Perspective 158. As Viktor Goes, So Go Benjamin and Donald?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu glows in the hospitality of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Donald Trump raves about Orban as “a great man, a great leader in Europe.” Do Bibi and Donald see Viktor as a role model?

In some ways, apparently, yes. In fifteen years Viktor has transformed Hungary from a liberal democracy to what he calls an “illiberal democracy." Others call it an autocracy. In any event, the anti-democratic right in the U.S., Israel, and elsewhere has latched onto Orban as an inspiration.

In perspective, Orban achieved his dominion by capturing the courts, muzzling the media, and eviscerating the electoral system.

Before the current war, Israel was torn by Bibi’s naked assault on the independence of the Judicial system. His ongoing trial revolves, in large part, around his efforts to manipulate press coverage. But he has less leverage on the electoral system: Israel has no districts to gerrymander, and room to “primary” opponents is more limited.

Donald has moved to intimidate the courts, calling for impeachment of the judge who ruled against using the Enemy Aliens Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan gang members. Never mind that the act applies only in wartime and that the United States has not been invaded by Venezuela.

Donald has also repeatedly threatened the broadcast licenses of the major news networks. Never mind that neither he, nor the officially independent Federal Communications Commission (FCC), have authority to revoke a license because of content they do not like.

Donald also, in his recent blast at the Smithsonian Institution and other cultural bodies (including the National Zoo) forbid them from pursuing “improper ideology” or “ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.” Were the penguins about to adopt same-sex marriage?

Finally, Donald has ordered all election officials in the nation to require proof of citizenship in order to vote. Never mind that he has no authority to do so and that half of U.S. citizens do not have a passport, the one document that is clear proof. (Birth certificates? No, birthright citizenship is now passé).

Putting it together, some will think that the F word (Fascist) is appropriate.