McLean County Times

Totalitarianism, historically associated with socialist regimes like Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia, evokes images of oppressive governments with centralized control and suppression of individual freedoms. A new form of totalitarianism has emerged in recent years, often called "soft totalitarianism." Its practices are most closely associated with progressive Democrats in the United States. Unlike its brutal predecessor, soft totalitarianism operates insidiously, subtly infringing upon fundamental liberties and eroding democratic and religious values. This op-ed aims to explore the evils of soft totalitarianism, examine its characteristics and consequences, and explain the importance of safeguarding our traditional principles and religious beliefs.

Defining Soft Totalitarianism

As the name suggests, soft totalitarianism is a milder, more covert form of totalitarianism. It does not rely on overt violence or mass surveillance but subtly manipulates public opinion, stifles dissent, and suppresses individual expression. Several key elements characterize this emerging phenomenon:

Censorship and Cancel Culture: In soft totalitarianism, individuals are silenced through social pressures rather than legal mechanisms. Cancel culture, online shaming, and de-platforming dissenting voices create a climate where free expression is stifled, and self-censorship becomes prevalent.

Political Correctness: The emphasis on political correctness serves as a tool for controlling language and thought. Under the guise of inclusivity and tolerance, speech codes and cultural norms are imposed, limiting the scope of acceptable discourse.

Surveillance Capitalism: Private corporations increasingly collect and utilize personal data for profit and control. The constant monitoring of online activity and the use of algorithms to curate information contribute to shaping public opinion and behavior.

Corporate and Government Alliances: Soft totalitarianism often thrives on the alliance between big corporations and governments. These entities cooperate to suppress dissent, curate content, and shape public discourse, blurring the line between state and corporate power.

The Consequences of Soft Totalitarianism

The rise of soft totalitarianism has far-reaching consequences that pose a grave threat to democracy and individual freedoms:

Erosion of Free Speech: Soft totalitarianism undermines one of the foundational principles of democracy—free speech. When individuals fear retribution for expressing their opinions, open dialogue and exchanging ideas suffer, ultimately weakening the democratic process.

Dumbing Down of Discourse: The prevalence of political correctness stifles intellectual debate, reducing complex issues to simplistic slogans. This leads to shallow, polarized discussions that hinder progress and critical thinking.

Loss of Privacy: The unchecked collection of personal data infringes upon citizens' privacy. When individuals are constantly surveilled, and their information is exploited for profit or control, they become vulnerable to manipulation and coercion.

Homogenization of Thought: Soft totalitarianism promotes conformity and discourages diversity of thought. When only a narrow range of ideas is deemed acceptable, society loses the rich tapestry of perspectives that drive innovation and progress.

Safeguarding Against Soft Totalitarianism

To combat the evils of soft totalitarianism, it is imperative that society takes proactive steps to protect religious beliefs, democratic values, and individual liberties:

Defend Free Speech: Protecting free speech, even when it involves unpopular or controversial opinions, is essential to maintaining a healthy democracy. Laws and regulations should safeguard individuals' right to express themselves without fear of reprisal.

Promote Media Literacy: Encouraging media literacy empowers individuals to evaluate information and discern bias critically. An informed citizenry is less susceptible to manipulation and misinformation.

Regulate Data Privacy: Stricter regulations on data collection and usage by corporations and governments are needed to protect individuals' privacy. Transparency and consent should be at the forefront of data practices.

Encourage Open Dialogue: Fostering an environment where diverse viewpoints are encouraged and respected is crucial. Encouraging open dialogue, empathy, and understanding can counter the divisive effects of soft totalitarianism.

Conclusion

Soft totalitarianism poses a subtle yet dangerous menace to religion, democracy, and individual liberties. It even threatens our children and our parental rights. While its methods may not be as blatant as historical totalitarian regimes, the outcomes are equally grave. To combat the dangers of soft totalitarianism, societies must remain alert, defend freedom of speech, foster media literacy, enact laws to safeguard data privacy and cultivate open discourse. These actions are indispensable in upholding democratic values and protecting fundamental rights and freedoms for a fair and free society. We must be ever vigilant of the fact that it is the progressive Democrat Party that is the purveyor of soft totalitarianism. Is that party worthy of any Americans' support, or should they fight it with all their might, as if faith, family, and freedom depend on it? If you want to know the worth of the Democrats, merely look at their fruits. By their fruits, you shall know them.