On August 13, 1961, the East Germans became prisoners of their own government: anyone who wanted to leave the GDR, the supposed workers ‘and peasants’ paradise, without a permit, has since risked his life and freedom.
Around 72,000 people were arrested for attempting to flee from socialist mismanagement and harassment.
► The inventor of BILD, the publisher Axel Springer, never believed that the wall would stand for long. In 1966 he opened his new publishing headquarters right on the border and advocated the restoration of German unity. For this he was attacked. One can learn from this that one should always view the zeitgeist with skepticism.
In the meantime, the wall has been forgotten by many. The victims of communism didn’t even get a memorial. Some like Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (Die Linke) or his counterpart Manuela Schwesig (SPD) even deny that the GDR was an injustice state.
Politicians like SPD Vice Kevin Kühnert or left-wing top candidate Dietmar Bartsch want to lead the Germans back to socialism. Many Greens are also planning eco-socialist tutelage instead of freedom and personal responsibility.
► The construction of the wall 60 years ago teaches: Political doctrines of salvation of all kinds end when they come to power, almost always in bondage.
* Hubertus Knabe (62) headed the memorial in the former Stasi prison in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen for 18 years.
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