Welcome To The Von Papen Awards!
Named for German politician Franz Von Papen (1879-1969), this award will be given on a monthly basis throughout Election Year 2024 to public figures that aids and abets the onset of authoritarian rule in the U.S.A.
And our inaugural award winner is Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.!
But before we delve into why RFK, Jr. so richly deserves this ignoble prize, you might be asking, who was Franz Von Papen for whom this prestigious award was named?
Quite simply, he was the disgruntled former Weimar Republic Chancellor that made possible Hitler’s ascension to power.
Here is the Encyclopedia Britannica’s description of Von Papen’s role in Weimar Germany:
“Papen, a monarchist, decided to enter politics. From 1921 to 1932, he was a deputy in the Prussian Landtag (state parliament) and belonged to the ultraright wing of the Catholic Centre Party. Though he had certain links with German monarchists, former aristocrats, big business circles, and the German army, Papen himself had no political following. His elevation to the chancellorship (June 1, 1932), engineered by Pres. Paul von Hindenburg’s adviser Gen. Kurt von Schleicher, came as a complete surprise to the public.”
And his role in empowering Hitler:
“Papen’s reactionary policies and his efforts to replace Germany’s Weimar constitution with authoritarian rule alienated Schleicher, who wished to establish a broad national front that would have a real popular mandate. Accordingly, Schleicher induced a number of cabinet ministers to reject Papen’s policies. Papen thereupon resigned and was on December 4 succeeded as chancellor by Schleicher.” …
“Incensed at his ouster and determined to gain revenge on Schleicher, Papen came to terms with Hitler (Jan. 4, 1933) and persuaded Hindenburg to appoint the Nazi leader to the chancellorship. As vice chancellor, Papen, whose fellow non-Nazi nationalists received a majority of the ministerial posts, naively thought he could restrain the Nazis.”
Franz Von Papen was a man of little integrity who recklessly put his own ego ahead of a clear and present danger of ruthless authoritarianism.
And this brings us to our 2023 Von Papen Award winner, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Son of the slain progressive hero, Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968), RFK, Jr. has morphed into a modern day Franz Von Papen. His third party candidacy for president threatens to put Donald Trump back in the Oval Office. Trump, whose authoritarian impulses and admiration for strongman leaders are well known, is employing the tools of democracy to undermine democracy.
Von Papen was also put on notice about Hitler’s dark intentions. It was there for all to see in Mein Kampf.
Trump has also made his intention to be a dictator, albeit only on his “first day.” He employs Hitlerian terminology in his political harangues.
Put aside the fact that one day of dictatorship in America is one day too many, when has a dictator ever renounced authoritarian rule after just one day?
Never.
Because of the antiquated Electoral College system the 2024 Presidential Election promises a razor-thin margin result between the two front-runners, Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Polling has shown how in a tight race RFK, Jr.’s candidacy could hand the presidency to the twice-impeached former president. Is it any wonder why Trump allies Steve Bannon and Alex Jones have expressed exuberant support for RFK, Jr.’s decision to run?
Any progressive that is contemplating voting for our award winner instead of President Biden ought to consider the following:
-RFK, Jr. has a questionable position on reproductive rights. He has stated he would support ban on abortions after six weeks before attempting to walk back this pronouncement.
-He has addressed Moms For Liberty, a reactionary organization whose leadership is closely associated with the Florida GOP.
-He has criticized U.S. support for supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. More like Grandpa Joe of 1940 and unlike either his father or his Uncle Jack of 1962 there is a question of naive isolationism. Vladimir Putin makes no bones about rebuilding the Soviet empire, this time under a far-right authoritarian Moscow. Would our awardee allow this to happen?
- RFK, Jr. is an outspoken anti-vaxxer. Such advocacy appears to have had devastating a devastating outcome. When Samoa’s government embarked on a measles vaccination campaign he and others that share his view began an anti-vaccine advocacy that has resulted in a deadly spike in Measles spread. One family lost three children.
The Von Papen Awards Committee understands that some progressives may not be happy with Joe Biden; he is imperfect. But with that said, many of his accomplishments have been under-reported. President Biden has begun moving the nation and the Democratic Party away from neo-liberal economics. He has made the Covid-19 vaccine widely available to the public. The President has restored confidence to NATO which is now frustrating Putin’s imperialism by supporting Ukraine in its fight for survival.
But most importantly President Biden is best hope for preventing a return of Donald Trump’s and his desire for authoritarianism. Any effort that helps to put an autocratically-minded narcissist in the White House greatly endangers American democracy.
RFK, Jr., like Von Papen, is putting his ego ahead of a clear and present danger of ruthless authoritarianism. And for that reason he is the first winner of the Von Papen award.
Frank L. Cocozzelli is the author of Commissar Conservatives: How Laissez-faireLibertarianism Is DisturbinglySimilar to Communism