Re-Birth Of American Fascism
The picture above is from a Nazi rally during the '30s, held in Madison Square Garden. I suspect Americans would be shocked to learn that before WWII, America had a thriving Nazi Party with hundreds-of-thousands of supporters. The advent of WWII put the movement in decline. Down but not out.
Now instead of a Father Coughlin taking the microphone, a new fascist demagogue has risen in America's midst. With one of the ugliest hair-styles in history, bulling and bragging tactics along with a string of the best mistresses that money can buy, he resurrects the ghost of Mussolini. His business prowess is so bad that you need a calculator to count all the ventures he's sent into financial collapse and yet his supporters consider him Midas.
Like fascist leaders of the past, he exploits those suffering most from economic change. He channels their fears onto minorities who stand out due to religious or racial differences. And like those leaders of the past, he's encouraged violence by his supporters against those who oppose him and that violence plays out at every rally he holds. Protesters being beat up. Reporters being attacked for asking tough questions. He's led his supporters in Nazi salutes at rallies. His sons appear on white supremacists radio shows, spouting their hatred. He wraps himself in the glory of evangelicals because only God could be greater than himself - and in his view even that is a close call to make.
A violent pushback was inevitable and it happened yesterday in St. Louis and Chicago. The demographics of America have changed since the last time Nazis made a serious run. Over 1/3 of the voting population is now a racial minority. These minorities have invested their futures in America and are not going to lay down while someone tries to steal it. Muslims, who until now voted in vast majorities for the GOP, are now looking elsewhere. By contrast, those voting in GOP primaries are over 90% white. The racial and religious divide is stark. This is why people are in the street.
I can't think of a fascist movement that didn't bring violence with it. Spain, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Austria .... the trail of blood is wide and deep. America will prove no exception to the rule.
In some ways, taking to the streets against fascism is self-defense. It is an issue of physical self-preservation because if the fascists ever do seize power, large portions of the population will end up dead or in camps - a political platform already being advocated.
To highlight the split in society with fascists, the military - which outside of broad personal endorsements rarely is involved in elections - has already said publicly they will not obey orders from the fascist running because what he is advocating is illegal. I can't recall another instance in American history where such a stance was asserted during a campaign. It was extraordinary in nature.
The fascists think they have wide support. They don't. Take to the streets. Nip this lethal disease in the bud before it spreads. This isn't the '30s. America was not created to be handed on a silver platter to a self-serving prophet of hate who would destroy the very moral fiber that the Founding Fathers hoped might last for an infinity.