The definition of fascist flows over into our current state of authoritarianism. The term is often used rather recklessly for a catch-all of political dissatisfaction.
The definition of fascist flows over into our current state of authoritarianism. The term is often used rather recklessly for a catch-all of political dissatisfaction.
"I spent the summer traveling: I got half-way across my backyard." Louis Aggasiz
Now that the remarkable individual liberty restrictions of the Covid era are behind us, can you give us a description of our "current state of authoritarianism" and what impact that has on our lives?Originally Posted by Rogar
"Things should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler." ~ Albert Einstein
"I spent the summer traveling: I got half-way across my backyard." Louis Aggasiz
Replacing leading civil servants with sock puppets, challenging the judicial system with presidential powers, demonizing of the press along with challenges of frivolous but disruptive lawsuits, evoking faux emergency powers to use executive authority to impose tariffs and impose excessive force to enforce immigration laws, going to war without the approval of congress or the American people, and also especially denial of the electoral process of free election outcomes, ie the big lie.
"I spent the summer traveling: I got half-way across my backyard." Louis Aggasiz
Well said!
If we were debating I would probably point out that none of these things are particularly authoritarian in nature but simply despised by critics due to the enthusiasm in which they are carried out.
On a point by point basis I'd point out that every candidate for office campaigns on issues which are either supported or not by the electorate. The subsequent winner then adjusts the staff of subordinate agencies with people they feel are best suited to help resolve those issues. That's not authoritarianism, that's getting the job done. I would also point out that challenging the judiciary would only be authoritarian if its role as a check on administrative power were ignored, such as the last administration did with canceling student loan debt. As for tariffs and the judiciary, I believe an authoritarian government would either ignore judicial rulings rather than adjust their methodology in order to satisfy judicial requirements or stack the courts in a manner guaranteed to diminish their role as a check on power. (Something the current Democratic leaders of the House and Senate are promising to do if they ever regain power)
As far as the initiation of military action without congressional approval is concerned, Congress gave up its authority to approve/disaprove of the initiation of hostilities nearly 25 years ago, merely requiring that they be informed of those actions within a specific time frame. George W Bush took advantage of that freedom 18 times during his two terms and Barack Obama did the same 19 times during his two terms. Each administration since has played by the rules regarding military action, you can't pick out one and declare it authoritarian without including all the others.
"Things should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler." ~ Albert Einstein
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