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The Invisible Line
“It’s time to celebrate our democratic process and respect what I see to be the ultimate outcome of the closest North Carolina governor’s race in modern history.”
This is part of the speech that Gov. Pat McRory gave today as he conceded the race of North Carolina governor to Roy Cooper. Cooper had obtained over 10,000 more votes than his opponent, but McRory insisted on a recount in Durham County anyway. The results didn’t change.
It is a tradition in this country to accept the winner of a democratic election. In fact, it is a cornerstone of the election process of ANY democracy. If you don’t, then what you are basically saying is that you don’t accept the people’s right to make their choice.
But what happens when that majority choice (however large or small) also flies in the face of everything that we, the people, consider right and proper according to our country charter (such as the Constitution of the United States)?
This happened in the 1930’s in Germany. You remember that leader…Adolf Hitler. But Hitler did not take power through force. He was a DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED LEADER. The people put him into the office of Chancellor. And, using all of the legal means at his disposal, plus his charismatic ability to manipulate the masses, he was able to gain power over both the civilian and military roles (which in Germany were separated into two offices) and suspend certain checks and balances so that he could become a dictator.
It was all done legally, by the book, with the law on his side.
Many wondered how the German people could have let Hitler rise to power and become the ruler he was. So many blame the German people for not paying attention, secretly wanting all of this anyway, etc.
But I ask you, where was the line beyond which they should have known? Look back in history and point out to me the actual act at which point the people of Germany should have revolted against Hitler and, more importantly, what argument they could have used against the legal process he was using?
And then look at today. Tell me, where is the line? What argument can you use RIGHT NOW to convince the majority of Americans that Trump is turning our country into a fascist state, in the face of a perfectly legal election process. When will you take up arms and refuse to recognize him as your leader?
Not so easy to see that line, is it? That’s because while you’re in the throws of the action, that line can be pretty damn invisible. That line is hindsight…which is 20/20.
So the next time you want to “dump Trump”, think about Germany in the 30’s. And consider where that line really is…and whether history will say we’ve already crossed it.
This is part of the speech that Gov. Pat McRory gave today as he conceded the race of North Carolina governor to Roy Cooper. Cooper had obtained over 10,000 more votes than his opponent, but McRory insisted on a recount in Durham County anyway. The results didn’t change.
It is a tradition in this country to accept the winner of a democratic election. In fact, it is a cornerstone of the election process of ANY democracy. If you don’t, then what you are basically saying is that you don’t accept the people’s right to make their choice.
But what happens when that majority choice (however large or small) also flies in the face of everything that we, the people, consider right and proper according to our country charter (such as the Constitution of the United States)?
This happened in the 1930’s in Germany. You remember that leader…Adolf Hitler. But Hitler did not take power through force. He was a DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED LEADER. The people put him into the office of Chancellor. And, using all of the legal means at his disposal, plus his charismatic ability to manipulate the masses, he was able to gain power over both the civilian and military roles (which in Germany were separated into two offices) and suspend certain checks and balances so that he could become a dictator.
It was all done legally, by the book, with the law on his side.
Many wondered how the German people could have let Hitler rise to power and become the ruler he was. So many blame the German people for not paying attention, secretly wanting all of this anyway, etc.
But I ask you, where was the line beyond which they should have known? Look back in history and point out to me the actual act at which point the people of Germany should have revolted against Hitler and, more importantly, what argument they could have used against the legal process he was using?
And then look at today. Tell me, where is the line? What argument can you use RIGHT NOW to convince the majority of Americans that Trump is turning our country into a fascist state, in the face of a perfectly legal election process. When will you take up arms and refuse to recognize him as your leader?
Not so easy to see that line, is it? That’s because while you’re in the throws of the action, that line can be pretty damn invisible. That line is hindsight…which is 20/20.
So the next time you want to “dump Trump”, think about Germany in the 30’s. And consider where that line really is…and whether history will say we’ve already crossed it.