We hold these Truths to be self-evident...
Look in any textbook or encyclopedia and compare US policy (not rhetoric) to the definitions of fascism and constitutional republic. I’ll explain it here, but check my work. If at the end of your consideration, you agree that the United States of America is now a fascist state, please speak-up about it. Also, consider the policy requests at the end of the article.
Please read this article like a prima facie legal argument; that means unless you can refute the facts, they stand as our best understanding of the issue. Here, if you can’t refute the evidence that the US is now a fascist state, then accept this as your best understanding. As time passes, if evidence is brought forward to further the case for fascism or refute it, your comprehensive understanding improves. Here we go:
Definitions:
The definition of “fascism” has some academic variance, but is essentially collusion among corporatocracy, authoritarian government, and controlled media and education. This “leadership” is only possible with a nationalistic public accepting policies of war, empire, and limited civil and political rights.
“Constitutional republic” is a political philosophy of limited government, separated powers with checks and balances to ensure the federal government’s power stays limited within the Constitution, protected civil liberties, and elected representatives responsible to the people who retain the most political power. In the US we also embrace inalienable rights of the Declaration of Independence, and creative independence to cooperatively compete for our nation’s best ideas to move forward and be rewarded.
History:
The United States was structured as a constitutional republic. Before we consider the US present condition, let us contextualize our concern from the nation’s Founders’ grave admonishments and doubts as to Americans’ ability to retain it. If you honor America at all, give their most serious warnings your full attention for the next 1,000 words spanning from Ben Franklin to Abraham Lincoln.
On September 18, 1787, just after signing the US Constitution, Benjamin Franklin met with members of the press. He was asked what kind of government America would have. Franklin: “A republic, if you can keep it.” In his speech to the Constitutional Convention, Franklin admonished: “This [U.S. Constitution] is likely to be administered for a course of years and then end in despotism... when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.” The Quotable Founding Fathers, pg. 39
“The right of a nation to kill a tyrant, in cases of necessity, can no more be doubted, than to hang a robber, or kill a flea. But killing one tyrant only makes way for worse, unless the people have sense, spirit and honesty enough to establish and support a constitution guarded at all points against the tyranny of the one, the few, and the many. Let it be the study, therefore, of lawgivers and philosophers, to enlighten the people's understandings and improve their morals, by good and general education; to enable them to comprehend the scheme of government, and to know upon what points their liberties depend; to dissipate those vulgar prejudices and popular superstitions that oppose themselves to good government; and to teach them that obedience to the laws is as indispensable in them as in lords and kings.” - John Adams, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government (1787), Ch. 18.
“A mere demarcation on parchment of the constitutional limits (of government) is not a sufficient guard against those encroachments which lead to a tyrannical concentration of all the powers of government in the same hands.” - James Madison, Federalist Paper #48, 1788.
“Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and in the degeneracy of manners and of morals engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.” – James Madison, "Political Observations" (1795-04-20); also in Letters and Other Writings of James Madison (1865), Vol. IV, p. 491.
“It is jealousy and not confidence which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those whom we are obliged to trust with power... Our Constitution has accordingly fixed the limits to which, and no further, our confidence may go... In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”
- Thomas Jefferson, Draft Kentucky Resolution (1798. ME 17:388)
“A popular Government without popular information, or the means of acquiring, it is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy, or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” – James Madison, Letter to W.T. Barry (1822-08-04)
Washington made the topic of the Farewell Address he had printed and distributed as the culmination of his advice to Americans to “guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.”
“All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels and modified by mutual interests.
However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion…
Lincoln spoke in honor of the few still-living veterans of the Revolutionary War in the concise power we ascribe as one of history’s most powerful.
The following six paragraphs are from Abraham Lincoln in his Lyceum Address, January 27 1838.
“At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide...
I know the American People are much attached to their Government;--I know they would suffer much for its sake;--I know they would endure evils long and patiently, before they would ever think of exchanging it for another. Yet, notwithstanding all this, if the laws be continually despised and disregarded, if their rights to be secure in their persons and property, are held by no better tenure than the caprice of a mob, the alienation of their affections from the Government is the natural consequence; and to that, sooner or later, it must come.
Here then, is one point at which danger may be expected.
The question recurs, "how shall we fortify against it?" The answer is simple. Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor;--let every man remember that to violate the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the character of his own, and his children's liberty. Let reverence for the laws, be breathed by every American mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap--let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; let it be written in Primers, spelling books, and in Almanacs;--let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation; and let the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the grave and the gay, of all sexes and tongues, and colors and conditions, sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars.
While ever a state of feeling, such as this, shall universally, or even, very generally prevail throughout the nation, vain will be every effort, and fruitless every attempt, to subvert our national freedom.
…Passion has helped us; but can do so no more. It will in future be our enemy. Reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason, must furnish all the materials for our future support and defence.--Let those materials be moulded into general intelligence, sound morality, and in particular, a reverence for the constitution and laws.”
What is the evidence for American fascism in the present?
The US brazenly violates our laws of war, both demanded by the Constitution and the UN Charter, with open invasion of Afghanistan in abject violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1373 and their government’s agreement to help extradite Osama bin Laden upon US presentment of evidence that he was involved in any crime of UN and/or international law. The US refused both the Afghan standard legal requirement of extradition and the UN resolution for cooperation under law and attacked. The new administration of Obama does not acknowledge this illegal history, but expands the invasion and attacks Pakistan. This policy is fascist, not limited by US law.
The US openly lied about reasons to justify an attack upon Iraq, destroying any semblance of argument of “self-defense.” The Obama administration won’t acknowledge the disclosed history from our own House and Senate investigations, and violates his oath of office to prosecute clear crimes. This policy is authoritarian, fascist, and does not hold equality under just laws. It is an un-American policy by definition.
The US tortured, with Obama refusing to prosecute and giving empty rhetoric to end it. The destruction of civil liberties to enforce authoritarian government is fascist, not American.
The US lies for more war with Iran, rejecting inalienable and legal rights for Iranians. Obama continues this policy of unlawful aggression, including official policy for first-strike nuclear weapons upon conclusion that Iran poses a possible future threat to the US and/or our allies. Political leaders and corporate media ignore the ignoble history of US vicious domination of Iranian government through coup and backed invasion. Fascist policy; un-American.
The US violates numerous treaty law with WMD, and hypocritically asserts our war targets' alleged violations justify US armed attack. This rejection of limited government under the law is a fascist empire on the loose, not a law-abiding neighbor. Added hypocrisy is the psychopathic front of American political leaders as Christians.
American corporatocracy is dominated by Enron-like cartels, headed by banks receiving the transfer of TRILLIONS of our tax dollars to pay-off their gambling debts in exotic derivative markets the federal government regulates only in more empty rhetoric. This socialization of corporate-insiders’ losses is fascist, and fundamentally in opposition of the American ideal of cooperative competition on a level playing field. Obvious financial solutions for the public good are ignored in their corporate and not public policy commitment.
While our government's official line is respect for Islam, their wars betray this analysis. If extremists were the small minority, why not peacefully cooperate to marginalize and arrest those in violation of just laws? Muslims as a group are often demonized in US media, and often the entire group is branded as terrorists. For example, consider this segment from the radio talk show of Michael Savage.
The corporate media will not present such disturbing facts and analysis. Their outright lies of commission and omission are prima facie evidence of a controlled media, supported by revealed documentation from whistle-blowers. American freedom of the press is left to independent websites and those few media outlets who tolerate reporting such as you read now.
Yeah, but we’re not totally fascist! Saying the US is fascist is just not right!!!
Yes, I’ve made the case for fascism only in the area of tens of trillions of our tax dollars in the economy, Wars of Aggression based on objective lies, authoritarian disregard for crucial laws and treaties of war and moral conduct, expansion of new unlawful war into Pakistan with rhetoric leading to more war with Iran, and a corporate press who won’t communicate these “emperor has no clothes” facts until the public breaks free of their cognitive blindness to clearly embrace our new American political reality.
We still vote for Republicans and Democrats in elections, yes, in a monied system with a virtual lock against 3rd party candidates given the costs of advertising and breaking the inertia of a two-party system.
We still have Internet press where authors such as I can point to the obvious, but with documented government-organized opposition in PSYOPS to ridicule challenging voices while counting of public cognitive blindness to keep the fascism unconcealed.
Policy response: Gandhi and Martin Luther King advocated public understanding of the facts and non-cooperation with evil. I’m among hundreds who advocate:
- Understand the laws of war. These were legislated after WW2 and are crystal-clear that only self-defense, in a narrow legal meaning, can justify war. This investment of your time takes less than an hour and empowers you to legally stand for ending these Wars of Aggression.
- Communicate. Trust your unique, beautiful, and powerful self-expression to share powerful information as you feel appropriate. Understand that while many people are ready to embrace difficult facts, many are not. Anticipate your virtuous response to being attacked and give it in the spirit of competition, just as you do in other fields.
- Refuse and end all orders and acts associated with these unlawful wars and constant violation of treaties. Those involved with US military, government, and law enforcement have an oath to protect and defend the US Constitution. Unlawful acts only move forward with sufficient cooperation and public tolerance. Stop cooperating with the most vicious crime a nation can commit: war.
- Prosecute the war leaders for obvious violation of the letter and spirit of US war laws. You can only understand how these wars are specifically unlawful by investing the time to do so. Because the crimes are so broad and deep, I recommend Truth and Reconciliation (T&R) to exchange full truth and return of stolen US assets for non-prosecution. This is the most expeditious way to understand and end all unlawful and harmful acts. Those who reject T&R either by volunteering their name and/or responding when named are subject to prosecution after the window of T&R closes.
I conclude with the 5-minute powerful video from PuppetGov: Had enough?
Please share this article with all who can benefit. If you appreciate my work, please subscribe by clicking under the article title (it’s free). Please use my archive of work to help build a brighter future.
Had Enough? from PuppetGov on Vimeo.
Comments
The quote you post from Washington's farewell address reveals the key to what has happened/is happening: factions.
When voters go to the polls, they vote along party lines, or based on what they've heard on TV from a vocal minority. If we continue to behave in that manner, we will lose the control of our country.
If, however, we truly vote our own conscience without the influence of petty arguments and points-of-view from factional groups, we can take the country back to where it should be.
There's still time.
Carl,
Courageous article delivered with excellent research principles!
I think we are moving from "soft" to "hard" fascism; we are losing our rights while being enslaved in debt. It looks like fascism must move towards tyranny as its policies require tight fisted control.
Larry
"Is now fascist" You stupid arrogant f***!! How far back in history have you actually gone. I had my doubts about America, but it certainly became clear what low life f#$*s America is run by when I read the original NAFT draft back in 1992. Curse you to hell America. Curse you and your's to hell.
Just FYI Fascism was a conservative movement. Hitler and Mussolini were pro-business and advocated (especially Hitler) for a pure homeland. Doesn't this sounds familiar? I mean, this is stuff we learn in high school history courses; it's uncontested.
Paranoid much?
Matt:
Discuss the facts ever?
Happy with citizenry as just ad hominem?
Like the future you're living into?
As soon as they came up with the Dept of Homeland Security, I knew we had crossed over to the other side. How much more Nazi or Soviet sounding can you get than 'Homeland Security?'
"How much more Nazi or Soviet sounding can you get than 'Homeland Security?"
Not very. In fact the former Soviet KGB was called just that. KGB stands for "Комитет государственной безопасности" (Transliterated as "Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti" which translates LITERALLY as "Committee of State Security" which is only a stone's throw away from "Department of Homeland Security". The meaning, intent and repercussions are identical.
Nice, John M; thank you.
It's hard to keep up with you. You are prolithic.
With respect to the Prior commentor Re: Communism. Wouldn't you agree that Communism is itself another form of Fascism?
Well laid out, Carl and more than enough evidence to make your prima facia case to anyone not completely impermeable to reason.
I would suggest, however, that American fascism is not a recent development. I believe even a cursory inspection of history will enable you to trace it back to the time just before the ink was drying on the Bill of Rights.
Nevertheless, your article wins my respect.
Well done.
sj
www.spartacusjones.com
"in abject violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1373"
That should be "blatant voilation".
"Abject" means humble, craven, and submissive.
Voilation?
Quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus.
My copy of the Oxford English Dictionary doesn't tell me how to voilate anyone or anything.
That should have been "violation".
Great article, please keep up the great work.
What I want to know is whether there's any way to break this cycle: once you're rich, it gets even easier to make MORE money and STAY rich. The top 1% are just rich, powerful families who hand the wealth down, and the younger-generation rich never even have enough contact with average Americans to relate to them, and so they start seeing the public as dumb cattle to be used, abused, and slaughtered.
What will break the cycle of human greed? How much is enough for these war-pigs in the U.S. government? Do they ever have any pangs of regret, remorse, any conscience at all?! Or does that much money just get you addicted to wealth, and completely shut down your morals?
What a god-damned shame that life on Earth took so long to evolve, just to produce this greedy, violent ape who likes to play king of the hill & boss around "inferiors"... Surely there's more to us than that, but will the greedy few ruin this whole world for everyon
certainly got the girls in an uproar here :)
about that typo: imagine how upset they'll be when they actually wake up :)
beautiful article.
theCarlWatcher: communism shares authoritarian power, propaganda through a controlled media, empire-building, escalating management of dissent, and government rewards to corporations of their choice, so it’s a fair comparison.
Spartacus Jones: thanks. I could go deeper in history, but I’m writing articles for the audience we need to mobilize. Once the illusion is shattered, we’ll be poised to create a civilized nation and planet.
RoHa: abject also means scummy and low-life.
Psyops???
You mean Fox News and CNN?
How do you throw out the fascists without throwing out the Constitution? With a few process changes briefly stated below.
1. Public funding of elections that treat all Parties equally, not just the two factions of the single Party we have now. Some may say it's socialism; it's not, it's good government if applied correctly. Some would say it's expensive; I say not having real choices in the last three elections proves that public funding is priceless. It's something our grandchildren would appreciate.
2. Term limits for the corrupt, blackmailed, and inept politicians. If after two terms a politicians seeks a third, they shall have received 80% of the votes from the previous election or they will not be eligible to run for the same office.
3. Break up the mainstream media monopoly. Currently the media is nothing more than a mouthpiece for corporations. It has become part of the problem, fascism, and not part of the solution, a free press.
We all know what happens when you speak the truth in these orwellian times.. but, keep it up. I think the ice (in people's head) is thinning due to climategate.
For far too long the people have NOT done their duty and scrutinize our gov... it is OUR job. We EMPLOY them. Simple... but long forgotten with the 'trust us, we're the gov' slogan.
Well, I am glad to see people are starting to read between the lines of confusion and see the real agenda. A superficial smile, and nice white teeth is nothing when everything they say is ripe with a hidden agenda. Not saying every hidden agenda is evil, but a hidden agenda is just that, hidden. Why? Because the masses are controlled that way.
Look up Bernays' book "Propaganda" and you will, within the first few pages, discover how the masters operate. Bernays worked for our gov, corporations, and entertainers to manipulate public opinion. Just check it out... it can be found on scribd dot com.
"Propaganda" .. first page:
THE conscious and intelligent manipulation of the
organized habits and opinions of the masses is an
important element in democratic society. Those who
manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute
an invisible government which is the true ruling
power of our country.
We are governed, our minds are molded, our
tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men
we have never heard of. This is a logical result of
the way in which our democratic society is organized.
Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in
this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly
functioning society.
Our invisible governors are, in many cases, unaware
of the identity of their fellow members in the
inner cabinet.
They govern us by their qualities of natural leadership,
their ability to supply needed ideas and by their
key position in the social structure.
Remember, Bernays was an INSIDER, not a 'conspiracy' theorist. He WAS the MAN THEY turned to for help in manipulating the masses. Keep this in mind. This person was responsible for making smoking appeal to women because profits were not high enough... The Freedom Torch. He was responsible and employed to help us get into WW1 since the population was largely against it... hmmm, sound familiar?
Everything from Foreign Policy to this climategate is heavily infused with nothing but propaganda to manipulate the masses with fear, and often 'nationalism' embedded within in order to steer an agenda. He is the father of PR.
Shame our schools don't enlighten us about these people and real, honest, objective history... instead, they give us "history".
Thanks again, for the article.
Ubetcha,
I don'i agree with your #1. I think it is socialism. But your #2 and #3 are spot on. Perhaps with 2 & 3 in place first, see how that goes and consider #1 at a later date IF needed.
KDK, Is there a first name for that Bernays? Is that the full title?
Let's go back to the most obvious start of the whole process: The non-federal "Federal Reserve" run by private bankers that the US has been working for since 1913. End the FED and we've done some good work and will be on our way to sovereignty again! THAT was the start of Fascism in this country and until it's gone, will keep us in a stranglehold tied to it.
80% of all the phone calls to Washington about the "BAILOUT" were adamently opposed...but the "bailout" took place anyway. What does THAT tell you about our "representatives?" When "we the people" desire action...no...Demand... certain actions...our ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES just flip us the bird.
Since the early goldsmiths discovered fractional lending and made money out of thin air, they have been thrown out of every courntry they set up in, after which those countries returned to resource-based economies and went through several decades of economic recovery.
Until the sixteenth century, in Holland.
Then and there, when the goldsmiths were discovered, the already wealthy government and merchant classes joined them in their usurious detours, the first full "collusion among corporatocracy, authoritarian government, and controlled media and education."
Add bankers to that list and you have the recipe for the last three hundred years of fascist fiscal theft through market manipulation.
Holland was the site of the first experiment in money market manipulation, today called 'Tulip Mania', also a generic phrase given to an 'out-of-control' Bull Market.
'Tulip Mania' is however, just the opposite - it's a controlled boom situation; controlled by those who run the Great W
Fascism is not really a defined political term, rather it is a historical term. It became a general 'catch-all' for authoritarian European governments in the 30s. Though even back then there was confusion: Franco's Spain and Hitler's Germany had little more in common than a brutal dictator at the top.
The modern use of the word fascism is becoming even less certain as it begins to split from the historical context that defined it.
The US gov is not simply fascist or democratic or racist or socialist (another much abused term), it contains elements that can be labelled one or the other. But the US government is only defined by what it does, there is no accurate word for that.
Frankly trying to reduce the complexity of modern American government to 100 words is foolish, to try and reduce it to 1 is downright idiotic.
PS The weird 'axes' on the wall in the room where congress sits are actually 'fasces' which is where the word 'fascism' originates.
Edward Bernays was the nephew of the one, the only... Sigmund Freud. "KDK, Is there a first name for that Bernays? Is that the full title?" The title is just that: Propaganda, circa 1920.
Fascinating read until you really start wanting to act violently because your entire life has been manipulated, just as he points out; however, he is certainly not the only source. Even JFK supposedly said "Democracy is largely and illusion..." to some of his closer 'allies'.
The TV is the worlds GREATEST PROPAGANDA tool... I don't have one. Well, I have one but haven't had 'programming' (get it... programming ;) for about 2 yrs and I have 2 kids under age 7, so don't tell me it's NOT possible. TV is a distraction that is very entertaining at times, but is certainly not worth our gov giving people MONEY to have HD boxes... unbelievable.
My TV: a 50" Plasma with 7.1 and 10" and 12" powered subs, so, yeah, I still don't use that as an excuse... plus I save $100 per month.
“Fascism entirely agrees with Mr. Maynard Keynes… so far as it goes, serve as a useful introduction to fascist economics. There is scarcely anything to object to in it and there is much to applaud” Benito Mussolini
In a laudatory review of Roosevelt's 1933 book Looking Forward, Mussolini wrote, "Reminiscent of Fascism is the principle that the state no longer leaves the economy to its own devices.… Without question, the mood accompanying this sea change resembles that of Fascism."
“The citizen in the Fascist State is no longer a selfish individual who has the anti-social right of rebelling against any law of the Collectivity. The Fascist State with its corporative conception puts men and their possibilities into productive work and interprets for them the duties they have to fulfill.” - Benito Mussolini (p. 280)
The main characteristic of socialism (and of communism) is public ownership of the means of production, and, therefore, the abolition of private property. The right to property is the right of use and disposal. Under fascism, men retain the semblance or pretense of private property, but the government holds total power over its use and disposal . . . .
Under fascism, citizens retain the responsibilities of owning property, without freedom to act and without any of the advantages of ownership. Under socialism, government officials acquire all the advantages of ownership, without any of the responsibilities, since they do not hold title to the property, but merely the right to use it—at least until the next purge. In either case, the government officials hold the economic, political and legal power of life or death over the citizens . . .
Fascism is not really a defined political term, rather it is a historical term. It became a general 'catch-all' for authoritarian European governments in the 30s. Though even back then there was confusion: Franco's Spain and Hitler's Germany had little more in common than a brutal dictator at the top.
The modern use of the word fascism is becoming even less certain as it begins to split from the historical context that defined it.
The US gov is not simply fascist or democratic or racist or socialist (another much abused term), it contains elements that can be labelled one or the other. But the US government is only defined by what it does, there is no accurate word for that.
Frankly trying to reduce the complexity of modern American government to 100 words is foolish, to try and reduce it to 1 is downright idiotic.
PS The weird 'axes' on the wall in the room where congress sits are actually 'fasces' which is where the word 'fascism' originates.
Many who comment here, indeed many in America and around the world don't have as deep a historical or philological understanding as some of the recent commentors. And it IS good to highlight some of what has been Highlighted as to original meaning.
But the intent of these aritcles is to wake people up to a larger Truth about what America is doing and how. And for people to see the path that their country is currently on. The main issues are whether we really have Freedom or Tyrrany in the making. Whether our aggression abroad is perhaps mirrored in the subtle changes in Americas'domestic politics and recent legislation ( Patriot Act, TARP etc).
To focus on the original meaning of words like Fascism and its' regional differences is a bit like Nero Fiddling while Rome burns. Everyone appreciates your Education, but many are looking for understanding of very basic issues happening today. And more importantly a way to Preserve our Republic.
Hmmm...If the GOP stopped putting up stupid losers (such as Bush, Palin) for national office, maybe we could have a viable 2-party system. But for now, the Democrats have to govern because they're capable and the Republicans are not because they only nominate puppets.
Penfold:
Yes, the American government is defined by what it does. Frankly, discussing the title it goes by rather than to awful truth of the Orwellian extent of lawlessness is foolish and idiotic. Is this where you want to focus your attention, penfold?
theCarlWatcher:
well said! I agree. Anything that diverts attention from this crucial topic is fallacious, to use the academic term, or just plain old BS.
Mona:
The Dems could have stopped these fascist policies at any time. They didn’t. They are capable fascists, Mona, not capable Americans. Being American is a political distinction; these fascists from the left and right side of this singular body do not qualify.
I fully agree that the US has become fascist. I came across a definition some years ago, 4 points
1. corporate
2. militarist
3. chauvinsticly patriot
4. religiose (as opposed to genuinely religious
(or was it 5?)
5.authoritarian, ie lawless despotism
according to these America is fascist.
But hubris will meet its nemesis. The trouble is how many more millions will die in the process?
Waking people up to the 'larger truth' about state of America? How does putting everything under one word help do that exactly?
The thing that hacks me off about the 'counter-cultural' political movement is its ineffectiveness. Calling a government fascist is not only borderline meaningless it is also unhelpful.
Things never change if all you do is rant. And the people crying fascist are doing just that. Change comes from dialogue, and that needs all the words we can get our hands on.
While Malcolm X was calling the white man Satan, Dr King was writing poetry. The latter was less militant but much more successful.
You want to change things, then get involved. Carping from the sidelines and referring to those with whom you disagree as fascist only serves to draw up battle lines. And the sad truth is that the mainstream is so much stronger, any outright battle they will win.
You want to change minds then seduction will prove much more effective than bullying.
Penfold,
With all due respect, you sound defeated.
What you offer up helps noone. It is the warping of the process that you implore us to join that is being talked about here. "Get involved...with the mainstream" you say. It is the experience with that involvement that has dismayed many of us. When speaking with representatives is called "fringe", when House and Senate representatives ignore their constituents, when supposed representatives that are "from the people" go to Wash. and just become part of the "DC Machine"....then it is time to reconsider what the "mainstream" is exactly. The subtext of your comments is 'dialogue'. But in fact our government has long since stopped having a dialogue with us (the people). And instead sends the message that they aren't interested in what we have to say. They are interested in us paying for the schemes they concoct and in our doing it silently.
I encourage you to enjoy your erudition. But we're interested in our future freedoms.
Also Penfold, you say,
"You want to change minds then seduction will prove much more effective than bullying".
I think it is more a desire to awaken people to the Truth rather than "seduction" or "Change" that Carl and others here are after. Seduction and Change are the "other guys" goals.
Perhaps this helps;
"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Penfold: Gee, I guess that’s why I wrote an article of explanation. How does putting your criticism under three words (‘counter-cultural’ political movement) help? I’m just too much of a ranting crier to understand. I’m sorry my work is so un-poetic and my specific policy requests for action too bullying. You do have a point that activism needs to motivate people for action. But here I am being my blunt and straight-forward-self in making it. You know where to find me if the specific tool you need is a hammer. To the degree you’re in action to build a brighter future, you have my sincere appreciation, penfold.
Nice comments, theCarlWatcher.
The word inalienable actually started as unalienable - pronounced un-a-lienable, which means our rights cannot be liened, taken away or sold to another. The word inalienable actually means we are in lien status which means they can be taken away. Just another game of work trickery to confuse and prevent the masses from truly understanding what the PTB have been after for over 100 years.
I think plenty of people disagree. You cherry pick. Truth does not interest you- corroboration does. You embody the new Mcarthyism. Yes, it's back and you are a major reason. Study that.
If people can't see the government for the murdering, corrupt, psychopathic death-machine it has become, then they sorely need an intellectual and emotional enema. Study the crimes of the global elite, if they don't make you recoil in horror you are truly lost.
Sometime ago the master criminals figured out is was easier to do their bidding by becoming the government... at first it was a little of the pie... but just like a leach that is not removed... it just expands and expands... but unlike a leach... who at least knows when its had enough... the corrupt have overwhelmed its host.
The beauty is freedom and liberty is still the answer. Just like the fiat money... these debts are only real if the people perceive them as theirs... the one thing that's great about America... is the people can still choose... if they become aware.
It's fun to comment on this article and to argue about the definition of fascism, buy what action are any of you actually doing? I mean, most of you are just trying to sound smarter, or more informed, than the other, while none of you (other than the author of this article) are taking action against the tyranny of our government.
I'm tired of talking the talk. I want to walk the walk. Can someone that actually has answers, or a solution, point me in the right direction.
It's fun to comment on this article and to argue about the definition of fascism, but what action are any of you actually doing? I mean, most of you are just trying to sound smarter, or more informed, than the other, while none of you (other than the author of this article) are taking action against the tyranny of our government.
I'm tired of talking the talk. I want to walk the walk. Can someone that actually has answers, or a solution, point me in the right direction.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!