Socialist or Fascist? (Thomas Sowell on Obama)

Creators Syndicate ^ | June 12, 2012 | Thomas Sowell

[caddie]

1.) Thomas Sowell needs nominated for a Nobel Prize in Economics or Literature, or both.

Write your mayor, Congressa$$hole, or Senator. Only elected persons can do it.

2.) Fascist, socialist, Marxist, Stalinist.

All of the above. To paraphrase the Bard, "A turd by any other name would smell as sweet."

[Lysandru]

I started comparing Obama to Mussolini back in early 2009. It's not just that I recognized fascist economic policy when I saw it(and just look at some of his totalitarian slips of the tongue).

When I read a biography of Mussolini, I was astounded at the colossal ego that the man had. Mussolini once held 8 portfolios in his government. He was totally incompetent at all of them. Fast forward to this Administration--and you get authors claiming that Obama thinks he knows more than his advisers.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

For one of the best explanations of socialism, communism, and fascism read von Hayek Road to Serfdom available as a readers digest condensed version. They are all left and fought each other for the same followers

The Road to Serfdom
(Link to the Readers' Digest Condensed Version in PDF!)

I once saw a movie set in an Ottoman palace, wherein two counselors to the Sultan see two young princes going at each other. I always think about it in reference to the “difference” between fascism and socialism, because one counselor says to the other, “They fight as only half-brothers can."

[jazusamo]

Yes...Policies, ego and expressions.

[W. W. SMITH]

On April 28 1945, at the Piazzale Loreto in Milan, Benito Mussolini and his mistress Clara Petacci were shot and hanged in a spectacle

The only true solution for infestations of leftists.

I was banned from the Reader supported news forum for suggesting that shooting a far left radical should be classified self defence. That post had over 300 thumbs down before they removed it. I was bounced by a Marc Ash, is that the famous Ash from early Free Republic history?

[Paladin2]

But Zer0 is an international fascist.

[Tainan]

Several of Hitlers, and also Mussolinis, actions were responsible for his disenfranchisement by the leftists of Europe, England and America.
Adolphs' mistreatment and invasion of Poland, which at that time was a great bastion of intellectual thought and 'progress' and thus a real obstacle for him, was part of it.
Also his siding with Franco in Spain in his fight against the communists and their tools. His siding with Franco against the Internationalistas was a major factor in their change of "heart."
Mussos' invasion of Ethiopia and attempts to turn it into a fascist raw resource supply was part and parcel of his getting on their sh*t-list. As was his devotion to Adolph when put under pressure from the leftists. Also, Musso had his problems with the strong unions in Italy - which were historically leftists/communist.

These, along with both of their crack-down on dissent from the Party line, were some of the reasons the left decided to move these two from the 'left column' over into the 'rightest column' in the records of academic history.

[JoeFromSidney]

When Obama was elected, I remarked to a Liberal friend, "Somewhere amidst the flames, Benito Mussolini and Karl Marx are laughing and slapping each other on the back."

[Caipirabob]

I never saw fascism as a construct of the right despite attempts by historians to foist it on us.

I so heartily agree with you. The case I make with leftist idiots is as follows: What did the Tea Party represent: Smaller, limited government. What does conservatism represent? Smaller, limited government. Now, what kind of government has the power to impose a specific philosophical ideology upon an entire populace with no resistance? NOT a smaller, limited government...

I lose most of them at "Tea".

[xzins]

What is the evidence that Obama is actually a communist rather than a fascist?

First, I have no doubt that Obama is behaving as a fascist now. He uses crony corporatism to the hilt.

However, his associations of the past peg him as a communist. Bill Ayers, the organizing committees of his Chicago street years, and the ideas he incorporated from his father would cause me to peg him as a communist rather than a fascist.

I imagine he despises his corporate hosts, that he really does hate the rich (who aren’t him) and that he would rather be the lone cock on the rock rather than a partner with a yard full of bantams.

Romney, on the other hand, is a full social corporatist and proud of his ties to other elites like himself.

[Pontiac]

Thanks for the short and to the point analysis

[Tainan]

Those are some quick & dirty POIs.
I think its also a significant factor that a lot of leftys were of Jewish heritage. Hitlers' maniacal obsession with all things Jewish or "Zionist" I think caused a re-think of his place on the political spectrum. They didn't want to be at the same end of the scale as him and his followers.
Just another quick thought.

[Impy]

Fascist would be technically more accurate.

But calling social democrats “socialists” is not something I oppose despite it technically being hyperbole if you go by dictionary definitions. Controlling the language is important.

[Finny]

Especially timely and valid. Late getting to reading it, but thanks for the ping, jaz. God bless Thomas Sowell.

[BelegStrongbow]

I’m late getting here also, but I have been referring to him as a fascist since at least the 2008 election cycle as have others.

And it’s been a tough sell for people who do not know the difference between National Socialist and Fascist. The MSM really has succeeded in equating the two.

Just as Orwell said they would do.

[BelegStrongbow]

I’m late getting here also, but I have been referring to him as a fascist since at least the 2008 election cycle as have others.

And it’s been a tough sell for people who do not know the difference between National Socialist and Fascist. The MSM really has succeeded in equating the two.

Just as Orwell said they would do.

[John Leland 1789]

I have never before read any author so able to define fascism in such a brief article, or so properly compare it with socialism.

We've had Dr. Sowell's books in our home since 1983, and use them in our home schooling regimen. Tremendous writer.

[TurboZamboni]

luvs me some T.S.

add me,too.

[listenhillary]

There is so much noise, bluster and crowing by political commentators that it is hard to focus and find the good stuff.

Thomas Sowell quietly and calmly leaves them in the dust with his analysis each time.

Thanks for the ping.

[CSM]

Great article. Thanks for posting it.