Now is a good time to see the difference between Trump and fascists. When followers of non-fascists commit political violence, non-fascists condemn those actions in the strongest possible language and work to end it. Violence is now being committed by Trump’s followers. What will he do? ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/39 "2016-11-11T00:32:53Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > But then, how many Romans thought Romulus Augustus was just going to be a bit of a rough patch, and afterwards everything would get better? Conservatives like allusions to the Roman Empire since they see immigrants as the barbarians at the gate. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321/40 "2016-11-11T00:38:11Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > The left has always been on board with “checks and balances”. The question is: if the Democrats decide to emulate their right-wing brethren for the next Congress, will the right be “on board” with that? Unstinting obstructionism? Refusal to compromise on any point no matter how trivial? Shouting “You lie!” at the President? Or will opposing the president become “treason” and “unpatriotic” as it was called under Bush? Pledging that the top priority of their Senate caucus will be to ensure Trump is a one-term president? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fascism-hasnt-come-to-america-here-is-why/771321.md?page=3)