It is vain to fight totalitarianism by adopting totalitarian methods.

"It is vain to fight totalitarianism by adopting totalitarian methods. Freedom can only be won by men unconditionally committed to the principles of freedom. The first requisite for a better social order is the return to unrestricted freedom of thought and speech."

Ludwig von Mises (1881-1973)

Above quote taken from the forward in his 1944 book Omnipotent Government: The Rise of the Total State and Total War. I just finished the 1st chapter, and thus far so applicable the critique, it is as though I'm reading a current assessment of 21st century societies and governments, particularly United States. It is clear to this poet (and have been for some time), we have arrived at this unfortunate even dire juncture by a series of bipartisan decisions, although we are not trapped in a vicious cycle lest history is ignored or misunderstood. For it is also quite true, by a series of decisions upon empirical study and knowledge the monstrous wars, inhumane atrocities, economic disasters hence termination of life, intrusion of privacy, elimination of liberty, confiscation of property and more can be ethically, sustainably reversed. Accordingly, Mises goes on to emphasize...

"Whoever wishes to understand the present state of political affairs must study history. He must know the forces which gave rise to our problems and conflicts. Historical knowledge is indispensable for those who want to build a better world."

Yet here we are clueless, ignorant while oddly and violently arrogant, facing a historically familiar onslaught of bipartisan Fascism economically, socially and privately, as well Hitlerjungend-esque or Sturmabteilung-like methods much preferred on the streets, campuses and online (see previous post), along with Bush-Obama-Trump nationalistic policies ergo imperialistic wars waging abroad for almost two decades.

See link for free ebook version, courtesy of Mises Institute...
https://mises.org/library/omnipotent-government-rise-total-state-and-total-war

Come let us Reason (Is 1:18). Peace is always a Choice (Mt 5:9).
Study, Ponder, Labor, till last Breath (2 Tm 2:15 / Cl 3:23).