The Dangers of Silence

"A Republic, If You Can Keep It"

~ Benjamin Franklin, 1787

Adolf Hitler did not seize power in Germany... He was elected by the people.

In 1924, Adolf Hitler was in Landsberg Prison, having been convicted of treason. In 1933, Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. In 1934, Adolf Hitler merged the office of Chancellor and the office of President and became the absolute dictator of Germany.

Hitler’s rise to power was enabled by the rich and powerful, especially the business leaders.

They were convinced they could place Hitler in power and use him to control the country. They were horribly wrong.

1933 was the pivotal year in Germany. Prior to that time, the German people could have spoken up against the rise of extremism. They remained silent. After 1934, they dared not speak up, as to do so risked torture, death, and confiscation of property.

Our country is not immune to what happened to Germany in the 1930s. Hitler made no secret of what he intended to do upon assuming power. He spelled it out in Mein Kampf for all to read.

The greatest propagandist in history was Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s chief of propaganda. His approach was simple: take a huge lie and embed a small amount of truth in it that people will recognize. Then scream it loud and long until people begin to believe it.

Donald Trump and his followers have made no secret of what they intend to do if he is elected president. They miss no opportunity to remind us with their bombastic rhetoric.

I served my country on active military duty for over 30 years, in some places not so nice. I cannot stand idly by and watch a blatant attempt to overthrow our constitution and our way of life. I learned early on in my military career that if you do not speak up, then you have just voted “yes” to the proposal.

We must all speak up and not be cowed by peer pressure from our radical friends who do not listen, as their minds are already made up and the truth is unimportant. If you lose a friend over politics, then he was not really your friend to begin with.

In November, vote for what you know to be right for the future of our country, your kids, and grandkids. Let’s put an end to extremism.