Just Fred wrote:

Authoritarian followers bought into the hype, that's why they are followers, not leaders.  Authoritarian followers are the greatest danger to maintaining a democracy.  Wannabe authoritarian leaders are always going to be out there, but without followers they fade away.

That's an interesting observation, Fred. And one that I tend to agree with. There have always been such individuals out there. And, as I watch Trump at his rallies, my real rage is not with him as much as it is with the people in that audience hooting and hollering, egged on by every lie. They don't even want to know the truth. The Trumpkins have because of their anger, bigotry, whatever failed in their duty in basic citizenship. They refuse to hold their guy accountable to truth. They act more like the servile minions of an absolute dictator than they do free citizens of a republic. Disgusting.