Fascism is a bipartisan affliction
If
neoconservatives and progressives truly understood fascism, they
would stop using the word as a smear term. That is because both
groups, along with most political figures and commentators, embrace
fascist ideas and policies.
Fascism's
distinguishing characteristic is a "mixed economy." Unlike
socialists and communists who seek to abolish private business,
fascists are content to let business remain in private hands.
Instead, fascists use regulations, mandates, and taxes to control
business and run (and ruin) the economy. A fascist system, then, is
one where private businesses serve politicians and bureaucrats
instead of consumers. Does the modern American economy not fit the
definition of fascism?
Fascism
benefits big businesses that can afford the cost of complying with
government regulations, unlike their smaller competitors. Big
businesses, which have more political influence than entrepreneurs or
small businesses, also significantly benefit from government
subsidies. In order to maintain their power, big businesses finance
the "deep state" — the network of lobbyists, journalists,
think tanks, bureaucrats, and congressional staffers who work behind
the scenes to shape government policy.
Obamacare
is an example of fascism that is often mislabeled as socialism.
Obamacare did not create a government-run "single payer"
system as would exist under socialism. Instead, Obamacare extended
government control over health care via mandates, regulations, and
subsidies. The most infamous part of Obamacare — the individual
mandate — forces individuals to purchase a product from a private
industry.
Modern
America's militaristic foreign policy aimed at policing and
perfecting the world is another example of fascism that enjoys strong
bipartisan support. Both right-wing neocons and left-wing
humanitarian interventionists claim our supposedly noble goals
justify any and all actions taken by the U.S. government. Thus, these
supposed human rights champions defend preemptive war, torture, and
presidential kill lists.
Many
politicians supporting a militaristic foreign policy are more
concerned with spreading largesse to the military-industrial complex
than with spreading democracy. This is why some supposed free-market
conservatives sound like Paul Krugman on steroids when discussing the
economic benefits of military spending. Similarly, some anti-war
progressives will support large military budgets if some of the money
is spent in their states or congressional districts.
Mass
surveillance and limits on personal freedom are additional hallmarks
of fascist regimes. While there is a movement to "reform"
the police state, few want to abolish mass surveillance, civil asset
forfeiture, police militarization, and other police-state policies
adopted in the name of the wars on terror and drugs. The federal
government has even used force to stop people from selling raw milk!
Attempts by progressives to silence political opponents are more
examples of how many supposedly anti-fascist Americans are embracing
fascist policies.
The
growth of the welfare-warfare state has been accompanied by an
increase in presidential power. This centralization of power, and the
support it receives from the political class, is one more indication
of the fascistic nature of our current regime. Of course, many in
Congress will fight to rein in the executive branch, as long as the
occupant of the White House is of the opposing party. Even the
fiercest opponents of excessive presidential power instantaneously
become lap dogs when their party wins the White House.
For
all their alleged anti-fascism, today's neoconned conservatives and
progressives both support the use of force to reshape society and the
world. This is the defining characteristic not just of fascists, but
also of authoritarians. The true anti-fascists are those who reject
the initiation of force. The true path to real free markets, peace,
and individual liberty starts with rejecting the bipartisan
authoritarianism in favor of the non-aggression principle.
Ron
Paul is a former congressman and presidential candidate. He can be
reached at the RonPaulInstitute.org
