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"But millions of Americans were willing to overlook how he appealed to the worst instincts of ignorant people who mysteriously believe that Adolf Hitler, the KKK grand wizards and other fascist bigots have the right answers to improve their sorry lives." (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Trump's a Racist -- Don't Tell Me Otherwise
Aug 22, 2017
I have to admit I began loathing Donald Trump the day he accused Barack Obama of being born in Kenya, insinuating he wasn't an American citizen and really was a Muslim.
Here was one of the country's supposedly richest men, who commanded unlimited TV appearances, was the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and was "admired" for his flashy Playboy lifestyle, using that status to disparage a black man who happened to be the president.
His filthy anti-Obama crusade was solid evidence that this laughable example of a human being was nothing more than a bona fide racist. That he was willing to serve as the chief spokesman for the perennially discredited "birther" movement only underscored that racism. Don't tell me otherwise.
If you look back at those birthers, you'll see the same white supremacists, KKKers and Nazi sympathizers who we're seeing so much more of since Americans picked this racist to be president of a country that has stood for everything that they do not.
All you had to do was watch his presidential campaign to understand what kind of person he is.
But millions of Americans were willing to overlook how he appealed to the worst instincts of ignorant people who mysteriously believe that Adolf Hitler, the KKK grand wizards and other fascist bigots have the right answers to improve their sorry lives. And please don't tell me that they're misunderstood, they're just ordinary Americans who feel left behind by their government. They've been left behind because they're bigoted and, in one word, evil.
Anyone who was paying attention last fall could have predicted Trump's Charlottesville performance, his inability to call out racists and inclination to go easy on fearmongers. It's how he created his base and was able to flummox too many voters who were sure he would change after taking office.
Few racists can ever change. And, unless his own party and the rest of America start to hold this man accountable, we had better be prepared for many more of these embarrassments.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
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I have to admit I began loathing Donald Trump the day he accused Barack Obama of being born in Kenya, insinuating he wasn't an American citizen and really was a Muslim.
Here was one of the country's supposedly richest men, who commanded unlimited TV appearances, was the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and was "admired" for his flashy Playboy lifestyle, using that status to disparage a black man who happened to be the president.
His filthy anti-Obama crusade was solid evidence that this laughable example of a human being was nothing more than a bona fide racist. That he was willing to serve as the chief spokesman for the perennially discredited "birther" movement only underscored that racism. Don't tell me otherwise.
If you look back at those birthers, you'll see the same white supremacists, KKKers and Nazi sympathizers who we're seeing so much more of since Americans picked this racist to be president of a country that has stood for everything that they do not.
All you had to do was watch his presidential campaign to understand what kind of person he is.
But millions of Americans were willing to overlook how he appealed to the worst instincts of ignorant people who mysteriously believe that Adolf Hitler, the KKK grand wizards and other fascist bigots have the right answers to improve their sorry lives. And please don't tell me that they're misunderstood, they're just ordinary Americans who feel left behind by their government. They've been left behind because they're bigoted and, in one word, evil.
Anyone who was paying attention last fall could have predicted Trump's Charlottesville performance, his inability to call out racists and inclination to go easy on fearmongers. It's how he created his base and was able to flummox too many voters who were sure he would change after taking office.
Few racists can ever change. And, unless his own party and the rest of America start to hold this man accountable, we had better be prepared for many more of these embarrassments.
I have to admit I began loathing Donald Trump the day he accused Barack Obama of being born in Kenya, insinuating he wasn't an American citizen and really was a Muslim.
Here was one of the country's supposedly richest men, who commanded unlimited TV appearances, was the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and was "admired" for his flashy Playboy lifestyle, using that status to disparage a black man who happened to be the president.
His filthy anti-Obama crusade was solid evidence that this laughable example of a human being was nothing more than a bona fide racist. That he was willing to serve as the chief spokesman for the perennially discredited "birther" movement only underscored that racism. Don't tell me otherwise.
If you look back at those birthers, you'll see the same white supremacists, KKKers and Nazi sympathizers who we're seeing so much more of since Americans picked this racist to be president of a country that has stood for everything that they do not.
All you had to do was watch his presidential campaign to understand what kind of person he is.
But millions of Americans were willing to overlook how he appealed to the worst instincts of ignorant people who mysteriously believe that Adolf Hitler, the KKK grand wizards and other fascist bigots have the right answers to improve their sorry lives. And please don't tell me that they're misunderstood, they're just ordinary Americans who feel left behind by their government. They've been left behind because they're bigoted and, in one word, evil.
Anyone who was paying attention last fall could have predicted Trump's Charlottesville performance, his inability to call out racists and inclination to go easy on fearmongers. It's how he created his base and was able to flummox too many voters who were sure he would change after taking office.
Few racists can ever change. And, unless his own party and the rest of America start to hold this man accountable, we had better be prepared for many more of these embarrassments.
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