We Are Trained Marxist.

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Be careful about who is leading you and where you are being led goes for both sides.

"An essential step in the fascist march to acceptance and power was to persuade law-and-order conservatives and members of the middle class to tolerate fascist violence as a harsh necessity in the face of Left provocation."

Robert O. Paxton, "The Anatomy of Fascism"

Fascism is used by most regular folks as a buzzword for government they don't like. Orwell realized years ago that for most there was no specific meaning to the word. Rather, it is a word loosely used to name some form of authoritarianism.

From the various dictionary definitions of Fascism that I've read, between Progressivism and Constitutionalism, Progressivism is the form of government more likely to lead to fascism.

That said, for me, it is not about, in America, between Fascism and freedom, or between Fascism and Democracy, it is the battle we are having, at this moment, between Progressivism and Constitutionalism. Those are more easily defined than Fascism, and more accurately what it is about.

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by detbuch

Fascism is used by most regular folks as a buzzword for government they don't like. Orwell realized years ago that for most there was no specific meaning to the word. Rather, it is a word loosely used to name some form of authoritarianism.

From the various dictionary definitions of Fascism that I've read, between Progressivism and Constitutionalism, Progressivism is the form of government more likely to lead to fascism.

That said, for me, it is not about, in America, between Fascism and freedom, or between Fascism and Democracy, it is the battle we are having, at this moment, between Progressivism and Constitutionalism. Those are more easily defined than Fascism, and more accurately what it is about.

Sounds like Jonah Goldberg has been leading you down the primrose path and now you, like poor Jonah, have become a victim of the Progressives, who in his belief are similar to Mussolini.
I do think his definition of fascism, while incorrect, is interesting and certainly applicable at least in part to the current regime.
“Fascism is a religion of the state. It assumes the organic unity of the body politic and longs for a national leader attuned to the will of the people.
It is totalitarian in that it views everything as political and holds that any action by the state is justified to achieve that common good.
It takes responsibility for all aspects of life, including our health and well-being, and seeks to impose uniformity of thought and action, whether by force or through regulation and social pressure.
Everything, including the economy and religion, must be aligned with its objectives. Any rival identity is part of the "problem" and therefore defined as the enemy.”

[scottw]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

a religion of the state. It assumes the organic unity of the body politic and longs for a national leader attuned to the will of the people.
It is totalitarian in that it views everything as political and holds that any action by the state is justified to achieve that common good.
It takes responsibility for all aspects of life, including our health and well-being, and seeks to impose uniformity of thought and action, whether by force or through regulation and social pressure.
Everything, including the economy and religion, must be aligned with its objectives. Any rival identity is part of the "problem" and therefore defined as the enemy.”

modern progressivism...totalitarianism which isn't all that different from 30's progressives who were quite enamored with the european national socialists and folks like mussolini

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by scottw

modern progressivism...totalitarianism which isn't all that different from 30's progressives who were quite enamored with the european national socialists and folks like mussolini

Pete doesn't seem to understand what the foundation of political Progressivism is. Perhaps, he is enamored of the name itself. Progress is good . . . right? If your name is Progressive, you must be good . . . your name says so. Just like ANTIFA. Anti-Fascist. With that name, you've got to be good.

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by scottw

modern progressivism...totalitarianism which isn't all that different from 30's progressives who were quite enamored with the european national socialists and folks like mussolini

Originally Posted by detbuch

Pete doesn't seem to understand what the foundation of political Progressivism is. Perhaps, he is enamored of the name itself. Progress is good . . . right? If your name is Progressive, you must be good . . . your name says so. Just like ANTIFA. Anti-Fascist. With that name, you've got to be good.

“Fascism is a religion of the state. It assumes the organic unity of the body politic and longs for a national leader attuned to the will of the people. I am The Chosen One
It is totalitarian in that it views everything as political and holds that any action by the state is justified to achieve that common good.
Lafayette Square cleared of protesters exercising their First Amendment rights
It takes responsibility for all aspects of life, including our health and well-being, and seeks to impose uniformity of thought and action, whether by force or through regulation and social pressure.
Only I can Make America Great Again
Everything, including the economy and religion, must be aligned with its objectives. Any rival identity is part of the "problem" and therefore defined as the enemy.”
The Do Nothing Democrats and their leader, the Fake News Lamestream Media, are doing everything possible to hurt and disparage our Country. No matter what we do or say, no matter how big a win, they report that it was a loss, or not good enough. The Enemy of the People! [Twitter for iPhone]

[scottw]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Fascism is a religion of the state

It is totalitarian in that it views everything as political

and the state is the religion of the left...sooooo

yes it makes me sick that the left is turning our youth into little mis-informed political activists

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Sounds like Jonah Goldberg has been leading you down the primrose path and now you, like poor Jonah, have become a victim of the Progressives, who in his belief are similar to Mussolini.

I wasn't aware of his definition of fascism. Once again, you got it wrong. I'm not on a primrose path (do you know the definition of primrose path?), and certainly not on a path led by Jonah Goldberg. I'm older than he is, and been on my own path long before I heard of Jonah Goldberg. You have, a few times, queried me about things like if someone was my guru, or who I followed. Is that projection on your part? Are your opinions formed by depending on some kind of mentor or pathfinder? You do seem to read a lot of opinion pieces and sometimes lean in contradictory or unresolved ways depending on who you've read.

It would be interesting to hear specifically what your political philosophy is.

And yes, as Scott pointed out in his above post, there were affinities between Progressives and Mussolini.

And if you trace the origins of American Progressivism, you will find it rooted in the authoritarianism of late 19th century German and French regimes.

I do think his definition of fascism, while incorrect, is interesting and certainly applicable at least in part to the current regime.
“Fascism is a religion of the state. It assumes the organic unity of the body politic and longs for a national leader attuned to the will of the people.

That is "applicable at least in part" to most regimes.

It is totalitarian in that it views everything as political and holds that any action by the state is justified to achieve that common good.

This is basic, fundamental, "textbook" Progressive political philosophy--essentially what early Progressives Like Woodrow Wilson and Teddy Roosevelt (first Progressive Presidents) and the leading academic Progressives of the time openly advocated.

It takes responsibility for all aspects of life, including our health and well-being, and seeks to impose uniformity of thought and action, whether by force or through regulation and social pressure.

Again, right out of the original Progressive play books.

Everything, including the economy and religion, must be aligned with its objectives. Any rival identity is part of the "problem" and therefore defined as the enemy.”

Pretty much what American Progressives believed from the start, openly then, deceitfully now.