Darice Davis

It is important that Americans and supporters of democracy see how repressive and despotic governments such as the Nazi's of the first half of the 20th century can creep into power directly in the face of citizens who do not support such governance styles. It is particularly important for Americans to realize that nearly 20 in 100, 18% of Americans are of some form of German heritage. That is the largest ethnic blend in the U.S. as of 2018. That may or may not mean a tendency to an affinity to that can form a blind eye to the despotism and human carnage of the Nazi's among this group and those they influence. However, the historical social and interpersonal roots that led to Hitler are inextricably interwoven in the personality development of generations worldwide. This European heritage exists today in America and is most often at odds with the requirement in our democracy that we interact with our government by questioning authority in legal ways and that we not blindly follow political leaders and dogma just because a majority has put them in office. And, to maintain awareness of these facts about our country and its connection with its ancestors, and the possible ramifications of these matters can only inform how we view daily events and news reports of national and global events, as well as our social policies and administration of those laws and ways our day-to-day lives enfold. To maintain our democracy as vibrant and healthy requires that we be be vigilant to myths and attitudes that erode it. In this era of attacking facts and distrust of the news industry in the U.S., it is even more critical that Americans keep a sharp eye and ear to how history may be about to repeat itself, and take action at the ballot and in communication with our politicians to short-stop such efforts and initiatives that would seek to dissolve our democratic form of government. The light of knowledge and information is the strongest protection we can have against foreign interference in our elections, and resulting nullification of what makes America great.