Editor, Times-Union:
Every day it becomes more apparent that the MAGA (“Republican”) party is determined to make sure America becomes a country of uninformed, unquestioning, obedient sheep. They have already discovered it is pretty easy to turn masses of starry-eyed followers into an obedient citizenry through fear and anger. But the long-range plan, currently working successfully in several states, is to get ‘em when they’re young (exactly what the Nazis did in Germany when they banned all youth groups, including the Boy Scouts, and created the Hitler Youth). The children were “trained” in Nazi youth indoctrination camps, and by 1939, 90 percent of German children were part of the Hitler Youth organization (no Jews allowed).
We must remember, too, book banning/burning was one part of the Nazi plan to control the masses. So, too, was the “mapped out … path for both males and females — from birth to adulthood. The options offered were … school and Nazi youth groups for children; motherhood and home duties for women; party membership, industrial work or military service for men.” There was “little or no concern for the petty interests of individuals.” (J. Llewellyn, et al, “Work in Nazi Germany”, Alpha History.)
While we voters must be wary of the future plans spelled out by our political candidates at the national level, I caution everyone to be cautious of the past records and future promises of all local and state candidates. These are the folks already determining our futures more directly — and in some instances more dangerously.
In case you have not been paying attention, Donald Trump is already telling you his plans to control you: “Strong” leaders like Putin, Jinping, Un, etc. have become his mentors. His unhinged, repetitive speeches/rantings include recognizable Nazi terms like “vermin” and foreigners “poisoning the blood” of Americans. So far, several “Republican” state leaders are not waiting for their orange Jesus to return to the throne, and they have made some pretty notable changes that will affect children in particular and adults in general.
Thirty-two states have banned 1,477 books including, in one Florida district, dictionaries, encyclopedias, Guinness Book of World Records and Ripley’s Believe it or Not. (They contain references to topics like sex, etc.)
Florida has also removed sociology as an acceptable course subject to fulfill graduation requirements, and a proposal has recently been made to reduce the school week to four days — eliminating Fridays. (Might as well since there’s so little left to learn.)
Fourteen states have placed partisan restrictions on what can be taught in history classes. (Who needs to know our history? We can just start from scratch and make new mistakes.)
Twenty-three states have eliminated or reduced child labor laws — including Indiana. (I guess those little rug rats might as well earn their keep since there’s not much left to learn in school.)
Fourteen GOP-led states have turned down federal money to feed low-income kids in the summer. (Survival of the fittest? Weed out the weak?)
Scary!
Jeanne Schutz
Winona Lake, via email