Can democracy survive Trump?

I’m not ready to compare Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler, although others have. Trump has no genocide on his record. But, Hermann Goering, Hitler’s right hand man and the. military leader in Nazi Germany is worth listening to.

"The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

In the campaign just ended billions of dollars were spent. It would have been cheaper for both parties to just buy the votes, cutting out the middlemen. Billion is not a typo. A billion may be pocket change for Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos but is more than a month’s allowance for most of us. Goering never promised power would come cheap.

Our “pacifists” are not pacifists of course, but Democrats and some Republicans who take seriously our heritage, our special history and role in world affairs. Our pacifists are available targets for know-nothings, haters, polite bigots, and country club conservatives. Republicans spent a substantial share of their billions questioning Hispanics and immigrants’ presence here. They are prime targets for turmoil I fear will come.

If Donald Trump carries through with his deportation plans what will Iowa look like? Ask Goering or Trump. Goering, if he were still alive, is the one who speaks fluent German; the other guy speaks broken English. Goering is a Founding Father of a Trump administration. Throw in Robert Kennedy, Jr. and I am scared beyond polite description. His many siblings describe him as an immediate threat to every one of us.

Here is one report, “President-elect Trump’s promise to let Robert F. Kennedy Jr. go wild” on health. It’s demoralizing public health experts, who worry he could meddle with key government agencies, amplify vaccine hesitancy and direct agency funding to favor his preferred views.

“Those include removing fluoride from public water, promoting a wide variety of unorthodox and unproven treatments and pushing a deep skepticism of pharmaceutical companies and the agencies overseeing them.”

As bad as Bobby Jr. is, he may not be the worst face peering over Trump’s shoulder. Elon Musk, whose skill is making money, is waiting on the White House doorstep. It has been reported that he gave $200 million to the Trump campaign. His slogan, I’m told, is “Them What Has, Gets.” He will assist Trump in fiscal matters and another billionaire will likely be there as well. Jeff Bezos who owns the Washington Post kissed up to Trump by changing Post policy on endorsing a candidate, is panting for a job in the White House and we must assume he will get it. He, unlike Musk, was born here and can run for president.

I worry about Iowa during the next four years. If Trump goes forward with deporting immigrants, we, standing by, will suffer as they will. Farmers will pray for rain and field help. Hispanics will pray for separated children. I will pray that JD Vance is our president soon. Oh my God!

Norman Sherman of Coralville has worked extensively in politics, including as Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s press secretary.