So let's have a quick discussion about Fascism from an academic perspective, because it's clear you don't know what you're talking about. It sounds to me like you're parroting, and real proud of yourself for doing so. In 2003 Political Science Professor Lawrence Britt came up with The 14 Characteristics of Fascism. I think this is an interesting perspective as it's not colored by recent political events. He studied Hitler, Mussolini and several other fascistic regimes to come up with this list, and I think it's spot on.
I'll just go down the list and state my opinion on whether these are conservative or liberal ideologies in today's political climate. I think you'll agree that both parties have some fascistic tendencies, and Trump supporters don't fit neatly into the box you think they do:
- Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - 100% Trump. Liberals hate the country and want to tear it down and "reimagine" it. Slogans like MAGA are clear and quick signals to a nationalistic ideology.
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
- Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - This one is much more mixed. Liberals like to twist arguments - the best example here is abortion. They claim that unlimited abortion is "a woman's right" while they ignore the rights of the unborn. They claim to be adamant supporters of human rights, but don't seem to want to defend the right to free speech they don't agree with. Mixed, but I'd say Conservatives are more clear in their support of human rights.
Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
- Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - Has there ever been a bigger "enemy/scapegoat" than Trump? Have you ever seen a political party so aggressively demonize someone before they ever even reached office? No parallel on the Right that I've ever seen. There were no occupations, riots or looting when Obama won two elections. Clearly this is a leftist tactic in modern politics, and #6 is the hammer they use to drive this nail.
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
- Supremacy of the Military - Conservative ideal, clearly.
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
- Rampant Sexism - Again, mixed. I know you think Trump and the Conservative movement is sexist but recent elections and the number of strong female conservative voices would indicate it's not an ethos. I'd say mixed because leftists typically reduce voting blocs to gender and race, which is pretty sexist, while hardcore right wingers might have a disposition to think less of women. Trump was also the first president to enter office in favor of gay marriage.
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.
- Controlled Mass Media - Holy crap. This one is clear and it's not close. Hollywood, MSM and the entire entertainment industry is as liberal as possible.
Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
- Obsession with National Security - The Conservatives own this. Especially if you take it as border security.
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
- Religion and Government are Intertwined - You could probably teach a college course on this one. Conservatives do put God forth in the political sphere, but so did The Founding Fathers. I'm not sure if that's the same as using religion to control public opinion. I'd argue that leftists have replaced religion with political beliefs. VERY deep subject but I think it's mixed.
Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.
- Corporate Power is Protected - Left owns this - the Corporate power structure in this country is very woke and very left leaning because it's the path of least resistance. Large corporations are directly involved in getting politicians elected, Zuckerberg's $4MM investment in the 2020 election is solid evidence of this.
The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
- Labor Power is Suppressed - 100% the right. Unions are a leftist mainstay.
Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed .
- Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Neither, we luckily haven't gone down this path. I don't know that any professors were censored or arrested while Trump was president. Now, conservatives point out how liberal college campuses are, but that's not the same thing.
Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.
- Obsession with Crime and Punishment- Mixed. The right believes in crime and punishment and law and order. Leftists don't seem to believe in either. However, I'd strongly argue that institutions like the DOJ, FBI and IRS have all been weaponized under democrat administrations...which is a form of a very powerful national police force. I'm going to say mixed leaning left.
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.
- Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Would you like to talk about Hunter Biden? Both parties do this to a certain extent but I think it's worse on the left. I'll score left but mixed is probably acceptable too.
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
- Fraudulent Elections - Yea, I think you know the score on this one. Left.
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.
So my score is:
Conservatives - 4
Mixed - 4
Liberals - 5
(I didn't score #11)
So if you go deeper than a puddle on the subject and really look at what constitutes fascist regimes, the Trump Presidency and Conservatism in general doesn't really fit the mold. It's a talking point.
1. Liberals(progressives) & moderates love America. Why would you write such things? Liberals believe protecting the Constitution of the United States. They believe America is for all people.
All people should get a fair chance. In fact, I guess the Radical Republicans showed their hand by supporting Trump's attempts to overthrow the Government of the United States, and thus, the Constitution.
Right now, not too many people trust the Republican party right now because of that little stunt. Even moderate republicans. Trying to overthrow the Government does not put the Republican party at zero, 240,000,00 points to the Radical Republicans.
Human rights? Denying a woman an abortion even if it will kill the mother? Progressives do NOT believe in Government Forced Pregnancy. They believe a woman should choose her destiny, not have it chosen by the government. The Radical Republicans 1/2 point
3. I agree that there has never been a greater enemy than Trump. He has never demonstrated any empathy for anyone (except himself) or anything or anyone that does not serve him. He tried to overthrow our government and colludes with our external greatest enemy, Putin. Just so he can get loans and build a hotel in Moscow.
He undermines democratic elections just because he hates losing a fair election. Every Republican state that was audited by Republicans, said there was no fraud. Yet, he actually still undermines elections that Republican's control. 1,000 Fascism points: Radical Republicans.
Speaking of Fox new: in an interview with 60 minutes in year 2 of Fox News, Rupert Murdoch said you always have to give the listeners a villain. He has used that with much success from Hillery Clinton to Dr. F. Murdoch said "you have to get people riled up". Ever notice how Fox News gives you Villains. There will always be a villain in Fox News. I don't get why people don't get wise to this.
4. Every American President since World War 2 has sought Military Supremacy. Progressives are concerned about Government waste, however. If you are going waste the people's money to make military gear you will
never use or plan to use, Progressives would rather spend the money on healthcare for all people.
Let us not forget, that on Trump's watch, the Russians invented their cascading multiple war head missiles (which we have no clue about). AND the Chinese have invented a +Mach 2 ICBM which puts the US in a HUGE disadvantage to even stop any nuclear war heads. We would have to cave to the Chinese to survive.
For all that money, we are WAY BEHIND in Technology. I will give this a wash.
5. it's mixed. Democrats typically take gender info for voting data just like all parties do. Trump gets no points for saying he was for Gay rights and then bans transgender service people. The military was pissed, those soldiers were/ are amazingly good at their jobs.
6. Can't give you the controlled Mass-Media points either. Sure, a lot of Hollywood types are Progressive. But, as long as Fox News, ONN, and Newsmax have a strained relationship with the truth, the Radical Republicans stations are "state" TV for fascism. Not telling people the truth is controlling Mass-Madia. Making up stories, like "liberals hate America" is not something you know, it's something you've heard over and over by news agencies with agendas devised to control you. No regular news stations say Republicans hate America. Because it's not true and they are not going to lie to you. They also don't say Democrats hate America because, again, it's not true. 5 Fascism points to the Radical Republicans
As an aside, you can guess I'm progressive, but when I was little, I used to watch Firing Line with William F. Buckley moderating. He was a great orator. He argued great conservative points of view and won many debates. Since Fox news started, the tribe model emerged. It's us against them. That's stupid. We are all Americans just trying to make the world a better place. We all need to think for ourselves, get reliable true news and make up our minds and talk to each other.
11. (sorry, I'm getting tired. I misnumbered). this perception of colleges being so liberal is no longer true, they were and of course some are. The perception of them being liberal now is often that college students are better informed and free thought is reinforced there. That tends to skew Progressive. By the way, I live in a college town. Also, Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis is the new Demagogue on the block. He tried to stifle University of Florida professors from testifying in a case. He also tried to stop School Boards from protecting their students from Covid. What a twisted piece of work. 1 point on the Fascism scale for the Radical Republicans.
8. you religion is intertwined liberal argument is weak. you concede that it is more Conservative, then try for the save and say that Progressives have policies intertwined? That's not going to wash. NO SAVE!! 1 Fascism point: Radical Republicans.
9. Your argument I truly don't get. Not just liberals, but ALL Democrats are trying to get Big Business to not only pay taxes, but to get them to pay ANY taxes at all. The Democrats have been at war over this with businesses for a long time. Democrats are trying to regulate unsafe business practices as well. Democrats have been trying to revise the tax codes, but Republicans keep blocking these attempts, so they don't piss off their doners. Radical Republicans: 1 point on the Fascism scale.
12, Obsession with Crime and Punishment. Both sides care about Law & Order, but Conservatives are beyond obsessed with it. I don't think I'm going to get too many people arguing on this board with me. However, Democrats are obsessed with fair Law & Order. That's why we support the ACLU.
1 point for the Radical Republicans on the Fascism scale.
13. I got a huge kick out of you mentioning Hunter Biden (who does suck by the way. What a putz) but ignore Mr. Scam Donald Trump. Totally ignored the Emoluments Clause and scammed foreigners in his hotels while President.
Saying, "I think it's worst on the Left' has no real value with no Data. I could say I think it's worse on Right" I don't know. BUT, Republicans cow-tow to more high stakes Donors, in my opinion, but again, I have NO facts. Wash
14, Why would you say Left. According to every state in the Union, there has never been election fraud In the United States. At least there was none according to Republicans. They did tons of checks. The real question is why people say there was, just because the most known liar in American History said there was fraud. He told just under 5,000 lies. The Lowest in modern times: Barrack Obama made 41 untrue statements. Joe isn't in Trump Territory, but he has made 36 exaggerated (untrue) statements already.
If you have facts, I would love to hear your arguments. If you want to play the Fox Villian game or name call, I'm not interested. I truly respect how much effort you put into your rebuttal. So, I'm truly interested to hear your facts.
But let's be honest, you know you were not going to win a Fascism scale with Trump trying to overthrow the United States Government, right??
