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Someone better do something soon or we will have a fascist dictatorship I'm afraid. (Original Post) triron Jan 2018 OP
Probably not, Triron. :) Hortensis Jan 2018 #1
Thanks for this great post, H! I needed this on this fine MONDAY MORNING! nt Leghorn21 Jan 2018 #8
Thanks for this post. annabanana Jan 2018 #10
"Maladministration." :) Don't we all. Balance, Hortensis Jan 2018 #12
People believe it can't happen here, even as we are watching it happen here. -nt CrispyQ Jan 2018 #2
My husband's Jewish, and far more on point, Hortensis Jan 2018 #13
It might not matter what we want. We still haven't secured our electoral process. -nt CrispyQ Jan 2018 #14
True. That's a danger. If it did happen here, almost Hortensis Jan 2018 #15
Honestly, cilla4progress Jan 2018 #3
So have I. I even wrote a paper on it in a non-fiction writing class during the W years - smirkymonkey Jan 2018 #9
The fact that you're posting this tells me we're not... brooklynite Jan 2018 #4
Otoh... If we don't hear Triron was picked up and executed Hortensis Jan 2018 #5
Not with a 33% approval The Blue Flower Jan 2018 #6
I fear the power behind the throne myself workinclasszero Jan 2018 #11
So go do something nt Dreamer Tatum Jan 2018 #7

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
1. Probably not, Triron. :)
Mon Jan 29, 2018, 01:53 PM
Jan 2018

Actually, most thoughtful observers are so far pleased to relieved to see that our government is standing up to the bizarre challenges this Republican administration is presenting.

The only way we could get a fascist dictatorship would be if the electorate could be persuaded to it, and that's not going to happen. It may not seem like it, but there is also fear among some less educated people on the right of a fascist takeover, only they of course imagine the fascist dictator would be a Democrat. (They have no idea that there is literally no such thing as a liberal fascist, and we certainly wouldn't be electing one of our conservative Blue Dogs dictator.)

If it helps to realize, Germany had about 12-15 years of their first try at democracy after centuries of authoritarian rule (most remembered their happier days under their Kaiser very well), and democracy failed in large part because they were also going through great economic misery after WWI. Our situation is a little different here.

annabanana

(52,791 posts)
10. Thanks for this post.
Mon Jan 29, 2018, 02:20 PM
Jan 2018

It's good to remember as outrage is heaped on outrage by this bizarre maladministration!

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
12. "Maladministration." :) Don't we all. Balance,
Mon Jan 29, 2018, 03:28 PM
Jan 2018

it's a good thing. Martha must have said that at some point. Arranging flowers maybe.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
13. My husband's Jewish, and far more on point,
Mon Jan 29, 2018, 03:42 PM
Jan 2018

people are people wherever they are. I've always thought it could happen here.

Those thoughtful experts who are watching for signs think it could also.

And there are new dangers. New archconservative billionaires weaponizing social media. Ignorant right wingers don't know liberals are their big protection against fascism, but wannabe fascist dictators certainly do and would use them against themselves.

But our nation is nowhere near wanting to replace democracy with a fascist dictatorship. What we are seeing is scary fascist ranting on Fox and others against imaginary "fascist" Democrats and fascist leaning laws are being passed. But those are within huge legal constraints. They can't have the real thing.

And citizens everywhere not only can say no but the vast majority, left and right, still believe very strongly in their right to do so.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
15. True. That's a danger. If it did happen here, almost
Mon Jan 29, 2018, 04:14 PM
Jan 2018

certainly election theft would be involved to give it the imprimatur of lawfulness. But an uncovered election coup d'etat would then have to face reaction by the people.

That was one of the reasons Hillary's campaign moved quickly to determine if the election was stolen. They needed to reassure the nation if they believed it was not and facilitate a stable transition of power.

Very dicey for takeovers, note that we do not have a centralized government. States, counties, municipal. Energy and many local utilities are decentralized, many in the hands of thousands of private companies. Any coup would undoubtedly line up some conservative governors and local leaders ahead of time, also state militia commanders. National Guard units in each state are an issue. But then all the rebelling states would have to be conquered if it were to succeed. Something every wannabe kleptocrat dictator would have to face in the discussion stage.

And during the ensuing civil wars, businesses would be destroyed and profits collapse.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
9. So have I. I even wrote a paper on it in a non-fiction writing class during the W years -
Mon Jan 29, 2018, 02:19 PM
Jan 2018

when I first joined DU - and everyone thought I was crazy. The worst of Nazi Germany didn't happen overnight. It took years for the erosion of people's rights finally ended up culminating into the horror we now know as the Holocaust. We can't let this go any further. I really do think it can get that bad if we let them get away with everything.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
5. Otoh... If we don't hear Triron was picked up and executed
Mon Jan 29, 2018, 02:12 PM
Jan 2018

by trumpist brownshirts, does that mean he wasn't or just that we're not allowed to know? And if we see new posts under this name, how will we know it's not a state agent trying to entrap us next?

I'm teasing, of course. I once watched a Texas group planning armed insurrection/secession on CSPAN for a long time, including a fairly well known congressman, and including discussion that they would have to kill any police sent to oppose them, and then they went off to have dinner or something. Loved it!

The Blue Flower

(5,419 posts)
6. Not with a 33% approval
Mon Jan 29, 2018, 02:13 PM
Jan 2018

As the Roman Emperor Claudius said as he watched Nero's rise and fall, "Let all the poisons that live in the mud hatch out." We're finding out just how much poison there is in our system, and we're identifying it. A lot of rubbish will be swept away in the looming blue tide.

 

workinclasszero

(28,270 posts)
11. I fear the power behind the throne myself
Mon Jan 29, 2018, 02:24 PM
Jan 2018

The Koch's and Mercer's and Walton's have unlimited money and power in this country.

And an army of well armed brainwashed fools to do their bidding.

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