Too many parallels with Germany

RE: Trump presidency

The shock and consternation of the early days of Donald Trump’s presidency have some disturbing parallels with the Germany’s new Chancellor in 1933. Both Trump and Hitler were democratically elected with a minority of voters and both set out a radical agenda which they promised to implement.

Trump and Hitler encouraged racial hatred and fear of those who were not “pure” white citizens of their respective countries. Both leaders promised to revive the economy and end unemployment with massive public work projects. Hitler delivered on the economic front and that increased his popularity. Economic success apparently trumped any concern about his anti-Jewish agenda.

Interestingly the first victims of Hitler’s policy were not the Jewish people but the politicians of the Reichstag. After the Enabling Act was passed, deputies who opposed Hitler ended up in Dachau concentration camp. Hitler also went after the judges, gained control of the media and used radio for his bully pulpit.

Many German political, intellectual and religious leaders who rejected Hitler’s agenda were silent or silenced and the rest is history. We can only hope that the Republicans will reject Trump’s campaign of fear and hatred. Unfortunately in the early days of Trump they are either silent or silenced. Just as in 1933 the world anxiously watched the turmoil of an unhinged leader, we are nervously watching another erratic leader with a dangerous agenda in the United States. Edgar Rogalski, Hamilton