Like many of you this evening I had the unpleasant experience of watching Michelle Bachmann on Hardball. The ensuing argument between Pat Buchanan and Katrina vanden Heuvel featured Buchanan's indignation at Kartina's mention of Bachmann's fear mongering as possibly being the beginning of a kind of American fascism. Buchanan was visibly agitated with the mere mention of the word fascism, he seemed to consider Heuvel's use of it ludicrous.
This caused me to think, in recent months the right has seen fit to toss about terms like "socialism", "communism", "spreading the wealth around" (a clear attempt to connect with a communist redistribution of wealth), I even recall Buchanan some months ago accusing Rachel Madow of using "Marxist rhetoric."
So why is it fine for terms like socialism and communism to be tossed about casually and yet fascism is off limits? Is this simply another case of the right wanting it both ways?
On the political spectrum the opposite ends of the line are usually considered communism on the left, and fascism on the right. If the Republicans want to say that they believe Obama's ideas on taxes and healthcare are liberal, so be it. Suffice it to say that most Democrats think McCain's views on those same issues are conservative.
Yet once buzz words such as "spreading the wealth around", "leftist agenda", socialist/Marxist etc are used, it should then be fair to use fascism as a term to describe some beliefs of the right when it is necessary.
The beginnings of almost any fascist movement are rooted in fear mongering. Robert Paxton, the author of The Anatomy of Fascism states that at the core of the rooting of fascist ideas in any political system is the fear of "the enemy within". In fascist Nazi Germany the enemy within was communism and other political enemies as well as the Jews. In fascist Spain and Italy the enemy was any party that was seen as anti-nationalist, specifically socialists and supporters of liberalism.
In our case this evening it appears that Bachmann's enemy within may be the majority of the congress of the United States (as the majority are Democrats). She stated as much when she suggested to Chris Matthews that the media should investigate the "anti-American" (anti-nationalist) beliefs of the liberal congress.
Sarah Palin expressed enjoyment at touring the "pro-American" parts of the country, obviously suggesting that there are areas of the United States that are anti-American/anti-nationalist.
Dozens of McCain surrogates, even "Joe the Plumber" make comments about how they are tired of people "Apologizing for our country" and that America has nothing to be sorry about.
Along with general fear mongering about the enemy within, fascism needs ultra-nationalism in order to thrive. A belief that their country is superior and righteous whose motives and actions are beyond question. Any who oppose the movement are not true patriots and are therefore the enemy. Does this sound familiar? What is one of the most often heard chants at a McCain/Palin rally? "USA USA USA USA"
I am sure there are many other examples of hints of fascism in recent Republican rhetoric and actions, these are just a few that came to mind at the moment.
I, unlike Bachmann am not prepared to suggest that any in the United States congress should be investigated for their beliefs leftist, fascist or otherwise.
However, I am sick of the right feeling they can toss about accusations of communist or Marxist leanings without any rebuttal of being called on their own extremism. Particularly Bachmann & Buchanan this evening. We all should not be afraid to call it like we see it.
