Personally I’m too well steeped in history, particularly military and political history and the biographies of Hitler and the Third Reich to believe it could not happen here or anywhere. Every society has within it elements of Nazi Germany just waiting for the right conditions for it to spring into action.

In fact just when I think Trump & co. have the country by the throat, I’m happily stunned when I see massive counter actions like the women’s march, Chuck Todd refusing to accept the BS of Trump’s version of Tokyo Rose, Kelly Ann, and the Governor of California and the mayor of Boston boldly daring Trump to try and institute his brand of fascism within their jurisdictions.

This causes me to have second thoughts and think that just maybe American ideals are somehow special and can stand up against crude authoritarianism.

Realistically I see it as a race. Can Trump and company completely subvert the institutions of government before he is impeached. Much depends on Republicans — for once — putting the country before politics. That is a lot to ask of these anti-democrats. Let’s hope that the nation’s better angels win the race.