News From Amelia Island, Florida

Recently I received an email of a full page ad published in the News-Leader, the local newspaper for Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Yulee and Nassau County, Florida. My friend, actually Betty’s cousin, lives on the island and keeps me up-to-date on the politics down that way. The author of the piece expresses a minority view to the otherwise Trump/Republican majority. For those of you who are not familiar with the area, Amelia is an affluent upscale community with many retirees. I found the ad interesting both for its cogent definition of demagoguery and for what it says about politics today.

FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021 NEWS News-Leader
The Demagogue’s Handbook: 2nd Edition
We can choose to evade reality. We are free to unfocus our minds.
We can choose to stumble blindly down any road we please.
But we cannot avoid the abyss we refuse to see. With a nod to Ayn Rand
Governor Ron DeSantis recently asked that high schoolers “receive instruction on the evils of …totalitarian ideologies.” Following his request, I am dedicating this 2nd Edition of THE DEMAOGUE’S HANDBOOK to all the Nassau County high schoolers and recent grads:

As Governor DeSantis implied, our republic is facing a clear and present danger. It is approaching the precipice. We are being challenged by a cult of personality, a party rotting from the inside and run by despots intent on perverting, gutting, and then overthrowing the checks and balances and give and take of democracy.

Here are the eight key tactics demagogues use to weaken, corrupt and destroy democracy and gain absolute power. Read these tactics and see for yourself how close we are to a banana republic!

1. Attack or Subvert a Free Press: Would-be dictators are not burdened by morals, ethics, or norms. They view openness and transparency as weakness. They see smoke and mirrors as strengths. They often begin their assaults on democracy by discrediting or eliminating opposition media. Controlling information and opinion
and waging disinformation wars are the surest way to choke off dissent. That blocks citizens from the resources, information, facts, or alternative opinion to challenge their authoritarian actions. They will hide or have information or documents altered or data “selected” and cherry-picked so as not to undermine The Leader’s message. Party goals will always be positioned ahead of public interests and common good.

Demagogues relentlessly repeat that the main-stream press is providing “fake news” and is the “enemy of the people.” Only press or media that agrees with and lauds the demagogue is to be believed or trusted. The would be dictator says, “I’ll decide what’s true and what’s fake news.” “I alone” – “am the arbiter of what is real or
legal.”

Taking control of and/or suppressing or diminishing the public’s trust of all dissenting media enables demagogues to hide their actions and distract attention from what they are really doing. “Dirty tricks” such as untruthful allegations, cherry-picking facts, planting false pictures, misrepresenting, distorting or outright lying add to distortions of opposition viewpoints. Would-be kings misuse or co-opt media to post or repost false information and claims, misleading or doctored videos, and inflammatory content.

2. Create Alternative Realities and Conspiracy Theories. Alternative realities and outright lies are essential to would-be authoritarians. They serve as smokescreens to obfuscate what they are really doing (or not doing but should have been doing). Promoting “alternative truths” promotes distrust and distorts the words or actions – and help diminish the reputation of opponents and the credibility of their viewpoints. The demagogue and his party cronies feel entitled to create his/her/their own version of reality to support that vision.

Demagogues will create or promote a snake’s nest of fabricated and absurd conspiracies. Conspiracy theories are designed to cast doubt on the character of opponents, sow distrust of political opposition, and turn a seed of truth into full-grown perverted forest of fantasy. These dark fairy tales also serve as a way to justify acting as if an ‘alternative reality” was in fact truth. Some of these berserk conspiracy theories that people have been gullible enough to buy into and repeat and expand include absurdities such as the fantasy that Italian space satellites changed votes in our national election or that the FBI orchestrated the insurrection at the U.S. Capital.

No evidence is ever provided for any of these insane farces. When asked to produce facts or name names, the Demagogue’s glib answer is, “people you never heard of.” No evidence is ever provided – because of course – there is none. Demagogues know that if a lie is told often enough – no matter how really nonsensical or false –
people will believe it. P.T. Barnum is their hero.

Cloud the minds of and co–opt regular citizens. Mesmerize people into a willingness to “open their eyes wide shut.” Get them to believe what they know is not true. Convince people to suspend disbelief and drink the cult’s Kool-aide, to deny reality or do anything about what they actually admit to themselves they in fact see. “You
heard the audio tape of me coercing the president of a foreign country – threatening him to cut off the military arms his country desperately needs unless he announces a public investigation into my political opponent.” “Ignore that – it really didn’t happen. Trust me. It wasn’t the extortion you thought it was.” “That violent insurrection you saw all the Capital? Overblown by the press! Just a rowdy demonstration – a few people pushed around – and probably my opponents staged it posing as my supporters.” “A false flag operation by the F.B.I.” “The January 6th, 2021 Insurrection was, broadly speaking, a peaceful protest, with a few bad apples.” “They were people that truly respect law enforcement who would never do anything to break the law.” “Just another day of tourists walking through the Capital.”

Demagogues are wick-ed gas-lighters and at this moment are shamelessly retelling and rewriting history to their own liking.

3. Encourage Violence and Intimidation. Would-be autocrats love to say things like, “Any guy who can do a body slam, he is my type of guy” or “Beat the crap out of those protestors” “I promise you I will pay for the legal fees.” Inciting or encouraging or condoning or ignoring actual violence or threats of violence are hallmarks
of bullies who will stop at nothing to get their way. “Proud Boys, Stand Back and Stand By!” Calling neo-nazis and white supremacists “good people” “fine people” gives them a “sic—em!” dog whistle that their hatred is sanctioned, that he has their backs, and thus emboldens and encourages them to intimidate others. It tells others “My team is tough, well-armed, and so better not mess with me!”

The oldest trick in the Demagogue’s Handbook? Find or fan or start a fire. Then pour on gas. Next, give out fuel canisters so that supporters can add to the conflagration. Then, when the fire is burning almost out of control, the demagogue will claim, “I am the only fireman in town.” “I am your sole hope and savior.” “I alone can
protect you!” “I alone can save you!”

4. Ignore or Reject the Rule of Law. Demagogues feel above or exempt from moral and ethical rules and norms and laws others agree to follow. Authoritarians act as if none of these exist. “Oath of Office? Rules of law? Separation of powers? Those rules are for other heads of state! Since none of these things apply to me, I am free to ignore them.” In fact, I am entitled to interpret and use and twist the law to my own advantage. Lying, hypocrisy, and self-enrichment are entitlements to totalitarians.

Demagogues feel no limits or constraints. They will do anything needed to gain, keep, and increase power regardless of who is hurt or how badly – even if those hurt include those who voted for and supported them. They demand unwavering and unquestioning loyalty. They will even stage an event with thousands of their staunchest allies seated shoulder to shoulder – unmasked – in a time of plague – risking their health and lives – to stroke The Leader’s ego and stage a show of their unquestioning fealty. “Let’s all march down to the Capital” he will say but then gets in his limo and goes home. He will demand respect and loyalty – but feels no concern for or loyalty to others – even his own most loyal supporters.

An autocrat will misuse his public office to direct taxpayer funds to his own businesses and investments. He will use government property and resources as if they were his own. He’ll treat staff employees as if they were on his business’s payroll. He’ll order staff and advisors to refuse to cooperate or testify before other branches of the government or ignore or stonewall congressional inquiries or even subpoenas. He’ll instruct his staff to withhold intelligence bulletins or other key information that provides aid or comfort to his “enemies.” He’ll use the government to secretly investigate and gather evidence against political enemies. And he’ll remove and replace truth-tellers or potential whistleblowers or other oversight officials such as inspectors general or key scientific or medical or military advisors entrusted with safeguarding honesty and integrity.

An autocrat puts marionette cronies into high level leadership positions where they can serve as puppets to follow orders, block transparency or refuse to allow the public – or even Congress – access to vital voting security or information about his conversations in meetings with foreign leaders. He will do what it takes to cripple or disrupt essential civil institutions such as a Postal Service that might make mail-in balloting by another party’s voters easier or safer if he perceives it a threat to his re-election. He will misuse, subvert, or ignore a government justice department or intelligence agencies or our military. He’ll even trick high brass military officials into his photo ops as window dressing and ignore the cardinal rule of keeping the military that he disrespects and distains, apolitical. He’ll interfere with the military’s own judicial process. He’ll ignore its code of ethics, conduct, and chain of command. He will demand government officials swear loyalty to him – personally – rather than to their country and its Constitution. He’ll remove a prosecutor to derail an investigation that implicates him and his associates.

5. Suppress Voting Rights: An autocrat will delay elections, refuse to leave office at the end of the constitutionally limited term, and/or not accept the results of an election (“it’s a fraud and the election was stolen – unless I am declared winner”). He will claim (with absolutely no evidence) that a state Governor or local election official rigged his state’s election – even if that individual was a loyal member of his own party.
When all else fails, demagogues will reject the voting results and deny an opponent’s win, claim election fraud, and announce a take-over. He’ll say something like, “The election was stolen from me.” And his blinded followers will attack our country’s Capital – even threaten to lynch their own Vice President – who follows the
law and affirms that the opposition candidate did in fact win. They’ll threaten state election officials – even though they are loyal members of their own party – and not even their families are safe from threat of harm or death.

6. Suppress Voting: Of course, totalitarians suppress voting by those who might vote against him at every level and every opportunity. Do everything possible to block them from the exercise of that right. Discourage, disenfranchise, suppress, gerrymander, and obstruct or intimidate them from access to voting. After all, you are entitled to win. So why not do everything in your power to make it obvious that resistance is futile? And with the ultimate “in in your nose” chutzpa and hypocrisy, pass those voter suppression laws in the name of voting security.

7. Divide to Conquer. Usurpers of power never compromise or try to unite. To the contrary. Demagogues are clear that it’s “My way or the highway!” They use fear-mongering and conspiracy “secret plot” theories and race and class baiting. They deliberately pit white against black or yellow, religion against religion, east and
west coast against middle America, working class against the wealthy, and “elite” and college-educated scientists/experts against working class. And they’ll loudly brand as “unpatriotic and against our flag” any athletes or entertainers or authors with the courage to dare speak or act out against injustice! Despots know disparaging and dividing people weakens and disunites potential opposition.

8. Buy Off or Block Off Dissent: Absolute power can only be obtained with the aid of many opportunistic accomplices. Most of these enablers are the usual suspects – spineless party sycophants willing to sacrifice personal honor, integrity and reputation to show obedience to The Leader to curry his favor, avoid his wrath, and gain another term in power.

An autocrat does not need to “seize” power. He only needs to strike “deals,” in essence bribes. Offer what a given voting block/wealthy donor wants most. For instance, throw out a large tax deduction or “drive a truck through” loophole to ultrawealthy individuals or corporations (it’s taxpayers’ dollars so why not?) or pay
them off with a roll- back of environmental regulatory controls. Drill for oil in the pristine arctic? Sure! Allow your base the right to buy and own and parade down a city street openly carrying intimidating assault weapons. Conveniently forget how many children and fellow citizens have been massacred with bullets from those
weapons. Assure white supremacist groups they can continue to spread bigotry and hatred and threaten and harm those with a different color or religion or sexual orientation by giving the haters a tacit promise to look the other way. Pander to them with a wink and nod. Let them know if they support you, you’ll defend them – even if
they’ve maimed, run over, or shot and killed someone. Assure them they are both patriots and “nice” people.

The Demagogue’s Handbook cynically concludes: Every group has its quid pro quo price. Many will willfully ignore what’s happening to others or in their country as long as they think they will get what they want. Use “salami tactics buy-offs:” Cut off just a small slice at a time of citizens’ freedoms and rights. After a while, they’ll think it’s “normal.” They’ll never miss it!

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: THINK IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE?
At this point, you may be thinking: “It can’t happen here! It can’t happen in this great country. But hide it under the rug or not, history (especially the history intolerant politicians don’t want you to learn because it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient to the “truth” they are promoting) repeats itself. Consider the latest Florida state law that prevents teachers from teaching and you from learning the bad and the ugly (as well as the good and greatness) of our American history. Yes! Already, a wall is being built around what you need to understand (either because Governor DeSantis doesn’t trust you to learn and be able to discern and handle the truth – or is afraid you will and learn to think for yourself – and vote accordingly.)
WE CANNOT AVOID THE ABYSS WE REFUSE TO SEE!
Stephan R. Leimberg
High School Students:
You have my permission to reproduce and circulate this commentary.
THIS POLITICAL AD WAS APPROVED BY & PAID FOR BY STEPHAN R. LEIMBERG.
4 FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021 NEWS News-Leader