Does any of the following sound somewhat familiar?
“Nothing like the regime … has ever been enacted on American soil before … a weird governmental monstrosity. Some called it ‘America’s Rehearsal for Dictatorship.’ Its justifications were the alleged mistakes of the past. It grew, thrived on the most bizarre methods and the wildest propaganda, lived a wild and hectic career.
“…[C]itizens lost their liberties and their fundamental American rights.
“The right of free elections was wiped out, and absolute control was seized by the leader of one political faction. Freeom of the press was attacked … Freedom of assembly vanished … Public records were closed to the public.
“Only a patriot of the staunchest character could stand up to the power … and the threats and reprisals … [that were] used so freely. Those who were willing to [resist] paralleled the acts of America’s bravest patriots at any stage of American history.”
George Orwell’s 1984 or Animal Farm? Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale? Some other equally dystopian novel?
No. In fact, it isn’t taken from any work of fiction, but from an all-too-true account of another American dictator from a century ago. Those words were written by Louisiana’s then Gov. Sam H. Jones in his foreword to 1941’s Louisiana Hayride by Harnet T. Kane – subtitled as Huey Long’s American Rehearsal for Dictatorship.
With that in mind, I would urge each of you to read Louisiana Hayride if you haven’t already or to re-read it if it’s been a while since you last picked it up.
I would also implore you to read today’s Something Like the Truth post by Bob Man entitled “Where Do We Go from Here?” To read the post, click HERE.
Bob, as only he can, says to yes, grieve for a time over the results of Tuesday’s election but then get busy resisting the usurpation of the progress and rights others have worked to hard and for so long to obtain. In other words (and this my own interpretation of what he said), follow the advice of the late John Lewis and “make good trouble.”
Mann also provides a list of organizations we can join to work toward ensuring that those rights are not stripped away. To his list, I would respectfully add The Innocence Project, which works for the exoneration of those individuals who have been wrongfully convicted.
Please read his post. It is a rational, intelligent and productive path to sanity for those who despair the election of a tyrant to lead our nation.
Louisiana Voice 
Butch,
Thanks for forwarding Bob’s article to me. And thank you for your comments of introduction.
Sachs
I hate to be “that guy” dragging everyone down but if intelligence or rational debate could produce a productive path forward Trump would not now be president-elect salivating over his return to power. Stupid and scared is a volatile mix. Stupid, scared, and numerous is lethal. In all the history of the world the only example of a fascist movement NOT defeated by violence and then outlawed is Spain following the death of Franco after 35 years of rule. In every other case violence was required to defeat fascism. I’m sure there are those reading this comment who think I am way over the top or still lost in despair. My reply to that is I hope to God I never have to say “I told you so.”