Trump is flirting with authortarianism

Our school district recently received national media attention when some local parents went on Fox and Friends to complain about a teacher in the high school who showed political cartoons that compare Donald Trump to Hitler and Mussolini. As two of the great monsters in history, those men are distinctive and should rarely be compared to others. I certainly understand the concern some parents might feel about such an association. In general, educators must be extremely careful about how they balance reasonable, fair instruction versus their own political beliefs.

At the same time, it is urgent that Americans understand the conditions that led to fascism and civil war in the past, and the parallels between those circumstances and our current moment.

What do we know now? Donald Trump has encouraged followers at rallies to assault protesters who express disagreement. He has lied about Barack Obama’s birthplace, who will pay for “the wall,” President Obama tapping his phones, the connections between his associates and Russians (Carter Page, Paul Manafort, Jeff Sessions, Michael Flynn), and the costs of the Republican healthcare plan. Not to mention Trump University, the Muslims who cheered on 9/11, the crowds and weather during his Inauguration, widespread voter fraud, and the “biggest” Electoral College margin since Reagan.

He has threatened companies that do not sell products associated with his family. He has denigrated countless women. He has refused to release his tax returns or extricate himself from businesses that entail a conflict of interest. And he has attempted to use “alternative facts” to discredit several important institutions (including the media, the intelligence community, the judiciary, scientific research, and the Congressional Budget Office).

Does this make Donald Trump Hitler or Mussolini? No. But is he flirting with authoritarianism. Most definitely. Numerous public figures across the political spectrum – John McCain, Evan McMullin, David Frum, Glenn Beck, and Andrew Sullivan, to name a few -- have drawn this connection. Holding authoritarian beliefs is one of the best predictors of whether someone voted for Mr. Trump. Hate crimes against marginalized groups have spiked since the election. Congressional Republicans investigated the Democratic administration endlessly but can’t be roused to take the most basic steps in holding the Republican administration accountable for a range of suspicious activities.

Any reasonable citizen, student or teacher could – and any real patriot would – ask whether all this amounts to a serious threat to our democracy.

American children should be taught to respect the office of the President – and to hold those who occupy it accountable, especially anyone who abuses it, whether it is Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton or the current incumbent. Each classroom in which our young people learn should be a setting where different views, varied political orientations, and critical inquiry are encouraged. Any teachers, at least those charged with teaching history, social studies, politics or civics, who are not asking questions about authoritarianism right now are not doing their job.

By the way, my grapevine suggests that the teacher in question is known for being engaging, courageous and fair. I’ve heard that her students don’t even know what her political leanings are. If true, that’s as it should be. I hope she and her colleagues will never be shamed into hiding from the hard questions of our time. — John Brueggemann

Saratoga Springs