FACISM: a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.
I’m sure many who choose to read this will think that I am being overly dramatic. After all, the United States is a democracy and has been since our founding. This could never happen here. Of course, that’s what the people of Italy thought about 100 years ago when Benito Mussolini destroyed a democracy and Italy became a dictatorship. How did that happen? Well, I suggest you dig into that issue a little before you dismiss the idea out of hand that it could not happen here. History says that it can! I have provided a snippet of that history and a few quotes from Mussolini himself.
“At rallies—surrounded by supporters wearing black shirts—Mussolini caught the imagination of the crowds. His physique was impressive, and his style of oratory, staccato and repetitive, was superb. His attitudes were highly theatrical, his opinions were contradictory, his facts were often wrong, and his attacks were frequently malicious and misdirected; but his words were so dramatic, his metaphors so apt and striking, his vigorous, repetitive gestures so extraordinarily effective, that he rarely failed to impose his mood.” (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benito-Mussolini/Rise-to-power)
Quotes from Benito Mussolini:
“The keystone of the Fascist doctrine is its conception of the State, of its essence, its functions, and its aims. For Fascism the State is absolute, individuals and groups relative.”
“The press of Italy is free, freer than the press of any other country, so long as it supports the regime.”
“We become strongest, I feel, when we have no friends upon whom to lean, or to look for moral guidance”
“Yes, a dictator can be loved. Provided that the masses fear him at the same time. The crowd love strong men. The crowd is like a woman.”
“If only we can give them faith that mountains can be moved, they will accept the illusion that mountains are moveable, and thus an illusion may become reality.”
“The state reserves the right to be the sole interpreter of the needs of society.”
“Religion is man-made to assist in controlling the weak minded individuals because during times of atrocity and despair they feel strength in numbers.”
“The definition of fascism is The marriage of corporation and state”
“For my part I prefer fifty thousand rifles to five million votes.”
Many of Trump’s ardent and passionate supporters will immediately take the position that I’m just upset that Trump won the election and this is just sour grapes. It is true that I truly disdain this man but there have been presidents in the past with whom I disagreed. But this is much bigger than liking or disliking. This man is in full attack on our democracy the same way Mussolini destroyed the democracy in Italy. And I feel compelled to speak out. As they say, ‘actions speak louder than words’ and while Trump might not be the gifted orator that Mussolini was said to be, his actions are very, very similar. We need to realize what is going on before it is too late. It can happen in America.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke.