(Being politicians, and wanting to be re-elected, Congress had passed legislation to provide bonuses to the veterans of World War 1. Being politicians, it took them almost 6 years after the Armistice to pass said legislation. Many of them being polishitians, they deferred the payment until 1945, passing the buck for their actions to a future generation. Being stupid, they did not allow the holders of these Bonus Certificates to sell them or transfer them to anybody else; the holders could not enjoy any benefit until 1945. Sound familiar?)
Eventually, the veterans wore out their welcome, and President Hoover ordered the Army to clear them out of DC. In the event, some were killed, many wounded or injured, but the Bonus March was destroyed, and there was no further discussion about helping the survivors of the Great War until 1936, four more years later. History does not record how many veterans and their families starved to death, or committed suicide from desperation.
But history does show that one of the reasons that Hoover lost the presidential election that fall was his brutal treatment of the bonus marchers. All he had to do would have been to allow a market in Bonus Certificates, to ask Congress to amend the law to allow vets to sell their bonuses at a discount to get some desperately needed cash, but he arrogantly and stupidly insisted on a demonstration of authority.
Hoover's actions cost him legitimacy in the eyes of America, and his re-election.
Those presently in authority would do well to remember the lessons from the Bonus March. We who are coming to DC this Sunday should also remember those lessons, and be ready for a brutal reception. If Comrade Soetero is smart, he'll save money and save face, and quietly abandon the Mall at least for Sunday. If he is as stupid and arrogant as I expect, and his Federal thugs illegally and forcibly assault the Veterans March, people who are simply exercising their right to peaceful assembly on open national property, he may well start the next Civil War. There are probably some on both sides who will welcome such an outcome, but I know the history of such conflicts, and they are uglier than I hope you can imagine, gentle reader. Knowing this, I hope that reason will prevail, but knowing the stupidity of illegitimate authority and the desperation of ignorance, I will not be surprised if things get ugly.
Come what may, I will see you on the mall, patriots.
With regard to all who serve and who walk in the Light,
Historian