I'm straying from the topics I'll usually address in my blogs, but I feel so strongly about this issue that I had to address it specifically.

 

A few days ago Obama was pitched a question on his tax plan and how it would effect the man asking the question.  It was a fair question, but it did not fit into the Obama rhetoric.  Result - a full blown investigation of this average hardworking American.  Search of his private life, his character and his personl finances.  It makes absolutely no difference what the question was, nor the answer.  But, invasion of his privacy causes me to wonder about his freedom of speech.  Persecuted for asking a question that did not jibe with Obama's PLAN.  Wrong question, my man.

 

Such a wrong question in a totalitarian state justifies - investigation, inquisition, and maybe prison.  Don't believe it.  Let's make a comparison.

 

In 1933 a Messiah appeared in Germany - Adolf Hitler.  His Mein Kampf promised CHANGE for the German people.  He was heralded as a savior who would again make German great.  His was a fiery mesmerizing orator accompanied at huge gatherings of the multitude by large blaring bands with barbabaric drums and trumpets, marching men in military attire, and banners, banners, banners.  The German people were in wretched condition, hungry, unemployed, without hope.  Hitler and his cronies gave them CHANGE  - World War II and destruction of Germany.

 

As a ten year old I heard Hitler's speeches on the radio with my father.  We didn't have to have the translation to English, even a ten year old knew it was something immense and evil was happening.  My father, a retired Navyman warned, "Son, this man is a demon.  He will bring about a war and you will be part of it."  I was. 

 

Demon he was, along with hundreds of other followers.  No German dared ask any questions, or make any statements of oppostion to the state.  To do so would bring down the wrath of the state - inquisition, torture, imprisonment or death.

 

This may not be a real comparison, but I see some resemblance.  Some one in power does not like you question or your opinion; does it justify investigation that ends up with character assasination, retribution of some kind, audit by the IRS, or something even worse.  Do you know?   

 

I for one, fear socialism and its destructive power of democratic societies.  It creeps.  It does not run.  It can be so gradual that even sophisticated people are often taken in.  Look at the results of complacency - Rome fell from within.  German accepted the ravings of a madman.  Russia took on the mantel of Communism.  Eventually Democracy and the rights of individuals prevail, but why pay the cost of learning a horrible lesson?

 

Howard