HITLER & AMERICAN POLITICS
I have been
struck by the similarity between the methods used by Hitler in his rise to
power in Germany and those employed today by both of our major parties, and
their media sycophants. Since I believe that history has a great deal to offer
when dealing with current problems, I want to bring this to your attention.
This is not a detailed history lesson. The full story is far more complex than
that presented here.
Hitler
astutely took advantage of circumstances not of his making and added on as he
gained power. Here’s a selection:
Germany,
under Kaiser Wilhelm, financed WW1 with debt, thinking to pay back the loans
with the spoils of war, which Germany expected to win.
Coming out of
WW1, Europe was in a state of great economic and political turmoil. Germany
faced harsh war reparations agreed by the Allies at the Treaty of Versailles.
Germans felt humiliated and were resentful. The Weimar Republic, Germany’s
first attempt at democracy, was founded in late 1919. It failed badly, largely
due to reparation payments, and The Great Depression. The Weimar Republic
collapsed in 1933 with horrendous inflation.
The
revolution in Russia, starting in 1917, was violent and threatening to spread
Communism into Germany.
Mussolini
came to power (1925) in Italy presenting the world with what appeared to be a
successful solution to economic and political problems. Hitler
noticed and became an acolyte, initially only tolerated by Mussolini.
Hitler
portrayed himself as a strong leader, disciplined, focused, organized, a man to
bring order out of chaos. He understood the power of propaganda and, aided by
Goebbels, used it relentlessly to bring himself and Germany to world
power. From the start, he provided scapegoats, people to blame for Germany’s
sorry condition.
He rearmed
Germany in defiance of the Allies who had humiliated Germany. They, having
their own problems, did nothing. And Hitler, being a diehard anti-Semite,
targeted the Jews and their wealth.
With every
move, propaganda reinforced his plan. He controlled movies, newspapers, and
especially radio, making inexpensive, limited-range radios available to the
masses and then broadcasting entertaining propaganda.
The specifics
of America’s circumstances are different as is the technology available to
propagandists. In addition, we do not need an external enemy, or an ethnic, or
racial group; our antagonists are conveniently available—the OTHER PARTY!
As in
Germany, Americans are seduced by propaganda—can’t get enough of it. It creates
the illusion of participating in a noble cause aimed at solving problems,
removing barriers to improvement—a better life for all. Sadly, our nation seems
to continue losing ground—more inequality, and, except for a few, diminishing
prospects.
Imagine what
might have happened if Germans had realized what was actually happening before
Hitler became too powerful to stop. All that energy and ingenuity aimed at
rebuilding Germany.
What can you
do?
Start by
recognizing propaganda and its effect on you. The next time you hear, or see,
something negative about the other party, and feel any reaction, it’s
propaganda. “But, it’s true. So true,” you’ll say. It doesn’t matter; you’ve
been bitten. The propagandist has succeeded. You’re focused on the other
party.
Think instead
about our country’s serious problems, those that predate the recent campaign
and election. Here’s a few for starters—or pick your own.
Our debt
(federal and state/municipal unfunded liabilities) is out of control and
threatening to undermine existing programs and invalidate any new ones.
Our K-12
school system is turning out too many graduates who are unqualified for
existing jobs.
Multi-generational
welfare.
Infrastructure
is out of date and in disrepair. Our ability to move goods and people with
speed and efficiency is not competitive, resulting in fewer non-taxpayer funded
jobs.
Inequality is
growing in personal income and social class. And, in the business world, 29
companies now garner 50% of all profits. Their political clout, thanks to crony-capitalism,
is scary.
Congress has
abandoned its constitutional role. Members spend their time fund raising and
take little interest in governing.
Ask yourself
what your party is doing about these, or other problems you might name.
Is anyone, unequivocally, dedicated to fixing anything? Surely, you can
influence your party more than the other party.
Joe Bakewell.
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