I’d first heard of this book while reading about mainstream writers who wrote—not on purpose, some would say—science fiction. I was 13 at the time. I was blown away by it.
The novel was called It Can’t Happen Here. From Wikipedia:
Sinclair Lewis’s It Can't Happen Here is an alarming, eerily timeless work. The Chicago Tribune described the book as “written at white heat,” for Lewis was outraged as he created it, tormented by Hitler's aggression, the murderous events in Franco’s Spain, and nationalism rising in America. This book remains a warning about the fragility of democracy, juxtaposing hilarious satire with a blow-by-blow description of a president “saving” the country from welfare cheaters, sex, crime and the liberal press by becoming a dictator.
In 1936, American Senator Berzelius “Buzz” Windrip enters the presidential election campaign on a populist platform, promising to restore the country to prosperity and greatness, and promising each citizen $5,000 per year. Portraying himself as a champion of “the forgotten man” and “traditional” American values, Windrip defeats incumbent President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the Democratic nomination, and then beats his Republican opponent, Senator Walt Trowbridge, in the November election.
Having previously foreshadowed some authoritarian measures to reorganize the government, Windrip outlaws dissent, incarcerates political enemies in concentration camps then trains and arms a paramilitary force called the Minute Men—named after the Revolutionary War militias—who terrorize citizens and enforce the policies of a corporatist regime. One of Windrip’s first acts as president is to eliminate the influence of Congress, which draws the ire of many citizens and the legislators themselves. The Minute Men respond to protests harshly, attacking demonstrators with bayonets. In addition to these actions, Windrip's administration, known as the Corpo government, curtails women's and minority rights then eliminates individual states by subdividing the country into administrative sectors.
The government of these sectors is managed by Corpo authorities, usually prominent businessmen or Minute Men officers. Those accused of crimes against the government appear before kangaroo courts presided over by military judges.
Most Americans approve of these dictatorial measures, seeing them as painful but necessary steps to restore American power.
Sound familiar?
It happened here in 2016. We cannot let it happen again.
Get a copy of the novel. A man ahead of his time, Lewis profoundly understood the American character and ripped away smug platitudes to give readers the truth. In 1935, the Springfield Republican called It Can’t Happen Here “a message to thinking Americans.” Thinking Americans still need to hear it.
Be seeing you.
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