Of course, given the social positions of your family,
you may benefit from the tax cuts. But can the same be said of people with low revenues? I doubt it.
We could also waste time arguing how Adolf Hitler benefitted Germany economically with his policies, but that wouldn't excuse his crimes, now would it?
The Bush administration is a fascist regime. No, I'm not exaggering. Since recently, it has matched to an extent and at a time or another each of the 14 characteristics of fascism as listed by
Dr. Britt:
quote:
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Recently I went to Plattsburgh, and in a single day I must have seen more than 50 flags in various locations, from houses to stores and even children drawings. I found that very disturbing. Even in Quebec, with the sentiments of separatism, there aren't nearly as much. (And before anyone points out at my sig, no, it's not because I'm patriotic, it's because I still haven't found anything more original.)
quote:
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Two words: PATRIOT Act.
quote:
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
War on terrorism. Axis of Evil. Al Qaeda. Note how quick the authorities were to point the finger on Osama Bin Laden. To date, I haven't seen any concrete proof that he was responsible of the attacks. Not to mention using 9/11 as a pretext to go to war against Saddam Hussein.
quote:
4. Supremacy of the Military
Donald Rumsfeld is talking about arming space vessels. The US spends
$343 billion per year, even as the federal defecit is reaching a record high. Though this may represent a low percentage, this does not take into account the astronomical amounts of military aid they supply to their allies, as well as the money wasted in useless military bases in England and Germany. The Jessica Lynch scandal is but one example of how incredible the glorification of the military has become.
quote:
5. Rampant Sexism
When the anti-abortion legislation was passed, Bush was
surrounded by men. Now, I have to admit, this is the only action of the Bush regime I can honestly approve, but this clearly shows the inequality where policies are enforced. Not to mention the attempts to integrate the regressive anti-gay marriage laws into the constitution.
quote:
6. Controlled Mass Media
Look
who owns ABCNNBCBS and FOX. A few huge corporations own the major TV channels in the United States (and yes, it's a problem in the rest of the world, too!)
quote:
7. Obsession with National Security
Obvious. See 1, 3 and 4.
quote:
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined
Ashcroft is part of an extremist Christian sect. He wrote his own religios song and forces his employees to sing it. Bush constantly refers to religion. And I will let
this article speak for itself:
quote:
``Father, help us. Help us to save this nation, this nation that has always said that it was under you, under God. Help us to rise and to raise up the banner that will re-elect George W. Bush,'' the Rev. Lou Sheldon, of Anaheim, head of the conservative Traditional Values Coalition, told about 250 delegates, alternates and guests. ``Yes, oh God, forgive us if we are too partisan. But we believe so much as at stake in having him there to guide us in what we believe.''
quote:
9. Corporate Power is Protected
Haliburton. Enron. Microsoft. Oil companies. Need I say more?
quote:
10. Labor Power is Suppressed
Not obvious at first sight, but
this article explains that the Bush administration is taking swipes at worker rights. A proeminent one is the proposal to eliminate
overtime pay.
quote:
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
People who are remotely interested in technology are called nerds or geeks. People who think the government is lying to them are called 'conspiracy nuts'. People who denounce Israel's policies are called 'anti-Semites'.
As for the arts, I did not think it was the case in the US, but according to
this article, it apparently is.
Disclaimer: this criterion does
not automatically make a country fascist, and it could be applied to many countries in the world.
quote:
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
PATRIOT Act. As well as the fact that the US is one of the only countries in the industrialised world to still have the death penalty (even for minors).
quote:
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
See 9. Also, the fact that a significant number of the signatories of the
PNAC, which advocates 'American global leadership' are high officials of the current administration, such as Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Douglas Feith and Paul Wolfowitz.
quote:
14. Fraudulent Elections
Many doubts have been casted over the validity of the 2000 elections, such as the reliability of the Diebold machines and the fact that Black Americans have been barred from the elections in Florida (which is coincidentially governed by George W. Bush's brother, Jeb Bush).
DISCLAIMER: while this message may seem offensive to some people, the intent is NOT to denigrate Americans or the United States. It should be taken as a warning about the direction in which the country is being led by the Bush administration. Any labelling of a forum member as 'anti-American' shall be treated as name calling and will result in the automatic binning of the thread, in compliance to the rules established by the original poster.
[ September 01, 2004: Message edited by: Laukev7 / BOB ]
