Mar 30, 2012 – 10:53 AM
By: Richard_Mills
Politics
No term generates more confusion or misunderstanding than fascism, too many people believe that fascism exists solely in images on the History Channel – storm troopers pounding thundering jackboots down cobblestone streets of occupied countries while throwing up the Roman salute. But fascism is not defined by clothing, symbolism or salutes.
Fascism is a totalitarian system of government that bases its economy on capitalism, it’s a marriage of government authority and military/police power managed by corporate influence.
“The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it comes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism – ownership of government by an individual, by a group.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
Consider the following, all are characteristics of fascism:
- A dictatorial ruling cabal runs the country
- The military is increasingly being used to control the civilian population
- The government repeatedly violates the U.S. Constitution
- Government informants are spying on their fellow citizens
- Controlled mass media
- Fraudulent elections
- Powerful and continuing nationalism, calls for national unity
- Militaristic values are spreading in society and the power of the military is increasing, glorification of war
- Obsession with national security
- Disdain for the recognition of human rights, racism
- Radical opposition to Communism/Socialism, Modernism and attacks on Liberals
- Identification of enemies as a unifying cause
- Corporate power is protected while labors power is suppressed – Fascism and capitalism are inseparable because the corporate power structure is authoritarian, and is geared to reward the elite owners, but not the workers. Few would argue against the fact that corporations control our government and have the dominant role in our society
- Obsession with crime and punishment
- Militarization of the police – Since the terrorist attacks in 2011 the US has spent $635 billion to militarize its police forces
- A trend toward corporatism and systematic destruction of the middle class
- Rampant cronyism and corruption
- Intertwining of government and religion
- A cult like leader
Consequences of fascism to the governed are the loss of rights and the enhancement of the elitists.
Creeping Fascism
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