We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…
– US Declaration of Independence
I disagree with 3 (e: actually 4) words in that sentence, but I’m struggling to find a single phrase that modern conservatives agree with.
Republicans in 2024:
❌ Form a more perfect Union
❌ Establish Justice
❌ Insure domestic Tranquility
🙄Provide for the common defense
❌ Promote the general Welfare
🖕Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity
The 16* Characteristics of Fascism:
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Powerful, often exclusionary, populist nationalism centered on cult of a redemptive, “infallible” leader who never admits mistakes.
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Political power derived from questioning reality, endorsing myth and rage, and promoting lies.
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Fixation with perceived national decline, humiliation, or victimhood.
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White Replacement “Theory” used to show that democratic ideals of freedom and equality are a threat. Oppose any initiatives or institutions that are racially, ethnically, or religiously harmonious.
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Disdain for human rights while seeking purity and cleansing for those they define as part of the nation.
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Identification of “enemies”/scapegoats as a unifying cause. Imprison and/or murder opposition and minority group leaders.
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Supremacy of the military and embrace of paramilitarism in an uneasy, but effective collaboration with traditional elites. Fascists arm people and justify and glorify violence as “redemptive”.
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Rampant sexism.
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Control of mass media and undermining “truth”.
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Obsession with national security, crime and punishment, and fostering a sense of the nation under attack.
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Religion and government are intertwined.
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Corporate power is protected and labor power is suppressed.
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Disdain for intellectuals and the arts not aligned with the fascist narrative.
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Rampant cronyism and corruption. Loyalty to the leader is paramount and often more important than competence.
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Fraudulent elections and creation of a one-party state.
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Often seeking to expand territory through armed conflict.
I’d put green ticks on nearly all of those, and the only ones I wouldn’t are only because they don’t have the unilateral power to do them yet. I’m confident they will do them the moment they can.
Surely gerrymandering and making voting as difficult as possible for working individuals gets at least partial credit to 15, no?
