Is Bush a Fascist?

1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism

From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military, and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.

2. Disdain for the importance of human rights

The regimes themselves viewed human rights as of little value and a hindrance to realizing the objectives of the ruling elite. Through clever use of propaganda, the population was brought to accept these human rights abuses by marginalizing, even demonizing, those being targeted. When abuse was egregious, the tactic was to use secrecy, denial, and disinformation.

3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause

The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people's attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice?-relentless propaganda and disinformation?-were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite "spontaneous" acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and "terrorists." Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.

4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism

Ruling elites always identified closely with the military and the industrial infrastructure that supported it. A disproportionate share of national resources was allocated to the military, even when domestic needs were acute. The military was seen as an expression of nationalism, and was used whenever possible to assert national goals, intimidate other nations, and increase the power and prestige of the ruling elite.

5. Rampant sexism

Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.

6. A controlled mass media

Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism, and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually success in keeping the general public unaware of the regimes' excesses.

7. Obsession with national security

Inevitably, a national security apparatus was under direct control of the ruling elite. It was usually an instrument of oppression, operating in secret and beyond any constraints. Its actions were justified under the rubric of protecting "national security," and questioning its activities was portrayed as unpatriotic or even treasonous.

8. Religion and ruling elite tied together

Unlike communist regimes, the fascist and protofascist regimes were never proclaimed as godless by their opponents. In fact, most of the regimes attached themselves to the predominant religion of the country and chose to portray themselves as militant defenders of that religion. The fact that the ruling elite's behavior was incompatible with the precepts of the religion was generally swept under the rug. Propaganda kept up the illusion that the ruling elites were defenders of the faith and opponents of the "godless." A perception was manufactured that opposing the power elite was tantamount to an attack on religion.

9. Power of corporations protected

Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of "have-not" citizens.

10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated

Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice.

11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts

Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced, or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.

12. Obsession with crime and punishment

Most of these regimes maintained Draconian systems of criminal justice with huge prison populations. The police were often glorified and had almost unchecked power, leading to rampant abuse. "Normal" and political crime were often merged into trumped-up criminal charges and sometimes used against political opponents of the regime. Fear, and hatred, of criminals or "traitors" was often promoted among the population as an excuse for more police power.

13. Rampant cronyism and corruption

Those in business circles and close to the power elite often used their position to enrich themselves. This corruption worked both ways; the power elite would receive financial gifts and property from the economic elite, who in turn would gain the benefit of government favoritism. Members of the power elite were in a position to obtain vast wealth from other sources as well: for example, by stealing national resources. With the national security apparatus under control and the media muzzled, this corruption was largely unconstrained and not well understood by the general population.

14. Fraudulent elections

Elections in the form of plebiscites or public opinion polls were usually bogus. When actual elections with candidates were held, they would usually be perverted by the power elite to get the desired result. Common methods included maintaining control of the election machinery, intimidating and disenfranchising opposition voters, destroying or disallowing legal votes, and, as a last resort, turning to a judiciary beholden to the power elite.



NOTE: The above 14 Points..... http://www.ellensplace.net/fascism.html

QFT

Blueflame1...so Ellensspace....
The question was do YOU believe that Bush is a FASCIST. It seems that the web site you quoted "ellenspace" agrees that he is.
What do you think?

snookered, well the 14 points of fascism certainly shows Bushie's fascist tendencies. No surprise. He comes from good fascist stock his grandfather and great grandfather having been business partners with Hitler funding his campaign and rise to power and investing heavily in his military industry including Auschwitz from which they made a bundle. America is a corporate fascist state. Nothing new there and Bushie embellishes that corporate fascism.

It's a dumb list now and it was a dumb list two years ago.

Give one (not 100) specific example of something that he did which qualifies as fascistic. Here's a hint. If American presidents have a long tradition of doing whatever it is, it doesn't count. Do not provide a link to someone else's thoughts.

joefromchicago, it's an accurate list and certainly Bushie is a corporate fascist.

WHY ONLY ONE?
First, you seem to be a FASCIST by conditions you set.

We haven't had such an ignorant fascist president before, so no long tradition of there.

Obviously, the most ridiculous one is when he said that "HE" is the decider. (settles two areas of mental defect, fascism and ignorance.)
Requesting than ignoring Generals on the ground in Iraq, what they want and need.
Declaring war, then forcing Congresses hand.
Lying about WMD's.
Standing on the Aircraft carrier like a Fascist would, declaring victory in Iraq.
Ignoring the needs of a lower class New Orleans, something a fascist would do.
Ignoring the needs of the lower and middle class, ooops, that's something that every Republican President has done...sorry
Encouraging the merge of Church and State, against the constitution.
I'm sick of this.

How can a list be dumb?

Today's Conservatives
Are Fascists
Torture, dictatorship, phony "elections,"
and endless war - it's fascism
with a "democratic" face http://antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=4245

The spokespresident? He would be a fascist according to your definition if he weren't a puppet, or the Vanna White of politics. Turn another letter, george!

Actually, fascism is a system whereby the means of production are privately owned but controlled by the government.

That's it? Aren't you leaving a whole lot out? All production is owned AND controlled by Castro. He IS the Government. Now some services, may be privately owned, however proceeds are take by the government (Castro) and these owners get a salary.
Otherwise it would be just another Capitalist country.

None of this constitutes fascism, the abrogation of democratic elections and the rule of law, and some of it is merely your personal interpretation.


He didn't. And if you disagree, you need only specify EXACTLY what the lie was.


None of this constitutes fascism, the abrogation of elections and the rule of law, and some of it is merely your interpretation.


He didn't encourage the merger of Church and state, but merely some use of religious charities.

Corporate fascism, A government subservient to the interests of the country's largest corporations.
Mussolini defined fascism as the merger of State and Corporate power. How many Americans do not believe politicians are bought by major corporations?

Brandon, you would be like debating a Islamic radical terrorist that there really aren't 99 virgins waiting for him if he straps bombs on his body and blows people up.
Everyone of the examples I gave are true and are traits of a Fascist.
You didn't see him stand on that aircraft carrier and declare victory?
The lie about WMD's was uh..."HEY Sadam has them thar WMD's, yes sir I know, I just know it, cause people have told me they got'em." Go ask Cheney, cause he heard it from the same cowboys I did.
I guess you didn't hear bushie swear they were there! Everyone else in the world did.
That needle head wanted war so bad that he was talking funny and saying stupid and made up words.
Bye the way, 68% of American know bush is incapable of leading the way to the head let alone a war or men, or countries. Which doesn't make him a Fascist, just so you know. You seem to have selective memory.
No President of the United State could be a true Fascist, but like I said Bush is a close as one gets.
Go back to you little dictionary and read the whole definition of a Fascist.
By taking money from the our own religious zealots, they squirmed their way into his pocket like a Church mouse. Then they weazeled their way into my civil rights, by tell me what I can watch.
But I degress. There is just so much wrong with that boy. His brother Jeb can't even run because of that fool.
Anyway....Bush is the closest thing to a Fascist as an American President can get period.

Standing on a ship and declaring that a war effort has been accomplished may be suggestive in your mind of many things, but it hardly makes someone a fascist.


Bush said that his intelligence indicated that it was very likely that Saddam Hussein was continuing his previous WMD development efforts, which was a reasonable, and at that time widespread, interpretation of the facts. Being wrong doesn't constitute lying unless you know that what you are saying is false when you say it.

Do you really think that's unique to fascist States? Do tell us just when the last time was that "Americans do not believe politicians are bought by major corporations"?
Sometimes the ignorance factor here is simply amazing.

What amazes me is the willingness of the plebs to just ignore the outrageous wrongs being committed by their leaders. Even more amazing is their willingness to cowtow to the overt propaganda purported by these same liars and chronic criminal misfits who lied their way into power, and continue to lie for a living.

Pathetic, really.