People often recoil when they are called political names. Perhaps they are unaware of definitions that we have inherited from history. So it is wise to ask a few objective questions.
1. What do you call a powerful and continuing nationalism? “America first.” “America is the greatest country in the history of the world.”
2. What do you call disdain for human rights? “We will separate parents from children at the border.” “Democrats are Communists who hate America.”
3. What do you call identifying enemies as a unifying cause? “We are coming for you and we will have fun!” The Muslim ban. “Mexicans crossing the border are rapists.”
4. What do you call rampant sexism? “Suburban women, please like me.” “I love women.” “No one is less sexist than I am.”
5. What do you call controlled mass media? “The mainstream media are the enemy of the people.” “They are all fake news.”
6. What do you call obsession with national security? “Biden and his supporters will endanger our security.” “Democrats want no borders.”
7. What do you call religion and government intertwined? “America is a Christian country.” “President was chosen by God.”
8. What do you call corporate power protected? “Corporations are people.” “Tax cuts tilted toward the rich.”
9. What do you call labor power suppressed? “Labor regulations are making the U.S. less competitive.” “Labor leaders are far-left or socialists/communists.”
10. What do you call disdain for intellectuals and the arts? “Hollywood elites are all liberals.” “Scientists and other so-called experts are not to be trusted,”
11. What do you call obsession with crime and punishment? “Left-wing demonstrators are criminals and a threat to national security.” BLM and Antifa are threatening our security.
12. What do you call rampant cronyism and corruption? How many Trump officials have been convicted of crimes and corruption? How many unqualified Trump contributors have been appointed to government jobs? How many Trump friends have been given Presidential pardons?
You may be surprised to learn that the above 12 policies are defined as the basic characteristics of fascism.
Yes, it is not just something limited to World War II. The elements of fascism are here in the United States today. In fact, it is possible to say that the 70 million of our fellow voters who chose Donald Trump gave their votes, knowingly or unsuspectingly, to a man who, knowingly or ignorantly, promotes fascism.
Now, I will grant you that the vast majority of Trump supporters are unaware of their susceptibility to fascism. Most are people of good intent who were led into the dark world of fascism by people who thought they were just a great political wave. Now that they have been shown that what they support is fascism, what will they do?
What can the Republican Party do to prevent itself from becoming the party of American fascism?
John Sucke is a resident of Waimea.
