Britain, England, America, and dozens of other countries have much in common economically, socially, and politically.
i just bumped into a video on Youtube produced by the Guardian: my go-to “newspaper” source for serious thoughts and information. When the New York Times starts actively publishing Greg Palast’s work—along with other hard-hitting journalists—I will come back.
Ever since the 2016 election I have pursued the WHYs of Trump’s popularity and victory. I am looking way beyond Russia, Facebook, and the Koch Brothers—even though I know they were major factors in the outcome. My thoughts regarding this election are seeking way beyond the Media frenzy produced by these former topics.
Along with listening to many hours of Thomas Frank (What’s the matter with Kansas, and Listen Liberal!), watching Frontline’s videos related to the election (Trump’s Road to the White House, Trump’s Takeover, The Divided States of America, Bannon’s War, President Trump), and watching a post election video produced by the Guardian, I have also been poking at a book introduced to me by Thom Hartmann: They Thought They Were Free ….The Germans 1933-1945, by Milton Mayer...journalist and educator according to University Chicago Press.
Thomas Frank has spoken of our political and cultural divide for decades now. Frank’s works illuminate the elements of the divide and Frank points to the Democratic Party’s failed strategy over the decades that are represented by Frank’s research and his books.
Frontline and the Guardian have also provided lots of footage documenting our country’s “divide”. In their footage, we hear directly from Trump supporters/voters. These videos put into context what we saw during the 2016 elections and what we continue see in the Media today.
Mayer’s book stands out from the other sources; They Thought They Were Free documents Mayer’s interviews/research as he engaged with the common German people after the war. Mayer helps us see how basically decent common people—living in a fledgling post-World War I Democracy-- ravaged by economic stress--end up following and supporting a leader and a government that inflict horrific abuse on certain groups and countries that are designated as a threat to the German people: their way of life, and their country…..sound familiar??? I am old enough to remember when many adults around me here in America would “blame” the German people for supporting their government’s atrocities during World War II—frequently stating that they could not imagine how the German people could “morally” allow the Holocaust to happen.
Well….The United States is a major weapon supplier to the horrific conflicts in many regions across the globe. We brutalized Afghanistan and Iraq to name two of the many. Muslims are being discriminated against in various areas of our country. We are torturing people of color—as well as-- poor whites in our prisons. We have ripped children—now housed in “camps”-- away from their parents just because they are immigrants and/or people of color.
Frank, Frontline, and the Guardian have provided a good look at “Where we have been.”
Now check this video out: Brexit: An Unorthodox View, produced by the Guardian. This video—like Mayer’s book—will give you more live examples of how struggling democratic societies/countries-- ravaged by Austerity (and that now includes America) and run by Oligarchs, with a government headed towards Fascism (Government run by business/corporations) and totalitarianism—loses its civility, democracy and ultimately its freedom.
Brexit: An Unorthodox View, like Mayer’s book, gives us a window into “Where We Are Headed.”
This video has some important international thinkers. The woman from Turkey does a particularly amazing job of giving us a modern day map--taking her country from a fledgling democracy to totalitarianism through “populism.” The Brexit vote is the anchor topic that drives this discussion of Austerity, Trump, and populism.
In America we have plenty of evidence of austerity, plenty of Oligarchs, plenty of Corporate money that drives all parts of our government—including the Supreme court—and a significant portion of the voters that support all of the former; in spite of their vote going against their best interests.
We heed the lessons of history or we are destined to repeat it.
Here is the link to the video;
