Sinclair Lewis
“When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.” ---Sinclair Lewis.
Fascism has been defined as a system of government that exercises a dictatorship of the extreme right, typically through the merging of state and business leadership, together with belligerent nationalism.
Eisenhower warned: “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”
In “War is a Racket”, legendary Marine Corps officer Major General Smedley Butler quotes Benito Mussolini as saying: “And above all, Fascism, the more it considers and observes the future and the development of humanity quite apart from political considerations of the moment, believes neither in the possibility nor the utility of perpetual peace... War alone brings up to its highest tension all human energy and puts the stamp of nobility upon the people who have the courage to meet it.”
Butler's central thesis in “War is a Racket” is that regardless of the patriotic rhetoric or fear mongering that accompanies war, it’s waged almost exclusively for profit and enables a few people to make huge fortunes. Butler considers war the most vicious and profitable racket. It’s the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.
The war in Iraq benefits the military-industrial complex, especially oil conglomerates, which have made outrageous profits, since the invasion.
Last year, Exxon Mobil made the largest corporate profit in history, while we paid record prices at the pumps. Furthermore, the Bush regime gave oil companies huge subsidies to help them record these record profits.
Now let’s consider those fascists, that come “wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.”
Wrapped in the Flag
In “Superpatriotism”, Michael Parenti points out: “If the test of patriotism comes only by reflexively falling in lockstep behind the leader, whenever the flag is waved, then what we have is a formula for dictatorship not democracy.”
Superpatriots wrap themselves in the flag and seek to defame dissenters for not loving their country. They follow a president without question, especially if it involves the use of military force. They fanatically cry out: “America love it or leave it.” By making our nation the issue, they’re able to shift the blame for what is being perpetuated by the current leadership.
Those critical of Bush are accused of not caring about the troops. Superpatriots seem care that Theodore Roosevelt said: “To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but it is morally treasonable to the American public.”
Carrying the Cross.
In "American Theocracy", Kevin Phillips recognizes that his Republican party has been hijacked by people who are unwilling to recognize the perils of religious fundamentalism. He believes that government should function within it's financial means, and stay out of our private lives. Phillips claims that some fundamentalist have stopped worrying about the economy because they're waiting for the second coming.
Phillips expresses grave concern about the dangerous influence of people who favor religion defining government. A survey found that 44 percent of Christians believed in Armageddon and thought the Antichrist was already on Earth.
For many, “God Bless America” has become a self-righteous phrase, indicating that, although they claim that they wish to do God’s will, what they really expect is for God to do theirs.
Fascism has been defined as a system of government that exercises a dictatorship of the extreme right, typically through the merging of state and business leadership, together with belligerent nationalism.
Eisenhower warned: “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”
In “War is a Racket”, legendary Marine Corps officer Major General Smedley Butler quotes Benito Mussolini as saying: “And above all, Fascism, the more it considers and observes the future and the development of humanity quite apart from political considerations of the moment, believes neither in the possibility nor the utility of perpetual peace... War alone brings up to its highest tension all human energy and puts the stamp of nobility upon the people who have the courage to meet it.”
Butler's central thesis in “War is a Racket” is that regardless of the patriotic rhetoric or fear mongering that accompanies war, it’s waged almost exclusively for profit and enables a few people to make huge fortunes. Butler considers war the most vicious and profitable racket. It’s the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.
The war in Iraq benefits the military-industrial complex, especially oil conglomerates, which have made outrageous profits, since the invasion.
Last year, Exxon Mobil made the largest corporate profit in history, while we paid record prices at the pumps. Furthermore, the Bush regime gave oil companies huge subsidies to help them record these record profits.
Now let’s consider those fascists, that come “wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.”
Wrapped in the Flag
In “Superpatriotism”, Michael Parenti points out: “If the test of patriotism comes only by reflexively falling in lockstep behind the leader, whenever the flag is waved, then what we have is a formula for dictatorship not democracy.”
Superpatriots wrap themselves in the flag and seek to defame dissenters for not loving their country. They follow a president without question, especially if it involves the use of military force. They fanatically cry out: “America love it or leave it.” By making our nation the issue, they’re able to shift the blame for what is being perpetuated by the current leadership.
Those critical of Bush are accused of not caring about the troops. Superpatriots seem care that Theodore Roosevelt said: “To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but it is morally treasonable to the American public.”
Carrying the Cross.
In "American Theocracy", Kevin Phillips recognizes that his Republican party has been hijacked by people who are unwilling to recognize the perils of religious fundamentalism. He believes that government should function within it's financial means, and stay out of our private lives. Phillips claims that some fundamentalist have stopped worrying about the economy because they're waiting for the second coming.
Phillips expresses grave concern about the dangerous influence of people who favor religion defining government. A survey found that 44 percent of Christians believed in Armageddon and thought the Antichrist was already on Earth.
For many, “God Bless America” has become a self-righteous phrase, indicating that, although they claim that they wish to do God’s will, what they really expect is for God to do theirs.
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