General Discussion

Prophet 451

(9,796 posts) Thu Apr 24, 2014, 01:19 AM Apr 2014

Is the USA now a fascist state? [View all]

Last edited Thu Apr 24, 2014, 07:54 AM - Edit history (1)

"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism as it is the union of state and corporate power" ~ Mussolini

And he invented fascism so he should know. Given that a report a few days ago found that the USA was now an oligarchy and that the FCC yesterday capitulated entirely to the two-tier internet that corporations want, is it now accurate to call the USA a fascist (i.e. corporatist) state?

Remember that tanks in the streets, racism, genocide, etc are not required for a nation to be fascist.

Why or why not?

EDIT: If you can't be bothered to explain why not beyond simple denial, DON'T RESPOND.

Click here to purchase valentine hearts!

162 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Is the USA now a fascist state? [View all] Prophet 451 Apr 2014 OP

Randi Rhodes said she is leaving radio VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #1

I'm not sure if the midterms will help Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #2

Sigh....thats NOT the problem...its not these "so-called" Corporate Democrats VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #4

Oh, I could punch Republicans for it Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #8

If you weaned off the cigs, the switch to only e-cigs should be no problem ... brett_jv Apr 2014 #31

This is my first day with no analogs Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #35

It goes away. Stick with it. randome Apr 2014 #83

Thanks, dude Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #89

seriously hang in there d_r Apr 2014 #92

+1. Nt newfie11 Apr 2014 #49

The Democratic politicians that are called "spineless" are not spineless, they are bought off! Dustlawyer Apr 2014 #160

Concern coupled with workable solutions. Here's a cheerful song that'll help us: freshwest Apr 2014 #26

Yeah, that's the problem, liberal rule the Democratic Party. Enthusiast Apr 2014 #27

That's what I was thinking. That's the most ridiculous spin I have read. Ever. djean111 Apr 2014 #79

Yeah. It was unusually bad. Enthusiast Apr 2014 #147

She wont come right out and say she is moving to CR but she must be randys1 Apr 2014 #153

it would depend on what kind of Democrats winning in the midterms too yurbud Apr 2014 #156

Remember that tanks in the streets... are not required for a nation to be fascist DJ13 Apr 2014 #3

I forgot about those Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #9

I'm American and I've never seen one either. Bluenorthwest Apr 2014 #76

They keep them pretty well secluded 2naSalit Apr 2014 #109

I've seen them, in fact one place I lived they had a show of force of them RKP5637 Apr 2014 #132

Yep. We are no longer a nascent fascist State. We ballyhoo Apr 2014 #138

NO, its NOT. nt darkangel218 Apr 2014 #5

You forgot to say why not n/t Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #11

No need to. darkangel218 Apr 2014 #28

Clearly there is or I wouldn't have asked the question Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #29

Ha! i find your OP stance beyond silly. But to each their own, think whatever you like. darkangel218 Apr 2014 #30

I didn't take a stance, I asked a question Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #32

"Feel free to shove off"? darkangel218 Apr 2014 #113

That was the censored version n/t Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #114

Really? darkangel218 Apr 2014 #116

So am I nt Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #125

Not every question is actually worthy of being answered mythology Apr 2014 #101

See, I strongly disagree with that Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #103

Not really FBaggins Apr 2014 #127

See, you made an actual argument Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #135

You may have let that pledge of allegiance go to your head. L0oniX Apr 2014 #120

Yes. There is a reason why our army nows has one avebury Apr 2014 #6

This message was self-deleted by its author Drunken Irishman Apr 2014 #7

And what army group would that be? nt hack89 Apr 2014 #110

It started in 2008. avebury Apr 2014 #152

Not quite yet BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #10

What do you think still needs to happen? n/t Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #12

Good question BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #17

I think... Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #21

No. Mussolini had essentially a command economy, which is why he said that Recursion Apr 2014 #13

I understand your point about comparisons Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #15

Not quite BlindTiresias Apr 2014 #20

Or a Banana Republic oligarchy ErikJ Apr 2014 #14

Not much difference really n/t Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #16

No, of course not, don't be so silly. N.T. Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2014 #18

You forgot to say why not n/t Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #22

No, I remembered not to. Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2014 #23

Also a good way of dodging the question Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #25

+1. We were at a party and some loud mouthed con was going on about Obama being a dictator. FSogol Apr 2014 #136

With respect to the Pentagon and the security agencies (NSA, CIA, etc.) Maedhros Apr 2014 #19

That's what I'm asking Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #24

Review Chomsky's analysis Excerpted from Radical Priorities, 1981 Ichingcarpenter Apr 2014 #40

They don't have to obey the law Aerows Apr 2014 #36

Nor do Teabaggers Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #38

That there are no "tanks in the streets, racism, genocide, etc" IS STILL SOMETHING... Junkdrawer Apr 2014 #33

Do they fear the people Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #37

Funny. When I get out and talk to "the average Joe" that's not what I find... Junkdrawer Apr 2014 #39

Interesting point Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #43

Been watching THAT like a hawk. Electronic Voting, Push Polling, etc. etc. Junkdrawer Apr 2014 #44

So, how do I talk to my neighbors and strangers about politics? Junkdrawer Apr 2014 #59

For me, that's not an option Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #60

Sorry to hear that... Junkdrawer Apr 2014 #85

Of course Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #112

I'll tell you about 1978 someday...and worse... Junkdrawer Apr 2014 #161

Yes Aerows Apr 2014 #34

I guess I'm looking for reasons to hope Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #41

I'm glad we are talking about this because the nation appears headed for total destruction. Enthusiast Apr 2014 #42

Yeah, what you said Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #46

Yes. They are reaching into ever aspect of life. Enthusiast Apr 2014 #48

It all started when America decided to promote Capitalism to counter Communism.... Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #45

I think along similar lines Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #47

Yup. Enthusiast Apr 2014 #50

A corporate agenda Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #61

Exactly. It is no coincidence. Enthusiast Apr 2014 #148

Michael Moore said of the fall of the Soviet Union, "One down, one to go.".... Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2014 #155

Couldn't agree more n/t Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #157

No. Starry Messenger Apr 2014 #51

Not really, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be concerned, though, that's for damn sure. n/t AverageJoe90 Apr 2014 #52

Of course it is. That's the way the corporatocracy wants it. It's inevitable. baldguy Apr 2014 #53

See my response to VanillaRhapsody above Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #54

So, you believe the perfect should be the enemy of the good. baldguy Apr 2014 #115

No, I just wonder if there's a limit to lesser evilism Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #126

You know what the alternative to the "lesser evil" is in the real world? Evil. baldguy Apr 2014 #162

Folks like Warren and Sanders haven't given up on the political system...why have you? brooklynite Apr 2014 #55

Um, because I'm afraid teh system is rigged Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #56

Always amusing when DUers solemnly debate, on a free, public, open message board, Nye Bevan Apr 2014 #57

Thank you for completely missing teh point Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #58

+1...nt SidDithers Apr 2014 #70

... doing so while using the free wifi at the local bagel place. JoePhilly Apr 2014 #74

Again, that's the "tanks in the street" argument Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #78

I'll warn everyone here. JoePhilly Apr 2014 #80

Gilded cage. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #106

The difference between criminals and pillars of business Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #108

Exactly treestar Apr 2014 #122

Not in the slightest, not even remotely Godhumor Apr 2014 #62

OK, that's not an argument Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #63

it is not a think; it is just not Godhumor Apr 2014 #65

That's not an argument either Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #66

Fascism is a tricky word - by Mussolinis definition when haven't we been fascist? el_bryanto Apr 2014 #64

And Jonah Goldberg would argue that liberals are the real fascists Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #68

My preferred definition is Roger Griffins el_bryanto Apr 2014 #73

Ooooh, a new word! Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #77

I think when he was working on it he was trying to define fascist movements el_bryanto Apr 2014 #90

You need to know what Mussolini meant by 'corporatism' and 'corporate power' muriel_volestrangler Apr 2014 #67

Most quotations are disputed Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #72

But the point is no-one can point to a speech or article in which Mussolini said this muriel_volestrangler Apr 2014 #97

I somewhat disagree Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #104

No...nt SidDithers Apr 2014 #69

That's not saying why not, it's just making an assertion nt Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #75

Fascism is telling people how to respond to your posts. FSogol Apr 2014 #130

OK, you got a chuckle out of me n/t Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #144

Mission accomplished! FSogol Apr 2014 #149

The folks seated around me taking advantage of the bagel place's free wifi say YES!!!! JoePhilly Apr 2014 #71

And everything they are sending through the free wifi is being recorded somewhere, in case the NSA djean111 Apr 2014 #82

That's paranoia speaking, not facts. randome Apr 2014 #84

Oh, that's not paranoia. I think the NSA is quite up front with scooping up internet djean111 Apr 2014 #86

That's not paranoia Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #94

I think the girl who makes the scones is a part of Anonymous. JoePhilly Apr 2014 #91

Bwah! djean111 Apr 2014 #93

"Corporatism" doesn't mean "government by corporations" Spider Jerusalem Apr 2014 #81

I've JUST been made aware of that upthread Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #87

The same question was posed in my last poli sci course laundry_queen Apr 2014 #88

Sad to say, I would likely agree Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #100

I definitely agree with that. nt laundry_queen Apr 2014 #111

At the very least, when you ask questions as your header Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #95

I can't post polls Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #98

Oh, I didn't realize Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2014 #102

As far as I can tell Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #105

Yes it is Bettie Apr 2014 #96

Why would they want to? Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #107

Because the current system is messy Bettie Apr 2014 #119

I think your husband is on the right lines Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #133

That's what I'm afraid of Bettie Apr 2014 #137

Probabaly close. Our lower income people (about 90%) are over regulated by local & state gov. Sunlei Apr 2014 #99

No tanks huh? UglyGreed Apr 2014 #117

Most of those are technically APCs Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #129

no. nt arely staircase Apr 2014 #118

I do not know if we are a fascist state. SamKnause Apr 2014 #121

We certainly have many of the elements of Fascism. nt HooptieWagon Apr 2014 #123

In terms of blending state and corporate power, it's rapidly approaching. NuclearDem Apr 2014 #124

I agree with that second part Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #131

No. And on edit: No. n/t FSogol Apr 2014 #128

The schoolchild view of a democracy is long gone and now replaced by a fascist state. Tanks RKP5637 Apr 2014 #134

"Corporate servitude" = "having to show up at work at 9 AM or get into trouble with your boss". Nye Bevan Apr 2014 #139

No, but some people find it edgy to perceive it as so. Throd Apr 2014 #140

I think there are yet too many voices of dissent... LanternWaste Apr 2014 #141

There's a trendy use of the word? Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #143

Both are required. LanternWaste Apr 2014 #145

Yes, it is. Brigid Apr 2014 #142

Is there any way to reverse this? Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #146

Short of torches and pitchforks . . . Brigid Apr 2014 #150

Sadly, I must concur n/t Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #151

Not precisely the fascism of Mussolini's era nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #154

Book has gone on teh Amazon list Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #159

we have been for a while. eom ellenfl Apr 2014 #158