1/12
“It is high time that we all stopped being tools and victims of totalitarian techniques that, if continued here unchecked, will surely end what we have come to cherish as the American way of life.” –Margaret Chase Smith
#velshi
“It is high time that we all stopped being tools and victims of totalitarian techniques that, if continued here unchecked, will surely end what we have come to cherish as the American way of life.” –Margaret Chase Smith
#velshi
2/12
Those were the stinging words of Margaret Chase Smith, Republican Senator from Maine on June 1, 1950, rebuking her colleague, WI Sen. Joseph McCarthy, while confirming her commitment to the rights of all Americans to criticize, hold unpopular beliefs and protest. #velshi
Those were the stinging words of Margaret Chase Smith, Republican Senator from Maine on June 1, 1950, rebuking her colleague, WI Sen. Joseph McCarthy, while confirming her commitment to the rights of all Americans to criticize, hold unpopular beliefs and protest. #velshi
3/12
Smith’s words remind us that we have, indeed, seen this all before. Trumpism is McCarthyism with a Twitter account. And like all leaders who put their self-interests above democracy and the rule of law, Trump exploits fear to maintain and expand his power. #velshi
Smith’s words remind us that we have, indeed, seen this all before. Trumpism is McCarthyism with a Twitter account. And like all leaders who put their self-interests above democracy and the rule of law, Trump exploits fear to maintain and expand his power. #velshi
4/12
While not exactly a student of history, Trump has no doubt learned this methodology from a number of authoritarian leaders over the last 90 years: Atatürk, Franco, Mussolini, Stalin and Hitler. #velshi
While not exactly a student of history, Trump has no doubt learned this methodology from a number of authoritarian leaders over the last 90 years: Atatürk, Franco, Mussolini, Stalin and Hitler. #velshi
5/12
It feels extreme to make these comparisons, but it is important that we do so. Because at some point in all those men’s histories, while they were at the height of their power, similar comparisons were made and, at the time, were also regarded as extreme. #velshi
It feels extreme to make these comparisons, but it is important that we do so. Because at some point in all those men’s histories, while they were at the height of their power, similar comparisons were made and, at the time, were also regarded as extreme. #velshi
6/12
No one wants to believe that American voters elected an authoritarian and may do so a second time. It’s unsavory. Unpalatable, in fact. So, we ignore it now like they ignored it then. #velshi
No one wants to believe that American voters elected an authoritarian and may do so a second time. It’s unsavory. Unpalatable, in fact. So, we ignore it now like they ignored it then. #velshi
7/12
This willful ignorance works in favor of parts of the population. Until it suddenly doesn’t. Until the freedoms you were okay with someone else losing become freedoms you also lose. The rights you were ok with someone else losing, you lose. #velshi
This willful ignorance works in favor of parts of the population. Until it suddenly doesn’t. Until the freedoms you were okay with someone else losing become freedoms you also lose. The rights you were ok with someone else losing, you lose. #velshi
8/12
Rights you thought you had: to control your body, to be covered for your illnesses, to marry who you choose, to live a life under the umbrella of justice and free of discrimination…gone. Because you allowed them to be undermined. #velshi
Rights you thought you had: to control your body, to be covered for your illnesses, to marry who you choose, to live a life under the umbrella of justice and free of discrimination…gone. Because you allowed them to be undermined. #velshi
9/12
Americans understandably but incorrectly believe this can’t happen here. We believe our freedoms, our justice system, our institutions, our Constitution and our courts will protect us from our elected leaders. #velshi
Americans understandably but incorrectly believe this can’t happen here. We believe our freedoms, our justice system, our institutions, our Constitution and our courts will protect us from our elected leaders. #velshi
10/12
For almost 4 years, we have witnessed a slow but deliberate erosion of norms and our civil liberties—banning Muslims, caging children, curtailing abortions, attacking the press, suppressing protest—that paved the way for the most anti-democratic impulse of all. #velshi
For almost 4 years, we have witnessed a slow but deliberate erosion of norms and our civil liberties—banning Muslims, caging children, curtailing abortions, attacking the press, suppressing protest—that paved the way for the most anti-democratic impulse of all. #velshi
11/12
Trump is now undermining the way we vote, the elections in which we vote and the idea that a President will oversee a peaceful transition of power. #velshi
Trump is now undermining the way we vote, the elections in which we vote and the idea that a President will oversee a peaceful transition of power. #velshi
12/12
We've come so far that Trump doesn't even bother to lie. At some point in any nation’s troubled moments, the question “How did we get here?” is asked. The answer is often “Because people let it happen.” Your chance to rise up and stop this is Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. #velshi
We've come so far that Trump doesn't even bother to lie. At some point in any nation’s troubled moments, the question “How did we get here?” is asked. The answer is often “Because people let it happen.” Your chance to rise up and stop this is Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. #velshi
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