CommonDreams: The U.S. Is Facing a Weimar Moment

[marmar]

Published on Sunday, March 15, 2009 by CommonDreams.org
The U.S. Is Facing a Weimar Moment

by Robert Freeman


In early 1919, Germany put in place a new government to begin rebuilding the country after its crushing defeat in World War I. But the right-wing forces that had led the country into the War and lost the War conspired even before it was over to destroy the new government, the "Weimar Republic." They succeeded.

The U.S. faces a similar "Weimar Moment." The devastating collapse of the economy after eight years of Republican rule has left the leadership, policies, and ideology of the right utterly discredited. But, as was the case with Germany in 1919, Republicans do not intend to allow the new government to succeed. They will do everything they can to undermine it. If they are successful, the U.S. may yet go the way of Weimar Germany.

World War I left Germany utterly devastated. The landed aristocrats, industrial magnates, wealthy financiers, weapons makers, and the officer corps of the military that formed the locus of right wing power were completely discredited. Their failure in provoking and prosecuting the War was catastrophic, undeniable, and complete.

The economy was destroyed. Prices were at 800% of pre-war levels and rising quickly. Agriculture, pillaged for the War, lay in ruins. Social insurance payments for the War's injured, to widows and orphans, and newly unemployed soldiers were astronomical. And all this was before the cost of rebuilding was even begun.

At the same time, Germany faced massive reparations payments to the Allied victors, France and England. But Germany's foreign properties had been confiscated and its colonies turned over to the victors. The combination of these conditions, both domestic and international, made it extraordinarily difficult for the German economy to recover. ........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/03/15

[Deja Q]

1. The Republicans don't want to help. Unless it's helping the top 1%. Galling Onerous Pigs.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. When people are desperate they look to "strong" leaders.

IMO, the economic collapse is going to get very much worse. It is not something that can be fixed in the short term and the best the politicians can hope to do is ease the pain. Whether they can ease it enough to avert serious civil disruptions is yet to be seen. At worst, they can make the situation even more catastrophic by plunging the country into further debt.

At this stage, we are borrowing money just to survive with no ability to pay the debt. In effect, we are creating a "credit bubble" with no foundation. The dollar is overvalued and other countries are propping it up in their own interests hoping to cash in by getting out at the right moment. Much like the speculators during the housing bubble.

When that happens hyper-inflation may well result. Just like it did during Weimar. In that case people will look to "strong" leaders who promise to end their misery through extraordinary means.

[upi402]

3. Very good, I never thought of that. Hope China is smarter than the west

If China dumps it's goose that lays the golden egg, like US corporations did, we WILL have a war machine gone wild here. I think it would make the Bush neocons look like kids.

As for Weimar to Nazi's; I felt bad buying a Krups coffee maker in the 1990's!

[Fovea]

6. I am fearful about China.

Not about what they are poised to do to us, but rather what they are poised to do to themselves.

The Chinese growth model has a lot to do with the west, particularly the US's consumption.
Growth for the Chinese is essential. Their distrubution of wealth is shocking in the way that often is when
totalitarian systems collapse. They already have the mechanisms in place to become corporatist.

Only Russia seems to be fighting back effectively. China has made an effort to shift to an internal growth model,
but in light of the credit crisis, one wonders how stable China will be in the next decade.

[Fovea]

4. absolutely apt

and it came down to gun battles in the streets between the left and the right.

Let's win this time.

[upi402]

5. From what I read on DU, don't get your hopes up there Fovea

Not gonna happen.
Many members here wont see what's truly going on, just a kind of 'out team' v. 'their team', where the D's are not as bad as the R's -so yay D's!
Many are worried about special interests that are WAY down the priority list, ie: the house is on fire so lets mow the lawn before the fire department gets here. Frustrating when the facts are so glaring.

[Fovea]

7. The economy cannot turn around

with these fundamental problems. Despite the essential market and financial reforms in place.

1. the actual Hubbards peak just happened. We are still a petro driven economy. 100% energy independence with at least 80% from renewables.

2. The end to corporate person-hood and a constitutional amendment repudiating money equaling citizen free speech.

3. Lobbying reform that includes a bright line demarcation between commercial and citizen interests.

4. Though this may sound unrelated, a bulletproof election system, publicly funded, and a fundamental shift in defense.

This means a shift to either the left or the hard right.
I do not think the right has any moral strength left, and no money to dangle over the militaristic dreams. of revenge that keeps the hard right alive everywhere.

[upi402]

10. Excellent points

My theme is an end to the corporatist propaganda media so folks can have a chance to act in their own best interest. We are easy to fool.

[PufPuf23]

8. Good and frightening article

I worry about major war.

[upi402]

11. Robert Freeman did great! Concise and persuasive. n/t

[L. Coyote]

12. So, who can afford a war now?

[PufPuf23]

13. Wars are fought for resources, space, and ideology

and tend to happen when societies are stressed rather than prosperous.

Germany was pretty broke post WWI and look what happened.

There is far more of a global arms build-up now with a multitude of psychopaths and potential ignition situations.

Sad and hopefully the world economy and geo-political tensions will ease.

[bluesmail]

9. There's always going to be a generation gap. Theyre counting on it for every thing

is generational. Memories fade. Ideal conditions to shove new fascist policies down our throats. No history education? No problem. That's one of the reasons they're chopping away at teachers and schools not to mention nutrition.