Here I sit comfortably ensconced in my rustic snow covered country home and by all appearances far from the madness that has overtaken the US, or so it would seem.
In reality my heart is racing far too often, being mindful of my breathing so as not to hyperventilate, and throughout the day I routinely take in a breath of fresh unsullied country air to maintain my emotional balance.
To begin let me answer how I have come to understand the manner in which America has been transformed into something that is no longer recognizable to me as a shining beacon of democracy.
For decades there has been an increasingly disproportionate number of people who experience economic insecurity, a weakening of democratic institutions that favors the wealthy, growing mistrust of reported news as well as of professional politicians, irrational fear that somehow immigrants are a threat to one’s national identity, livelihood, and family. Lastly, an underlying racism which is driven by the need to feel superior to others at their expense.
As I see it, all these factors have been capitalized upon to stir up strong emotions of anger and mistrust within a large swath of the American public. Enter the strong-man figure who promises clear answers and to take decisive action to prioritize their needs, and all he asks is absolute power; so here we are.
The Project 2025 blueprint
Some of you may have heard of, or read about, Project 2025. It is the blueprint that is being used by Trump, his administration, and supported by his billionaire-class friends. Well it is very near the step by step plan that Hitler, his administration, and his millionaire class friends used in 1933 to dissolve Germany’s Weimar Republic, a mere 53 days after Hitler took power as Chancellor. Take note at the time of this writing, we here in America are only 29 days into the new Trump administration.
Now by definition it is inaccurate to call America a Nazi regime. That expression remains unique to its time in regard to Germany. This said, to my mind it is accurate to write that there are uncanny similarities within the present American government’s game-plan, as it dismantles American democracy, to that of the methods employed by Nazi Germany.
There are many recent Executive Orders, a few that come to mind as I write are:
- the forcing out of public servants from entry level positions to that of the highest in a kaleidoscope of government branches,
- the dissolving of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs,
- the ruthless cut of USAID programs,
- freeze on civilian hiring,
- withdrawing from the World Health Organization,
- taking control of independent agencies,
- ending Birthright Citizenship,
- mass deportations, and so very much more.
Some of these Executive Orders appear to be to purge America of ‘undesirables’. Under the new America, we are being presented with a vision that is exclusive to white, heterosexual, pseudo-Christian males, with women expected to have children whether they want to or not. And more concerning JD Vance, who has some rather questionable views about the institution of marriage, and especially abusive ones.
Let me not overlook the legal case being brought before the Supreme Court by the State of Idaho demanding same-sex marriage legislation be returned to the States purview and not in the Federal. This tactic is how abortion rights were undone here in the US.
A ‘blitzkrieg’ on our democracy
I will not weary your eyes or regurgitate line by line this blitzkrieg against democracy, done with additional Executive Orders by Trump and supported by the new government. Give Project 2025 a Google search. Be forewarned: not only is it deeply disturbing, but it is a 900-page document. I foresee this is what is in store for those living in the United States over the coming months.
Let me give you a news flash: it is highly doubtful that the Supreme Court is going to defend Democracy. The Justices may toss a bare bone here or there just to purport to be on the side of justice, but they have time and time again shown a predisposition to support this unpleasant agenda by Trump et al. There will be no rescue line in the highest court of the land for Democracy. And in case you are not aware, there are restrictive voter laws already in play.
Did you read about the pardons of the January 6 rioters by Trump? Does this give license to an American version of German Brown Shirts on the streets, and a modern day Kristallnacht to do his violent bidding?
January 24th marked the 60th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s death. How I long for that man’s brilliance and formidable presence today in this hour as I write these words. I listened to a few of his speeches over the last few days and my resignation against Trump’s government became resolute and steeled for what more is to come. I will not lose heart, nor will I lose courage in these grave times. Thank you, Winston Churchill.
The politicisation of health
The American propaganda machine is in full swing here. While getting a routine blood draw – what you call “blood donation” – at the local hospital, the waiting room had Fox News playing. The channel was singing the praises and strength of Trump. The three women who happened to be in the room with me eagerly consumed the coverage. I do not jest or exaggerate: they were mesmerized and their eyes were glistening with admiration.
To add the proverbial cherry on top, I was the only one wearing a mask. None of the women waiting, the administration staff, the cleaning staff, nor the 7½-month pregnant woman who did the blood draw wore masks. And yes, the flu and COVID are very prevalent here. Such is the success of the propaganda put out that these illnesses are being ‘overly hyped-up by the liberal media’. As my acquaintance the late film-maker Agnes Varda would have said in a word: “stupid”.
Writing of medical matters, in Nazi Germany it was outlawed for Aryan women to have an abortion and punishable by the death penalty. This punishment extended to anyone counseling or providing the abortion. The same ideology is the direction which certain US states have leaned towards. I believe there is a conservative US-backed anti-abortion movement surfacing in the UK at this moment. Be on your guard, my British cousins, about such a plan to take away women’s abortion rights
My underlying message
Apologies to you if my latest “An American in America” seems a wee bit alarmist, but truly it is a wonder I can even form a cohesive thought and write given the chaos unfolding here. If you take away from this missive only three things, please let it be these:
First: See this new government here in the US for what it is: a devilish blending of authoritarianism, fascism, totalitarianism, dictatorship, plutocracy, oligarchy, and kleptocracy, all dovetailed with racism and xenophobia. A far-right government in the making as I type these words.
Now before anyone reading this calls my observations rubbish, or accuses me of being a sensationalist-seeking a visceral reaction, consider this: Trump has expressed his admiration and fascination towards the Nazi party over the years. Musk and his billionaire have shown pandering support of the far-right group AfD in Germany. And most recently JD Vance’s attack on European democratic leaders, and with a subtext that supports the AfD.
Second: Certainly Elon Musk and the other billionaire Tech-class remind me of the so-called Robber Barons with their personal corporate interests set as a priority and no concern for the common citizen. And we would be foolish to ignore President Biden’s words:
Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedom, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.
Third: I keep up on the news out of the UK and one article reported by the Guardian deeply unsettled me. A poll by Craft, which is a research agency used by Channel 4, found 52% of Gen Z said that Britain would be “a better place if a strong leader was in charge who does not have to bother with parliament and elections”.
I am seeing far too many early stirrings of similar thinking in the UK which readily swept up 70 million voters here in the US. Be vigilant: this movement is not one of beneficial libertarianism. Its aim is to remove personal freedoms and replace them with unquestioning obedience, and it has global ambitions. Project 2025 is a ‘one size fits all’ plan.
I bid you adieu, my British cousins.
