Letter: Trump’s story old, and scary

My dad knew Donald Trump, meeting him in the late 1960s when erecting his first building, Trump Towers. Dad said he met this new owner/builder and he was a blowhard who would do well.

He dealt with Trump over the next several years, until the topping-out party. I remember him saying he was like a petulant child, especially when he doesn’t get his way.

Looking at him now is a new story. Or is it? Actually, it’s an old story that dates back to the early 1930s. If you look at any history of the rise of Adolph Hitler, there are very scary similarities:

Remember “return the Fatherland to its former glory” akin to “make America great again.”

Preaching to the disenfranchised, while demonizing select groups as the reason for their problems. For Hitler, it was the Jews; for Trump, it’s Mexicans.

Vowing to rebuild the shattered military.

The constant stream of lies that were then called propaganda.

Espousing spurious problems and vowing to fix them, the solution being “trust me,” each without a plan.

Inciting violence at rallies. Hitler had the brown shirts, now it’s the Trump shirts.

Asking supporters to raise their hands and promise to have allegiance to and vote for him. Heil Trump!

Unfortunately, Trump was taken as a joke early on and he didn’t receive the proper vetting. Now it’s catch-up time. Doubt what I’m saying? Look for yourself. It’s all been well documented, then and now.

And I remind you, Hitler didn’t seize the office, he was elected.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 5:39 PM with the headline "Letter: Trump’s story old, and scary."