It’s 2024, not 1924, not even 1942. And that’s unfortunate. For there are millions of Americans today who do not really know what fascism is; and much less do they know about the evil oddity of events that led to WWII.
Indeed, too many unthinking Americans are supporting fascism, often without realizing it. Why? Well, for one, it sounds good to them, to have a strong central government with a leader, a president, who knows how to get things done, even using force, if necessary.
But, sadly, the opponents of those ignorant of fascism are just as bad, or even worse, for they are often less effective in doing the right thing. Why? Mainly because they can’t really believe what they’re seeing and hearing: the advocacy of a dictatorship. "American will never go there." "It’s not in their makeup." "The USA will always be a democracy." --words we actually hear, too quickly uttered, too far from the truth.
Which is how we underestimate the power inherent in fascist ideology. A smart people, the Germans, they fell for it. And so did the Italians, as have numerous other countries throughout the centuries.
Thus, it goes: let’s make things simple, less complex. Let’s not have to worry about politicians who’ve been in office too long or about those who seem to have an almost permanent ability "to stick around," as they say, so much so that the natives get restless, and desirous, desirous of, you guessed it—simplicity.
Donald Trump understands this (yes, he does understand some things). And he wants to be the dictator in charge, the one who makes it easier to get important things actually accomplished, without interference, verbal and otherwise.
What precisely then is the Great Evil in All this?
The simplicity itself. America is weary of its political messiness, which is very reminiscent of the first century inhabitants who so readily tired of Jesus telling them to do things that actually required observation (prayer) and serious reflection.
Yes, in a democracy, as in a life of faith, you are actually asked to stop and think, before you act. And for as long as it takes to get things right.
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