What is the biggest threat to our Republic? Is it Obamacare? Is it ongoing wars and conflicts around the world? Is it big oil companies getting tax shelters? Is it unions that are exempt from certain laws because of their political ties? Is it big bank bailouts? A large military industrial complex that ensures we are lapping the competition when it comes military spending? The answer is yes.
Ever heard of the word fascism? Probably have when hearing about World War II and Hitler. It probably brings up images of Jews and anyone else thought to be less than human being enslaved and then killed. While these were atrocities committed by Hitler, that is only one version of fascism.
Here is one Merriam-Webster definition of the word:
Date: 1921
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 government headed by a leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.
Looking at the definition, the first thing that pops out at me is exalting of nation above the individual. Could that not be more apparent than in modern America? It comes from both the Right and Left. The Right for the longest time has said that if you don't agree with America going to war then you hate the country and military. If one has a different opinion of American foreign policy then that person is an apologist and blames America first. Never despair though, the Left does the same just with different issues. They tell you that if you are against the federal government increasing regulations that you hate your fellow countryman. If you are for a different type of tax structure then you want to see the country fail. They also play the foreigner card. If you buy foreign then you hate American workers. If American companies employee people in other countries they do not want to improve the lives of the American worker. I could go on and on, so I will. Both sides favor bailouts for too big to fail companies. When it comes to war, the Right wants to take the fight to other countries as if the civilians in those countries are inferior to our civilians. The Left's idea that the community is more important than the individual is dogma and if one disagrees they are greedy and self-centered.
While promoting race in America is not always in your face, it's still there. Saying that anti-black and anti-white stereotypes are accurate is taboo. There is still no problem stereotyping Arabs and Hispanics. There are those in government trying to paint every Hispanic as someone here illegally trying to take jobs from hardworking Americans and commit crime. Then Arabs (which inaccurately includes Persians and Indians) are cast as those who are here to impose Islamic Law and blow everyone up. Hispanics are expected to show documentation at the drop of a hat. Nobody ever questions if I am an American. Arabs or those who appear to be Arab are expected to deal with more checks at the airport and to be on terrorist watch lists. Of course, they should just rollover and accept this because it's for the good of the country. This is mainly a problem on the Right but on the Left if anyone disagrees with President Obama, they are automatically racist.
Both tactics of using national pride and race are meant to shame the free thinker.
Then let's look at the centralization of power. No matter your political leanings you have to admit that power is centralizing in DC. Now at least the Left usually owns up that they like that view. And with a past of states abusing civil liberties, they have a valid point of view. The Right however will not admit they enjoy the federal government getting more power. They will never admit it but they want the Feds to regulate personal behavior. The Right more than the Left seems to favor going to war without Congress declaring it. However, the Left seems to be warming up to the idea. Until the latest near war experience with Syria, President Obama seemed to think he could order wars just like he was the new G.W. Bush. It is also well documented that the current president loves his drone strikes much more than any of the former presidents. He uses them with no approval by congress. Then again that's what the American people want, a strong executive that "fights" on their behalf.
As for our economics, the central government does pick and choose winners. They will bailout huge companies. The recent Affordable Healthcare Act is an example of winners being picked. The corporations win again. They will get to extend their market due to people being forced to buy health insurance. Then they can increase premiums as high as they can with the excuse that they have to cover people with pre-existing conditions. My prediction is that in twenty years the profits gained by insurance companies will make oil company profits look like chump change and America will still have a healthcare "crisis".
I could keep going but I think the point is made. We have thrown power the DC and DC married corporations. Nobody is using forcible suppression and I don't think it will ever come to that. The citizens of this nation will just learn to conform because it is easiest. Just keep us entertained. I am sure there are those who will read this and think that I hate America. I will not waste my time or yours proving my love for this nation and it's ideals. One of those ideals is that the individual is valuable. We are not living up to that ideal. It is more important to beg our politicians for their protection and then worship them in exchange.
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