Posted on 04/15/2010 6:52:37 AM PDT by Laissez-faire capitalist
Most citizens don't know any better. After being mis-educated by government schools, they continue their ignorance by getting their adult education from the entertainment world.
The root of the problem is the local school boards. Most people don't know that they exist to represent the taxpayers. Because of this ignorance they tend to vote for professional educators to fill this role. That's like putting the fox in charge of guarding the henhouse. It's all downhill from there decade after decade.
To real solution is for us (you and me) to educate every friend, neighbor, and relative of the proper role of the school board. Once that happens we will see a turnaround, but it will take decades.
Decide and act.
It us undeniable that outspoken praise within the business community for Mussolini, at one point, was very widespread. Perhaps it is assumptive on my part to state that many of those you will find quoted in the references above were "laissez-faire capitalists." Sorry.
In regard to Ron Paul, it is certainly at least a bit of a stretch for you to consider him to be a fellow "laissez-faire capitalist," and to make an entirely doubtful linkage between that and my statement that there was a "honeymoon " period during which many American businessmen,some "laissez-faire capitalists" undoubtedly among them, showered praise on Mussolini. It is also undeniable that even Hitler came in for a measure of praise, particularly in Britain. (cf Moseley, Duke of Windsor, et al.)
Again let me assure you, that I carry no brief against Ron Paul. If it indeed develops that it is he who can formulate a PLAN, a PROGRAM, provide the GOP with LEADERSHIP, and has a CLUE as to how to control the last two years of the Reign of Obama and save our country and its economy, I'll be with you on the barricades.
Also note that nowhere in my posts do I disagree with HIS, (Ron Paul's) use of the terms "Corporatism" or "Corporate State."
Both, of course, refer to Fascism, a word sure to be twisted by the MSM, who still use the terminology of the Communists of the Spanish Civil War.
Calling someone a fascist has about as much political impact as calling someone a Nazi.
It has only been a short while back since using the word "socialist" was also "veboten". Now it is commonplace, with public discussions of its meaning and applicability, even though the Left has screeched and clawed tenaciously to try to suppress and/or ridicule its use. The introduction of the term "fascist" will follow the same course. Somebody simply has to go first, and Ron Paul obviously lacks the courage to lead.
There's another, extremely serious aspect to this terminology "quibble" to which you and the other Ron Paul acolytes seem completely oblivious which illustrates why the term "fascist" is precisely the correct word to use and "corporatist" is not.
Ron Paul's use of "corporatist" to frame the discussion of the nature of the Obama regime completely focuses on the economic aspects of the term while ignoring the other dire behavioral aspects of regimes which govern by these ostensibly "synonymous" concepts.
The fact that the term "corporatism" does not convey the same connotations of totalitarian brutality as "fascism" is precisely the reason that "facism" is the right word to use, because the Obama regime is well on the way to its own brownshirt tactics of intimidation and street violence against opponents, use of law enforcement and the courts against "undesirable" individuals and groups, propaganda demonization of putative "enemies of the state", etc., etc., just like those other "fascist" regimes.
The Obama "corporatists" are fully prepared to use the intrumentalities of the state, their non-state thug "auxiliaries" such as SEIU, ACORN, etc., and the state-controlled media to incite and commit violence upon those who oppose them.
The term "corporatism" conveys none of that imminent danger. "Fascism" does, perfectly, which is why it is the proper term to use, to wake people up. The same people you fret about who might "roll their eyes" now will be the same people who are ready to listen in those "two months" you posited. They also rolled their eyes only a short while ago when "socialism" was first being mentioned.
I appreciate what you're trying to do regarding Ron Paul. The problem is, he's irretrievably behind the curve of events (and reality). He once had the potential to be a great man, and a real asset to his country, but his personal quirks, flaws and ego led him astray.
Okay, here’s the deal. GM as it’s constituted since the Chapter 11 filing is not publicly traded, although supposedly they’re considering an IPO for this year. The United States Treasury owns 61%. The UAW VEBA (health and pension fund) owns 17.5%. The Crown in Right of Canada (the federal government) owns 7.9%. The Crown in Right of Ontario (the provincial government) owns 3.8%. The bondholders of Motors Liquidation Company (the decomposing remains of the pre-Chapter-11 GM) own 9.8%. Motors is technically available over the counter, but you probably don’t want to buy it.
So strictly speaking, GM is still minority privately-owned (the UAW fund and the Motors bondholders). But it’s majority government-owned. The U.S. government alone holds well in excess of a simple majority. You say GM is still controlled somewhat by the board members. Well, who elects the board? The stockholders. Who’s the super-majority stockholder right now? Am I getting through to you, Mr. Beale? If the U.S. government wants GM to do something badly enough, the board and the senior execs will do it, or they will in very short order become the former board and/or senior execs.
It’s socialism.
To impress people, especially his base, with his erudition while avoiding having to deal with the media and explain that "that other word" is precisely apropos. He gets the intellectual kudos from his fans and avoids antagonizing the media and losing the "media pet" (like McCain) status he craves. The fact that it won't really reach the majority of the American people who really need it is "regrettable".
Excellent post.
There is another reason though to use the correct term (fascism) and not to use the term corporatism in describing the progressive movement and the Obama regime being that if the term corporatism is used it will be much easier for the left to corrupt the term and make it seem as if it is there anti-free market policies are meant to put the corporations in place and thus create the illusion that they are anti-corporatism. The left are already preparing to battle further against the corporations with their rhetoric and they could make it seem as if they are the ones who are anti-corporatism while in reality they will only be anti-free market and anti-capitalism. The democrats have a way of making up seem like down and turning fantasy in reality with their propaganda.
The term fascism more precisely defines the ideology of the progressive movement and the democrat party.
Obama is a hard left radical. He’s not one of these squishy RINOs who figures that corporations are a necessary evil so just keep them on a tight leash. What we’re seeing now is simply a stage on the road to Obama’s ultimate goal of a Soviet-style command and control economy.
I’ll be glad when JR puts his foot down about this Ron Paul for President stuff.
The problem with the word "fascism" is that it is not precise. You can find many different descriptions of the word beyond whatever you think it means.
Corporatism and Fascism are the same exact thing. Because of preconceived notions in many people’s minds, the term Fascist is inflammatory. People tend to get unhinged, and react hysterically with visions of Adolf Hitler’s jack booted thugs marching down Main street. All chances of a rational discussion goes right out the window, once that term is invoked. The word Corporatism causes much less of a reaction, and may be the better term if their is any chance of having a rational, open discussion about the nature of Obama’s policies.
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