Some Thoughts on American Fascism

Public discourse in America usually involves name calling and the avoidance of ideas and concepts underlying issues. For now, no name calling (maybe later), but instead a discussion on Fascism as it relates to our political landscape.

Having worked for both liberals and conservatives (liberals pay better) as well as Democrats and Republicans (Republicans pay better), I have concluded I would like to work for a liberal Republican. As it appears they no longer exist, I will probably remain out of the political fray.

So I will moderate this discussion on American Fascism (feel free to join in) between conservatives (C) and liberals (L).

L: I don't like you, you're a Fascist!

C: I can't stand you, you Socialist!

Moderator: There, we have the name calling out of the way. Let's talk about ideas. What is Fascism?

C: Something like Nazi Germany.

L: How about Franco's Spain or Mussolini's Italy?

Moderator: Ideas, please.

C: The merger of big government, big business and big military.

L: Mussolini said it was 'the merger of the state and corporate power.'

Moderator: I'll throw a couple of definitions out there for you to comment on. Here's one:

Fascism is "A form of political behavior marked by obsessive preoccupation with community decline, humiliation or victim hood ... in which a mass-based party of committed militant nationalists working in uneasy but effective collaboration with traditional elites, abandons democratic liberties and pursues with redemptive violence and without ethical or legal restraints goals of internal cleansing and external expansion."

L: That pretty much sums up our government's approach since 9/11. There has been a 'preoccupation with community decline' and 'victim hood.'

C: The 'collaboration with traditional elites' includes all those liberals who have been in power for decades. And liberals in congress have not returned any of the democratic liberties taken away after 9/11.

L: Is 'spreading democracy' just a euphemism for external expansion?

C: Is obsession with 'community decline' a euphemism for internal cleansing?

Moderator: Another quote: "When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying the cross."

C: Sinclair Lewis said that. He was a Socialist.

L: Historically, the group that has hated Socialists most is ... wait for it ...

C: ... Fascists. Fascists fear Socialists most of all. It's their favorite epithet for someone they disagree with.

Moderator: Is America a Fascist nation?

C: Yes, in America even the liberals in government are fascists. Daniel Goldberg said that.

L: 'Liberal fascism' is a phrase coined by H.G. Wells. He was in favor of it. I'm tired of being told what to eat, what to believe and how to talk in public. Every one gets offended by everything you say and wants to impose their beliefs on you.

C: Conservatives do not want a big government.

L: Liberals do not trust a big military.

Moderator: What do you propose?

C: A return to decentralized government. The Articles of Confederation worked fine. We won our independence from England under the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution created a plutocracy, not a democracy.

L: The Bill of Rights was an attempt to save certain liberties from being taken by the government. That hasn't worked well. We lose liberties and freedoms every year to the government.

Moderator: What is the forecast for America?

C: Partly cloudy to rainy.

L: Stormy weather. Thunderstorms and lightning. Stay inside.