Fascism Anyone?

I am moved to share this post by my wise, brave, and loving friend Mary Frances, which is a response to the Supreme Court decision of 1/21/10 to grant corporations the unlimited freedom to fund national candidates for President and Congress:

Hello World, The Supreme Court of the United States of America is holding a sale. What's for sale you ask? The United States of America - to the highest bidder. Oh yeah! It starts with an F and ends with an ascism. Mussolini defined fascism as "t...he merger of corporate and government power." So...welcome to the Fascist States of Amerika y'all. Check out: "Fascism Anyone?" by Laurence Britt...stunning!

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Fascism Anyone?
The 14 characteristics of Fascism

by Dr. Lawrence Britt

Dr. Britt, a political scientist, studied the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile). He found the regimes all had 14 things in common, and he calls these the identifying characteristics of fascism.

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism -- Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights -- Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to 'look the other way' or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause -- The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military -- Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

More: http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Fascism/14_Characteristics_Fascism.html

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What better way to control a people than

to convince them that they are not being controlled?

~ Brian Murray

(My now 30 year old son talking about

America several years ago.)