BTKAG97 said:
Seems the definition of fascism changes every few years to mean whatever radical leftists need it to mean.
Here's a list of alledged characteristics. Let's take a look at the list to determine which side of the political spectrum it most properly depicts.
My comments are in italics.
The 14 Characteristics of Fascism by Lawrence Britt (Spring 2003)
1) Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays
Minus the use of the word "patriotic", this describes leftist riotors to a tee. Then again, they do have a tendency to show devotion and support to other countries if not their own.
2) Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
Ummmmmm.
3) Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
Ummmmmm.
4) Supremacy of the Military
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
"Domestic Agenda" is a very broad category and is impossible to to discuss in a quick and simple manner. The importance of one person's "domestic agenda" most likely doesn't come close to another's. IMO, the Democrat party and radical leftists push idiotic agendas and do nothing but make domestic issues worse. In regards to the military; the right shows reverence to soldiers and military service but it is hardly glamorized and blowing stuff up in actions movies doesn't count.
5) Rampant Sexism
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.
Logical Fallacy - Red Herring and/or Strawman
6) Controlled Mass Media
Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
Wait? Who controlls the mass media in the US?
7) Obsession with National Security
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
I'd like the audience to direct it's attention to Minnesota right now
8) 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.
Can't get more "intertwined" they making government your religion
9) Corporate Power is Protected
The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
The US economic system is a mixed economy which means it is capatalistic with significant government intervention. Each side plays it's part but differ on which industries and entities will be the winners and losers.
10) Labor Power is Suppressed
Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed .
As they should be.
11) Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.
Interesting that the raidical left gets to decide who is and isn't an "Intellectual". Then they go about and *******ize higher education and academia turning it into propaganda outlets which should be rejected by everyone. The rest of what is stated is - again - a logical fallacy.
12) Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.
Obsession? Seriously? And again with the logical fallacies.
13) Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
One word: Uniparty. Though I'd say leftists steal from public coffers by an extremely large margin from non-leftists. Again, let me direct your attention to Minnesota.
14) Fraudulent Elections
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.
Like in Georgia, Michigan, and Arizona?
I can't believe you quoted the actual definition and characteristics of fascism and then proceeded to twist into a pretzel about how MAGA isn't fascist.
1)
Powerful and Continuing Nationalism Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays
This one alone made me think....maybe the poster will see it? Trump stores, MAGA hats, people dressed to the 9s in MAGA gear, Trump flags all over everything, Trump signs, repeating "Make America Great Again" over and over.
And.... nothing. You were so close. You almost saw it.
Then dismissing many of the tenets as logical fallacies. These are the actual, historical, educated definitions of fascism.
I'm not even going to bother with the rest. If you can't see what is right in front of you with people wearing MAGA gear as an identity, then I can't help you. You are blind to the rest of it.
