America and pre-WWII Germany have a lot in common

I am about one quarter of the way through a book by Ken Follett, “Winter of the World,” set in the 1930s, the era of the rise of fascism and Hitler as Chancellor of Germany. It is most fascinating reading, somewhat scary and emotional, with the rise of fascism affecting relationships among and between people in various countries, all making for captivating reading.

This was a time when Germany was experiencing financial uncertainly, high unemployment, and social unrest. This story demonstrates how effectively people’s political party affiliations are manipulated through very clever and powerful rhetoric and promises based upon lies and false hope. Because America, right now, is going through financial uncertainty, high unemployment, and social unrest this book got me to thinking. I asked myself a couple questions:

How many of the things I am hearing from our politicians are based upon lies and false hopes? Which passionately expressed views come from honest differences based upon a responsible vision for America and which are based upon lies and false hope?

Oh, another question comes to mind: How and when will I know the difference?

Bob McClellan,

Polson