“Find the fascist” show notes:
Today we are going to play a little game called “find the fascist”.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
• “Fascist” overused. progressives favor hater and nazi, while Republicans prefer bed wetter. Both mean fascist, but neither can define fascism.
• Fascism is a correct description for both sides.
• Fascism is defined, from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary as:
1. A political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2. : a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control
• Actual physical violence is not necessary for forcible suppression of opposition. Institutional intolerance and intimidation is as effective.
• Short but sweet definition, “institutions owned and paid for by the private sector, but controlled by the gov’t through regulation.
• Progressive examples: Medicare, Medicaid, BATFE, FDA, USDA.
Why? Control of populace and raising revenue through taxation.
• Republican examples: Medicare, Medicaid, BATFE, FDA, USDA.
Why? Taking care of special interests and raising revenue through taxation.
• Both are fascist, intent and tactics being the only difference.
Intent
Tactics
Coercion – both sides
• Picking up the pace…fascism NOW
Private ownership, government control.
> Drilling moratorium – private energy companies
>> Ignoring judicial order
>> Again
>> Again, through neglect of permitting process
> Auto industry – private companies (despite gov’t stockholdings), gov’t control
>> Telling private companies what they MUST pay execs.
>> Control of what kind (eco-friendly) of cars
>>>Through tax policy
>>>Direct command in case of GM
>Directing where a company may locate
>> Done to protect special interests – labor.
>>> Boeing to S.C…improper use of Labor Board
>Control of entire industry, healthcare (16% of economy) through Affordable Care Act.
>> Mandated purchase of ANYTHING can be declared “commerce”.
>>> Mandate anything for “common good”. Type of cars to protect environment?
Related articles
- Fascism and justice (ask.metafilter.com)
- Fascist Roots of Neoconservatism (delong.typepad.com)
- Fascist Regimes (thebloggingpath.com)
Bob
Semi-retired North Georgia writer, blogger, boiled peanut salesman, fisherman, politician - baiter...and the best damn cook you know who doesn't make a living at it.
Which do I enjoy the most? It's a toss up between fishin' and baiting politicians.