Fascism: A Bold Vision for a New Democratic Majority

[ludwigb]

http://www.nypress.com/17/2/news&columns/feature.cfm

.....I think it is high time that we all admitted that outright fascism has a lot to offer American society, and the Democratic Party in particular. Not only would it be an enormously successful electoral strategy, it would be vastly superior as a governing principle to the halting, pusillanimous, fake fascism of the Republican party. Just think of the benefits of claiming the presidency on the following platform:

World Domination. This would be the centerpiece of the new domestic policy of the Democratic Party�and I stress the word domestic. Because it is here that the fatal weakness of the Republican Party would be laid bare.

As it stands, the Republicans are tougher than the Democrats because they will not hesitate to bomb the hell out of anyone, provided that the target cannot meaningfully fight back. But here�s the thing: The Republicans are not interested in ruling other countries, any more than they are interested in ruling the United States. All they really want to do is make money. They only use military force insofar as it is necessary to a) extract another country�s resources, and b) ensure that these countries become and remain markets for American products. Beyond these parameters, they�re amazingly squeamish about using the military.

A Democratic candidate can expose this weakness easily by announcing a blunt post-election plan. On his first day in office, he signs an executive order declaring every person on Earth to be a citizen of the United States. Around the world, the offer is made: Any person who wishes to have American citizenship can go to the nearest embassy, have his photo taken and be given a passport.

In three weeks, the population of the United States would triple. Perhaps even quadruple. Within a year, we would be larger than India and China combined. Europe, the last holdout and the last serious threat to our preeminence, would quickly be reduced in comparison to a tiny, castrated banking haven on the order of Liechtenstein or Switzerland. All that would remain is the tedious process of liberating our people from tyrannical rule around the world......

......But the centerpiece for creating a New Democratic Majority is how to use the military. If we accept the premise that campaigning against war is impossible�and even Howard Dean admits that it is�then it�s silly to lack a specific plan for how and where to attack. The Republican idea, echoed by most Democrats, is to sit around, wait for some dubious justification for the use of force to present itself, and then trot out some incoherent cover story on the eve of attack. What�s so tough about that? Why take the long way around? It�s time to make the world safe for America by making the world America.

(Edited to include text)

[mr_hat]

1. OK, I'll admit: I don't get it. Satire, right?

[Cannikin]

2. I sure hope so...because I dont agree!

Sounds like bait to me....

[ludwigb]

3. As Lawrence Kaplan at TNR has aptly pointed out...

Here
http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=debate&s=editorsendorsement011204#tueskaplan

The Democratic party, with the admirable exception of Lieberman, has committed itelf to worn clich�s about "multilateralism," "interdependence," and the "will of the international community". Fascism offers us a way to reassure the American people while offering a distinctive foriegn policy alternative in this difficult hour. It may not be to late for a clever candidate to propose a new moral mission for America!

[Trajan]

4. TNR so 'aptly' described ....

a non sequitur ....

Who the f*ck cares what THEY think ? ....

sheeesh ....

[ludwigb]

5. True enough...

TNR embraces a "neoconservative" foreign policy that is hardly less sqeamish than the Democratic party itself. Occasionally, some of its writers show decent moral instincts, but certainly the magazine falls far short of articulating a legitimate fascist platform.

Just as we need new leaders, we need new intellectuals.

[Cannikin]

6. Ok class, lets deconstruct this word and see who it resembles....fas·cism

Noun.

1.A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

2.A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
Oppressive, dictatorial control.

Word History: It is fitting that the name of an authoritarian political movement like Fascism, founded in 1919 by Benito Mussolini, should come from the name of a symbol of authority. The Italian name of the movement, fascismo, is derived from fascio, “bundle, (political) group,” but also refers to the movement's emblem, the fasces, a bundle of rods bound around a projecting axe-head that was carried before an ancient Roman magistrate by an attendant as a symbol of authority and power. The name of Mussolini's group of revolutionaries was soon used for similar nationalistic movements in other countries that sought to gain power through violence and ruthlessness, such as National Socialism.


OK...so..first, its not Democrat tax cuts going to the rich. While the poor have to have multiple incomes to survive.

Not our Patriot act which will eventually control by cencorship and terror.

Belligerent nationalism and racism...Do I really need to go there?

And finally, from the word history: The name of Mussolini's group
of revolutionaries was soon used for similar nationalistic
movements in other countries that sought to gain power
through violence and ruthlessness...Sound familiar to anyone?

[ludwigb]

7. Exactly!

This is why we need to give the people what they want--what they crave! Post 9/11 there is a power constellation in the world--faced with the threat of myopic, insane terrorists, we need a foreign policy in kind! If we keep allowing other countries to mock America with their continued existence, one day that may come back and haunt us. If we don't act now, when? If we don't move foward and end non-Americanism, how many innocents will die naturally? That's what I want to know.

[Cannikin]

8. Hmm...well..get back to us when the oxy-contin wear off!

Surely there are fascism forums that would 'ditto' all of that for you, but I don't think I've ever heard those views mentioned around here...but hey, we don't discriminate as long as it doesn't get disruptive.


Oh yeah, and If Rupubs would stop creating monsters, we wouldn't have to fight them!

[markburgess]

9. isn't "stringent socioeconomic controls" the opposite of the right-wing

neo-liberalism of free-trade economic policies embraced by conservatives?

In fact, Musolini derived his economic philosophy from socialism, which is left-wing. A deeper understanding of historical context and economic philosophy is in order here.

[Cannikin]

11. I believe my point is...We arent interested in fascism here.

You may want to lurk for a while longer and see what its all about.

Welcome to DU.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

14. Musolini derived his economic philosophy from socialism: WRONG

His brand of fascism has been since labeled 'corporatism' by economists and historians because of Mussolini's support of corporate interests.

Just like his German counterpart-the National 'Socialists'-there was no SOCIALISM in their philosophies.

[markburgess]

16. corect, it is called corporatism, however its still derived from socialism

Corporatism was in essence a marriage of capitalism and socialism, a "third way". In this system businesses were free-market enterprises, though only semi-autonomous. The employers were in fact part of the government, overseen by the Camera dei Fasci e delle Corporazioni.

Mussolini himself had been a life-long socialist/Marxist before forming the Fascist party. Fascist economics were derived from socialism, with a focus on a state controlled economy. Notice I said "derived", not "a direct form of".

Mussolini was even quoted as saying "I am and shall remain a socialist and my convictions will never change."


read up here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benito_Mussolini

[Cleita]

10. I have a better idea.

Let women run things for a change. Just do a moratorium on any male having power in any venue for five years. Women would run the governments, corporations, hospitals,universities, etc.. Men would stay home and care for the children and cook and clean.

At the end of five years we could compare who did the better job. Oh yes any previous debts and deficits incurred by men will have to be paid by same men.

[FAndy9]

12. As a political idea...

fascism would be overwhelmingly effective. The large majority of americans are practically screaming for blood and this would solve the problem at that level.

Luckily for myself and those at DU, I would like to think we have the ethics and morals that would make such a thing unbearable for ourselves.

At least we are still human, I hope.

[Cannikin]

13. Mega-ditto's (hehe) I love my country the way it is...mostly...

[xchrom]

15. republicans not interested in ruling?!?

that would be news to the innocent dead iraqi folk, priests, nuns, and peasants in el salvador, guatemala, etc.
that would be news to multi-nationals like exxon, ibm, haliburton, etc.
facism is difficult to handle satirically -- and this article proves it.