By Sinclair Lewis. Back to the future. Have a few books on the stack now but this sounds like a great and depressing novel. The novel was published during the heyday of fascism in Europe, which was reported on by Dorothy Thompson, Lewis's wife.[3] The novel describes the rise of Berzelius "Buzz" Windrip, a demagogue who is elected President of the United States, after fomenting fear and promising drastic economic and social reforms while promoting a return to patriotism and traditional values. After his election, Windrip takes complete control of the government via self-coup and imposes totalitarian rule with the help of a ruthless paramilitary force, in the manner of European fascists such as Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. The novel's plot centers on journalist Doremus Jessup's opposition to the new regime and his subsequent struggle against it as part of a liberal rebellion. In 1936, Senator Berzelius "Buzz" Windrip, a charismatic and power-hungry politician from an unnamed U.S. state, enters the presidential election campaign on a populist platform, promising to restore the country to prosperity and greatness, and promising each citizen $5,000 per year. Portraying himself as a champion of "the forgotten man" and traditional American values, Windrip defeats President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the Democratic nomination, and then easily beats his Republican opponent, Senator Walt Trowbridge, in the November election. Although having previously foreshadowed some authoritarian measures to reorganize the United States government, Windrip rapidly outlaws dissent, incarcerates political enemies in concentration camps, and trains and arms a paramilitary force called the Minute Men (named after the Revolutionary War militias of the same name), who terrorize citizens and enforce the policies of Windrip and his corporatist regime. One of Windrip's first acts as president is to eliminate the influence of the United States Congress, which draws the ire of many citizens as well as the legislators themselves. The Minute Men respond to protests against Windrip's decisions harshly, attacking demonstrators with bayonets. In addition to these actions, Windrip's administration, known as the Corpo government, curtails women's and minority rights, and eliminates individual states by subdividing the country into administrative sectors. The government of these sectors is managed by Corpo authorities, usually prominent businessmen or Minute Men officers. Those accused of crimes against the government appear before kangaroo courtspresided over by military judges. Despite these dictatorial and "quasi-draconian" measures, a majority of Americans approve of them, seeing them as painful but necessary steps to restore U.S. power. It Can't Happen Here - Wikipedia
Modern America is perfectly positioned to relive historical mistakes. We don’t know history & manipulation & fear mongering have become a very developed science.
I have always thought that China’s weakness was having a billion people without rights, power, or a say in how they were governed. Seemed like a powder keg for destabilization. Watching the US devolve into half a nation that craves power more than the laws that keep us free has me reconsidering. I’m not so sure the natural state of humanity is meant to be free. Maybe we are meant to follow charlatans who promise to punish our enemies and hand out justice for our grievances? Therefore… it could happen here.
Let’s try not to take ourselves too seriously. I know this stuff is getting hot with mid terms next week. But come on lighten up.
Thousands of years of history says you are accurate. The lifespan of a modern democracy is relatively short. The US is the exception, and for how much longer.
Ray Dalio’s book The Changing World Order does a deep dive into this. He looked at dominant nations (not just democracies) through history and found commonalities in their ascension and demise.
We are just getting ready for the rejection of the progressive BS from the American people. Aren't you excited...
Specifically, with regard to the automotive industry, the USMCA calls for: Regional Value Content: Vehicles must contain 75% North American content. The requirement under NAFTA was 62.5%. Labor Value Content: 40%-45% of auto content be made by workers earning at least $16 per hour. At least 70% of a producer’s steel and aluminum purchases must originate in North America. Eliminates the “deemed origination” loophole in NAFTA. Under that treaty producers were allowed to ‘deem’ non-North American content as originating, regardless of origin.
