Interpretation Station

I must've dreamed a thousand dreams
Been haunted by a million screams
But I can hear the marching feet
They're moving into the street
--Genesis

As referenced yesterday, an Iowa Tea Party group was in the news for posting a billboard portraying an image of Barack Obama under the caption of 'Democrat Socialism' sandwiched between an image of Adolf Hitler under the caption of 'National Socialism' and an image of Vladimir Lenin under the caption of 'Marxist Socialism.' The word 'change' is stamped on each image. Under the images runs the statement: Radical Leaders Prey on the Fearful and Naive.

As expected, the billboard drew howls from Obama supporters over a perceived direct comparison between Obama and Hitler (altho much less angst seemed to be voiced w.r.t. comparison vs Lenin).

Rather than pondering direct likeness, however, let's consider a plausible alternative interpretation.

Hayek (1944) posited that increasingly interventionist policies of the US and UK were moving the countries further along the socialist scale. Unless these policies reversed, Hayek posited, then outcomes resembling extreme authoritarian states such as those operated by the German Nazis and the Russian Communists were likely.

Hayek also observed that it was during crisis situations that governments were particularly prone promote the need for change in order to acquire more control.

Hayek's thesis is still in play today. Interpreting the billboard in this context seems within the scope of reason.

References

Hayek, F.A. 1944. The road to serfdom. Chicago: The University of Chicago.