esrosedotblog

FASCISM?

I have never been to clear about the definition of fascists*. For a long while, I thought that they were people who belonged to a particular party in particular countries in Europe and Latin America. I guess I thought there were some in the United States, but that pretty much stopped my thinking. The whole subject got relegated to the 'past history' bin along with the jack boots, the funny goose-steps, overdone officer hats and the brown and black shirts. Such obvious symbols!

Then the other day, I picked up the thought that fascism might be very alive and well in the US; no hats, no boots, no actual name-claim; what they used to call a 'fifth-column'. I wish I could name the site: Eschaton, DailyKos, The LeftCoaster? Dunno. To whoever I am lifting this from, thanks. The bloggist pointed me to Henry Wallace.

Now you have to be of a certain age to know who Wallace was. I am of a certain age and know about him and I was still astounded by the richness of his life as outlined in this paper by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.: Who Was Henry Wallace?. I have to honestly say that I remember him as the guy who bucked my hero Harry S. Truman and so, along with a lot of others, I saw him as a spoiler and a rebel. He stepped out of the political establishment of iwhich he had been a part for many years and stridently took a different course.

But listen to this; this complicated man's writing. Here is part of what he said about Amercan Fascism and why it has so much resonance today.

" If we define an American fascist as one who in case of conflict puts money and power ahead of human beings, then there are undoubtedly several million fascists in the United States. There are probably several hundred thousand if we narrow the definition to include only those who in their search for money and power are ruthless and deceitful. Most American fascists are enthusiastically supporting the war effort. They are doing this even in those cases where they hope to have profitable connections with German chemical firms after the war ends. They are patriotic in time of war because it is to their interest to be so, but in time of peace they follow power and the dollar wherever they may lead.

American fascism will not be really dangerous until there is a purposeful coalition among the cartelists, the deliberate poisoners of public information, and those who stand for the K.K.K. type of demagoguery.

Today we might insert right wing evangelicals and homo-haters for the K.K.K.

You can see the whole article: The Danger of American Fascism

To me, this is why this election is about way more than personalities or politics as usual. For the first time in my life, an election is about the heart and soul of our blessed country. Not 'God' blessed although if pushed, I will sign up for that. What I mean is bless-ed; by all the people come here from all over the world, by all the natural riches, by all the history, and with all the human soul with which, even in our most conflicted moments, bind us together. Blessed. That is the blessing so seriously threatened.

*Fascism: Etymology: Italian fascismo, from fascio bundle, fasces, group, from Latin fascis bundle & fasces fasces

Definitions: 1 often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition; 2 : a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control