Totalitarianism: It has many names
Over the years, the terms "liberal" and "conservative" have been redefined so often as to become almost useless as political labels. Moreover, calling those of a different political viewpoint such names as "Commie, Nazi, or Fascist" without elaboration is not a good practice. For some readers such short-hand labels are a turn-off, no matter how much the reader might dislike the Fascists, the Nazis, and the Communists.
A kinder, gentler approach is to note the Totalitarian political practices that beset the 19th, 20th and early 21st Centuries. Readers can then compare them with what they observe going on about them today.
On examination, one is struck by the similarities between the practices of Mussolini’s Socialist Fascist regime with that of Hitler’s National Socialism in Germany, with that of Stalin in Marxist-Leninist Russia, with that of Mao in Communist China, with that of Franco in Spain, with that of the Mullahs in Iran, and with that of Kim Jong un in North Korea.
Here listed are some common Totalitarian practices. Readers are invited to keep score and see how many of these practices they can identify as being in force or being attempted in the America of today. Some hints are provided, as well:
Government control over health care. (For example, think ObamaCare). One Party rule. (Think election fraud). Disarm populace. (Undermine 2d Amendment). Control the Media (Same Speak dictated by the Party). Promote racism. Ascribe racism to all aspects of life. Control Education. (GroupThink dictated by the Party.) Jail political opponents. (Or, tie them up in frivolous lawsuits in advance of elections.) Cancel culture. (Burn offending books, topple statues of notable figures, disinter certain historical figures, and change the names of venerable institutions and universities.) Revise history to conform to Party doctrine. Discredit religion as the "opium of the people." Destroy the nuclear family by use of the Welfare State to promote divorce and absenteeism by fathers. Grant unfettered powers to police and intelligence agencies. (Think Patriot Act.) Increase national debt to increase inflation and poverty. (Look in your wallet.) Promote class warfare between "haves" and "have-nots." Normalize street violence and smash and grab theft as "reparations" for past injustices, real or imagined. Abolish private aircraft ownership.
Like the laid-back frog in the slowly increasingly hot tub of water, Totalitarianism has a way of creeping up on societies that wake up to their political peril, only to find it is too late. And remember: The Big Guy is watching you!
Suggested reading: The Naked Communist by W. Cleon Skousen, 1958. 1984 by George Orwell, 1949. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L Shirer, 1960.
©2023. William Hamilton.
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