Re: The USA Is Becoming A Fascist State
- From: drakejake@xxxxxxx
- Date: 27 Dec 2005 16:50:15 -0800
Yes, JS, I have already expressed this opinion but gave somewhat
different opinions. In only a few years Il Duce Bush has transformed
the Republican Party from a group mildly committed to free markets and
limited government into a movement for Christian Fascism. Those who
support our current aggressive foreign policy, burgeoning deficits,
disregard of of laws and the Constitution, the use of government power
to advance Christian ideas and goals, etc., are Christian Fascists even
though they are too uninformed to understand what this means. Those of
us who see what is going on must stand against the push for
authoritarianism in America.
Jake Drake
J S wrote:
> Those who have made long, intensive and detailed examinations of
> fascist regimes (such as those of Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, and
> Pinochet) at different times and places around the world, have been able
> to identify a number of identifying characteristics of fascism.
>
> When lined up, any thinking individual cannot but realize that the
> United States has, in the past 4 or 5 years, begun to take at least some
> tentative steps in that direction - something I never thought that I'd
> be so wretched as to live to see.
>
> I can also provide recent examples of each of these points, if such are
> necessary, to anyone interested.
> Here they are:
>
> 1.) Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
>
> Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans,
> symbols, songs and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as
> are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
>
> 2.) Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
>
> Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in
> fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in
> certain cases because of "need", or "national security." The people tend
> to look the other way - or even approve of torture, summary executions,
> assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
>
>
> 3.) Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
>
> The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to
> eliminate or denigrate a perceived common threat or foe: racial
> minorities, liberals, socialists, non-cooperative nations, etc.
>
> 4.) Supremacy of the Military
>
> Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given
> a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda
> is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
>
> 5.) Rampant Sexism
>
> The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male
> dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more
> rigid. opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay
> rights legislation.
>
> 6.) Controlled Mass Media
>
> Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in
> other cases the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation,
> or by sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship is very
> common.
>
> 7.) Obsession With National Security
>
> Fear is used as a motivational tool over the masses.
>
> 8.) Religion and Government are Intertwined
>
> Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in
> the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric
> and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major
> tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's
> policies or actions.
>
> 9.) Corporate Power is Protected
>
> The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are
> the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually
> beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
>
> 10.) Labor Power is Suppressed
>
> Because the organizing power of labor *is the only real threat* to a
> fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are
> severely suppressed.
>
> 11.) Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
>
> Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher
> education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other
> academics to be censured or even arrested. Free expression in the arts
> is especially attacked and governments often refuse to fund the arts as
> being elitist.
>
> 12.) Obsession with Crime and Punishment
>
> A hallmark of fascist regimes is that the police are given almost
> limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to
> overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of
> patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually
> unlimited power.
>
> 13.) Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
>
> Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and
> associates who appoint each other to government positions and use
> governmental power and authority to protect their friends from
> accountability. It is common under fascism, for natural resources and
> even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government
> leaders.
>
> 14.) Fraudulent Elections
>
> Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times
> elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against, or even
> assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control
> district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also
> typically use their voting numbers or political district to control
> elections.
>
> ~ Roger
.
- References:
- The USA Is Becoming A Fascist State
- From: J S
- The USA Is Becoming A Fascist State
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