Fall

Back in my twenties I didn't understand how Hitler had done it but today I very much do. The insidious and slow progress into submission of a population was achieved one small step at a time. Each successive move dulled the senses further and acclimatized them to what they already saw as expected. The goal posts are moved and it is just one more occurrence among many they have already witnessed. 

Trumpism has been working much the same way with much the same effect of becoming increasingly brazen and dangerous in its efforts to flaunt laws as well as the American constitution itself. 

It turns out that people can be manipulated into silence very effectively. Fear of being singled out by a mob of core support can require courage particularly when some of more unbalanced will feel bold enough to come to your house and do you harm. 

Trump's speech at the justice department talking about revenge against perceived enemies and the news media who he feels should be praising instead of critiquing him should have sent chills down the spines of every American. I suspect many felt that and many others just saw more of the same bluster which they have learned to dismiss as hyperbole. His already tenuous grip on mental health has been visibly loosening over the last decade with his speech more slurred and the cadence even more monotone. The word imbecile is never far from one's lips.

Many in his base were likely not even watching him do something which no other president before him had dared to do. Who could have possibly known that electing a malignant narcissistic with a cult following for a second term would have dire consequences.

The department of Justice is supposed to be an independent body free of political alliance but Trump has turned it into just another arm of his administration ready to do his bidding and dispense revenge against political enemies. Some have received letters stating that their financial statements are being looked into all in an attempt to scare them into silence. Hitler had his brown shirts in the streets doing his bidding and it seems America isn't far from that last step now. 

Yesterday the senate voted for a resolution that would allow a Republican budget to go forward slashing services for those most vulnerable in society. $880 billion would be removed from government expenditures largely accomplished through cutting Medicare, medicaid, veteran services and possibly food stamps. They do this to give tax cuts to people with more money than they know what to do with. Clearly this is a deep moral failing.

What is interesting is to witness how far and how quickly a nation can lose its grip on a fragile democracy which was already on life support. The only resource left likely being the people themselves pouring into the streets en masse from the sheer disgust of what is happening to their country.

I have learned very well over my life how people don't pay attention and can be duped. I have also learned about the lack of moral courage to do the right thing and its prevalence in society. When you combine them they make a powerful weapon against justice and illustrate how we clearly appear perennially doomed to repeat history.