The German industrialists, elements in the Army and land-holding aristocracy enlisted a gang of fascist street thugs to fight pitched battles with the Communists so they could prevent the rise of a left wing government. The "respectable" elements in the German Establishment never took these brownshirts seriously, and always considered them uncouth bumpkins and rednecks. Eventually they lost control of these Nazis, and as they say, the rest is history.

Of course, I am only pointing out a historical coincidence. I would never imply that the current struggle between the GOP establishment and their populist branch, the Tea Party, has any resemblance at all to these historical events.

This is a scene from "Cabaret" in which this very issue is addressed. Note Michael York's (a British vistor) comment to Helmut Griem (a German millionaire) as they leave the beer garden. "Do you still think you can control them?"