By William Haupt III | The Center Square
Statue
of Vladimir Lenin - Shutterstock photo
“If
Socialism can only be realized when the intellectual development of all the
people permits it, then we shall not see Socialism for at least five hundred
years.”
–
Vladimir Lenin
On
March 3, 1918, in Brest-Litovsk, Russia signed a treaty with Germany to end
World War I. The heavy cost of the war and casualties increased mistrust for
the imperial regime of Czar Nicholas II. Vladimir Lenin saw this as an
opportunity for the radical socialists to start a revolution that would allow
him to take control of Russia as a dictator, and build a socialist empire in
Eastern Europe.
Lenin
rose to power on a deluge of promises. He promised to give food and shelter to
the starving cities. He told the peasants he’d give them land owned by the
wealthy and convinced the Russians he’d make Russia a great nation again.
Little did the gullible Russians know, Lenin would not keep one promise! He
purposely created a three-year revolutionary crisis to justify his totalitarian
acts.
Lenin
crafted a plan to influence the people to follow him willingly into a socialist
state with his “six principles of propaganda.” This empowered the Bolsheviks to
govern by the barrel of the gun and to exploit Russian democracy; and to ‘’fundamentally
transform’’ Russia into a socialist autocracy.
“Without
a revolutionary theory there cannot be a revolutionary movement.”
Vladimir
Lenin
Lenin
did not try to win people with ideas; he used oppression, coercion, fear and
intimidation. His plan was effective and efficient: “The end justifies the
means, promise the most for the least, never let a crisis go to waste,
demonization, and blame your predecessor.” He employed every resource to flood
the public with propaganda until it was the “new truth.” And people played
follow the leader.
Lenin
said, “The press should be not only be a collective propagandist and a
collective agitator, but also a collective organizer of the masses.” He used
the media to brainwash the people. Russian papers either printed what they were
told or were shut down. He filled the airwaves with simple notorious messages
as, “Power to the Soviets!" "Revolt!” “Equality!” and “Fundamental
Change!"
“It
is much easier to shout, abuse, and howl than to attempt to relate, or explain.”
–
Vladimir Lenin
Historian
Robert Service wrote, “Lenin knew he must attack first to succeed.” Those who
believed him at first were afraid to speak when they learned the truth. His
attacks were personal and direct: He called opponents "insects,"
"spiders," "leeches" and "bloodsuckers.” He referred
to those who produced the goods and services as “self-indulgent hoarders"
who were “villains” for the people.
Lenin
knew the Russians wouldn’t succumb to socialism so he called it Leninism.
Imagine if Lenin, Stalin, Hitler and other tyrants had access to today’s
technology? That should be enough to sober any liberal into rethinking their
views about the far left and take actions to save their republic from
socialism; especially when media outlets, TV newsrooms, and newspapers etc. are
out pitching it!
But
those who follow someone for the wrong reason can be derided easily by whatever
means that person chooses to placate them. They name call, label others
conspiracy “theorists,” even if there is a conspiracy, because followers of false
profits believe what sounds too good to be true. This is especially true if
they are part of a political party – even when they know their party is dead
wrong.
Too
many times, “We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public
office.”
– Aesop
A
Pew Research study found since the election of Barack Obama, fewer than a third
of those polled respond accurately. If a party’s followers respond more often,
or their candidate is a media favorite, the results are skewed. The 2016
presidential election is a perfect example of how polling bias was used to
silence Trump supporters.
“I
just can’t believe the polls were that far off?”
–
Hillary Clinton
They
suggest many of those polled feared responding they were voting for Trump. They
call them “shy Trumpers” because the media positioned him as a lunatic and
socially undesirable. This was especially true with ethnic minorities and
long-time Democrats who were fed up with the economy under Obama, high
unemployment, his partisanship and upset losing their free market health care.
New
York Times polling guru Nate Cohn wrote, “The national polls were worse than
they were four years ago.” Polls totally overstated Biden’s popularity and vote
margin over Trump and Republican candidates in target states. All polls showed
Democrats making huge gains in the House. Yet, the Republicans gained 13; all
from Democrats. Polling deficiencies were mostly in the swing states.
Nobody
is more “under counted” than Black Americas, according to recent census data.
The Black vote is 12.6% of the U.S. population and is a major focus in general
elections. Pollsters and the left focus on opinions from Black inner-city
districts. Yet only 36% of Blacks live in inner-city districts, while 39% live
in the suburbs. And only a small percentage, 15%, live in metropolitan areas.
Yet due to peer pressure and liberal distortion of our history and the GOP,
they always skew Democrat.
“Republicans
will put y'all back in chains if they win this election. Do you want that? ”
–
Joe Biden
At
one time polling was an example of free speech in a free society. People were
proud to state their views when a legitimate polling agency called them. Polls
were far more accurate because people were not afraid to say what they thought.
But this year’s “ludicrous” polls suggest people aren’t confident they live in
such a society. When they see the media campaigning for the socialist left,
they fear speaking the truth. Isn’t this the same way Lenin rose to power in
Russia in 1917?
The
tactics Lenin used to turn Russia into a socialist dictator state are a perfect
example of what can happen in a nation if people are intimidated by
politicians, the media, peer groups and political parties into subservience to
their credo and ideology with 24/7 one-sided indoctrination. Damage done to a
democracy when people are afraid to speak out leads to loss of liberty and even
worse: Lenin said it best:
“The
best way to control the opposition is to lead it ourselves.”
–
Vladimir Lenin
No
voice, liberal or conservative should, be silenced! Stifling expressions of
private concern and public interest is very problematic for any kind of
political participation, and it is particularly bad for the practice of freedom
and democracy. This unhealthy climate of fear about speaking freely on controversial
subjects is destroying republicanism and opening the door for unabridged
socialism.
Lenin
said, “A lie told often enough becomes the truth.” Argumentative discussion is
good for the health of the republic and fosters improvement and participation
in government. But when people fear expressing opinions with others, or when
they are denied that right in public forums, republics die a slow and painful
death. The chapters of history are filled with governments that self-imploded
because people were silenced or feared speaking out! Are we going to let that
happen in America?
“We
are not utopians, we do not dream of dispensing administration with
subordination. We want people to accept socialism and relinquish control,
that’s an anarchist’s dream.”
– Vladimir
Lenin
Contributing
Columnist William Haupt III is a retired professional journalist, author, and
citizen legislator in California for over 40 years. He got his start working to
approve California Proposition 13.
