To the Editor:

For an enhanced understanding of the madness currently afflicting American society and politics, I strongly recommend reading Erich Fromm's "The Sane Society." Fromm, one of the preeminent social psychologists of the 20th century, draws on his background as a Jewish refugee fleeing fascist Germany to describe the ease with which vast segments of a population can rapidly become untethered from factual reality, and wholeheartedly enter the delusional world of a psychotic dictator.

Fromm labeled this phenomenon "Folie a Millions." Individuals suffering from "folie" are impervious to facts. They regard any disagreement with their worldview, any criticism of their leader, as a threat of personal annihilation.

Sadly, in 2024 America suffered from all the requisite pre-existing conditions — personal isolation, alienation, gross income inequality, fear of change, prejudice and despair — for succumbing to "folie." It is a virulently contagious form of insanity. Add to all this the distortions and misinformation promulgated by social and right wing media, and we have the perfect environment for the disaster now unfolding in our country.

I hope and believe that the many millions of Americans who understand and value our democracy, who support our judiciary, our rule of law and the system of checks and balances set forth in our Constitution, will prevail through non-violent resistance against the chaos and destruction being unleashed by the current administration.

It is futile to attempt to find common ground with insanity.

Sally Filkins
Pittsfield, Mass. 

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