Britannica Dictionary definition of FASCISM. 1. or Fascism : a way of organizing a society in which a government ruled by a dictator controls the lives of the people and in which people are not allowed to disagree with the government.
fas·cism | \ ˈfa-ˌshi-zəm also ˈfa-ˌsi- \
Definition of fascism
1: often capitalized : 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
2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control early instances of army fascism and brutality— J. W. Aldridge
I attach the above definitions for reference and would like to discuss two aspects of the definitions “people are not allowed to disagree with the government” and “forcible suppression of opposition”.
Next, I would like to provide actions by media companies, and the Federal Government recently taken and currently being taken that fall under these two aspects of the definition of fascism.
- The suppression of speech that does not agree with the government’s position related to the treatment for coronavirus.
- The suppression of speech that does not agree with the government’s position on vaccination for the coronavirus.
- The suppression of speech that does not agree with the government’s position on the effectiveness of mask wearing relative to the prevention of the coronavirus.
- Forced firing of people who do not agree with the government’s position on vaccination for the coronavirus.
- The suppression of speech that does not agree with the government’s position related to the opening of schools, businesses, etc during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Forcible suppression of opposition by using the FBI to implement gestapo like raids on the homes of people who did not vote for the current administration. Prosecution of these opponents.
- Designation of parent’s opposing government espoused school policies as “domestic terrorists” engendering fear of voicing alternative views.
- Removing items, articles and information from Facebook, Google etc. when it does not fit the government’s narrative under the guise of misinformation.
- Assignment of a Government “misinformation board”?
- Legitimizing crimes committed against people and organizations that do not agree with the government’s position by ignoring (not reporting on), minimizing or rationalizing them.
- Misrepresenting the decision to overturn Roe v Wade and what the implications are.
- Demonizing those with opposing views on climate change, critical race theory being taught in schools, sex education for young children, abortion, and the government’s actions during the pandemic by labeling them as racist, homophobes, science deniers etc.
- The President of the United States calling the opposing party which believes in Making America Great Again “DOMESTIC TERRORISTS”!
- Media articles written on the election of Giorgia Meloni comparing her to the Italian fascist Mussolini because she ran on a platform of “ Family, God and Country”. Certainly not fascist premises.
- Mark Houck’s (a pro-life activist) arrest at gunpoint during a 15-man FBI raid. He allegedly shoved a pro-abortion volunteer! The case had already been thrown out by a local judge. He was arrested at gun point in front of his 7 children and wife.
Being a believer in free speech, I realize that I am not always going to hear things that I agree with and that some opinions of other people and sometimes even the majority of people may seem foolish, uninformed, hateful and hurtful to me. I still wholeheartedly endorse the right of people to say what they believe. The President of the United States has the right to call his opponents “domestic terrorists” even if not a smart political strategy. That’s what free speech means. Free speech should not be reserved for the elite. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that we should only hear from those who know “the truth”. In fact, that concept is contrary to the Constitution and leads to a dictatorial “fascist” government which can suppress any speech they want under the guise of “misinformation”. I don’t need an elitist or the Federal Government to tell me “the truth”. I vote for freedom of speech where I am allowed to assess all the information available and make my own decisions and where I am permitted to voice and practice my religious beliefs. You don’t need to listen to me or believe what I do: I just don’t want to be forced or intimidated by individuals , media or the Federal Government into silence or even worse submission. Maintaining Freedom of speech may not be easy. It requires assessing information to develop your own opinions. It is much easier to go with the media or Government opinion but that’s fascism.