Mussolini, McCarthy and Bush. Born out of fear.

Submitted by trans-parere (Canada), Jan 10, 2008 at 22:34

As we filter broad terms to simplify complex ideas it is easy to misconstrue, and many have come to associate Liberal with left-wing, hence the Socialism/Commie epitaphs. The whiff of McCarthy's "Commie" still haunts todays Washington. Bush just changed the name of the fear.

Liberalism stemming from the British is based on the same values as the authors description of what is a Conservative. To be exact. Individual liberty, individual rights, freedom of thought and speech and the rule of law and a transparent government to but name a few. In America those who are not die-hard Republicans are often dismissed as left wingers having no other distinction bound by a two party system. In Canada and Europe where multiple party's exist Liberal and Liberalism is not associated with terms like "Socialist or Commie ", having Socialist and Labour Party's in existence.

I find Mr. Goldberg's relationships in this mater simplistic to say the least, while having no doubt that his ideas answer to the "he said,she said" bickering between two disparate ideologies. And which one can argue, neither Conservatism nor Liberalism actually exist by definition in America. Conservatism is not necessarily bound to the idea of a Republic or Republicans anymore than Liberalism is bound to the Democratic Party.

Fascism on the other hand can be found anywhere that the individual has given up his or her responsibility of government to the total care of an individual or the State. Fascism and Dictators run hand in hand whenever the State supersedes the participation of the citizen in his or her own governing. Beware of the rhetoric, the slight of hand behind the propaganda.

There is always a very good and reasonable argument behind the infiltration of Authoritarianism and Fascism. Just ask the Germans and the Italians. It isn't necessarily a lie when they said, "We never knew". How many Americans "know" when it comes to the last seven years of "Conservative" government? How many Americans "knew" the extent of the last eight years of "Liberal" government? How many Americans are willing to give over their responsibility for their own governing if someone suggest that they can make their life easier. Safer? How many Americans voted in the last election? How many will turn out for the next? How many more social liberties are Americans willing to surrender in the name of State security? Is there a benevolent and good form of Fascism?

Political name calling and ideological bickering may exemplify the differences between Republicans and Democrats but, what value is the rhetoric alone if only 30% of the population elects the government. Under these circumstances it hardly reflects the will of the people irrespective of individual political affiliation. Relatively speaking 60% of the electorate never got past the name calling. And under these circumstances it's easy for me to imagine that I can hear a lot of Americans saying, "hey, I never knew."

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