Dictionary.com's definition of Fascism is:
- often Fascism
- A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
- A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
- Oppressive, dictatorial control.
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator. - Yup, got that in Bush.
Stringent socioeconomic controls. - Yup, got that in tax cuts for the rich. Repeal of the "estate tax", which only effects the, what, richest 1% of the population.
Suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship. - Yup, got that. Don't agree with Bush, here comes the Swiftboating. Kerry, Nagin, Blanco, they've all been lied about and abused for daring to disagree. Censorship, yeah we've certainly got that. It's only for a few days that we've actually been treated to real news.
Typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism. - Yup. I don't really have to detail this one do I? The administration has taken us all into Iraq for their own reasons. Iraq was never a threat to the US. And we've all seen the almost casual racism that's been on display in the last 2 weeks.
3 comments:
Stringent socioeconomic controls: How about Halliburton and the no-bid New Orleans contract? Or the rumors of that being the first step of the "gentrification" of the city?
Suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship: Like the "Go f*ck yourself Mr. Cheney" guy getting cuffed and arrested later at his half-destroyed home?
I think there's one more qualifier for fascism: Jaded and Uncaring Body Politic. Fascism can't take hold unless the society is on some state of overwhelm. Katrina, if some good can come of it, seems to have shocked Americans out of their state of numbness rather than making them more numb.
I figured we could all come up with tons of other examples. The righties keep trying to make us equate fascism with the nazis. Who were indeed fascists. But this administration fits each and every single criteria as well.
thanks, t. it was a really hard post to write. i wanted to be much more clear than i actually turned out to be. but i think i got my point across. i actually got the idea from something george carlin said last night on bill maher's show.
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