What defines a fascist regime? Many in America would argue that the current Trump administration fits the definition, and they raise some valid points. The left points to his  detainment and imprisonment of immigrants at the border, outward aggression towards minorities, use of the Gestapo-like Immigration Customs Enforcement agency, and blatant disregard for the ruling of a federal judge as indicators to the beginning of an authoritarian regime. 

I would argue, however, that unlike the classic form of fascism embraced by Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco, Trump employs a subtler, more populist approach on the outside, to appeal to the common man. And yet in spite of this, instead of suppressing the bourgeoisie and being a man of the people like he so claims, Trump invites the high-class private citizenry into our government in the form of the Department of Government Efficiency. He and his government perform an American coup, and instead of a political uprising to replace the former government, placated citizens choose to elect them. Everyone seems to be talking about the rules he is breaking, yet no one is really doing anything about it. 

I believe that this is because of a combination of two different factors. First, the divided and unpopular Democratic Party, polarized and unpopular after losing the presidential race. The second factor is less acute and more cultural.

Current American society is so oversaturated with both tragedy and entertainment that no one cares enough to do something about Trump’s rampage through the Executive branch. We consume so much emotionally charged media that when something serious happens, like Trump disobeying a federal judge or repealing rights in the military, the populace simply complains, forgetting that to make change, you must take action. 

The truth is that Americans are placated. You have the most entertaining media anyone has ever created or consumed, sitting literally in the palm of your hands, played on a device designed to keep you distracted. 

If you really do hate what is happening, there are means of protest at your disposal. There are ways to do something about it, but you are much too comfortable. Why protest when you can eat McDonalds and watch Netflix? Why revolt when you have bread and circus?

You care, of course. It makes you sad to see people hurting, to see people suffering because of what Trump is doing to this country. However, we are comfortable. Until the average American is both uncomfortable and unentertained, get used to it.