Few developments have mattered so much, for so many people, as the global rise of democracy. Three hundred years ago, virtually no one lived in a democracy. As recently as the 1940s, at the darkest moments of World War II, there were perhaps a dozen scared, scattered democracies left. But by the early 21st century, democracy had become the dominant form of government.
Billions of people now lived in countries that were relatively free, humane and insulated despotic cruelty and arbitrary rule. The strength and support of a democratic superpower were indispensable to all this world-changing progress, which is one reason democracy’s global future feels so precarious right now.
No, I think you misunderstood me, I wasn’t suggesting that Hitler was made chancellor immediately after the putsch, only that the putsch came first. It should have been a disqualifying event. The same with January 6.
Also today:
I told Pete [Hegseth], we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military, National Guard, but military, because we’re going into Chicago very soon, that’s a big city with an incompetent governor,” the president said during his remarks to a gathering of top generals and admirals in Quantico, Virginia.
I will say this: Dopers have elevated the practice of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic to an art form. “Gee, should I move the chaise lounges to the Promenade now, or wait till the water comes flooding over the guardrail?”
Where are you going to go?? In the 1930s, Germans had America to escape to…well out of reach of the German war machine. Some had to settle for England, although that wasn’t safe for long.
There is no place on Earth today out of reach of an America that is rapidly starting to make the Third Reich look like the Little Rascals. Those countries that could put up a decent fight, I don’t know if I’d want to live in.
You’re assuming the only drive to leave is for one’s personal safety. For myself, I don’t want to live in an authoritarian regime, it requires one to be complicit in the regime’s crimes simply to survive. Also, I think it’s likely America’s collapse will be more like the Soviet Union than Nazi Germany.
In addition to the bureaucratic obstacles destination countries put up, there are resentments and jealousies affecting how residents of other countries view Americans, that long predate Trump and are worse now. Even if you have sufficient money to make the move (and possibly because of that) many of your new neighbors are unlikely to welcome you with open arms, despite wearing your “I Hate MAGA” hat. If a lot of USers flee (unlikely), problems related to overcrowding will exacerbate tensions.*
*think how delighted Madrid residents have been to see foreign tourists taking over scarce rental housing.
I know he has made noises about that but as bad as MAGA is and his bootlickers in congress are I can’t help but think that is a bridge too far for Trump. Even his own people would push back on invading Canada.
If that comes to pass the world is well and truly fucked.
I just want a house. No fuss. Not wrecking the local economy. Not taking any jobs (at all). Indeed, I will benefit the local economy (buying goods and services from locals/businesses).
Also not sponging off health care. I should be a net benefit to the economy…especially the local economy.
It’s like trying to decide when to put down a beloved pet. By the time you make the decision, you probably should have made it sooner. I think my advice to people, especially young people, to get out while they can started as early as April or May of this year. It was clear to me we were on a trajectory that had a good probability of turning very, very ugly. Maybe it won’t happen, but if it does then you’re going to be happier in Canada, France, or Spain than you will here in the United States. Realistically I know not everyone can leave, but if you’re in a position to do so, especially if you’re gay or trans, get out.
You want to be a “single straw”, but can you guarantee that other straws won’t follow, enough straws to break the camel’s social and/or economic structure?
Well, assuming my moving there is a net benefit to the economy (I put in more than I take out) then a million doing the same are a much bigger benefit to the country.
The country could then take some of that new money and help the poor in the country (or fund any myriad programs to help the poor).
I’d think the government could set things up that anyone…that million…all need to be a net positive on the financial books if they want to move there. What the government does with that new money is on them.
I was thinking July, 1934 after every party but the Nazi party was banned, but the OP specified ‘late 1930s.’ While the concentration camps were opening for Jews, homosexuals, Roma, and even Jehovah’s Witnesses from 1933 to 1938 those were all pretty quiet and likely under the radar for all but the most astute (or affected). Krystalnacht was by far the biggest evidence of a pogrom going on right now.
I guess you haven’t seen MAGA people with their “Canada – 51st State” banners hanging on highway overpasses. The MAGAts love to hear Trump talking about invading and annexing other countries. It feeds their power fantasies.
Nobody gives a fuck about your being “a net benefit to the economy” when you and your million new immigrant compatriots are consuming all of the available housing and pushing swaths of the population into homelessness.
This has to assume there is only a fixed amount of housing available. If there are only 1000 available units and someone comes from outside this would be the problem you envision.
But it doesn’t have to work like that at all. New units can be built. As small as New Zealand is there is still plenty of room if needed.
Indeed, that net benefit means there is more chance to house those who do not have homes.