Is the United States moving toward fascism?

1. 93

   promisemposted 6 months ago

   "Fascists believe that liberal democracy is obsolete, and they regard the complete mobilization of society under a totalitarian one-party state as necessary to prepare a nation for armed conflict and to respond effectively to economic difficulties.
   
   "Such a state is led by a strong leader—such as a dictator and a martial government composed of the members of the governing fascist party—to forge national unity and maintain a stable and orderly society.
   
   "Fascism rejects assertions that violence is automatically negative in nature, and views political violence, war, and imperialism as means that can achieve national rejuvenation.
   
   "Fascists advocate a mixed economy, with the principal goal of achieving autarky through protectionist and interventionist economic policies."
   
   - Wikipedia
   
   Sound familiar to anyone?

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   1. 81

      Live to Learnposted 6 months ago in reply to this

      Wow. Item number the sounds like the left here in America.

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      1. 93

         promisemposted 6 months ago in reply to this

         I'm not sure I understand your response. Can you please clarify?

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         1. 81

            Live to Learnposted 6 months ago in reply to this

            Well, on several levels that speaks of the left.
            
            The violence which is part of the current protests by the left is apparently celebrated by them. They see the violence as a positive, not a negative.
            
            The rest of that sentence doesn't apply to anyone in America today, as I see it. I don't see Trump advocating war or imperialism.
            
            To be honest, your whole OP is over the top. I don't know of anyone who has suggested democracy is obsolete. No one has suggested the mobilization of our society under a totalitarian one party state. I do see the left as trying to force their views on all at the moment. The left lost the last election in a fair democratic process but they refuse to accept that. So, it appears to me they think if we aren't to be a one party state (them being the party) then they will do whatever they can to create problems. No one is getting ready for armed conflict (although it does appear that the left feels it is necessary).
            
            And your paragraph about a state being led by a strong leader such as a dictator is ridiculous also. Trump isn't really a strong leader. There will be no national unity under him. The left will make sure of that. We will maintain a stable and orderly government. Having a president you don't like is not the end of the world or the end of civil society.
            
            Anyway I am so very disappointed in the left after this election. They are no different from the right. They whine, and cry, and declare the end of the world is nigh simply because they didn't get their party in power in one election. 
            
            I wish you would all put on your big girl panties.

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            1. 89

               Will Apseposted 6 months ago in reply to this

               Cutting the diplomatic service and boosting the military seems to suggest otherwise. But what else can a nation that is pursuing a nationalist agenda do?
               
               Nationalists do not find it easy to build bridges or develop alliances.
               
               At best, nationalism is based on the brutal pursuit of self-interest. At worst, it is based on a contempt for foreigners.
               
               The liberal world order, for all its faults, allows any nation willing to toe the US line to get what it needs by trade.
               
               A genuinely nationalist world order (as existed pre-WW2) would see many nations denied access to the resources they need to flourish. Let that go too far and wars become inevitable.

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2. 91

   Nathanvilleposted 6 months ago

   Yep, speaking as a European, to us Trump is very reminiscent of Hitler.  Although only time will tell whether history repeats itself, from a European perspective the parallels between Trump and Hitler are striking.
   
   Hitler was democratically elected in a democracy by the German people in the late 1930s; at a time when Germany’s economy was in a poor state, with high unemployment; and when under the Treaty of Versailles (signed after the 1st world war) it was illegal for Germany to rearm its military.
   
   Having been elected to power Hitler soon stifled the left wing opposition (the Communist party), and with the support of the military he quickly established himself as an extreme right wing Nationalist Dictator. 
   
   Nationalism being a typical extreme right wing trait in political parties of believing in the purity of the race e.g. purifying Germany of anyone not matching up to the iconic image of a German, which included but was not exclusive to the persecution of the Jews.  In other words, a typical fascist, and not dissimilar to Trump’s prejudices against Muslims in present day America, and anything else that’s not American.
   
   As a strong leader Hitler mesmerised the German people, to become a popular leader; while at the same time he started to rebuild the military in his country in preparation of war and world domination.   Very much like Trump has mesmerised the American people, and with alarm bells ringing, as Trump pushes towards making the American military the biggest and best in the world.
   
   Europeans tend to be more sensitive to this subject because it wasn’t long ago when my parents and grandparents lived through the blitz as Germany constantly bombed Britain, destroying our cities; so the memories are still fresh in my mind.
   
   The photo here is of a church in Bristol that had its roofed destroyed in one of the many blitz bombing of the city during the 2nd world war.  The roof has never been repaired as a reminder of the destruction of war.
   
   

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3. 46

   ahorsebackposted 6 months ago

   What the naiveté of most of the left can't seem to fathom ,  at least  on the surface   , is that the Trump administration has  vowed to returning  FROM  the Fascism of Obama .       I say on the surface because  beneath the surface  the new left is perfectly happy with Fascism 
     The proof ;
   - Political correctness
   - Heavily  Influenced ideological youth in the Ivory Towers
   -  Control of the News media
   - Totally compromised integrity of  Government Offices
   -  Divorcing from  traditions of government
   
     Open your eyes !
   
   
   -

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4. 89

   Will Apseposted 6 months ago

   The US is not going to become Nazi Germany. It is simply heading into one of those familiar, dark periods when it dwells on its fears and hatreds. That will make it more dangerous and it will do terrible things.
   
   People are what they are.
   
   I reckon there will be enough good people to pick up the pieces.

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5. 46

   ahorsebackposted 6 months ago

   If  the U.S. rejects this new Fascism  , it WILL be because of the right and independent  voters , certainly not the brown shirted New left !

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