March 23, 1933, a newly elected German Parliament (Reichstag) gathered in Berlin, to pass the ,"Law for removing the distress of the people and the Reich". With its passage, would come the end of German democracy, and create a legal dictator, in Adolf Hitler. The "distress" that Germany was experiencing at the time, was the result of a planned event, carried out on February 27th, 1933, by the Nazis themselves in order to create a crisis, to justify the willingness to concentrate all of the German government's power in one man, Adolf Hitler. The event amounted to the torching of the Reichstag building. This is similar to what some call a "false flag" operation, or event. As a result of the fire, the people were beyond upset, and the Nazis took advantage of the peoples' outrage, pinned the act of arson, on the communists. Chaos ensued.
On the day that the vote was set,Nazi storm troopers marched, as a show of force. They were chanting "Full powers- or else! We want want the bill - or fire and murder!" These Nazi soldiers filled the hallways, staring down anyone that may want to vote against full power for Hitler. Just before the vote, Hitler gave a speech and promised to only use this power, to carry out vitally necessary measures. His other promises highlighted in that speech, included an end to unemployment and to make peace with France, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. Passage of the act, required 31 non Nazi votes, which came from the members of the center party. These votes were only made possible, by promises that Hitler made to these moderates, that were not followed through on after the fact. One man Otto Wells, a social democrat, stood up and addressed Hitler directly. "We German Social Democrats pledge ourselves solemnly in this historic hour to the principles of humanity and justice, of freedom and socialism. No enabling act can give you power to destroy ideas which are eternal, and indestructible". With these words, Hitler became outraged. "You are no longer needed! -The star of Germany will rise and yours will sink! Your death knell has sounded!" The final vote was 441 in favor, and only 84, all social democrats, opposed. This was the beginning of the nightmare that was Nazi Germany. Note that it was voted on, and passed by elected officials.
The lesson to take away from this, is that our government is made up of imperfection, due to the fact that every elected official, is human. Most importantly, giving one man dictatorial powers, will put us at the mercy of human nature, more specifically, sin. The Reichstag voted the power away, America is allowing the power to be taken through inactivity, or just looking the other way. History does repeat itself, but rather than learn from others' mistakes, we as a people continue to travel down the same road, leading to the same mistakes. The funny thing is, we always act like we are shocked or caught off guard, when in reality, we knew what was coming all along, we just chose to look the other way.