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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDear America, You are waking up as Germany once did ...
This was a sticky at the top of the page just now and I thought everyone should see it. I'm going to paste it into my sig line.
SergeStorms
(18,893 posts)that something like that could be said about the United States of America. The blame lies totally on republicans' shoulders.
-Laelth
Warpy
(110,908 posts)and it's not over yet.
John Drake
(68 posts)Germany didn't "wake up" until the allies, led by the United States, fire-bombed Dresden and leveled Berlin.
I wonder if he thinks someone will have to do that here?
AmyStrange
(7,989 posts)-
The difference is that we have freedom of speech, and we can vote.
Germans really didn't at the time.
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John Drake
(68 posts)-30-
RVN VET71
(2,686 posts)But, like most things in Germany trailing the debacle of WWI and the Treaty of Versailes, it was complicated. Still, it appears that many, if not all, German "pundits" felt there was no way the little Austrian putz would be able to rise to power and dismantle the German constitution or deprive the German people of their long cherished right to free speech. So I think America is in at least a different position to combat the authoritarianism of the Liar in Chief. Americans are by no means guaranteed a defeat of that awful man and his degenerate supporters however, so GOTV and vote blue.
AmyStrange
(7,989 posts)-
The absence of an effective government prompted two influential politicians, Franz von Papen and Alfred Hugenberg, along with several other industrialists and businessmen, to write a letter to Hindenburg. The signers urged Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as leader of a government "independent from parliamentary parties", which could turn into a movement that would "enrapture millions of people".
Hindenburg reluctantly agreed to appoint Hitler as chancellor after two further parliamentary electionsin July and November 1932had not resulted in the formation of a majority government.
[snip]
To achieve full political control despite not having an absolute majority in parliament, Hitler's government brought the Ermächtigungsgesetz (Enabling Act) to a vote in the newly elected Reichstag. The Actofficially titled the Gesetz zur Behebung der Not von Volk und Reich (Law to Remedy the Distress of People and Reich)gave Hitler's cabinet the power to enact laws without the consent of the Reichstag for four years. These laws could (with certain exceptions) deviate from the constitution. Since it would affect the constitution, the Enabling Act required a two-thirds majority to pass. Leaving nothing to chance, the Nazis used the provisions of the Reichstag Fire Decree to arrest all 81 Communist deputies (in spite of their virulent campaign against the party, the Nazis had allowed the KPD to contest the election) and prevent several Social Democrats from attending.
On 23 March 1933, the Reichstag assembled at the Kroll Opera House under turbulent circumstances. Ranks of SA men served as guards inside the building, while large groups outside opposing the proposed legislation shouted slogans and threats towards the arriving members of parliament. The position of the Centre Party, the third largest party in the Reichstag, was decisive. After Hitler verbally promised party leader Ludwig Kaas that Hindenburg would retain his power of veto, Kaas announced the Centre Party would support the Enabling Act.
The Act passed by a vote of 44184, with all parties except the Social Democrats voting in favour. The Enabling Act, along with the Reichstag Fire Decree, transformed Hitler's government into a de facto legal dictatorship.
FROM: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler
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CaliforniaPeggy
(149,297 posts)KS Toronado
(16,908 posts)Martin Eden
(12,802 posts)Among the millions of heavily armed rightwing nutjobs, more than a few are capable of taking their sick fantasies to the next level.
When their cult hero is defeated in November and forced from office, their fear and rage will find outlets.
The Secret Service will have their work cut out for them protecting Joe, who loves to get up close and personal with the people.
kairos12
(12,817 posts)In response.
I say stay ready, so you don't have to get ready.
GeorgeGist
(25,294 posts)hedda_foil
(16,368 posts)appalachiablue
(41,052 posts)can stop or neutralize the fascist freight train in time to solidfy institutions & democracy in America. My greatest hope.
K/R