The New Fascists

Bumper Statements.com Editor's Corner ^ | March 12, 2002 | The Editor@BumperStatements.com

[John SBM]

In their pure forms, Americans reject socialism and fascism. Those political systems are to extreme and un-American. But over time we have adopted many ideals of socialism, having accepted that capitalism is also too extreme and a mixed economy is morally superior. Politicians have long recognized that they can increase their power by selling a socialist ideal and then defining a government initiative to "meet the need". However, some politicians harbor more ambitious goals.

Remember when charity and community activities were personal choices? Then we were inundated with the need to contribute more, and sold on the concept of duty to participate. A whole new lexicon developed to support the concept - community service, giving back, under-served groups, and on and on. The ideals of socialism invaded the realm of charity and created a duty to the state. Now the new fascists are moving in.

The new fascists avoid the label by creating a degree of separation between the idealistic policies they use as cover and the dictatorial use of force. Consider this example. Senator John Edwards, the trial lawyer turned politician - who wants to be President, is seeking to increase his name recognition by supporting the now popular notion of community service. So what does he propose? He wants to create a new federal grant to go to high schools that require community service to graduate. In this one simple proposal he takes what was an individual choice and creates a mandatory social obligation. He then uses the government run schools as the instrument of force to gain compliance and hide the dictatorial federal role. And he forces all of us to support the process by diverting our tax dollars to bribe the schools into the role of enforcer.

You have to admit the process is insidious, but the new fascists are creative!

[John SBM]

Senator Edwards is giving us a fine example of how the new fascists work. Hide a dictatorial government policy behind a popular social ideal then make us all pay for it. All this just so he can increase his name recognition at our expense. Too bad he will get away with it!

There is a poll with the article at the source web site.

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to and descriptions of the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[moyden]

2004 Democrat Convention (Hillary's Village Brigade)

[John SBM]

You raise the interesting question. Is this type of thing an example of socialism, and when does socialism take on the aspects of fascism. I believe the point here is that the requirement of "community service" is a socialist idea - we all owe duty to the state and for the "common good". But the tool being proposed by Mr Edwards is fascist in nature - having a government institution dictate actions. Personally I think the difference is only one of degree between a socialist state and a fascist state, and this is a nice example. We would never stand for a politician declaring himself dictator. But we will accept a politician who implements dictatorial policies in the name of a social good.

[John SBM]

Good one, LOL!

[headsonpikes]

"How is this not socialism?"

Brilliant question!

Take consolation in the 'fact' that American Socialism is 'nicer' than the Russian or German Socialisms.

Not quite as nice as Canadian Socialism, however. ;^)

Our Reds Rule!!!

Our Soylent will be greener than your Soylent! We Rock!!

[IDontLikeToPayTaxes]

Does anybody have the link to a Freerepublic thread about why Muslim/Arab men and Muslim/Arab military forces usually fail in battle? The article is about the cultural reason why they don't maintain their equipment, want to fight hard, give false battle reports, etc. etc.

Thanks.