What is Fascism?
by xxxxx xxxx
Fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Franco (Spain), Mussolini (Italy), Suharto (Indonesia) (weks) and several Latin American regimes have been studied by Dr. Lawrence Britt, who found fourteen characteristics common to each of them. Considering recent activities of the US government, many are wondering if this country is slowly being drowned by fascism.
1. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause: People are rallied into patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a common threat: minorities, communists, socialists, etc. In the US, we have seen the rise and fall of terrorism alerts, the formation of Homeland Security, and the war against terrorism. Our emotions and anger have been directed first toward Osama binLaden and later toward Saddam Hussein.
2. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism: Patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs and other pharaphenalia are used heavily in fascist regimes. If we look around, more and more flags are flying, our songwriters and entertainers are making patriotic songs, and tributes to 9-11 and our “heroes” are prevalent. A feeling of pride of being American has been created, and people are commenting about how 'lucky we are to be American' more frequently.
3. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights: People are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of the need for security. People tend to look the other way or approve of executions, long incarcerations or torture. With the passing of the Patriot Act and the formation of the proposed Patriot Act II, our civil liberties are slowly eroding, and many people either do not notice or are not alarmed, for it is in the name of national security.
4. Controlled Mass Media - Censorship is very common. With laxing FCC rules, the monopoly on media will become even worse. Reporters are told what to report, and coverage of wartime news has been extremely cleaned, watered-down and contrived. With just a few huge corporations controlling all aspects of the media, the idea of �free speech� is just that - an idea, not a reality.
5. Supremacy of the Military: Under fascist regimes, the military is given huge amounts of funding, soldiers are glamorized and domestic problems are neglected. Military service is indeed glamorized these days, and soldiers are considered 'heroes' by many. It is no secret that the military receives a disproportionate amount of government funding, and one look at the economy and the state of this country ensures us that domestic issues are ignored.
6. Sexism: Fascist regimes are male-dominated. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution. Anti-abortion propaganda and agenda is on the rise.
7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a tool over the masses. Our obsession with National Security is clear, and we are spending huge amounts of money and energy on our fight against terrorism, Homeland Security, and other forms of 'security'.
8. Government and Religion are Intertwined: Religion is used to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric is used from leaders. George Bush rarely lets an opportunity to use religion escape, and the Christian religion is used to strengthen the masses against terrorist Muslim nations.
9. Labor Power is suppressed - Labor unions are eliminated or suppressed.
10. Corporate Power is Protected - It is no secret that one of Bush and his government's main goals is to protect and increase corporate power. Tax breaks for the rich and other incentives are given with the result being an increase in corporation influence, power and control.
11. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Police are given limitless power to enforce laws. People are willing to overlook police abuse and forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. Again, the public opinion has been shaped to accept the disappearance of civil liberties in the name of security.
12. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Free expression is attacked, and intellectuals are often arrested. Arts programs and funding have recently been cut or eliminated, and with the Patriot Act, those expressing opinions or facts that are not compatible with the agenda of the government are at risk of being seen as terrorists.
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corrpution - Groups of friends and assocciates appoint each other to government positions and use government power to protect their friends from accountability. National resources and treasures are often appropriated or stolen by government sectors.
14. Fradulent Elections - Elections are either a complete sham or are manipulated by smear campaigns against opponents, assassination of opposition or manipulation of the media.
'The land of the free and the home of the brave?' Perhaps this line in the national song should be changed to The land of the manipulated and the home of corruption. 'One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all?' These days, it is more like One nation, forced into compliance, completely divided, with liberty and justice for none.
*End Of Article*
I DO never trust Bush at all, as they are acting as country is for themselves.
Above article presented that U.S.A. is getting to the state of 'fascism' which is, like what he told in the article. If anyone trying to mess up with this article, author or blogger, then that guy doesn't respect 'freedom of thought' and completely deceived by "smiling faces" and corrupt hearts lusting for cash.