Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Ron Cooper's avatar

Excellent article. It reminds me of my growing-up years in the 1950s, when my teachers told us that the Communist state in Russia encouraged children to rat out their parents when they wavered from the official line. It sent shivers up my spine, and still does today!

Expand full comment
Gary Kloner's avatar

Speaking of loyalty oaths and authoritarian purging of political dissent from institutions, educational and otherwise, Trump just last week promised during a speech that if he is elected (God forbid) he will require all government employees in the civil service to sign loyalty oaths. Make no mistake, no institution public or private would be spared Trump's wrath. Informers and spies would be all over the place. Though there would be resistance, a chilling effect would settle upon the country. Its long tradition of free expression of ideas would choke under assault.

Trump's sadistic and narcissistic demand for loyalty would rival if not exceed any dictator or strongman. And the consequences for disloyalty to the autocrat would often be cruel and devastating. Threats ,intimidation, investigations, violence and jail time would be meted out on a regular basis. Paranoia and suspicion would be everywhere in Trump's fascist America.

Expand full comment
46 more comments...

No posts