Trump is treading far too close to fascism

I'm writing this Tuesday evening as we're waiting for the results of today's primaries that may clarify whether last week's less-than-expected support for Donald Trump was a passing thing - or whether it is weakening as the reality of the darker side of his appeal is sinking in.

Of course, my support is for either Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton in the general election.   But I have said in the past that, if it came to it, I would choose Trump over Ted Cruz.   My reasoning was based on assuming that Trump does not really believe a lot of what he says and that he would be open to compromise and deal-making, whereas Cruz is utterly committed to a hard-nosed, ultra-conservative, mean-spirited idealogy and zealotry.

That was before Trump began to channel Mussolini and Hitler as he has done recently, encouraging nativistic nationalism, violence, and white supremacy in his supporters and at his rallies.  The final straw is this new thing he does at rallies of having people raise their hands in a pledge to vote for him.   It looks way too much like the Nazi's "Heil, Hitler" salute.  Add to that the thuggish manhandling of protesters and throwing people out of his rallies. There's just too much resemblance to the early days of European fascism for me to continue to entertain the idea of a President Trump.

At the beginning, it was fun -- being outraged and amused by things he said.   But it no longer feels like a reality show or a game.   It has become far too serious now and must be taken as a serious threat to our democracy.

What we're seeing now is the emergence at his rallies, and Trump's encouragement, of white supremacists, racists, and others who really want a fascist dictator.    Trump may not himself believe he is encouraging a fascistic movement, but he is urging it on by his actions.

So I am now completely against taking any chances that Donald Trump could become president.   That doesn't make me like Ted Cruz any more.   And I still think we will end up with a Democratic president.    But I'm done with laughing or scoffing at Trump.  I am now 100% opposed.

Let's see what happens in Michigan, Mississippi, Idaho, and Hawaii.

Ralph