Let's talk about a term Uncle Joe used....
- The cult of tradition. This is the belief that the truth is already known once and for all. Fascists believe there is no need to advance in learning.
- The rejection of modernism. Fascists reject the Enlightenment and its evidence-based rationality.
- The cult of action for action’s sake. Fascist leaders act impulsively, without thinking or planning ahead.
- No analytical criticism. Fascists ignore nuance and see any disagreement as treasonous.
- Fear of difference. Fascists fear diversity. Thus they are racist by definition.
- Appeal to a frustrated middle class. An economically frustrated and/or politically marginalized middle class is easy to stir to anger.
- Obsession with a plot. Because the followers must be made to feel besieged, an internal “enemy” is provided: Immigrants, Muslims, Hispanics, Blacks. (Historically the Jews were often made to be “the enemy.”)
- Anti-elitism. The followers are made to feel humiliated by the wealth and strength of the educated “elite.” This is used to create resentment.
- Pacifism is trafficking with the enemy. Fascists believe that life is permanent warfare. Therefore a desire for peace is treasonous.
- Contempt for the weak. A fascist leader despises his underlings, who in turn despise those under them. They all either mock or ignore the poor, the sick, and the disabled.
- The cult of heroism. The Fascist is eager to die a hero’s death. In his impatience, he frequently sends other people to their deaths.
- Machismo. Fascists show disdain for women, disregard for chastity, and condemnation of homosexuality.
- Selective populism. Under fascism, the “voice of the people” is not the democratic majority, but only the voices of those who support the leader.
- Ur-fascism speaks Newspeak. Just as in Orwell’s 1984, Fascists use an impoverished vocabulary and an elementary syntax to limit complex and critical reasoning.
Check, check, check! Uncle Joe is right.
It's the GOP. It's Trumpism. It's not semi-fascism. It's fascism, just an Americanized, XXI century version of it.
P.S. take notes, the next argument you're gonna have with a MAGAt is gonna be about this...
[cummed back yesterday]
ReplyDeleteVery interesting statements: they're so true
Hey, Xersex!
DeleteAnd those statements are sadly true in the United States, that prizes itself on being a 'democracy'.
XOXO
HuntleyBiGuy:
ReplyDeleteThey go around calling Democrats communists and socialists, but are butt hurt when they are identified for what they are. Beau is right, the only error in Joe’s term was that he added “semi.”
And I don’t know if I have enough popcorn for what’s going on with the MAL investigation down in Florida.
XOXO 👨🏼❤️💋👨🏽
Well, because the MAGAts are racist fascists and it stings.
DeleteThey KNOW what they are, they just don't want people calling them that.
And the shitshow at Mar-a-Lardo? Fantastic.
XOXO
Not all Republicans are fascist, but all Republicans who stand with Thing 45 blindly are. We just need the non-fascist sect of the GOP to take a stand against the lunatic fringe.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true.
DeleteAnd I've told this to Repugs I have had the displeasure to talk to. They bristle. I turn around and leave. It's hard to tell who are the MAGAts and who are not in today's GQP.
XOXO
You missed the one about loyalty to an authoritarian government. Fascists love their dictators.
ReplyDeleteThat may be because that's not specific of Fascism. That also applies to organized religion and cults. It's a feature in their thinking. Fascists love being dictators.
DeleteXOXO
Big says,
ReplyDeleteYep. Biden is correct. So is Beau. Silly me...I have been operating under the (false) premise that if the Dems sweep the midterm elections in Nov things would get better; things would settle down. After hearing about Miss Graham and Cheeto's recent rhetoric, it's going to get very, very ugly and (I'm afraid) very violent. They and the MAGAt base are pushing for it --- hard. XOXO
Oh, Big.
DeleteYou know that from now on it's a battle to the death because the Repugs will do ANYTHING to be in power again. And the MAGAts will do anything to put them in office. That's why the Repugs are all saying the quiet thing out loud.
XOXO
I agree that adding "semi" is soft-peddling the truth. There's no "semi" about the fascist nature of Trumpism. But it's also true that the term "fascism" comes with a lot of baggage and stupid people think that so long as there are no SS uniforms and swastikas , then there's no fascism. That's why I prefer the term "authoritarianism" because it doesn't immediately conjure up Nazi imagery and therefore has a greater chance of being understood for what it is.
ReplyDeleteHahaha
DeleteYou tell 'em, Debra! And I kind of agree, because it's a very 'new' brand of fascism, all wrapped up with capitalism and a shot of grievance. And you are right, Cheeto wanted to be an authoritarian, like his daddy Vlad.
XOXO
Actually... semi-fascism is correct. Our current state celebrates wealth. It celebrates capitalism. So that flies in the face of traditional fascism. It's a strange disconnect that I do not understand in this country. We, the average, the middle class, the poor... we idolize and monetarily support people like the Kar-Krashians and their ilk, because we love tasteless displays of wealth and privilege. That's the new celebrity landscape. It began with Reagan and it has continued to grow to ridiculous heights. I think it's because we think if we support it it will trickle down into our lives - which is why knock-off designer crap exists and people buy cars and homes they can't afford. Thanks for sharing this. Food for thought.
ReplyDeleteOMG YES.
DeleteYou are soooo right! That is why Uncle Joe called it semi-fascism: it's also embedded at the core of capitalism. You need poor, uneducated, deep in debt people in order to keep that 1% enjoying their billions and billions.
Cheeto was the perfect example of what many Repugs consider 'wealthy': all for show and garishly ostentatious. And fuck Reagan and all his politics, right?
XOXO
I'm so tired of the politics of today. Exhausted.
ReplyDeleteIt's incredibly taxing.
DeleteEVERY day I learn of some kind of fuckery the Repugs are up to. It never stops. Lying, cheating and stealing is their motto.
XOXO
I agree with JM. I'm just tired of being tired. Simple. We have to fight tooth and nail to get politicians to get anything done, and things that will be good, and common sense for all.... they forget they work for us. This pass primary I voted in all new Democrats. And I'm hoping Shapiro and Fetterman win big.
ReplyDeleteOh, babes.
DeleteBut that's the reality of the United States today. It's what having a Black president gave us. I'm so glad you're so politically active and support new blood in politics.
XOXO
I support new blood and new ideas in politics. I think the MAGNA crowd is a step backwards. I also feel like the pendulum has swung far to the left to oppose them. People have forgotten the middle ground and compromise. It does make one tired. I'd like to see everyone have an equal shot and their own success, but I don't see an answer, just a lot of disturbing issues. :(
ReplyDelete