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Monday, January 27, 2025

RESISTING FASCISM ~ Less is More by Frank Shima

Member of Playwrights’ Center Frank Shima, a native of Minnesota, either entertains or annoys neighbors by playing Czech songs on his accordion. He has written four novels, VENCIL, DEAD LETTER, PLUM CREEK, and LYING IN THE WEEDS, available on Amazon. His plays have been performed throughout the United States in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Long Island, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York City, North Carolina, and Ohio, and in England and Wales where he learned not to use unleaded gas in a diesel engine.
 
ABOUT THE PLAY
The premise for “Less is More” came from the poem “First They Came” by Pastor Martin Niemoller. When a regime tries to eliminate everything that it doesn’t agree with, it affects everyone. You never know when you yourself will be targeted. They might come for you and there will be no one to speak out for you. Less Government – More Freedom is actually More Government – Less Freedom.
America was built on diversity. It is this diversity that made America great. And it is this diversity that will allow America to survive a fascist regime.
    
     ~ Excerpt published by permission, all rights held by the playwright.

If you enjoy a piece published in the RESISTING FASCISM project, we encourage you to reach out to the playwright to tell them so. If the playwright has not included an email address or website, let us know at info@nycplaywrights.org and we'll pass along your message.

 

            MONTY

Be realistic. There are some things the government provides that are necessary.

             ELLEN

And who decides?

             MONTY

It should be obvious.

            ELLEN
Like the things you want and need.  
             
            MONTY

Precisely. If I don’t need it, other people shouldn’t either.

            TIM
But all people aren’t the same. 
 
            MONTY

That’s the problem. The differences in people are what cause the problems.

             TIM

So, you are against anything different than you.


            MONTY

Of course. That should be obvious. Doesn’t everyone feel that way?

              ELLEN

Not really. It seems to me that you now have LESS freedom.

               MONTY

I have the freedom to live the life I want in the house I want.
            
                ELLEN
Without government controls. 
 
                MONTY

Yes. There were just too many government rules and regulations.

                ELLEN
Maybe they were there for a reason. 
 
                MONTY
Just to cost me more money for permits. 
 
                ELLEN
    
Or maybe so your house is built correctly and safe to live in.

                MONTY
Never mind. I can watch out for myself. 
 
                ELLEN

And if someone can’t.

                MONTY

That’s their problem.

                ELLEN
Until it becomes your problem. 
     
                TIM

I was just wondering, Monty. Where are you going when you have to leave the country? 
 
                MONTY

What do you mean? I’m not going anywhere.

                TIM

That’s what you think.

                ELLEN

I wonder if you agree with the latest presidential executive order?

                MONTY

I agree with all of them. They’re for the good of the
country.

                ELLEN

I don’t think you’ll agree with this one.

                MONTY

Why not?

                TIM

We weren’t going to say anything. But your neighbor told us you weren’t born in the United States. 
 
                MONTY

So what? I’m a naturalized citizen. I fulfilled all the
requirements and took the oath of allegiance.

                ELLEN

It doesn’t matter. The President has rescinded all of them by proclamation.

                TIM

He can’t do that.

                ELLEN

He can and he did. Your naturalization has been revoked, repealed, and annulled.

                TIM

You’re out of here.

                MONTY

That can’t be. My whole life is here. My whole family.

                TIM 
 
They’re out of here, too.

                MONTY

That can’t do that to me.

                ELLEN

What do you think of your less government now?

                TIM

And your more freedom?

                MONTY 
 
It’s not right. It isn’t fair.
 
                ELLEN

Of course, it’s not fair. But it’s what you voted for.'


THE LATEST TRUMP FASCISM ATROCITY: Pete Hegseth was confirmed as Trump’s defense secretary despite allegations of sexual assault and spousal abuse

The Guardian:  ...experts raised alarms about Hegseth’s apparent affinity for far-right symbols – noting that his tattoo sleeve featured at least two images associated with far-right and neo-Nazi groups. Hegseth himself has complained publicly that the US Army declined his service during Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration after a fellow servicemember flagged him as a potential insider threat.


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