Special to The Collegian

Paul D. Bush

Professor Emeritus of Economics

Two issues have been raised concerning the Collegian’s editorial on Donald Trump. ­The first has to do with the Collegian’s right to write such an editorial. The second has to do with whether or not Trump is indeed a fascist. ­As regards the first, the Collegian editorial staff has the right to be wrong. ­If it didn’t, none of us would enjoy freedom of speech. ­As regards the second, the editorial staff is correct in identifying Trump as a fascist.

There are many forms of fascism. ­Hitler had his version. ­Mussolini had his. ­Donald Trump offers yet another version. ­But the variations of fascism have several things in common. ­All identify ethnic and/or religious groups as scapegoats for the problems faced by their “homeland”; they offer a “strong man” for a leader who will be ruthless in achieving their goals; they justify their claim to elite status through the creation of self-serving myths of invincibility; and they substitute the use of power for reasoned discourse and inquiry.

The editorial staff of the Collegian has paid attention to what Trump stands for. ­It is time for the rest of us to do the same.