To the Editor:

On March 24, 1933 in Germany, the Enabling Act was passed by the German Reichstag. Your last paragraph in this week’s editorial sums up the Enabling Act and its effects [“Schools must stay the course in meeting the needs of each and every student,” Feb. 17, 2025].

The Enabling Act reads as follows.

 The Reichstag has passed the following law, which is, with the approval of the Reichsrat, herein promulgated, after it has been established that it meets the requirements for legislation altering the Constitution.

Article 1. National laws can be enacted by the Reich Cabinet as well as in accordance with the procedure established by the Constitution. This also applies to the laws referred to in Article 85, paragraph 2, and in Article 87 of the Constitution.

Article 2: The national laws enacted by the Reich cabinet may deviate from the Constitution as long as they do not affect the institution of the Reichstag and the Reichsrat. The powers of the President remain unaffected.

Article 3.  The national laws enacted by the Reich Cabinet shall be prepared by the Chancellor and published in the Reichsgesetzblatt. They come into effect, unless otherwise specified, the day after their publication. Articles 68-87 of the Constitution do not apply to the laws enacted by the Reich Cabinet. 

Article 4. Treaties of the Reich with foreign states which concern matters of national legislation do not require the consent of the bodies participating in legislation. The Reich Cabinet establishes regulations for the implementation of these treaties.

Article 5. This law becomes effective on the day of its publication. It becomes invalid on April 1, 1937. It also becomes invalid if the present Reich Cabinet is replaces by another.

Berlin, March 24, 1933

Reich President von Hindenberg

Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler

Reich Minister of the Interior Frick

Reich Minister of Foreign Affairs Baron von Neurath

Reich Minister of Finances Count Schwerin von Krosigk

How is the above any different from Elon Musk’s takeover, DOGE, Project 2025 as well as the lickspittle acquiescence of the Republican Party as well as MAGA, the Republican intellectual wing?  It is not.

In 1935 came the Nuremberg  Race Laws condemning Jews to non-citizenship and paving the way for the Holocaust.

Do you honestly think that this current action in America will end here?

Where are our local Republican leaders such as Mr. [Mark] Grimm, Mr. [Jeff] Perlee, Mr. [Jim] McGaughey and Mr. [James] Tedisco to condemn in no uncertain terms what is occurring in our America today in 2025?

Your silence deems consent.

John B. Haluska

Sherry D. Haluska

Guilderland