Veteran: Trump, not Democrats, exhibit fascist traits

Dave Petri, Commander, USN, (Ret.)

Commander Dave Petri | The Mount Airy News

To the Editor

I commend Richard Merlo for using a reputable news source in his letter to the editor (Mt Airy News, Letter: “Democrats are true fascists”). Yet, he failed to mention that the passage he quoted was from an opinion by the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board. Although the editorial board consists of accomplished and highly qualified individuals in their fields, they are hardly experts in history.

Considered the most authoritative dictionary in the world, the Oxford English Dictionary defines fascism as an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization, encompassing beliefs in the supremacy of a national or ethnic group, a rejection of democracy, strict obedience to a powerful leader, and the use of demagogic rhetoric.

The McGraw Hill textbook, World History, Texas Edition, which adheres to Texas’s high school social studies course requirement standards (considered the most conservative in the United States), also describes fascism similarly. Moreover, fascist leaders in Germany and Italy were anti-socialist; they rose to power by aligning with pro-conservative movements focused on traditionalism.

Donald Trump’s words and actions exemplify this general definition of fascism, as both former Marine Corps General John Kelly and Army General Mark Milley have stated. Trump’s hateful rhetoric toward fellow Americans, his admiration for neo-fascists like Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orban, his desire for “Hitler-like-generals,” and his overt statements to use the military against those who oppose him are not characteristics of a democracy-loving leader.

Sadly, the current Republican party has allowed itself to follow in the footsteps of conservative Germans and Italians in the early 20th century.

That is why many have spoken out against a second Trump Presidency and endorsed Kamala Harris, including veterans like myself and over 740 former national security leaders (www.nsl4a.org), stating, “Mr. Trump threatens our democratic system.”

We have a choice to vote for democracy or against it. I am choosing democracy. I am voting for Kamala Harris and asking you to please join me.

Dave Petri, Commander, US Navy, (Ret.)

Mount Airy