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Linda Arnold's avatar

It is my choice not to use the f word. But I'd like to. I will just say: I’d like those comparing Trump to Stain to shut the F up. Now. And I’ve already said I’d vote “disapprove” at present on Trump, the lesser of two bad choices so don't strawman me.

Guard again any over-authoritarianism. Of course – but - Comparison between Donald Trump and Joseph Stalin fails meaningful scrutiny concerning power, governance, and human rights.

Stalin's rule was by total control over every aspect of society. The Great Purge of 1936-1938 alone resulted in the execution of hundreds of thousands of people, with millions more sent to the Gulag labor camp system. About 8 million were murdered in Ukraine via induced famine.. Under his rule, the Soviet Union maintained a single-party state that tolerated no political opposition, controlled all media, not some like parties today. They were terrorists enforcing complete conformity through terror. There was total control, no private property, you could not sell a lemonade or rent out a room – though you didn’t have a room.

By contrast, Trump's presidency and subsequent administration have operated within the constitution, within democracy. Yes, there is controversy, but Trump has governed through established democratic institutions. (Don't tell me one plane took off and was not returned. I know that.) The deportations are harsh and to my shock they did not start with just criminals – and they never would have finished if they deported only criminals. Plus, they made mistakes, it appears, with at least two sent to El Salvador. And they cut way too many jobs in horrible ways.

But there are independent courts. Opposition parties function freely. The scale of human suffering also bears no comparison. Stalin's policies directly resulted in the deaths of millions through execution, deliberate starvation, and forced labor in extreme conditions.

I tire of hysteria. You are posting here. And you are not going to a gulag. Nor a British jail.

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Buddy S.'s avatar

I just ordered it. Your bonus post (2 for 1 Tuesday) helped me understand why my 84 year father believes communism is the best form of government. As an atheist progressive he needs to believe in something and to have meaning and purpose in his life. Even though he knows that many people have been killed and tortured under communism he believes in it.

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