http://www.prisonplanet.com/obamanoids-crash-tea-party-claim-dear-leader-has-cut-taxes.html
http://www.truthout.org/naomi-wolf-tea-parties-help-fight-fascism58127
03/30/2010 - 17:13 — Chad Salamon (not verified)
I have a hard time being sympathetic with this viewpoint. If the Tea Party took issue with the Obama administration for Guantanamo, military tribunals and renewing the patriot act, I could take these claims of fascism more seriously. However, the Tea Parties rhetoric of fascism, Nazism, socialism, etc. is all directed towards taxes and the size of government. I do think that there is a valid constitutional debate to be had over those topics (although I would defend a different side than the Tea Party). However the Tea Party seems to be making the statement that anyone who believes that government programs can be valuable and that sometimes it is acceptable to raise taxes is a Nazi/Fascist/Socialist, and that is simply absurd.
It is worth noting that most of the fascist movements that are mentioned tended to start with an ideology that vilified anyone who opposed them, and who preach purity of their ideology over an honest exchange of ideas. In America today I am most afraid of the spread of radicalism on both sides, and I think it (combined with the rise of corporate power which would gladly take advantage of radicalism for its own ends) is far more likely to lead to fascism (or perhaps just as bad, civil war).
Obama is not a radical by any means. He is a conciliator who tries to please everyone. This is foolish and naive, but I can't think of any government that was lead to fascism by such a mediocre leader. When it comes to Guantanamo and the Patriot Act, I think his actions come from cowardice. However by not opposing these, he sets the stage for a future leader to take advantage of them. He is an enabler of fascism.
So, Obama does deserve some blame for the spread of fascism in America. But so does the Tea Party.
No comments:
Post a Comment