Sound Familiar?
Rule by killing—even if it takes the form of suppression, exile, imprisonment, or (as in business) mere dismissal—affects the sensibilities of those who do it. Unsurprisingly, they hear fewer and fewer dissenting opinions, and long though their reigns may be, their sense of reality becomes increasingly impaired. They become paranoid, not least because they have made themselves more and more enemies. Those around them, acting “only in command, never in love,” may implement their orders mechanically—and on occasion foolishly, as they try to make sure that they will not be the tyrant’s next victim. And the leader himself becomes less imaginative and clever.
This should sound familiar. Cohen is providing us with a cautionary warning here. While the current administration is not using murder in the literal sense (and let’s hope it never descends that far into the abyss) It certainly is employing murder in the business sense, summary dismissal of anyone in service that speaks out or in any way displeases the POTUS. Cohen does not touch on the “murder” of facts, but that is definitely occurring and has become a staple of the administration. It’s difficult for me to understand how anyone can tolerate, let alone support, this type of leadership.