The elections are just weeks away and the mudslinging has already started in the Missouri senate. Incumbent Jim Talent and senate hopeful Claire McCaskill are in a heated race. No matter which candidate you support, in today’s culture the negative campaign ads are the defacto method of campaigning. Instead of running an ad listing somebody’s strengths, candidates have focused on their opponent’s (supposed) weaknesses.
I give kudos to Claire McCaskill for not falling into the trap (yet) of running negative ads. So far I have only seen Talent throwing shit and have yet to see negative ads from McCaskill. I’m sure that will probably change the closer we got to Election Day. So my support is with McCaskill for a number of reasons, with the primary reason being my fear of fascism.
I promote neutrality on my blog but for the first time in my life I will probably vote a straight Democratic ticket. The reasons for this are many but the primary reason is that I think the Bush Administration is the closest to a fascist regime we have seen in our Country. Let me explain.
The definitions of fascism is:
A philosophy or system of government that is marked by stringent social and economic control, a strong, centralized government usually headed by a dictator, and often a policy of belligerent nationalism. A social and political ideology with the primary guiding principle that the state or nation is the highest priority, rather than personal or individual freedoms.
I read a
thesis by Laurence Britt in which he explains 14 threads that link all fascist regimes. The following 14 paragraphs are an excerpt from his thesis:
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1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism. From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military, and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights. The regimes themselves viewed human rights as of little value and a hindrance to realizing the objectives of the ruling elite. Through clever use of propaganda, the population was brought to accept these human rights abuses by marginalizing, even demonizing, those being targeted. When abuse was egregious, the tactic was to use secrecy, denial, and disinformation.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause. The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people’s attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice—relentless propaganda and disinformation—were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite “spontaneous” acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and “terrorists.” Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism. Ruling elites always identified closely with the military and the industrial infrastructure that supported it. A disproportionate share of national resources was allocated to the military, even when domestic needs were acute. The military was seen as an expression of nationalism, and was used whenever possible to assert national goals, intimidate other nations, and increase the power and prestige of the ruling elite.
5. Rampant sexism. Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.
6. A controlled mass media. Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism, and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually success in keeping the general public unaware of the regimes’ excesses.
7. Obsession with national security. Inevitably, a national security apparatus was under direct control of the ruling elite. It was usually an instrument of oppression, operating in secret and beyond any constraints. Its actions were justified under the rubric of protecting “national security,” and questioning its activities was portrayed as unpatriotic or even treasonous.
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together. Unlike communist regimes, the fascist and protofascist regimes were never proclaimed as godless by their opponents. In fact, most of the regimes attached themselves to the predominant religion of the country and chose to portray themselves as militant defenders of that religion. The fact that the ruling elite’s behavior was incompatible with the precepts of the religion was generally swept under the rug. Propaganda kept up the illusion that the ruling elites were defenders of the faith and opponents of the “godless.” A perception was manufactured that opposing the power elite was tantamount to an attack on religion.
9. Power of corporations protected. Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of “have-not” citizens.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated. Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice.
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts. Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced, or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment. Most of these regimes maintained Draconian systems of criminal justice with huge prison populations. The police were often glorified and had almost unchecked power, leading to rampant abuse. “Normal” and political crime were often merged into trumped-up criminal charges and sometimes used against political opponents of the regime. Fear, and hatred, of criminals or “traitors” was often promoted among the population as an excuse for more police power.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption. Those in business circles and close to the power elite often used their position to enrich themselves. This corruption worked both ways; the power elite would receive financial gifts and property from the economic elite, who in turn would gain the benefit of government favoritism. Members of the power elite were in a position to obtain vast wealth from other sources as well: for example, by stealing national resources. With the national security apparatus under control and the media muzzled, this corruption was largely unconstrained and not well understood by the general population.
14. Fraudulent elections. Elections in the form of plebiscites or public opinion polls were usually bogus. When actual elections with candidates were held, they would usually be perverted by the power elite to get the desired result. Common methods included maintaining control of the election machinery, intimidating an disenfranchising opposition voters, destroying or disallowing legal votes, and, as a last resort, turning to a judiciary beholden to the power elite.
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We have the beginning of a fascist regime in power in our beloved Country and my values are in conflict with their values. My values will not allow the Bill of Rights be compromised or disregarded for ANY reason. My values do not allow the torture of any living creature for any reason. My values institute an innocent until proven guilty philosophy.
My values support a system of checks and balances, which are necessary throughout our society but especially in the Government. Likewise, the Judicial Branch does not exist to serve and patronize the Legislative Branch but to keep it honest. My values tell me the Supreme Court does not exist to enforce the Bible or the Ten Commandments but only to enforce the Constitution.
My values support the quality of life in living people so I favor stem cell research which could potentially cure many life threatening illnesses. My values do not allow any religion to dictate political policies; religion and the rules therein are a personal choice and are not an enforceable public law. My values allow for all religions, races, and sexual orientations the pursuit of happiness as guaranteed by the Constitution.
My values put the welfare of people before the welfare of corporations. My values call for those with excess to help those with little or nothing. My values suggest that hard, thought provoking questions should be asked to our leaders and they should be answered. My values insist that differing opinions are not treasonous but necessary.
My values and ideals are subject to changed based upon new information. This is not “flip-flopping”. This is applying knowledge to my life, also known as learning, also known as being educated and intelligent. Likewise, I do not apologize for not “staying the course” when a new course is needed. If a ship’s captain “stays the course” even when he knows the original orders are corrupt, he is not a leader of men but a follower of ignorant fools.
Finally, my values want me to protect the planet in which I live. The air I breathe. The water I drink and food I eat. I protect this planet not only for me and my neighbors, but for my children and my children's children. So they can live in a world filled with beauty instead of world of horror.
The current Administration calls people like me a traitor, so I guess my values just make me un-American.
Labels: Politics
