Incremental Steps to Dictatorship

[Wehrwolfen]

Teresa Morris
September 22, 2013

"Giving leaders enough power to create ‘social justice' is giving them enough power to destroy all justice, all freedom, and all human dignity." -- Thomas Sowell
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -- George Santayana
"The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse." -- Edmund Burke)
"If you by any means forget the Lord your God and follow other gods... you shall surely perish." -- Deuteronomy 8:19​

History shows us that as free nations become complacent, they become vulnerable to manipulation. Most dictatorships rise gradually -- a step at a time. Smooth talking politicians make each incremental step seem reasonable, because the masses are blind to the tides of change. The wisdom of Wendell Phillips fades away: "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

Austria illustrates the power of gradualism. In 1933, it was a free nation. In 1934, its government began to centralize its power and welcome the influence of Nazi sympathizers. By 1938, it had become a Nazi dictatorship.

The downward slide began with one crisis after another. A third of the people were out of work, inflation rose to 25%, and political turmoil caused civil unrest. People longed for a leader to rescue them. Adolf Hitler campaigned in Austria, promising to solve their problems if they were annexed to Germany. A persuasive speaker, he gave them hope and won their hearts. The Austrian people voted him in.[1]

Why? How could the Austrians be so blind? The answer is simple: they faced hard times, so they chose to believe Hitler's promises. They didn't see him as we do -- brutal, arrogant, narcissistic and ruthlessly ambitious.

(See the video "Barack Obama Kids and Hitler Youth Sing for their Leader.")

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(Excerpt)

Read more:
Incremental Steps to Dictatorship


I wonder how long it will be before Democrats vote to do away with those pesky elections?

 

[shrubnose]

Keep believing whatever you want to believe Mr. Wehrwolfen, but I don't see any signs that the GOP is gaining any ground.




"Better days are coming." But not for today's out of touch, running out of time, GOP.

 

[Asclepius]

Wehrwolfen,

I don't think that our current situation is relatable to 1930's Austria. Firstly, that reference would be more aptly used when describing the Patriot Act and the War on Terror. President Bush had the backing of the people and most of the government, allowing him to push the war and expansion of government.

Remember, Hitler was not seen as he is today prior to WWII. He was seen by many as a visionary and his reconstruction efforts in Germany were impressive. Yes, he was a maniac and did terrible things, but he did offer a lot to Austria in the 1930's.

The greatest threat to our country (IMHO) is our inevitable, downward spiral towards socialism. Through government expansion, entitlements and overspending we are creating a New France in America. Every time we face an economic downturn or other hardship, the government creates some new program to help more people or expands an old one to fit.

A dictatorship would be better than the poor excuse for democracy we have today. Maybe then something could be accomplished.

 

[Deuce]

The 14 Characteristics of Fascism, by Lawrence Britt, Spring 2003

 

[Deuce]

Kids sing about the first black president during a black history month presentation: Literally Hitler.

 

[Gardener]

Perhaps it was just an oversight so it ended up in general discussion, but isn't there a sub forum already devoted to paranoia in which this thread might find its more natural home?

 

[Deuce]

Perhaps it was just an oversight so it ended up in general discussion, but isn't there a sub forum already devoted to paranoia in which this thread might find its more natural home?

An automatic filter for "NWO" would be useful.