"Trump is not a fascist because, unlike fascism, ‘Trumpism’ does not constitute a coherent ideology. In fact, there is a sense in which Trump is not really an ideological politician at all...Hungarian historian and philosopher Gyorgy Lukacs pointed out in the epilogue to his book ‘The Destruction of Reason’, published in 1953, it is simply impossible for fascist ideology to serve as a dominant ideology in Europe or America in the post-World War II era." - Graham Hryce

I cite the bachelors degree only to quantify and specify his interest and focus on money. He didn't have the patience or the discipline for MBA.

A boycott seeks a specified change in the behavior of the entity being boycotted, eg end discrimination, etc.

Forgive me but I am frustrated at the moment by influencers and politicians who claim they are fighting but seem more interested in doing their book tours or career moves while the rest of search for leadership to restore CFPB or any of a dozen other specific battles that are winnable. CFPB is an 80/20 issue that goes across party lines. It is the kind of victory we need but it won't be won be moving to Canada or signing books for $$ at Barnes & Noble.

If you believe that he drafted all of the executive orders which track Project 2025 so precisely, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

Trump, in and of himself, isn't the real danger. Yes he is creating chaos - renaming stuff, threatening and withholding tariffs. But that is about all that is truly Trump. The rest is driven by others who are much more competent and who are quickly and deliberately creating an authoritarian government.

Google AI: "While both Nazism and fascism are right-wing, authoritarian ideologies, Nazism is a specific form of fascism characterized by its racial ideology, antisemitism, and the belief in a "master race," whereas fascism is a broader term encompassing various authoritarian regimes and ideologies focused on nationalism and state control."

Fascism actually originated in Italy and was popularized by Mussolini. If you read Mussolini's "The Doctrine of Fascism" you will see how there are strong parallels with the type of empire Trump and Project 2025 want to create. The focus on nationalism, state control, an "American" ethnic identity, and the priorities of the Nation over those of the rights of any individuals or groups within the Nation is notable.

Project 2025 (that has been in the works for decades) wants to trash The Bill of Rights and the First Amendment in favor of a form of Christian Nationalism. Members of Trump's own cabinet claim we are in "post-constitutional" era. Years ago we referred to this, on DU, as "Friendly Fascism, when it comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." It no longer seems to be so friendly.

That’s what Trump wants

I think many people actually underestimate Trump which I have done many times. I expected things to be bad, if he actually leaves office in 2029 it won't be as bad as I think but even now he is still worse than I expected with this DOGE.

Of course Trump has no ideology other than his ingrained misogyny, racism, and feeding the bottomless pit of his greed, ego, and lust for power.

But his actions to consolidate dictatorial power are that of a fascist. Furthermore, he is enforcing an ideology which seeks to suppress and erase from history the long struggle of people other than straight white "Christian" males to gain equal rights and justice in this country.

Trump is not Hitler, but he directly channels the Nazi in his targeting of brown immigrants as "poisoning the blood of our country." His rise to power has been a cult of personality supported by neo-Nazis, white supremicists, "Christian" nationalists, wealthy business owners, and the politicians who serve them.

How narrowly defined must "fascism" be in applying the term to 21st century manifestations of authoritarianism? That latter term covers a lot of ground, lacking specificity.

Perhaps a new term can be created for the specific means and ideological dismantling of the American republic currently in process, but I doubt the new word would be readily understood or effective in raising the necessary public alarm to preserve our Constitional rule of law.

General Mark Milley warned us that Trump is "fascist to the core."

I'm gonna go with that.

Freedom isn't free. Running away when it's challenged is wrong. And it diminishes freedom itself to a consumer choice rather than something fundamental that must be defended at all costs.

I see extremely soft, extremely self-important people doing country-shopping.

But these people have real influence, and what they choose to do with it is be pussies.

France's surrender in 1940 is their guidestar.

You said:

You have basically just said it's wrong to stand up for anything ever, and in so doing have proved every point I'm making.

Please feel free to try accomplishing something by deconstructing every conceivable argument for doing so into a bunch of negatives.

And this:

Have a nice day.

a female.

Neither female reproductive organs or male ones play any role in whether someone 'stands up'.

To call someone a 'pussy' for doing something you frame as 'not standing up' IS misogynistic.

There is zero bait. You made the statement, and yet you think you can ignore it away when your misogynistic language is called to account.

In 3 years it will be 400 years since my ancestors "ran away" from England to come to America.
In 1975 I had thought about emigrating to Australia but in the end didn't (because of a girl). I sure as hell now with I had done that but hindsight is 20/20.

The United States has been guilty of national pride in that we thought we were too good and special for us to lose our democracy, that only happens in other countries. Well, how are the mighty fallen and our Founding Fathers were not the infallible gods we thought them to be in providing protections for our democracy.
Sorry Ben, we couldn't keep it. Unfortunately, we became complacent and did not remain vigilant.

I do not assign moral credit to millionaires who flee a country because one political office has been subverted and they feel UNCOMFORTABLE.

to escape oppression of various kinds. I don't hold it against them.

Not millionaires escaping discomfort and the obligation to do anything about a problem.

some cut and run while expecting others to do the fighting

nothing new

I recall a guy who moved to Germany back in the late '00s, literally just before Obama. He was so self-congratulatory on his big "moral victory" over the United States, and shitting all over Americans. It was so stupid and disgusting. He just had to shit on everything everyone else was accomplishing to rationalize his egotism.

Every step we took forward, that fuckwit would smugly insist it should have been further and that it was proof we suck. He took credit for the achievements of ancestors he never knew, then took credit for the achievements of a country he never knew simply by moving there, and further took credit-by-contrast for the offenses of people he refused to fight.

I don't know if there's a word for such moral parasites, but there should be.

this professor has already given to the world in defense of democracy. must he sacrifice his family to be a patriot? would we expect jews to stay under hitler in the 1930s so they can fight? No. All the best to him and his family as well as anyone who leaves to live their life in peace and safety. Many of us do not have this option. But, if you do, I hold no ill will against you.

Gene Sharp's list:

https://commonslibrary.org/198-methods-of-nonviolent-action/

It's not a solution for everyone, probably not even for him, but I can understand acting on the urge, whether from shame or fear.