Re: Alarming statistics.

[CHam628781@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 01/07/01 18:22:12 GMT Daylight Time, rjhansen@inav.net 
writes:


> But what if the leader doesn't want to leave, and has enough friends in 
> powerful places (commander of the army, etc.) to have enough power to not 
> have to step down?
>
> It's not farfetched.  The citizens of the Weimar Republic turned out in 
> record numbers for an election, and overwhelmingly elected Hitler as 
> Chancellor.


Lurking device off...

I've tried to stay out of this debate for the simple reason that it is one of 
ideology and has nothing to do with ME. One can no more persuade many 
citizens of the US that they should give up a perceived right to bear arms 
than one can persuade the Taliban that it is a human right to say what you 
want and worship whomsoever you please.

However if you are going to use the Nazi's as an example then, as someone 
else has pointed out, you should be very careful. In 1933 when Hitler became 
Chancellor the citizens of the Weimar republic did not vote him into power. 
On the contrary the Nazi vote was starting to fall. In July 1932, when they 
were at their most popular the Nazis polled 37% of the vote (13, 745, 000 
votes). On November 6th that year they lost two million votes and 34 seats in 
the Reichstag. Although they were still the largest single party the Nazis 
were starting to falter.

Luckily for them though the ruling class were more afraid of the Communists 
than they were of the Nazis. The deal which gave Hitler power on January 
30th, 1933 was made behind closed doors and against (arguably) the will of 
the people. Hitler came to power through good old machination not (directly) 
via the ballot box.

Although the German people did not do enough to stop Hitler getting into 
power they did not choose him as their leader. It is just plain wrong to 
accuse the German people of responsibility for Hitler. Culpability in some of 
what the Nazis did when they were in power is a different thing, and even 
then it was inaction (as is usually the case) rather than active support.

But before you throw stones you must remember that only fifty years ago the 
US was persecuting its citizens for their political beliefs, with the support 
of many of the people and despite the much vaunted Bill of Rights.

Charles H.