"Fascism is “where we’re heading” now, but Wolfe saw the first stirrings of it over 17 years ago."
I think I started using that word in 2004. I was a Republican totally opposed to what Bush was doing to Iraq and the human toll it was taking, both Soldier and civilian. When the Baptists and fundys started voicing their support for "pro-life" George W. Bush for re-election I started writing letters to the local papers calling them out on what I saw as hypocrisy. Their reactions were nothing short of fascist. And some were (now former) close friends. But I had no idea it would only get worse.
Having lived thru Reagan as governor (and the horror of watching him and his handlers/minions heading to DC) I can safely say that if you were my age then, you'd have made all these arguments then too. The Republicans by that time had given up all pretense of serious thought except for 'hoover all the money, consolidate all the power'. Everything was lies – nothing was defensible from a logical or substantive standpoint. But it was clear they knew all that, and continued on because they also knew that without lies they were nothing. That's what I was telling anyone who would listen by around 1980. And the lies are the point – they are the touchstones of the movement (and place Republicanism firmly in the line of succession from Mussolini, Hitler, Hirohito, Stalin...) The only thing they can't pull off is the operatic performance. And don't bother to suggest Trump's an exception – he's just a bad standup comic.
OMG thank you for this.
What a GREAT piece.
"Fascism is “where we’re heading” now, but Wolfe saw the first stirrings of it over 17 years ago."
I think I started using that word in 2004. I was a Republican totally opposed to what Bush was doing to Iraq and the human toll it was taking, both Soldier and civilian. When the Baptists and fundys started voicing their support for "pro-life" George W. Bush for re-election I started writing letters to the local papers calling them out on what I saw as hypocrisy. Their reactions were nothing short of fascist. And some were (now former) close friends. But I had no idea it would only get worse.
Excellent! Thank you, John.
Having lived thru Reagan as governor (and the horror of watching him and his handlers/minions heading to DC) I can safely say that if you were my age then, you'd have made all these arguments then too. The Republicans by that time had given up all pretense of serious thought except for 'hoover all the money, consolidate all the power'. Everything was lies – nothing was defensible from a logical or substantive standpoint. But it was clear they knew all that, and continued on because they also knew that without lies they were nothing. That's what I was telling anyone who would listen by around 1980. And the lies are the point – they are the touchstones of the movement (and place Republicanism firmly in the line of succession from Mussolini, Hitler, Hirohito, Stalin...) The only thing they can't pull off is the operatic performance. And don't bother to suggest Trump's an exception – he's just a bad standup comic.
Lordy, John - you nail it (almost) every single time. This post is spot on.
This is a real good one, John. Have you emailed Alan Wolfe? You should.