Rise Of The GOP Authoritarian Police State

[The Doctor.]

11. Oh hell, I'll walk you through it anyway.

http://www.anotheramerica.org/fascism.htm

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.

True or False:

Republican figures and media have been steadily cultivating an attitude that slogans representing patriotism are tantamount to actual patriotism. This substitution of symbols for actual understanding of the tenets of The Constitution and cultural philosophy is very popular among 'conservatives'.

This is in line with Point 1 of the Stages of Fascism.

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.

True or False:

Republicans and the 'conservative' media fit this profile.

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.

True or False:

Republicans and the 'conservative' media fit this profile.

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.

Do you deny this is the current case?

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.

Ummm... Duh?

6. Controlled Mass Media -- Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by
government regulation, or through sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in wartime, is very common.

True or False: These days the corporate media tends to favor Republicans even when they are entirely fucking stupid.

7. Obsession with National Security -- Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

True or False: Republicans use 'A noun, a verb, and 'terrorism'/'liberalism'/'socialism'/etc.' at every opportunity.

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.

True or False: This is a typical agenda for Republicans.

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.

True or False: This is happening shamelessly and blatantly today.

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.

True or False: Republicans and their corporate allies are trying to quash labor power.

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.

True or False: Republicans and 'conservative' media outlets are sowing disdain for higher education and intellectuals.

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.

True or False: Police are getting ever more power and peaceful OWS protestors are being abused by police.

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 who 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.

Even though it's the weakest one, True or False: Billions of dollars have disappeared in Iraq and Trillions from the Federal Reserve.

14. Fraudulent Elections -- Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against (or
even the assassination of) opposition candidates, the use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and the manipulation of the
media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

True or False: The elections in 2000 in FL and 2004 in Ohio were heavily rigged for the Republican candidate.




All of these points line up with Republicans far more than Democrats. Fascism is in the foyer.

If you really appreciate 'facts', then you'll answer those questions. Otherwise I'll be happy to write you off as clueless.