And Talking about Predictions

     This might be an interesting idea for a new Historical Fiction yarn.
Or a horror story, depending on your outlook:

 Amerigo, The First Reich

     Once upon a time, there was a powerful republic consisting of many states with autonomous powers. People were prosperous and relatively happy. They also said what followed could never happen to them. But it did. Everybody’s life went into the toilet, except for Kaiser Reginald’s and those who sidled up to his ample derriere. He marveled at his successful coup, often reminding his subjects as well as the rest of the world who was in charge now.

     “I created the First Reich of Amerigo, and I made it great by building a yuge wall,” he pouted at his hand-picked press corps. His cheeks puffed out, rosacea blotches replacing their usually unhealthy pallor. Although deemed fearless, he flinched as a sudden gust from the open palace window played with his careful comb-over, briefly revealing a shiny pate.

     “Hail, Kaiser Reginald,” the press corps members cried in unison, throwing furtive glances around, wondering if they were being recorded by the KRSS, Kaiser Reginald’s Secret Service. Those muscle-bound hounds were hand-picked and duly cowed as they jostled to stay at their master’s beck and call, as well as his feeding trough.

     Reginald’s well-oiled propaganda machine churned out one rousing slogan after another. He personally flung them at the masses, often contradicting his own last version with flair and impunity.

     “How could this have happened,” the people moaned.
Apparently, they had not studied their history lessons in school.

     Anybody remember Napoleon, et al? The Corsican soldier entered politics by taking up the common cause for a new French Republic. The restless proletariat believed and supported him wholeheartedly.

     That went well ... until he crowned himself emperor.

How dare I say this? Been there, done that during the "et al-period" mentioned above...that's how.