I’ve been thinking about the situation we have today in our country.  The divisiveness, is no longer just rhetoric, it is something more and far more impactful.  The political army that operates like storm troupers in blue cities is not just divisiveness, it is vengeful and violent.  The taking of oil in Venezuela and the threats to take Greenland are not just a policy difference.  These are acts of violence born out of power.  This imperialistic Nationalism exhibiting a surge toward domination and conquest.  Power needs to acquire more power to keep it fed.  There is nothing for the people, this is for the value of the oil and mineral rights, for the grandiose display of wealth while remaking the world maps in the imperialistic gold of Reich-Americana.

But why are we doing this?  Going back to the source caused me to think about the impact of populism as a cultural and political norm.  In a democracy that gradually moves away from policy debates in problem solving toward dogma and popular conspiracies, and hysteria though the influence of power hungry influencers and leaders finds itself in an inexorable slide toward autocracy… the violent sort that centers around Nationalism is Fascism.  We find ourselves there, now looking into the abyss.  Not because we want to be there, but we failed to see early enough that the path we are on leads us there.  The guide that has led us here has done so by gradually removing the guardrails of our culture, of our Americanism.  Decency and protocol was tossed aside, so that empathy could then be given the boot.  Rooting for the underdog followed thereafter, as the narrative was flipped. We are told that immigrants were taking from hardworking Americans.  Suddenly white America is being disadvantaged by the migrant horde.   Immigrants we are told are not us, they are the other.

Equality was easy to give up – because after all they don’t deserve it, they are the others.  From there it was easy to slip right into cruelty.  Put on team shirts and pummel the others.   Otherism… replaced Americanism.  Wrapped in a flag it was okay to give way to venomous behavior toward others.  Their humanity is no longer visible.  Lies are accepted that fit the populist vision.  History is revised to fit the narrative.  Populism needs propaganda and bumper sticker messaging to keep it fed.

Our way back is either through violence or education… it is a choice we are making not just for us but for the next generation or two.  We must teach our children virtues, such as kindness, humility, and equality. Patriotism, the Constitution and the words of the Declaration of Independence still have great meaning.

Voicing our disfavor must be done peacefully,  with reason and humility.  Use the institutions that remain as long as we can.  Use the law, use the press while it remains free.  Use our voices and our vote as long as it is possible.  Waving the flag of violence will lead to destruction and ruin… unfortunately the current administration is already there, and they are trying to force a violent reply.  Before it does, push our representatives to reign in a violent and repressive regime.  Praise Republican’s that standup to this President and his administration in every way, big and small.

We are well down the slippery slope toward Fascism.  The administration will continue to foment internal strife and external conflict to claim more emergency powers.  They do not want to answer to the people during mid-term elections.  This is when they will become the most dangerous.  We must continue to protest peacefully, and not take the bait… have faith we can turn the tide.  If we fail, just know that the end is never pretty for Fascist regimes, and many innocents will suffer.

We need our culture of decency, fairness and equality back.  We need to reclaim our American Values.  Show the world and ourselves who we really are!