First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
—Martin Niemöller
This quote is attributed to the prominent German pastor Martin Niemöller.
The first line is my new regular Facebook profile quote.
America is being profoundly threatened by similar Fascist powers attempting to destroy our democratic government and causing unfathomable harm to immigrants in America!
The worst perpetrator is Elon Musk, an unelected pseudo-president whom Trump has given outrageous powers of indescriminate destruction in the guise of “efficiency.”
My downstairs neighbor, a long time ROTC recruiter with three children, has already lost his regular job to Trump’s draconian cuts and hopes to get another job out of government.
Trump very easily gives up his powers to appealing “power men,” this one who shamelessly uses his child as a prop, to cover for his moral degradation. Disgusting, and incredibly dangerous.
For all his demogogue’s charisma to too many common people, Trump lacks the aptitude to actually deal with bureaucratic matters of governing. He now simply follows closely the radical conservative directives of Project 2025, which he had nothing to do with the crafting of.
This situation is similar to Trump’s recent acqueiscence to Putin about Ukraine, which has shocked all of Europe.
Of course, Trump has completely ignored his pledges to the common Americans who elected him. His approval ratings are declining already.
“First they came for…” has been part of the permanent exhibition at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum since its opening in 1993. Initially, Niemöller’s words were part of a text panel. Today, they are prominently featured on a wall as the final words of the exhibition. They serve as an indictment of passivity and indifference during the Holocaust.
Time to contact an elected leader and organize. The Democrats have been way too passive in the face of the Second Trump Administration.
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Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNw7AeOBHBQ
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John Ehlers