When a country struggles, we can see an upheaval of radical ideas, political unrest, and broken unity. Take a look at countries around the world today with economic fragility. Usually we see dictators and oppression of the people. Where is the USA in terms of stability?

Nearly 100 years ago, Germany was suffering from the effects of WW1 and struggling to gain an economic foothold. In 1920, the ideas of the Nazi party began to cause influence among the nation. At first, only a small population was on board. The ideas were implemented in schools and the propaganda had begun. But by the mid 1930’s the party had traction and Hitler gained control. The percentage of followers grew, and from societal pressure and fear of being ostracized citizens followed and the party began implementing hundreds of new antisemitic laws. As soon as possible the Nazi party quieted

political opposition, took control of the media, censored dissent, enacted gun laws, took control of policing, and intimidated the citizens who might possibly denounce them. With the uptick in the economy most citizens stood idly by. By the time Germany invaded Poland, the school age kids being fed the propaganda are now fighting age and onboard with the new government. By the end of the war, just 25 years after their ideas began, over 6 million Jews were murdered, not including prisoners of war or military deaths. It was big government controlling the lives of their citizens and created one of the most heinous tragedies mankind had witnessed. 

In the United States, our borders are open, the economy is in a depression with inflation at record highs, drugs rampant, political division the furthest, and most of all big government is overreaching more than it ever has. Citizens are distracted from the true health of the country by abstract and meaningless issues big government veils us with as a distraction.

Twenty years ago, the idea of an 8-year-old transitioning, defunding and hating police, antisemitic remarks on the campus of one of the world’s most prestigious institutions being justified in court, and attacking political opposition we see today was unheard of. Now, it is common. 

Extreme riots and protests seem normal. Almost expected. Hate toward state police and pinning them as Black murders gets no surprised reaction from the public, just a sad shake of the head, while the FBI are raiding political opponents. The media is lopsided so much the remaining conservative prime time channel is questionable. Political opposition is being investigated by the highest level of attorneys, courts, and federal police while the current leading party politicians commit more heinous crimes. Our guns are being regulated more and more heavily, while a president’s son lies on his gun applications.Parents involved in their kids’ education are laughed at by the media while the government institutionalizes their own political agenda with teachers in the classroom. If you are a Catholic, giving a Catholic speech at a Catholic college, you will be broadcasted as a radical with hateful speech, not as a Christian believing in your moral values. If you are a US representative, you can be openly antisemitic without notice. Those against the new “mainstream” are pressured to agree or will be called bigots, liars, sexist, and racist. 

Parallels can be drawn from 100 years ago. The political group today being called “Nazis” and authoritarian believe in the Constitution as it was written with separation of powers, smaller government, parents rights in education, gun rights, strong policing left up to the states, freedom of religion, and a “live and let live” attitude.

The political party first to yell Nazi and claim democracy wants to quiet political opposition, control the schools, control of the media, enact gun laws, control federal policing for political power, and censor and intimidate citizens who might possibly denounce them by ostracizing them and their families. 

If it seems backwards, it is. What used to seem crazy is normal. And what is crazy now will seem normal in 25 years. Larger problems in our country are masked by strange ideology, censorship, and media coverage. Leaders are being elected to be presidential nominees of our country without a single vote. History often repeats itself. The United States should be controlled by the people for the people to ensure history stays history.

Andrew Rogitz works in conservation and education.