Is Today's Trumpist GOP Fascist?
 

Robert Paxton (Mellon Professor Emeritus of Social Science in the Department of History at Columbia University), in his 2005 book The Anatomy of Fascism, sums up fascism as follows:

A form of political behavior marked by obsessive preoccupation with community decline, humiliation, or victimhood and by compensatory cults of unity, energy and purity, in which a mass-based party of committed nationalist militants, working in uneasy but effective collaboration with traditional elites, abandons democratic liberties and pursues with redemptive violence and without ethical or legal restraints goals of internal cleansing and external expansion.

Similarly, Dr. Lawrence Britt, in his oft-cited 2003 article in Free Inquiry entitled "Fascism Anyone" revealed the 14 characteristic of fascism based upon his study of Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, Suharto, and Pinochet.

From these pieces by acknowledged experts written a decade before Trump's escalator ride into the American political consciousness, one would be hard-pressed to state that Trump's GOP is not fascist, or at least very close to fascist and wanting to go further down that road.

Recently Biden called out the GOP for its embrace of fascism ("semi-fascism" in his garbled syntax) and many in the GOP got all butt-hurt with this obvious statement of fact. Is it time to start labeling today's GOP "fascist?" After all, the GOP has been (falsely) labeling the Democratic Party as "soci@list" or "communist" for years now. I would argue (with ample historical basis) that the "fascist" label fits the GOP far better than "communist" fits the Democrats. What say y'all?

Does a bear poop in the woods?

Fascism at core is an ideology that says there is a group (call it 'us') that should be at the top of the hierarchy and rule without limit. Why? The only answer is myth, which always boils down to 'because we're us.' Fascism always requires it's real impetus from desire to dominate 'them,' whoever they are. 'They' are responsible for the horrible danger that threatens 'us,' and logic always goes to getting rid of 'them,' one way or another.

For 'them,' read 'communist Democrats,' 'immigrants,' 'non-Christians,' and 'non-whites,' LGBTQ+.any or all of these, for the modern-day, undoubtedly fascist, Republicans.

BTW, fascists base their core strength on herding the authoritarian followers into a cult of personality that fixates on a single leader.

Obviously they have not considered the people who head Google, Microsoft & Twitter and these are multinational companies that wields a lot of influence globally.

Fascists identify 'us' with the nation and mobilize nationalism accordingly. Multinationals are suspect, and specific multinational figures will be made targets of hate (George Soros). Generally, big money and fascist authoritarians find common cause, though Putin has made examples of a few oligarchs.

Sounds about right to this old Democrat, Pat.

I would say that those in the GOP that got butt-hurt did so because the truth hurts. Of course predictably they claim Biden called all Republicans fascists when anyone who saw the speech knows he said no such thing. The GOP (GOF?) is the one pushing the us vs them narrative and they've been doing it for quite some time.

https://i.imgflip.com/3bykcn.jpg

Someone I was friends with on Facebook posted that and I immediately dropped them.

^^^A quintessential fascist meme! Us, them, and the cult of the leader, all in one pic!

Speaking of fascism - we’re watching Hotel Portofino on PBS, a drama set in its beautiful namesake in post-WWI Italy. Mussolini’s nasty fascists are everywhere, just as Whell’s friends are today. Bastards.

Fascism plus extreme Christian agenda interwoven ought to frighten everyone. The history of the world is full of deaths and destruction. Due to the conflicts over one religion verses others.

The rise in power of the church into our government I see as a significant contributing factor of Fascism. This was feared by the Founders, who knew all to well the consequences if allowed.

I can recommend "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson for an inside narrative of the Nazi infiltration and takeover of Germany by the first U.S. ambassador to the 3rd Reich.
https://books.google.com/books/about...page&q&f=false

I see the Christian fundamentalists and Reich-Wing extremists both using the other to gain control over the rest of us. If they gain that control and since there can be only one at the top I expect at some point they will turn on each other.

#8 in the 14 Characteristic of Fascism from the OP:

Religion and Government are Intertwined:

Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.

Religion will be the controlling force morphing the Fascists of the beginning into the fold.


Much like the Inquisition in Spain took control of the Monarchy. They will rule with fear and intimidation.

Indeed a very good book. If you want some granular detail on the rise of Nazism in Germany, this recently published book (2016) is excellent. It uses newly discovered archive material (largely from the GDR) to fill in the picture that William Shirer painted in his classic The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Ullrich also has a second volume called "Hitler: Downfall: 1939-1945"
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....40_FMwebp_.jpg

That is the typical course of Fascism.

I never knew that. I just know the power hungry are never satisfied to share that power for very long. Like a game of musical chairs, it gets ugly when there's just one chair left.

No one should be shocked by the president calling the movement — one that tried to overthrow a democratic election, continues to threaten violence, spews the racist Great Replacement theory, operates in a universe of delusion and disinformation and seeks to redefine America as a White Christian nation — semi-fascist. (Pro-fascist or just fascist would have worked as well.)

A party that celebrates Hungary’s illiberal Viktor Orban, embraces Russian propaganda and grovels before Turkish strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan cannot complain when it is held accountable for its right-wing nationalism and authoritarian hero-worship.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opini...d-up-campaign/

Germany had the 'Night of the Long Knives,' Stalin and Mao* had their purges. Fascism always wants enemies to smash, and will find them among its own ranks if necessary.

*I make no distinction between left strongmen and right strongmen when they go that far. The ideology is just 'enabling myth' for these guys. The story they are telling is just a matter of historical happenstance.

From Dr. Paxton (see OP): Fascism is a:

...cult of unity, energy and purity, in which a mass-based party of committed nationalist militants, working in uneasy but effective collaboration with traditional elites, abandons democratic liberties and pursues with redemptive violence and without ethical or legal restraints goals of internal cleansing...

Mr. Paxton describes the syndrome in succinct detail. But my point in mentioning the reds is that one can travel a very similar course while skipping the collaboration with traditional elites.

I read recently that in the most fascist of states, Texas, all public schools are required to put up signs that say "In God We Trust". A local political activist is having these signs made up in Arabic and trying to have them put up in schools. More than the symbolism, anything in Arabic can only mean an Islamic proverb. :D

National Archives hit with threats after Trump search

https://www.axios.com/2022/08/28/nat...-search-threat

Whell's fascist friends are at it again. Sad! :mad:

‘The US could lose the right to vote within months’: Top official warns on threat to democracy

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...tate-democracy

Fight back against Whell and his fascist friends! :mad:

Michigan GOP formally nominates two Trump-backed election deniers for key statewide offices

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/27/polit...ral/index.html

Fascism is strong in Michigan. :mad:

The question remains, will the high GDP Blue states allow to be subjugated by the ignorant morons from the Red states. I very much doubt it since what can they do with minimal tax revenues? So there will be a financial split one way or the other.

We may have to move back to CA for safety, but west of central ,which is one of the reddest of red areas (Nunes country).

The Republican party has become dramatically more illiberal in the past two decades and now more closely resembles ruling parties in autocratic societies than its former center-right equivalents in Europe, according to a new international study.

In a significant shift since 2000, the GOP has taken to demonizing and encouraging violence against its opponents, adopting attitudes and tactics comparable to ruling nationalist parties in Hungary, India, Poland and Turkey.

The shift has both led to and been driven by the rise of Donald Trump.

By contrast the Democratic party has changed little in its attachment to democratic norms, and in that regard has remained similar to centre-right and center-left parties in western Europe.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...ey-study-trump

In my personal experiences with those who identify as Republicans. To a one it now seems, well at least 99%. They can say anything about the Left, call them all kinds of names. Blame them for some pretty crazy stuff. Gets facts so wrong and use the old what about and straw man approach to arguments.

You say anything about their master and bam!

Go silent MIA shunning all but those in the fold.

Just had another last week who could say anything about Biden or the Left. No matter how ugly or untrue. Yet call Trump a cult leader and click....not heard from since.

Indeed. Look at their reaction to Biden's (true) semi-fascist comment despite them calling Democrats soci@lists, communists, groomers, etc. The "fuck your feelings" crowd sure are a bunch of whiny snowflakes.

Basically as I see it a case of the truth hurts.

Notice how they claim Biden is calling all Republicans fascists. Which kind of makes sense because they consider anyone not MAGA a RINO.

The "fuck your feelings" crowd sure are a bunch of whiny snowflakes.

Something I've also observed.
Woman in Texas had a big rear window message in her pickemup that proclaimed "Fuck Trump, and Fuck you for Voting for him".
Could be the perfect response to "Go Brandon!".

In TX, on a pickup truck, there is hope for humanity after all. On a related note, can I get that sentiment on a T-shirt & baseball cap?

Fascist sentiment betrayed by the Washington Examiner.

It started when Robert Reich asked the Twitter question "Just wondering if “DeSantis” is now officially a synonym for “fascist.”

Right wing commentators proceeded to have a cow, and the Examiner participated, saying among other things "This is just what left-wing ideologues do when they discuss Republican politicians who pose any threat to the existence of their political ideology."

In passing, like it's not at all remarkable, the Examiner admits that Republican politicians aim to threaten the existence of left-wing ideology. The existence. Let that sink in.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/o...m_medium=email

When well educated and informed people vote for Trump/Trumpism, what they are really saying is, "its not what we believe in that matters, its what we want that matters". Even packing the SCOTUS is a distinct sign of this along with abortion, guns, voters rights, education, clean air etc.

I think herein is the conflict and why the two sides will never get along. Principles vs. selfishness. Even with Trump, its not about his illegal activities, he is ours and you cannot speak ill of him, vote him out of office, indict him, etc.

Yes, the lady from Texas has it right, we should all say "Fuck That".

Yes, available on bumper stickers and T-shirts.

https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.1201...600,f8f8f8.jpg

I was going go to the hardware store and get stickers to put FK45 on my truck.
Wife was afraid it would be keyed or tires flattened....

So didn't.

How about treating yourself to a nice T-shirt?

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/..._AC_UX425_.png

She's right, Barnie. Even out here amongst the lotus eaters, I wouldn't advertise my political leanings. While they're few and far between out here these chicken shit Maga turds would gladly vandalize our vehicles when unattended.

We just moved to Reno and here are the results for Washoe County, which is mostly all Reno.

CLINTON, HILLARY TRUMP 46.39%, DONALD J. trump 45.14%

BIDEN, JOSEPH R. 50.82% TRUMP, DONALD J. (Incumbent) 46.31%

So Reno is getting blue but barely and its mostly because of Californians moving here. I would not dare discuss politics here with anyone, though I have met two die hard Democrats, both locally born and raised with Biden bumper stickers and when I asked them "aren't you taking life in your own hands jokingly, they both said fuck them with a smile.

I still would not dare, too many Trumpers, lots of US flags on flag posts (and a dead giveaway for a Trumper here) and I will bet they all own AK-47s. From what I have gleaned, flying the US flag is an antidote to the BLM flag.

In general though, even the Trumpers here are extremely friendly and accommodating and keep Trumpian politics to themselves unlike in CA, especially in central valley, Tahoe and blue collar suburbs of the bay Area.

I've been wanting to fly an old Bennington flag that my dad gave to me because fuck those assholes who fly their traitorous Trumpie flag alongside Old Glory.

signed a son of a 10th AD, 3rd Army 'Tiger' '43-'45 Metz, Ardennes, Rhineland & Oberammergau.