USA, Fascism and the importance of ignorance

[judy]

I am old enough to have visited Spain during Francisco Franco...coming from France, I was struck by the disparity in wealth from the very rich to the very poor, by the lack of opportunity for common folk (only bullfighting and soccer could take one out of poverty), the incredible power of religion, the shallowness and guided themes of network television (novelas, contests, lots of occasions to watch other people suffer...always soothing for the masses), the absence of public education, and the incredible percentage of illiteracy, documented in Luis Bunuel's documentary "Las Hurdes".

The feeling of deja vu in 21st century U.S. A, is overwhelming. I don't need to repeat the list, but I can include hugely success ful shows like Dancing with the Stars, the power of professional sports, and the superficiality of morning television. Add to this the destruction of public education, and the ignorance of people even in positions that causes them to not know the difference between the statue of Liberty in Las Vegas and the one in New York city when the picture of it is chosen for a stamp? It is not really important in itself, but it is a tell tale story.

When Franco marched into Madrid after having beaten the Republican forces, the crowds were cheering and welcoming him. Cheering against their own interests, like the voters of Wisconsin.
The years that followed were dark, and it seemed like Spain would remain a third world dictatorship for ever.
All the artists and intellectuals fled and took refuge in France and other countries. Manufacturing took a dip. The prestigious Hispano-Suiza company switched from luxurious cars to guns in order to stay alive, etc.

Fascism is like a disease of the mind. If affects all but the most educated and dedicated to stopping it.
The only hope, is that at Franco's death, the sigh of relief could be heard across all of Europe and around the world. May it happen to us as well!!
President Obama might not have much power against Congress and the Supreme Court, but he has the power of words. And the power to stop playing whack a mole with drones...Do it! Please do it! Take a stand like the King of Spain Juan Carlos took a firm stand to restore his country. Speak for the powers of reason, and give some meaning to your undeserved Nobel Peace Prize. Only this way can we win.

[Egalitarian Thug]

1. You did it now...

You claimed that America is becoming/is fascist and you are critical of President Obama.

[judy]

3. Yep

Clarity of mind and dedication to a peaceful world are the best weapons against fascism.
If Obama doesn't come through as clear, dedicated to peace, and firm on the issues he ran on, we will have President Romney.
Then, it will only be up to us...

[Egalitarian Thug]

5. I think the President & the Party have made it perfectly clear that it already is.

Peace & Buona Fortuna.

[Octafish]

2. Thank you for putting the situation into words, judy.

When a "president" says "Money trumps peace" at a press conference and the nation's press corpse goes on as if nothing's wrong shows exactly how things stand today. We again live in Nazi times.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1095133&mesg_id=1095549

[coalition_unwilling]

8. I saw a great sign at Occupy Los Angeles before the raid. I think the

sign may have been carried by one of the Ron Paul kooks down there. But that's little matter. As I recall, the sign said:

"Fascism is when you have to go to Wall Street to protest against your government".

That brilliantly captured the essence of the times. I don't think we are technically 'fascist' just yet, although we are closer than we were just 30-40 years ago. Right now, I think we are closer to a classical 'oligarchy' than we are to classical 'fascism.' That said, there are some disturbing portents.

[Poiuyt]

4. I don't know if we live in a fascist plutocracy, or a plutocratic fascist society, but it's one of

those two. Thanks for putting some history behind what's happening here.

BTW, I'm not too concerned about the shallowness of American entertainment. I think it's always been there. I'm more worried about billionaires, corporations, and lobbyists taking over the government

[Overseas]

6. K&R. Well said. Political denial is a powerful force.

It is as strong as personal denial, in my experience.

[DLevine]

7. K&R. n/t

[Phhhtttt]

9. All I know is that it is harder to enjoy life.

People are struggling just to survive.Scapegoats are being created to take the blame,(Liberals,homeless,poor).

Right-Wingers will be used as an unofficial militia to keep the peace;they are the gun nuts.

I believe Ripiglicans want a dictatorship with Fascism as the central ideology.We had GWB for 8 years and they can't connect the dots to the disaster we are living today caused by GWB.

Empire is collapsing;all I can say is goodbye to bad rubbish.