There's a general understanding of how quickly Trump has pulled the U.S. into an authoritarian or fascist regime. What took a decade or more in Hungary has happened in what seemed like no time in the United States.
Except, I think we've actually been on this path for quite a long time. I read a book published by Naomi Wolf in 2007 (before she lost her mind, when she was still a widely respected non-fiction writer) alleging that George W. Bush was teetering the states on the edge of an authoritarian nation. The End of America was a call to action for all Americans to stand up for Democracy before it was too late. She made a compelling argument.
It was difficult to read, often provoking overwhelming anger and despair. I didn't know much about the Bush presidency, other than being dragged into a decades-long war under false pretenses. It was jarring to read of the seeds that were planted when I was a kid, knowing what they would grow into as I reached my 30's.
I want to do more research; to learn more about the years between then and now. What was done to correct our trajectory, and what was left in place? Who fought to pull us from that brink? How can we learn from their failures? And honestly, how far back does the trajectory really go? I have a feeling it didn't actually start with Bush.
So I'm going to try to organize my thoughts here, on a public forum. Because, why not?