General Discussion

Rver

(157 posts) Sat Apr 12, 2025, 08:01 AM Saturday

Insomnia Saturday once again, so I wrote another letter

I guess this is my therapy. Also GTK that there will be another action April 19th. I hope the turnout is even greater than last week. DU helps a lot too. Have a good weekend all

CongressCritter,

I believe you and your staff should review some terms that are taught in civics class.
Maybe you have forgotten since high school was some time ago.

I don’t know why you are allowing the dismantling of our institutions, the rule of law ie: due process, NATO allies, foreign trade etc… the list goes on ad nauseam.
Do you not believe in the US Constitution anymore? Do you believe that your job is to only protect the corporations and the wealthy while leaving the less fortunate to rot? The citizens of (Pick State) are depending on you to break away from the insanity/chaos of this administration. Stand up for what helps all people not just the 1% that will never notice a tax break. How much money is enough when the less fortunate cannot get by in the United States of America?

Here’s the vocabulary list that you may want to re-familiarize yourself with:

oligarchy /ŏl′ĭ-gär″kē, ō′lĭ-/
noun
1. Government by a few, especially by a small faction of persons or families.
2. Those making up such a government.
3. A state governed by a few persons.
4. A form of government in which the supreme power is placed in the hands of a few persons; also, those who form the ruling few.
5. A government run by only a few, often the wealthy.
6. Those who make up an oligarchic government.
7. A state ruled by such a government.
8. A political system governed by a few people.

authoritarianism
noun
1. A form of government in which the governing body has absolute, or almost absolute, control. Typically this control is maintained by force, and little heed is paid to public opinion or the judicial system.
2. A form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.).

plutocracy /ploo͞-tŏk′rə-sē/
noun
1. Government by the wealthy.
2. A wealthy class that controls a government.
3. A government or state in which the wealthy rule.
fascism/făsh′ĭz″əm/
noun
1. A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
2. A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
3. Oppressive, dictatorial control.

The 14 characteristics of fascism are:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.
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.
7. Obsession with National Security
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
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.
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.
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 .
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 is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
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.
Copyright © 2003 Free Inquiry magazine
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