Nice Squirrel
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- Joined
- Jun 15, 2004
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- Minnesota
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- Only the Nice Squirrel can save us.
Just to keep a watch. I do not believe we are currently living under a fascist regime,
Some central tenets of fascism are:
So what are your thoughts? Are we in danger of slipping off the cliff?
Some central tenets of fascism are:
- A strong state with a powerful executive that does not require democratic consultation before acting.
We see this in the sloppy attempts at executive orders, but currently the checks are in place on the executive branch. The loss of consensus politics is definitely a sign of the fascist creep.
- Hatred of Left movements based upon class antagonism.
Occupy Wall Street, Black Lives Matter <-- such groups are hated. Iowa just passed a law outlawing collective bargaining by public employees.
- Formation of mass party based on paramilitary lines.
Not a problem at all in the United States. The hero worship of the police and military is part of the conservative package.
- Admiration of power and a culture of violence
This can be argued for those seen as heroes to conservatives. Including the second amendment freaks and George Zimmerman fans.
- Authoritarian programs which require conformity, submission, and discipline
None have come about so far.
- The cultivation of irrationality--the impulse is more important than rational thought.
Alternative facts. Made up terror attacks.
- Nostalgia for the legendary past.
The 1950's America, one that never existed except on TV.
- Adversion to intellectuals, especially those who question traditional ways.
Iowa is currently considering a bill to require all state college and university employment applicants to disclose party affiliation to be checked with voter rolls to prevent liberals from being hired. Milo and crew complain about free speech (right wing hate speech) being suppressed on campuses and Jerry Falwell is heading a commission to "reform" higher education and remove burdens of "accreditation" and the promotion of critical thinking.
- An idealized pastoral life v. the amoral city.
"Real America" v. "Urban America", not just Sarah Palin, but conservatives often talk about how are cities are somehow noting but dystopian nightmares of crime, drugs, and multiculturalism.
- Machismo- women relegated to traditional roles.
The refusal to recognize the wage gap. The controlling of womens bodies. The resistance to Title IX.
- Support from lower middle class that was left out of an economic recovery
This has been a hallmark of all fascist regimes. Not so much the poor, but those on the margin of becoming poor. (Or are poor and don't know it.) You can see this in the voting blocks for Trump.
- Scapegoat enemies.
Muslims, Mexicans, Blacks, gays, and Jews. (See yesterday's bomb threats. Kansas bill to legalize discrimination against gays.)
- Corporatism.
I am a little leery to place corporatism here because corporations and cartels are often very flexible with the kinds of regimes they support and corporations alone are not indicative of fascism. However, there is a corporate element in supporting the regime. I see this through corporate-state partnership. Some ways this is developing are in anti-lawsuit bills like in Missouri where individuals will no longer to be able to bring lawsuits against businesses. This will shield businesses from lawsuits and gives the attorney general power to decide which complaints are allowed. (Like in Florida with Trump University, a well placed donation will quash all potential litigation.)
So what are your thoughts? Are we in danger of slipping off the cliff?