One of the reasons Republicans prefer to end the teaching of history in our schools is their fear that the American people will learn from the past. Humans learn far more from failures than successes. Repeating the past is to become a regressive people who have failed to learn their lessons.

Earlier in the day I wrote about a great American, Henry Wallace. His political defeat was a concerted effort by Harry Truman, Democratic Party Bosses, major newspapers, and conservatives on both sides. By the way, in the 21^st century the label ‘conservative’ defines politicians who would prefer to remain stagnant or move our nation backwards. This is true today.

Now I want to take a look at the presidency of Harry Truman. In 1944 Truman was President Roosevelt’s second choice for a running mate. However, party bosses convinced an ailing FDR to select Truman, although Henry Wallace had been a virtual partner in the war effort with his president. This single action altered the history of the world. When FDR died on April 12, 1945, Truman decided to escalate the development of the first atomic bombs called “Little Boy,” and its brother, “Fat Man.”

Although Wallace, and military leaders including Dwight D. Eisenhower were opposed to using the atomic bomb, hawks, including the man who oversaw its development, Major General Leslie Groves, and General Curtis LeMay, who organized America’s aerial battles convinced Trump to use “the bomb.”

Anti-bomb forces claimed that the expected slaughter of tens-of-thousands of innocent men, women, and children was in opposition to the principles of the United States of America. Truman retaliated claiming that he would be saving the lives of thousands of American soldiers. Nearly all of the generals agreed that the War in the Pacific would be over in about two months without the use of ‘the bomb.’ The first test of an atomic bomb occurred on July 16, 1945 near Alamogordo, New Mexico.

“Little Boy” was dropped on Nagasaki on August 6, 1945, and “Fat Man” detonated over Hiroshima on August 9^th.

Before the horrific devastation in August, Wallace and a few others warned of the danger of beginning a nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Truman and his supporters ignored the warning.

The surrender of Japan was signed on September 8, 1951. However, rhetoric from Winston Churchill and Truman denouncing the Soviets, claiming that Stalin’s ambition was to conquer the world and spread communism began in 1946.

On August 29, 1949, the USSR detonated its first atomic weapon. The rush to begin the creation of a nuclear arsenal had begun. By 1950, the U.S. had manufactured approximately 300 atomic and hydrogen bombs. The predictions of Henry Wallace had become a reality.

The verbal attacks against America’s WWII ally, the Soviet Union, escalated, and the term “red menace” became a household term. Fear of the spread of communism became a primary tactic of politicians who sought votes from an uninformed electorate. It’s important to note here that Republicans learned a lesson from this Democratic president: fear is more effective than supporting the issues which challenge the American people. Un-substantiated fear, creates anger, and eventually hatred.

The greatest weakness of the American people is emotion caused by fear and fallacious accusations by our nation’s leaders. This was prevalent in the 1950’s, escalated during the Reagan administration, continued during Bush 41’s administration, aided Bush 43 in his elections in 2000 and 2004, and gifted the election to Donald John Trump in 2016.

An uninformed voter is a danger to America. The facts prove that 90 percent of voters cast their ballots based on what they hear and see on television news. The fourth estate is non-existent in the 21^st century, and nothing on television is related to reality.

The failures of Harry Truman created the nuclear arms race and the cold war. His focus on communism was responsible for the fascist actions of Joseph McCarthy in 1954. Every day since my birth in 1946 the danger of nuclear warfare was a reality. Fear is more powerful than the truth. The American people are willing to believe lies if those falsehoods support what they want to believe.

It’s time for America to become a nation of intelligent and informed citizens instead of complacent men and women who go about their lives in ignorance. Every action by our government in Washington affects your future; regardless of your age. If you choose to be informed, or uninformed, you are responsible for your future and the future of your grandchildren. Republicans rely on your failure. The future is in your hands.

Any eligible American who does not vote is guilty of surrendering to a fascist government whose goal is to enslave the American people.

It’s up to you; November 3^rd is coming very soon.

“The Truth Lives Here”

Op-ed by James Turnage

Image courtesy of Kheel Center

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