How Many Times Have We Heard "It's like 1984"?

I read this tweet thread recently where the author draws parallels between what is happening today and the book 1984 by George Orwell. She is clear to point out that she doesn't believe we have reached an extreme dystopia like in 1984 but that there are enough parallels to set off some alarms.

First, if you are not familiar with the book 1984 go read it. It's a great book! Do not watch the movie, which happened to have been released in 1984, it's weird and a little difficult to follow.

Watch this video to get a quick synopsis of 1984.

The thread is frighteningly accurate. Some of the correlations between current events and 1984 are so spot-on they might as well be part of the book's plot.

However, this is not the first time I have heard comparisons between 1984 and the present day.

The book was first published in 1949 by George Orwell while in England. He was inspired by what was happening in Russian and the spread of Communism. Ever since its publication, comparisons have been made to the book.

Around the same time of the publication of 1984, the United States entered into what would be called the McCarthy era—named after Sen. Joseph McCarthy, a Republican Senator from Wisconsin, who used tactics of accusing U.S. citizens of subversion and treason, specifically when related to left-wing individuals.

During this time, there was heightened political repression and persecution of left-wing individuals. The practice was untimely referred to as McCarthyism. Over time several of his accusations were found to be false, and he lost popularity. However, there is no question there was much abuse of power during this time. Individuals were not allowed to freely speak their minds and engage in dissenting opinions without the threat of losing their job or being interrogated by law enforcement or the FBI.

The 1960s was a great time of upheaval. Many students, journalists, and activists engaged in protest and activism. Some were earnestly exercising their right to protest, and others were engaging in domestic terrorism. Kent State happened, the FBI was notorious for creating files on people, Nixon was recording conversations and having people break into the DNC headquarters, and again comparisons to 1984 were made.

Comparisons were made again in the 80s when there were calls for censorship, specifically of music and videos games. And if you remember, 1984 had a resurgence during Trump's presidency.

My point is comparisons to 1984 have been made ever since it was published. This should not be surprising; remember, history repeats itself.

1984 demonstrates why we need to know our history and teach it to younger generations in order for it to not be forgotten, and so we can learn from it. Understanding history is how we can foresee what is to come and stop it before we go too far.

But is it different this time, and if so, what makes it different?

My concern this time is who's "Big Brother." Almost every time "Big Brother" came from the right, some desired to maintain power while others were misguided by their zeal to protect the country and ultimately ended up violating the Constitution.

But those in the past were limited because they believed in the United States and the Constitution. It was important to them, and it ultimately led them not to go too far off the rails or to self-correct.

This time is different because many Democrats in office see the Constitution as an obstacle. The left wants to destroy everything the United States stands for. The Republicans are showing themselves to be too weak to defend our country.

Here is the good news. We are not 1984. It can be stopped, and I believe it will be.

Because we, the people who fight for freedom, are the guardrails, regardless of party. If you are in the mindset of Democrat vs. Republican when it comes to the citizenry, it is time to reset your mind. Because the fight is not Democrat vs. Republican, it's freedom vs. tyranny.

I have every confidence that freedom will win.