FASCISM – WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT? WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Fascism is a term bandied about by the left in this country to describe the right and by the right to describe the left.

So, what is Fascism really all about?

Fascism was the philosophy of government first espoused by Bonito Mussolini of Italy in 1919.
Other despots have adopted some or all of its views, among them: Hitler of Germany; Franco of Spain; Suharto of Indonesia and several Latin American regimes.

There are specific characteristics of Fascism:

1. A powerful and continuing nationalism. Fascists focus on the use of national symbols as a part of their propaganda efforts. The use of these symbols is usually required of government and citizens alike, or at least encouraged to the point of perceived requirement.

2. Disdain for Human Rights. Fascists try to convince the populace that human rights can be ignored because of the “need” of the people. This is demonstrated through the use of torture, executions, assassinations, lengthy incarcerations, etc.

3. The identification of “enemies” as a unifying cause. The government leads people to become frenzied over the need to eliminate perceived common threats.

4. The military becomes the supreme arm of the government to enforce government control over the people.

5. Under Fascism, the government becomes the ultimate guardian of social institutions such as family and church.

6. Fascism seeks to control mass media, either directly or indirectly. Censorship is very common in Fascism.

7. In Fascist regimes, fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. The Fascist government adopts religious terms and “adjusts” them to mean what it wants them to mean as best serves the government’s needs.

9. Government and corporations tend to become fused under Fascism. The government accepts the influence of business and helps corporations form a special relationship with it.

10. The labor force is controlled by the government in a Fascist regime. Neither union activity nor individual productivity and initiative is allowed by Fascists.

11. Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility toward higher education, intellectuals and the arts. Free expression in any of these areas is suppressed.

12. Next to the military, police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws in a Fascist society.

13. Fascist societies are almost always governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to positions of political power and influence.

14. Under Fascism, elections are controlled and manipulated to achieve the results desired by the government. The use of legislation to control and increase voting numbers is linked to the manipulation of the media to reach legislative goals.

There have been times in history when Fascists have simply walked in and taken over governments. At other time, they have crept in like a thief in the night, slowly adopting one element, then another of the Fascist dogma.

Americans must be ever vigilant about the directions its government takes it. The beginning of that vigilance is education.

Now you are better educated about Fascism.