By Dave Mulligan
All the factors are there … except one.
What we’ve been witnessing and subjected to in America for the past year has been a test — of sorts. Or perhaps a dress rehearsal. We’ve been walked through the initial phases that lead up to the transformation of a democracy into a dictatorship. But it didn’t happen. We made it to the edge where we’ve been able to lean over and peer beyond the precipice, but it did not transpire. It couldn’t happen because one major factor — one requisite component — was not part of the formula. The man at the top, the one who’d employ the role of, say, an Adolph Hitler type, was not up to the task. Fortunately, he couldn’t fill those shoes. Lucky for us, our candidate for that position, Donald J. Trump, is a fool.
Sadly, all other parts came into being and were manifested in the series of events required to allow and cause an otherwise functional democracy to descend into the abyss of dictatorship. Here are those factors:
Our nation allowed itself to hate, blame, and scapegoat another religion and ethnicity. Muslims and Mexicans have felt the blunt end of American fear-inspired persecution. Violence has been encouraged. This happened in 1930s Germany (obviously).
The military became the national focus and darling of the budget office. The machine is engorged, led by a small man with big, angry dreams. This happened in 1930s Germany
The press has been demonized and delegitimized by the party in power. Any criticisms in the media have been referred to as lies or as fake news. This happened in 1930s Germany.
Science and intellectualism have been shunned and demonized. The intelligentsia are considered anti-American by the administration and the motives of scientific discovery are called into question as challenges to governmental authority. This happened in 1930s Germany.
The opposition party is demonized and accused of criminal intent. “Lock her up” is a mantra echoing sentiments other regimes have chanted and encouraged their followers to mimic. This happened in 1930s Germany.
It is tragic that the United States of America has come so close to failing this test. Approximately 35 percent of Americans have demonstrated a willingness to hand control over to a man exhibiting the clear intention of employing every one of the practices and tactics listed above. These poor souls — who happen to be our neighbors — bent willingly to the nefarious will of a would-be dictator and were perfectly happy to hand over the reins of control. I recall an eerily familiar observation of what took place in Nazi Germany, saying that one third of the population victimized another third as the other third stood by and watched.
This test — this dress rehearsal — is all but over, and it seems that we will soon receive a passing grade. But not so much because our nation was above it or was up to the task. On the contrary; that willing third still stands, open-mouthed and awaiting marching orders as the rest of us scramble to get our democracy back in order. As this happens, let’s learn from what has taken place. Next time, the demagogue who rises to the podium and takes advantage of our neighbors’ fear and seething hatred may not be the flailing, hollow idiot that is Donald J. Trump.
This has been a test.
Dave Mulligan is a local Reno resident of over 25 years. He is a published author (Mulligan’s Wake), television producer and a left-leaning political activist (Masses Unite). He lives happily on the Truckee River and is the married father of three (his most important role, according to Dave).
