What is the German Plebiscite?
In 1934, almost 90% of German voters–89.9% to be precise–approved Adolf Hitler, current Chancellor of the German Reich, as President. This combined into one supreme command the government of Germany and the ultimate destiny of the world.
These next few days and weeks of 2008, we as Americans will determine the destiny of our nation, and perhaps the free world as well. We choose not only a President. We choose the party affiliation of Congress–House of Representatives and Senate. And we choose governors and mayors and city council members. And all of these persons choose others who think like they do.
The democratic right to choose our government leaders is a precious right. It takes study and thought and time to hear the candidates. To hear with our ears and with our hearts. Our candidates are currently discussing the issues we consider important–the price of gasoline, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, the loss of jobs to other countries…
1934 Germany
In 1934, Hitler promised to re-charge the German economy and restore the value of the German Mark. Those German voters believed the promises rolling off his silver tongue. And they elected him with their votes to run their country with special powers and authority. And they lost their right to choose.
Some years ago, my favorite great-aunt stood on the street corner, her arms filled with political tracts from Germany. She was still a German citizen. Although she emigrated to America in 1904, she never ceased to be German. I read some of her “papers” as she called them. And even discussed with her their persuasive arguments for the surrender of essential rights in the name of food to eat and clothes to wear and schools to attend…
2008 America
Now its our turn: Our economy and the American Dollar are ready for re-charging. Will we surrender our right to choose, our right to run our businesses as we see fit? Essential rights set-aside in the name of gasoline to fill our tanks and vouchers to send our kids to college?
From my great-aunt and the family she left behind in Germany, I learned that the time it takes to study the issues and listen to the candidates is essential time well spent. Take time from your genealogy to prepare your mind and heart to vote your conscience. America needs your vote. Your favorite genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://www.arleneeakle.com
PS Stay tuned. Is it shrinked? Or shrunk? Which word do you think your ancestors used?