Hitler dismantled the democracy of Germany in just 53 days. It began with mass deportation and the dismissal of government officials who opposed him. Number 47 has begun in exactly the same way. Widespread ICE raids are targeting and rounding up immigrants, many of whom are legal citizens and have committed no crimes. The philosophy seems to be “round them all up and we will sort it out later.”
This week he fired a number of officials from the Department of Justice who pursued litigation against him for his illegal behavior. He said he would retaliate against those who opposed him and he is making good on that promise.
He is also challenging birthright citizenship in direct violation of the fourteenth amendment to the constitution. It hinges on a short phrase in the amendment that his right wing justices can interpret any way they choose with virtually no opposition.
Hitler became chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933. We are in a very similar situation to Germany at that time. It is important to understand some history so we see the parallels to our own time. Hitler did not seize power in a coup. He was not directly elected to power. Rather a combination of social and economic and political crises conspired to put Hitler into power. The fragile Weimar Republic which came to be in the aftermath of World War I was unable to manage the crises and political divisions that emerged during the late 1920’s and early 30’s. The world-wide Great Depression politically divided Germany and people lost faith in their government’s ability to solve problems and govern.
Radical antidemocratic political groups like the Nazi party grew in popularity, taking advantage of the political and economic chaos. The Nazi party made outlandish promises that captured the attention and the hopes of disgruntled Germans who were suffering in the economic and political chaos. Things like fixing the economy, making Germany great again, reclaiming territory Germany lost in WW I and restoring a heavy handed rule of law were among the planks in their platform.
If it all sounds familiar, it should. The United States is following a very similar trajectory. The promises 47 made in his campaign are hubris to some extent, but he is making good on his anti-immigrant, anti-trans, anti LGBTQI agenda, much to his followers’ delight. He is also signing Executive Orders, some 300 since taking office. Many of them will go nowhere or will be delayed in endless litigation, but the overall visual is one of 47 taking charge and getting things done.
The American people are largely ho-hum about it. If this doesn’t affect us directly, we tend to not react or respond. We are not immigrants, legal or illegal, so who cares? We can take the hit for increased egg prices, so who cares? The Department of Justice probably needs some housecleaning, so who cares? It isn’t until the chickens come home to roost in ways that directly impact people that they wake up and take action. And often that action is pretty anemic– complaining loudly, kvetching and grousing.
This is the time to be paying attention. In Germany it didn’t begin with gas chambers. It began with mass deportation, dismissal of government employees who saw the danger in the Hitler regime and increasing authoritarian governing. In other words, what is happening here.
If you aren’t writing your senators and representatives weekly; if you are not writing to 47 and expressing your outrage; if you are not supporting the agencies that embody your values; if you are silent in the midst of what is happening; you are like the majority of Germans in 1934 who ignored the gradual hand writing on the wall.
Our democracy is older than Germany’s was at the time. It may mean that we have some resilience that Germany didn’t have, but I am not willing to bet the farm on that. Democracy, while incredibly strong, is always incredibly fragile. The degree of its fragility depends on the engagement of its people in the political process. Given what I am seeing currently, this does not make me hopeful.
I implore you. Get politically active. Make your voice heard. Even if it doesn’t impact you, even if you don’t see the problem, even if you agree with some of his policies, even if you don’t really give a damn, it’s time to rise up. Elie Wiesel said, “Silence benefits the oppressor.” The poor disenfranchised and politically powerless will pay the price long before many of us. If we claim to be followers of Jesus in any way, shape or form, our concern for them must rise to the top and our actions must reflect Jesus’ values and behavior. Otherwise, we become like the German church, which became the Reich church and did the bidding of the Nazi’s. Or we become like the confessing church, which ultimately failed because of its cowardice and lack of faith.
For those of you who say faith and politics don’t mix I say bullshit. The gospel is inherently political. It is not partisan, but it is political. Jesus’ ultimate concern was for the poor, the powerless, the disenfranchised, the last, the least and the lost. Embodying his concern for the people of our time who are exploited and beaten down by the system is our moral duty. It’s just that simple.
The Irreverent Reverend 