THE REARVIEW MIRROR

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Every dictatorship has that mandate that turns out to be "a mandate too many".
Only... that mandate tends to be seen only in the rearview mirror...
They look at that mirror, and they say to themselves...
"I should have stopped after the last mandate... A few years ago... Just a few years ago."

They ask... "How have things come to this?"
"Why can't they allow me finish just this mandate and go away nicely and gently... I promise... I will go... I may not have said it, but I planned to go"

The groaners march the streets... No-one is fighting back... Everyone calling for calm... They ask for respect of rule of law without wishing that the expressed desire comes true.

The men in boots say it's not a coup. Everyone knows it is, without obviously acknowledging it.

Then the strongman runs away... or is allowed to run. No-one is asking for his return. He becomes an uncomfortable guest wherever he is... Becomes increasingly isolated... His former supporters are looking elsewhere... Changing their suits.

Neighbours start to look over their shoulders... They become friendly with their troops... Perhaps even add their wages and favours... They make few democratic concessions, mostly covertly in order not to manifest their panic.

Then the pieces soon fall into place... Calm returns... Everyone forgets the strongman. Neighbours tighten their grip again AND WAIT... WAIT... WAIT.

BECAUSE THEIR TURN WILL COME... IT ALWAYS COMES...
EVERYONE'S TURN EVENTUALLY COMES... That time when they wished they had gone when they were asked to go... THAT REARVIEW MIRROR MOMENT.

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