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ihaveaquestion

(4,795 posts)
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 11:09 AM Sep 2025

Rick Steves: "Think what can happen when a society doesn't take the threat of autocracy seriously"



"Hitler kept them alive, the leaders of the political opposition against him until it was pretty clear that he was gonna lose the war. And then in 1945, these courageous politicians in Germany who stood up against fascism. We're murdered by that guy. Think of, what can happen to a society that doesn't take the threat of autocracy seriously, and doesn't value how fragile and precious democracy is." - Rick Steves
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Rick Steves: "Think what can happen when a society doesn't take the threat of autocracy seriously" (Original Post) ihaveaquestion Sep 2025 OP
One minor inaccuracy in his statement: I learned recently that Hitler was never actually elected to parliament SSJVegeta Sep 2025 #1
Thanks for the clarification. ihaveaquestion Sep 2025 #2
The Rose Garden gets bulldozed and turned into a country club dining area. Initech Sep 2025 #3

SSJVegeta

(3,141 posts)
1. One minor inaccuracy in his statement: I learned recently that Hitler was never actually elected to parliament
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 11:17 AM
Sep 2025

He was appointed chancellor as leader of his party that won a plurality. But he was never directly actually elected to anything (until of course his party won a majority coalition in 1934). I think what they did would have been like when Republicans were considering appointing Trump as speaker in 2023 since you dont actually have to be elected to anything to be speaker (just like was the case with Germanys chancellor)

Its part of the reason people like to pretend the parallels between the US and Germany dont exist. Because "HiTLEr WASnt eLECted!11!"

Clearly he was. Just not directly. Kinda like our president.

ihaveaquestion

(4,795 posts)
2. Thanks for the clarification.
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 11:45 AM
Sep 2025

They will glom onto any tiny reason to excuse away a critique of their cult leader, won't they?

Initech

(109,269 posts)
3. The Rose Garden gets bulldozed and turned into a country club dining area.
Sat Sep 6, 2025, 12:06 PM
Sep 2025

They rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War because his fragile ego said so.

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