Trump fans should pay more attention to history

HHB believes Donald Trump is a patriot determined to reverse the “death spiral” induced by the Washington power clique. Of course, demagogues in history have invariably claimed they have the answer to perceived catastrophe, howbeit accompanied by street violence. But how many have actually delivered the goods?

Saddam Hussein headed a populist revolution to end tyranny, but soon set to work slaughtering his own people. Oliver Cromwell executed his monarch, yet ended up just a millimetre short of being declared king. Augustus Caesar said he had restored the Roman republic, whereas in fact he had founded a dynasty of emperors.

Adolf Hitler, the ultimate rabble-rouser, succeeded in demolishing the Weimar Republic and Jewish influence, but also achieved the very opposite of what he intended. The establishment of the state of Israel and the 50-year triumph of communism in Eastern Europe were the direct result of his complete failure. 

Incidentally, demagogues all have one thing in common: they shout a lot.

Barry Kenyon