Charlie Chaplin released silence and embraced full sound with dual on screen performances; one as a Jewish barber and one as a dictator, Adenoid Hynkel, in his 1940 film, The Great Dictator. Chaplin, as the Jewish barber, who is mistakenly thought to be Adenoid Hynkel, delivers a powerful speech – a speech that remains relevant in its appeal for unity, for democracy, for people to, “live by each others happiness not by each others misery.”
Even Franklin Delano Roosevelt requested that Chaplin deliver the speech at the White House. Chaplin’s speech, with all of its truth, thought, and passion, still connects today. Chaplin said, “One doesn’t have to be a Jew to be anti Nazi. All one has to be is a normal decent human being.” Denouncing Nazis and white supremacy should not be a “challenge” for anyone, much less a major political party in America. Yet, this seems to be a difficult action for the Republican Party, not only the words to denounce, but the action of not embracing, supporting, or protecting Nazis and white supremacy.
Normal and decent, have been eliminated from the Republican Party. A Republican Party with members whom are cozy with Nazis at speeches and at the insurrection they planned to overthrow democracy. A Republican Party whose standard bearer dines with Nazi’s, and keeps them on stand by. A Republican Party whose so called “normal” members just can’t seem to publicly speak up on the side of normal and decent.
The current House of Horrors, aka the Republican led Congress, is a reflection of what happens when normal and decent people are no longer leading the Party. The comedy to tragedy ratio will be tilted to tragedy in the Republican Party now that “the fringe” is the focus of the Party, they are in the driver’s seat…they don’t ride shotgun, they open carry their shotguns.
Sure, there will be comedic happenings in the 118th Congress, Majorie will accidentally butt dial Donald, Steve Scalise will think he’s actually David Duke and come to Congress in a white hood and robe, only to find that several other members are also in white hoods and robes, resulting in a who wore it better Congressional Klan catwalk competition. Alas, this Republican led Congress is simply far too tragic leaning…this Republican Party doesn’t like democracy. They don’t like the fact that The People choose their leaders, moreover, they don’t like the fact that The People aren’t choosing them.
“You the people have the power to make this life free and beautiful to make this life a wonderful adventure, then in the name of democracy, let us use that power. Let us all unite.”