The Transformation of the American Conservative Movement into Fascism

Veterans Today

this is well written examination of the right wing's general reaction to today's politics. I think using a partisan source as the main subject of information being presented is bad form. I find Veterans Today doesn't really stick to one side, which makes it less likely that they would present events in any kind of misleading way.

a few note worthy excerpts that I wouldn't mind discussing, even if you didn't have the patience to read the article.

The Tea Party’s strategy rested on a guerrilla campaign of chaos and sabotage designed not only to intimidate Democrats but also to disorient independent voters who might have supported health care reform. The Tea Partiers were convinced this would be an easy feat, since they believed the majority of the country was on their side — that they represented the “Real America.”

In March 2009, Texas Rep. Randy Neugebauer signed on to a Birther bill proposing that future presidential candidates must prove their citizenship before becoming eligible to campaign. The Birther movement had found its voice in government and made an indelible impact on the Republican grassroots. By June 2009, 28 percent of Republican respondents to a Kos/Research 2000 poll said they thought Obama wasn’t born in the United States, while 30 percent “weren’t sure.” “Obama should be in the Big House,” Taitz shrieked to me, “not the White House!”

I can't stress the importance of this next excerpt.

In September 2009, Beck relentlessly targeted ACORN, the Right’s new favorite hobgoblin, admitting that he intended to use the poor people’s advocacy group to distract his viewers from the health care debate. “Trust me,” Beck said, “Everybody now says they’re going to be talking about health care. I don’t think so.” (His statement was reminiscent of Rush Limbaugh’s scandal-mongering remark during the early Clinton administration: “Whitewater is about health care.”) Beck promptly cued up a series of hidden camera videos shot by conservative youth activists James O’Keefe and Hannah Giles inside ACORN field offices. In the videos, O’Keefe baited African-American staffers into making statements explaining that Giles, who claimed she was a prostitute, could obtain low-income housing. O’Keefe edited in images of himself clad in an outlandish pimp costume to create the impression that he was dressed that way during the meetings with ACORN; however, Giles later admitted her partner had lied about wearing his costume to further incriminate ACORN. In the end, ACORN was exonerated of all criminal wrongdoing while in a separate incident O’Keefe was arrested and charged with a federal crime after he and several conservative pals disguised themselves as telephone repairmen and attempted to wiretap phone lines in the office of Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana. Like Ryan Sorba, O’Keefe and his posse were movement cadres paid and directed by well-funded conservative outfits; O’Keefe had been trained by the Leadership Institute, the right-wing youth group that nurtured leading lights like Jack Abramoff, Karl Rove, Ralph Reed, and Jeff Gannon.

thoughts?

myself, I do lean left but I often wonder about the right and what about it makes it so appealing to people to take it to such extremes. The core principles are fantastic (less gov't involvement, effective use of gov't, effective tax money usage) but I can't help but to feel like that's not even what it's about anymore. it's just pretending to be oppressed by "big gov't" when right policies are what put the gov't in bed with the corporations in the first place. Lax regulations in the name of not being...socialist?

Something is amiss. thanks for reading

reply to post by piddles


Oh no... You didn't just go there!

If this thread becomes popular you are going to be blasted big time.

What do any of your OP have to do with Conservatives being fascism? last i checked the Libs have held the house since 2006 and the white house since 2008 and your still blaming the Republicans? why? they have no say whats going on in this country right now.

reply to post by camaro68ss


my whole post about what they've been doing as a result of not being in control. I believe in, fear,and respect the power of media influence. Over pumping a nation full of fear to make the will of the people their own, which affects legislation. Creating a national opinion, that'sssss pretty fascist to me.

edit: I will also add that most legislation that protects companies is usually made by republicans, because it fits the whole idea that whoever makes their money should keep it.

[edit on 10-8-2010 by piddles]

reply to post by piddles


it is about fear
it is about labeling
it is about using the tools of the leftist media

to make sure you are afraid that you will never ever hear the message of the opposition....

me i lean right

the biggest component of it all is this

the left needs us to vilify if we didnt exist thats when you start seeing what they are really doing.....


and you can say the same for my side


my thoughts feel free to disagree

[edit on 10-8-2010 by neo96]

Yep,

Complete lefty propaganda article.

The Tea Party people are not being arrested as we see with all the other "protest" movements of late. No violence thought the left always demonizes them. What is fascist?

Birther Bill... well, for future candidates to prove eligibility a bad thing? I am shocked that it wasn't already. Note, not a birther but proving eligibility is kind of the sensible thing... am I missing something? What is fascist?

And ACORN, you have to be kidding me, they have been a corrupt organization for years. What is fascist about disliking corrupt ACORN?

Edit: Summary - www.rottenacorn.com...

[edit on 10-8-2010 by infolurker]