Michael - Fascism: an ideology associated with Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy.
It is a loaded word. We fought long and hard in WWII to prevent it from becoming the dominant political system in Europe and possibly the world.
Fascism did not arise overnight. It proceeded by steps until the Fascists believed they were powerful enough to disregard all democratic institutions
and seize total power.
The Republican Party has spent the greater part of the last 35 years laying the groundwork for Fascism in the US. They have created their own news outlets, and used those outlets to "teach" their listeners to trust no other sources of news.
They repeatedly lie, no matter the evidence. Since their listeners don't trust any source of news but the approved source, the truth about their lies is ignored by their true believers.
They have "uncovered" demons and villains who "threaten" "our" way of life: Blacks, gays, liberals, immigrants, communists, Muslims, Democrats.
They have restricted the voting rights of those who oppose them.
Can they seize power here in the US? I'd like to say: "No! We're too smart for that. It can't happen here."
But in my heart of hearts, I know that we are no smarter than others who have succumbed. And we are becoming less and less educated. History is being forgotten.
Fascism can come to the US. If it does, it will come with a different name, wearing sheep's clothing. But underneath, it will be the same wolf, eager to devour our democracy.
