Friends of Padre Steve’s World,
It has been a bit under three years since President Trump took the oath of office as President of the United States. Over that time his actions have been similar to other leaders of history who have gravitated towards authoritarian rule. Today I want to share the words of British military theorist and historian B.H. Liddell-Hart on what happens when authoritarian, or would be authoritarian leaders gain control of a government. His words, from his short, but profound book Why Don’t We Learn from History are worth the considered read for anyone with an open mind who can, despite the proliferation of propaganda can still see clearly. Liddell-Hart wrote:
They soon begin to rid themselves of their chief helpers, “discovering” that those who brought about the new order have suddenly become traitors to it.
They suppress criticism on one pretext or another and punish anyone who mentions facts which, however true, are unfavourable to their policy.
They enlist religion on their side, if possible, or, if its leaders are not compliant, foster a new kind of religion subservient to their ends.
They spend public money lavishly on material works of a striking kind, in compensation for the freedom of spirit and thought of which they have robbed the public.
They manipulate the currency to make the economic position of the state appear better than it is in reality.
They ultimately make war on some other state as a means of diverting attention from internal
It has been a bit under ten months since President Trump took the oath of office as President of the United States. Over that time his actions have been similar to other leaders of history who have gravitated towards authoritarian rule. Today I want to share the words of British military theorist and historian B.H. Liddell-Hart on what happens when authoritarian, or would be authoritarian leaders gain control of a government. His words, from his short, but profound book Why Don’t We Learn from History are worth the considered read for anyone with an open mind who can, despite the proliferation of propaganda can still see clearly. Liddell-Hart wrote:
They soon begin to rid themselves of their chief helpers, “discovering” that those who brought about the new order have suddenly become traitors to it.
They suppress criticism on one pretext or another and punish anyone who mentions facts which, however true, are unfavourable to their policy.
They enlist religion on their side, if possible, or, if its leaders are not compliant, foster a new kind of religion subservient to their ends.
They spend public money lavishly on material works of a striking kind, in compensation for the freedom of spirit and thought of which they have robbed the public.
They manipulate the currency to make the economic position of the state appear better than it is in reality.
They ultimately make war on some other state as a means of diverting attention from internal conditions and allowing discontent to explode outward.
They use the rallying cry of patriotism as a means of riveting the chains of their personal authority more firmly on the people.
They expand the superstructure of the state while undermining its foundations by breeding sycophants at the expense of self-respecting collaborators, by appealing to the popular taste for the grandiose and sensational instead of true values, and by fostering a romantic instead of a realistic view, thus ensuring the ultimate collapse, under their successors if not themselves, of what they have created.
This political confidence trick, itself a familiar string of tricks, has been repeated all down the ages. Yet it rarely fails to take in a fresh generation.
Yes it has been nearly three years since he won election, and one can see President Trump following the script of authoritarian rulers. So many of the things that the British historian and theorist noted are present in the actions, words, and policy of the President and his administration.
The House of Representatives is doing what it can to stop this in it’s impeachment hearings, but for the most part House and Senate Republicans seem not intent on defending the President against his alleged crimes, but the Constitutional process, and rules that they themselves put in place while they had control of the House and Senate during the Obama years. The speaks volumes. When a party objects to the laws of the Founders established in the Constitution, and much more recent laws that they instituted, something is decidedly wrong. Former GOP House Majority Leader John Boehner noted yesterday: “There is no Republican Party, only the Party of Trump.”
If this does not tell the tale to the members of the Trump Cult, then nothing will. Liddell-Hart’s book is worth the read, now more than ever.
So until tomorrow,
Peace,
Padre Steve+
The Inglorius Padre Steve's World 
Been meaning to drop a note but I wanted to say that I enjoy your blog, though I have to catch up on more recent one’s. I especially like the historical perspective. My dad would have enjoyed that as well. Though he and I differed greatly in our opinions, history’s significance was something he and I agreed on, I think he would be appalled at our current state, Republican or not. I also have a blog if you’re looking for a read. Some political thought and my unvarnished obviousness and just some musings on my daily. Frankenberrysattic.com. Cheers Steve.
Over the last 3 years, most days I have reasons to shake my head. On the plus side, there are days I don’t hear him lying because I didn’t hear him talk I’ll summarize him in this statement. He’s a pathetic person, an even worse leader, and he brings most of his problems on himself.
As a Dutch citizen, wit the view of an outsider, I couldn’t agree more!