Written by Jon Alexander, one of this blog’s readers. (Reprinted with permission.)
Prior to WWII, Germany was reeling for various reasons (mostly economic collapse due to the Versailles treaty). Numerous factions were running for power within the very volatile environment; the social democrats, the socialists, and the Nazis were the big three parties.
The social democrats were not the same as we have today, but supportive of the Weimar Republic which was a semi-presidential representative federal republic. Eventually the republic failed the people so much that they became enraged. Strong personalities got attention and factions that had been less popular years before gained political traction.
Out of this socialists, the anti-democrats, the National socialists (Nazis), and others struggled for power. Hindenburg won the election of 1932, but was forced to give Hitler the chancellorship for political reasons. Eventually Hindenburg died and, due to other political moves and outcomes, Hitler was able to set up his dictatorship.
I write this because I feel that we are missing something. America has become very split and volatile. We just got done electing a near socialist twice in Obama. He was elected largely due to frustration with our system. Now the other side is frustrated and, so far, supporting someone who has tyrannical language as his platform. Sadly, people actually view this as an asset. I fear Trump more than I do Bernie. While I loathe socialism, I also loathe tyrants. I am not calling Trump a Hitler in the sense that he is willing to extinguish people and push atrocities; but I am in the sense that he is riding the populist anger and his platform is “I will fix this” and little more. Policy isn’t ever central to his personal provocation; but singular power. How do we fix immigration? Elect Trump-he will force Mexico to build a wall. How do we fix healthcare? Elect Trump, he will get it done. How do we create jobs? Elect Trump, he knows how to create jobs.
The problem is that these solutions aren’t within the framework of our Constitution (and perhaps reality). We are a Constitutional Republic that is specifically put in place so that an individual can’t fix things or ruin things alone. It requires policy and non-independent work. Trump supporters openly admit to wanting someone who insults and conquers opponents. They want someone who will punish their opposition, not realizing that under such a system, you may become the opposition.
We have become like the Israelites who, frustrated with their godly system, looked for a king. How long before we abandon our liberty for the ease of a tyrant?
