Modern times Parallels to Nazi Germany: Cause for Concern?

I've debated for a while about raising this point on ATS but had decided against it because i had been of the view that Humanity in our society still prevails and the basic instinct of humans would be to prevent attrocities or atleast denounce them whenever and wherever possible. But after I posted a thread recently lamenting the inhumanity of the current situation in the Israel-Palestine region, I was shocked to see the strong prevalence of certain attitudes which were in play during the reign of the Nazi Germany.

Now I am in No Way seriously contending that the US is Exactly like Germany in the 1930's. What i am trying to note are the similarities in how power is acquired and consolidated by these two administrations and their respective political parties, their ideologies (especially the psychological underpinnings of those ideologies), their rhetoric, and policy.


To me what is especially striking is the similarity in mindset:

* Both the Nazis and today's neo-conservatives seem to share an apocalyptic worldview. While their visions may differ in detail, they are similar to the extent that both espouse "cleansing" the planet of impure elements by any means necessary. For the Nazis, that meant cleansing the world of Jews and other "impure" races and groups. For the neo-conservatives, that means cleansing the world of what they consider radical Islamist influences.

* Both the Nazis and the neo-conservatives focus on returning the "homeland" to its former glory. In the case of Germany of the 1930s, there was still the humiliating aftermath of WWI with which to contend and an economy that was in shambles thanks to both economic reparations and to a global economic depression. The United States at the beginning of the 21st century is ostensibly at the top of its game; however the neo-conservatives perceive the previous administration as weakening the "homeland" in its presumed emphasis on diplomacy rather than military force. Each movement espoused some sort of return to an idealized era in which traditional roles and values presumably reigned supreme.

* Which brings me to militarism: the Nazis and the neo-conservatives both appear to me to emphasize the primacy of projecting military superiority and to use military force to attain their aims of a "thousand year reich" (Nazis) or a "New American Century" (Neo-conservatives).

* Both the Nazis and neo-conservatives utilize eliminationist rhetoric in their approach to dissidents. Criticizing Hitler and the Nazis was tantamount to supporting presumed Jew or Communist inspired terrorists. Criticizing Bush and the neo-conservatives is tantamount to supporting presumed Islamist terrorists.

* Both Hitler and Bush's regimes made concerted efforts to strip away constitutional civil liberties. Each has his own version of a "Patriot Act" in response to a terrorist event (the burning of the Reichstag in Germany; the Twin Towers and Pentagon bombings in the US). In both cases, attacks on civil liberties were gradual.

* As power was consolidated by the Nazis, the party was increasingly less inclined to include opposition parties in the decision making process of governing. We were seeings beginnings of a similar trend with the GOP here. I hope with the change in the government, things will improve.

• Both Hitler and Bush have been masters at manipulating mass media to achieve their aims.

The list goes on. Again, to me, Hitler (and the Nazis) and Bush (and the neo-conservatives) are not exactly the same by any stretch. There are some striking similarities however, and those need to be considered - especially by those of us who value civil liberties.

reply to post by 04326


Good complilation.

I think that humanity will always cycle between freedom, totalitarianism, and revolution.

On a personal note, what gets me mad about your list is that my family's whole reason for emigrating from Germany 2 and 3 generations ago was to escape the Nazis, and here we are back on the same merry-go-round.

I agree with you. I've been sensing the same thing since 9/11.

Can't wait to get my copy of Jim Marrs' new book THE RISE OF THE FOURTH REICH, which goes into great detail on exactly what you're talking about.

What I keep wondering is... there came a time in Hitler's rise to absolute power when the last thousands of free thinking people got out before it was too late. When it did become too late to make a hasty exit and emigrate to another country, there was a total crack down. My nagging paranoia is...well...are we approaching that turning point or not.

The Obama factor is an unknown at this point, but if there is another surprise "event" that precipitates martial law...then I guess it will be extremely hard to leave the country. Notice how they grounded all flights after 9/11 and how eerie that was. Frighthening that was, just the grounding of all the planes and the closing of all the borders. Maybe that was just a rehearsal, of sorts.

One wonders.

The transformation of the great Republic to the Nazi-state America Inc. doesn't only manifest itself in how it's goverment behaves. It also becomes apparent when it's citizens are so completely brainwashed they actually start advocating Nazi ideologys and nobody seems to feel inclined to call them out on their detestable 'solutions'.

Indeed, they often get applauded these days.. it used to be such 'illuminated thinking' could only transpire in a shady café, where a couple malcontents would meet and discuss 'the good old times' while trying to outdo eachother in eradicating imaginary enemys.

But nowadays.. heck, the President does it on National Television, so it must be Patriotic, right?

Nevermind that said President is a disgrace to his position, nevermind he lied to the world at every opportunity about a variety of important topics, nevermind the 'solution' is liable to spiral out of control.

Just parrot the doublespeak, hate people because it's fashionable, and heaven forbid, do not use the brain for thinking.. there are 'smart' leaders who are paid to do that for you, and a whole network of make-believe entertainment to take your mind of such boring matters.

"They're just *insert racial slur* , killing a whole lot of them might not help things but hey, I feel safer to know a lot of innocent people suffer and die. Their familys? well.. they won't miss those 'terrorists', and if they do, there's more where that came from."

And then they wonder why the world is spiraling to a global war.. no Country has a patent on insane ideologys. Nazism might have become most infamous in association with Germany, but the USA is fàst heading that way, too.

There's an irony there that would have made every Nazi leader that got tried at Nurnberg walk to the gallows in a hysterical fit of laughter had they known this would come to pass in this sad future.

Originally posted by 04326
Both the Nazis and today's neo-conservatives ...

Actually, I think you are aiming at the wrong group.

Facist-liberalism is more closely aligned with the Nazis then the defunct "neo-con" bunch. (Bush43 and his mistakes struck them a fatal blow) I see more manipulation of the press and education systems by the hard left then the hard right. I see a dangerous movement among obama followers to sweep away anything negative about 'The One' and to blindly follow his course and decisions without question. I see religious rhetoric flowing from obama himself ("now is when the earth will be healed" "we are the ones we have been waiting for" "my hour has not yet come" etc etc), in seriously large volumes. His 'share the wealth' redistribution is marxism and more in step with the Nazi-Germany nationalism (on a NWO - world scale as well). As far as blaming a segment - like the Nazi's blamed the Jews - Obama blames those who are successful and who work hard, or are smart enough to know how to make a good living. Those making $150,000 a year or more are his 'jews' to blame. (and to rape with crushing taxes).

The facist-far-left-liberals are very much like the Nazis.
The brown shirts are coming. And the masses are too blind to see.

reply to post by FlyersFan


So Hitler to the Jews is like Obama to the Rich?

Very pertinent comparison. Hitler blamed the Jews for all his countries problems, just like Obama is blaming the Rich for ours.

Next up is the Obama Youth...Oh wait that has already started.

www.newsbusters.org...

Originally posted by 04326
• Both Hitler and Bush have been masters at manipulating mass media to achieve their aims.

Bush and Hitler are pawns of the City of London -- the German bankers who dominate ownership of the central banks. That's why the Bush family were and remain Nazi and neo-Nazi sympathizers and did business with the Nazis during wartime -- the Bush family ARE Nazis/Fascists. hello?

Hitler (and the Nazis) and Bush (and the neo-conservatives) are not exactly the same by any stretch.

Yes they are. BUT do not be distracted by 'thinking' too much. There is a war going on:
(the owners of the central banks (city of london/fed/bundesbank) versus (the rest of us).

Originally posted by FlyersFan
Facist-liberalism is more closely aligned with the Nazis

Fascist-liberalism?? That's like saying big-smallism or rich-poorism - they are diametrically opposed ideas - it's meaningless. Hitler detested liberals.

I see religious rhetoric flowing from obama himself ("now is when the earth will be healed" "we are the ones we have been waiting for" "my hour has not yet come" etc etc), in seriously large volumes.

There is something quasi-religious about his speeches, but that's not really uncommon in the US - it's the most religious state in the West. The language strikes a cord with people.

His 'share the wealth' redistribution is marxism

He's talking about upping tax as a share of GDP from 36% to 39% - at what point does that become Marxism? 37.34%? 38.99%? He's nudging the tax regimes that were in place under Bush - was Bush nearly a Marxist then?

People throw around these terms like Nazi and Marxist without having a clue what they actually mean. Marxists states don't have tax - there is no profit to tax in the first place.

and more in step with the Nazi-Germany nationalism (on a NWO - world scale as well). As far as blaming a segment - like the Nazi's blamed the Jews - Obama blames those who are successful and who work hard, or are smart enough to know how to make a good living. Those making $150,000 a year or more are his 'jews' to blame. (and to rape with crushing taxes).

The "rich" are not an ethnic group, and I haven't heard him blame them for anything. Aside from anything else, Obama and his crew are all in this "rich" group anyway - presumably he will "rape" himself?

I could respect an argument for not taxing the well-off and reducing taxes overall - but framing it like this just makes you look silly and desperate.

The facist-far-left-liberals are very much like the Nazis.

Facist far-left liberal Nazis? Sure you don't want to throw some other ideologies into the mix there? Get 10 in one sentence and you win a prize.

[edit on 16/11/08 by FatherLukeDuke]

Originally posted by FatherLukeDuke
Fascist-liberalism?? - they are diametrically opposed ideas

Not anymore.

There is something quasi-religious about his speeches, but that's not really uncommon in the US -

He has taken it to a new level. An extremely narcassistic and self-messianic level.

He's talking about upping tax...

Actually, his tax plan is very fluid. It's ever changing and it's impossible to pin him down. $250 was 'rich'. Then $200K. Then $150. And even so - it's still soak the rich - punish the productive and reward the lazy. It's not a FAIR TAX.

People throw around these terms like Nazi and Marxist without having a clue what they actually mean.

:shk: People throw this statement around alot but the fact is that those of us who use those terms DO know what they mean.

The "rich" are not an ethnic group,

Doesn't matter. It's still the group he blames.

and I haven't heard him blame them for anything.

Then you haven't been listening.

framing it like this just makes you look silly and desperate.

actually, framing it like this makes it very clear.

Get 10 in one sentence and you win a prize.

Welcome to the new USSA full of koolaide drinking facist far-left intolerant naziesque liberals blindly lock-step goosestepping behind their 'dear leader', Obamessiah, as they destroy America with marxist/socialist (and racist) giveaway programs designed to rape the productive while rewarding the lazy or unproductive - and all with the blessings of the NWO - Bildebergers, who have choosen Obama as their useful idiot tool to get their will accomplished.

More then ten - and it's the truth.

reply to post by FlyersFan


You actually come out to be very desperate and not very smart in your anti democrat/obama rants. It is obvious that you are a extreme right wing republican, the type that does not see the big picture.

Try looking at things from different perspectives and stepping into other people´s shoes.

A flag and a star to the OP, I too have seen this development and I think it started when Ronald Reagan was president, when the cold war ended.

[edit on 17-11-2008 by Waldy]

I am seeing alot of bitter conservatives around here lately if you guys are that dertmined to blame someone for the fall of the GOP look in the mirror they had you programed to wave the flag and kiss W's ass for 8 years and now that the party is over and the public has turned on the Republicans it's now some sort of socalist plot.

this thread was not meant to cause a political divide between the supporters of republicans and the democrats. this is supposed to be a comparison of how things were in europe pre wwII and how it compares to the current state of affairs.

i am glad that other people have been noticing the trend as well. It goes on to show how history is often repeated - and too often forgotten.

[edit on 23/11/08 by 04326]

04326, Can you now see how good the programming is, when you alert others to what is going on inside he US what do they do, they start arguing about politics. But this is not about politics this is about a planned and well executed agenda that is being played out piece by piece. The problem being that the majority can only see one piece of the jigsaw they cannot or will not see the whole picture.

By the time the majority do its too late, to late to do anything but get sucked up on a tide of hatred and overt patriotism. The meek and mild just get swept asunder, obliterated by the tidal wave of superiority.