The 14 defining characteristics of fascist regimes

[Doubting Thomas]

Mainly Republicans, and here's why:

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

Take a look at pictures of any Tea Party rally and you'll see this clearly. Remember when they were ragging on Obama for not wearing a flag lapel pin or putting his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance?

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

I believe it was mainly the Republicans who were claiming that waterboarding isn't torture and that it's perfectly OK to detain people in Guantanamo indefinitely.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

Who is it that's always railing against atheist commie liberals? Who is it that got us into a war with Muslims in the name of fighting "terrorism?"

4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

It's mainly conservatives who support the military no matter what, drive around with yellow "support the troops" stickers on their cars, and counter any criticism of our military with indignation, not to mention constantly increasing the bloated military budget while claiming that any cuts to it is hurting the troops.

5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

"Family Values," anyone? Anti gay marriage? Anti-abortion?

6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

I'll give them a partial pass on this one since they're not in full control of the media, and quite a bit of the media does tend to be liberal, but it's usually conservatives calling for boycotts of sponsors of TV shows they don't like.

7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

PATRIOT Act, anyone?

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed
to the government's policies or actions.

Only one party is God's Own Party. Remember how in 2012 they were criticizing the Democratic Convention for not having God included in their platform?

9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

While this could apply to both parties, Republicans in particular are totally in bed with corporations, even to the extent of getting corporations labeled as people.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

Republicans currently have a hate/hate relationship with unions. Look what they did to the teachers in Wisconsin.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment

Conservatives have traditionally always been pro-police (until they get pulled over, that is) and pro-crime punishment, pro-death penalty, etc.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption

Probably could apply to both parties.

14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

While Gerrymandering is not limited to Republicans, they are currently trying to pass legislation all over the place making it harder for minorities to vote.