The 109th Congress will debate
renewal and expansion of the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act is intended to keep Americans safe from terrorism. It is not yet clear if it has been successful, however it is abundantly clear that the Patriot Act is an assult on our civil liberties. In our fear of terrorism, Congress has given the goverment the power to delay notifying a person their home or property has been searched (sneak and peek searches). A special court is empowered to issue secret search warrants for info related to terrorism. The secret warrants are accompanied by
"gag orders" which prevent any person served with such a warrant from discussing it with anyone. Bush hopes to expand and extend these powers in a "Patriot Act II".
With Bush's relection, the Christian Right who helped elect him wants payback. James Dobson, leader of Focus on Family warns Bush needs to "more agressive" on the "religious right's pro-life, anti-gay rights agenda", or else.
This combination of using fear to reduce civil liberties while pushing a religious agenda on the electorate should be familiar.
The 14 Defining Characteristics of Fascism
Lawrence Britt published a article in 2003 on the 14 defining characteristics of fascism enitiled
Fascism Anyone?. In light of Bush's second term, now is a good time to review these for comparison to America in 2004.
1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism.
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause.
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism.
5. Rampant sexism.
6. A controlled mass media.
7. Obsession with national security.
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together.
9. Power of corporations protected.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated.
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption.
14. Fraudulent elections.
Does any of this ring alarm bells? Of course not. After all, this is America, officially a democracy with the rule of law, a constitution, a free press, honest elections, and a well-informed public constantly being put on guard against evils. Historical comparisons like these are just exercises in verbal gymnastics. Maybe, maybe not.
Bush has wrapped himself in the flag and religion from the beginning. Septmeber 11th gave him a enemy to fight and an excuse to use our powerful military at will. Further Bush has chosen to use fear to reduce (in some cases eliminate) our civil liberties in order to protect us. His agenda and talking points are blasted at the public every day by the right wing noise machine of Fox News, Limbaugh, Hannity, and Drudge, with wanna be's at every other majot media outlet.
Corporations and the wealthy are Bush's clear constituency. Corporations benefit from Bush's outsourcing tax breaks while the middle class labor is squeezed out of the economy. Five tax breaks for the rich during a war is ample proof of where Bush's loyalty lies.
Instead of improving our faith in the election system, 2004 has brought more questions. Numerous allegations of throwing out democratic registrations before the eletion and using a "felon" list to remove voters from the registration rolls put the process in question. Voter intimidation and suppression stories have been rampant, with many precincts in minority neighborhoods not having enough voting machines or poll workers. And this does not even consider the whole debacle of electronic voting.
The Democratic Party and Independents must fight this adminidtration at every turn, as the Republicans did prior to 94. Every nomination and every bill must be fought vigorously. The alternative is a ever increasing slide into fascism in America. One more major terrorist attack is likely enough to complete this slide.
"Imagine a boot stamping on a human face- forever."