Act now before history repeats itself
Posted: January 23, 2025 Filed under: education | Tags: Brexit, Gladwell, history, Musk, Nazi, Politics, Trump 20 CommentsOn November 8–9, 1923, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party launched a bold attempt to overthrow Germany’s federal government in Munich, aiming to establish a nationalist regime. Known as the Beer Hall Putsch, this failed coup grabbed global headlines, shocking the world. Hitler and his associates were quickly arrested, and after a dramatic 24-day trial, they were convicted of treason. Despite being sentenced to prison, Hitler served less than a year before his release—time he used to lay the groundwork for his infamous future.
Fast forward to January 6, 2021: history echoed in eerie ways. Fueled by false claims of a stolen election, groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, with the backing of then-President Donald Trump, stormed the U.S. Capitol in a desperate bid to block Joe Biden’s certification as the newly elected President. The attack left the nation reeling, its democratic institutions shaken.
By August 2024, over 1,400 individuals had been charged with federal crimes related to the insurrection, and more than 900 had been convicted. Yet, in a shocking twist, Trump—returning to the presidency—undermined the justice system on his first day back in office. He issued sweeping pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals and commuted the sentences of 14 key allies connected to the Capitol attack.
Are we seeing echoes of 1930s Germany in today’s America? In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws stripped citizenship from anyone not deemed “Aryan,” cementing a dangerous precedent of exclusion and authoritarianism. Now on the first day in office, President Trump President Donald Trump’s executive order that purports to limit birthright citizenship-
Fast forward to now: former President Donald Trump’s blanket clemency and pardons for Proud Boys and other January 6 participants seem to signal unconditional support for his loyal MAGA followers. The message is clear—carry out Trump’s agenda without fear of legal consequences because he’ll have your back. Could the Proud Boys become a modern-day equivalent of Hitler’s Brownshirts (Sturmabteilung, or SA)—used to protect Trump’s movement, suppress dissent, and disrupt political opposition? This question grows even more pressing in an age where social media wields enormous influence. With Elon Musk controlling X (formerly Twitter), critics worry about the platform’s role in shaping discourse. Musk’s actions and statements have led some to compare his influence to that of Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi Minister of Propaganda. My fears are heightened after Musk made gestures similarly to that associated with Nazi symbolism during Trump’s inauguration.
Read about the possible impact of the Trump policies in the New York Times, “Donald Trump Is Running Riot” by David French, the outstanding New York Times’ opinion writer.
How Did We Get Here? A Warning from History
How could this happen? It might seem that the majority of Americans support Trump’s actions, but the numbers tell a different story. In reality, only about 33% of eligible voters cast their ballots for Trump. Over one-third of eligible voters stayed home, choosing not to vote at all. To put it in perspective, Trump’s 2024 total of 77,284,118 votes fell short of Biden’s 81,284,666 votes in 2020. The difference wasn’t that Trump gained overwhelming support—it was that fewer people showed up for Harris, and 36% did not vote.
This scenario isn’t unique to America. Take Brexit, for example: In January 2020, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, a decision driven by a passionate and sometimes misinformed minority. Now, just a few years later, many in England regret that choice, realizing the long-term consequences of their decision to leave the EU.
The truth is, in almost every major upheaval, it only takes about 30% of highly dedicated and committed individuals—some might even call them zealots—to shift the course of history. It was true for Brexit, it was true for Hitler, and is now true for Trump.
If you want to understand how this dynamic works, Malcolm Gladwell’s The Revenge of the Tipping Point offers invaluable insights into how a small but determined group can take control of the narrative and change the agenda for everyone.
Now is the time to act. It’s not too late to support democratic institutions and ensure the U.S. doesn’t slide into the abyss. Staying silent or staying home isn’t an option—democracy needs defenders–silence in the face of oppression is siding with the oppressor.
the peper perspective 
Sad you are delving into politics…
silence in the face of oppression is siding with the oppressor.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment and I totally agree with your statement. Also, government policies shape our well-being in more ways than we realize.
• Policies that create fear (like deportations) can harm mental and physical health.
• Cutting access to healthcare affects public and individual health.
• Delayed aid for natural disasters impacts rebuilding of communities and people’s health.
• If governments promote violence, citizens get hurt.
Erik
We all live in this society! We are all affected by the actions of our leaders. It’s not sad – it’s a responsibility!!!
Ik heb de afgelopen jaren genoten van je gezondheids tips op je blog, maar ben wel verbaast dat je zo’n pokitieke uitlating doet. Je ondervind veel stress van deze situatie zo te zien. Dat is niet gezond. Wat zou je aanraden voor mensen die stress ervaren door te veel nieuws lezen en te veel focussen op perceived negatieve dingen waar ze geen directe invloed op hebben?
Eric, THANK you for standing up and sounding the alarm so clearly, so succinctly, and so compellingly. I’m hoping that clearer minds than mine can add, in this comments section, ideas as to practical and immediate steps that we as individuals can take. My own thoughts have been on what must be done to do better electorally in two years – but honestly, now I no longer am so confident that there will be an actual election in two years as Trump is likely to deploy his released violent insurrectionists strategically to frighten voters in key districts, with little ability to stop them. Then my mind goes to a general strike, but I am unclear as to how and when that might be accomplished. Please, people, share your thoughts.
What should we do?
Dr. Peper, I wonder why the Peper perspective has chosen this platform to discuss political issues? Whatever my political views, this was surprising coming
Thank you for your comment. I wrote the blog because government policies shape our well-being in more ways than we realize.
• Policies that create fear (like deportations) can harm mental and physical health.
• Cutting access to healthcare affects public and individual health.
• Delayed aid for natural disasters impacts rebuilding of communities and people’s health.
• If governments promote violence, citizens get hurt.
I am certain that Dr. Peper will write his own response to you, Elizabeth, but as you are not the only person who expressed surprise or dismay that he initiated this topic, I’d like to comment on your concern as well:
There is a season when “politics” is just another “topic” and needs at times to take a back seat, at to other matters – such as science, medicine, health. But when fascist takeover of an entire society enforced by violence and the threat of violence in the service of a dictator no longer responsive to the rule of law becomes an imminent possibility, then all remaining free elements of civil society must pay attention.
The actions of the first few days of this new administration already threaten every science, every other fact-based discipline, and the public health. Far beyond partisan politics, I believe the present moment must be recognized as the true emergency it is. When the thought comes, “Perhaps this is not the time nor the place,” please consider: there may be no other time; every possible place may now need to become the place where we attempt to pull back from the precipice.
I am certain that Dr. Peper will write his own response to you, Elizabeth, but as you are not the only person who expressed surprise or dismay that he initiated this topic, I’d like to comment on your concern as well:
There is a season when “politics” is just another “topic” and needs at times to take a back seat, at to other matters – such as science, medicine, health. But when fascist takeover of an entire society enforced by violence and the threat of violence in the service of a dictator no longer responsive to the rule of law becomes an imminent possibility, then all remaining free elements of civil society must pay attention.
The actions of the first few days of this new administration already threaten every science, every other fact-based discipline, and the public health. Far beyond partisan politics, I believe the present moment must be recognized as the true emergency it is. When the thought comes, “Perhaps this is not the time nor the place,” please consider: there may be no other time; every possible place may now need to become the place where we attempt to pull back from the precipice.
Thank you Erik. This is not about politics. This is about safety, justice, upholding humanity, and our foundations of peace and compassion. Where ever we are, where ever we go, we must speak out about the injustices in the world. We can not hide from reality.
If you don’t understand why Dr Peper wrote this then you don’t understand or believe in the quote, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” This blog is where Dr Peper has earned his credibility and the trust of the people who read him regularly – so of course he would post where his words might have the greatest impact. I applaud him for it. We desperately need to listen to such a learned, thoughtful, honest, passionate as well as compassionate, and well-respected man such as Dr. Peper.
Dr. Peper,
I normally enjoy your posts when you write about physiology and neurology. This particular blog post seems to be an alarmist example of what some might call Trump Derangement Syndrome. I recommend revisiting your assertions in 3-4 years to evaluate if your opinions might have been misguided.
Mr. Brubaker, please get your own facts straight before casting stones: Tom Holman, appointed by Trump to be “border czar,” who served as acting director of ICE 2017-2018, stated, “Trump is still going to prioritize national security threats and criminals. But no one’s off the table. If you’re in the country illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder.” Trump himself told Time magazine that he would target between 15 million and 20 million people who he said are undocumented in the U.S. Trump has clearly threatened, and now has initiated, a program of deportation which may or may not prove to prioritize criminals, but which is most definitely inclusive of undocumented persons who are not criminals. And that’s a simple fact.
I applaud your speaking out. Speaking truth to power is appropriate anytime, anywhere.
hi Dr. Peper-I took your holistic health class
Wonderful job Erik. Your argument is so clear and well presented. How can intelligent beings stay so uninformed and unconcerned about the directi
Erik thank you so much for so clearly laying out the current reality under Trump and calling folks who care about the well-being and welfare of the US citizenry and many of us in Canada also. I was alarmed to hear of those 36% who stayed home and what a critical outcome that is having for us. I laud that you are using this space to call everyone to attention and the seriousness of this moment. Many thanks
“silence encourages the tormentor” : E.W. , in
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/01/1159426