This is partly their way off attempting to protect AOC and the new breed of Democratic Socialists, which they managed to do in an incredibly sexist manner
https://twitter.com/brandondarby/status/1122658506354626560
And away go (hey, I wonder if writer David Bentley Hart will ask the folks who run the Times if they’ll pay their fair share of taxes?) with an article that is way worse than the casual sexism towards AOC
Can We Please Relax About ‘Socialism’?
Only in America is the word freighted with so much perceived menace.To be trapped in the boarding area of a smallish airport in the upper Midwest is, as often as not, to be subjected to that bestial din of fricatives, gutturals, plosives and shrieks of hysterical alarm that constitutes political discussion on Fox News, pouring incessantly from those obnoxious pendulous ceiling televisions. And unless one fancies running the T.S.A.’s gantlet of gropers again, there’s no escape. The experience is especially nasty if one’s wait coincides with the prime-time shows hosted by those two almost indistinguishable fellows with the suety faces, bouffant coiffures and nerve-racking mezzo-castrato voices.
So, Hart just managed to insult most Midwesterners, everyone who watches Fox New, and TSA agents. Good job.
That fate, at least, I avoided a few weeks back. Instead, there I was with the commentator Ben Stein hovering over me like some grim heathen god, exuding all the effervescent charm of a despondent tree sloth, glumly wobbling his jowls and opining that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez espouses a political philosophy that in the past led to the rise of Hitler and Stalin.
Now, I realize that this has become axiomatic on America’s excitable right. I know also that in this country we employ terms like “socialism†with wanton indifference to historical details and conceptual distinctions. I grasp too that many among us truly believe that, say, a higher marginal tax rate or a public subsidy for poor children’s dentistry is only a step away from the gulags. And I am painfully aware that the male Fox commentariat nurtures its sickly obsession with Ms. Ocasio-Cortez partly because they resent her cleverness, charisma and moral vitality, but mostly because they suspect that in high school she was one of those girls they had no hope of getting a date with (though, really, she comes across as someone who could look past a face of even the purest suet if she thought she glimpsed a healthy soul behind it).
And there’s the sexism
Well — only in America, as they say. Only here is the word “socialism†freighted with so much perceived menace. I take this to be a symptom of our unique national genius for stupidity. In every other free society with a functioning market economy, socialism is an ordinary, rather general term for sane and compassionate governance of the public purse for the purpose of promoting general welfare and a more widespread share in national prosperity.
Well, maybe you folks in Europe like the notion of a strong central government controlling your lives, dictating everything. We fought a war over two hundred years ago to get away from that. It’s interesting that most of Europe has a low GDP and much higher unemployment rate. It’s interesting that most of the big inventions come from the freedom of America, not Europe. It’s interesting that America had to save the world from the threat of Socialist styled governments twice in the past century.
He keeps blabbing on, but, hey, if these Leftist really love Socialism so much, why are they not sending at least 50% of their earnings to the federal government? Why do they want to keep their freedom and choice? Germany has the largest population in Europe, at 82 million. England comes in at 67 million. We have well over 327 million, spread out over an area bigger than Europe. Most of our states are larger than EU countries. And we see the failures and government dominance in places like California. The homelessness in uber-leftist cities. The nanny state controls. The loss of freedom. The crime. They can redwash this as much as they’d like, but Modern Socialism (which is really a light version of Fascism) is against America and its beliefs in freedom.
Teach, not able to think for himself, steals the liberal fascism angle (with a Hitler moustache, to boot!).
Are Germany, France, Finland, Israel, Norway, Denmark, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland etc all fascist nations? As I’ve said many times before, all of these nations (in fact, every advanced nation) delivers quality healthcare to all for much less per person than we do. They are healthier and live longer. Is forcing people to pay less for healthcare a component of fascism?
Do you really believe the richest country in the history of countries, with all our resources, ingenuity and spirit aren’t as good as most European nations? You don’t believe we can solve problems?
Are Germany, France, Finland, Israel, Norway, Denmark, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland etc all fascist nations?
Lessee, they suppress anybody who bucks the party line. State ownership of many industries.
As I’ve said many times before, all of these nations (in fact, every advanced nation) delivers quality healthcare to all for much less per person than we do.
You ewant me to put up what the Euros pay in property, income, sales, and corporate taxes again? You want me to remind everybody what a lie it is they pay less. As for living longer, take away all the murder capitals in this country run by Democrats and we have the 4th best survival rate in the world.
Do you really believe the richest country in the history of countries, with all our resources, ingenuity and spirit aren’t as good as most European nations?
No, we’re a thousand times better. You want to live that way, go on over there and live with all the Moslems. Good luck finding a job or a place to live.
So you DO think the European nations are fascist. Got it.
“Except for all the deaths we have the 4th best survival rate in the world.” LOL.
Teach complains about America constantly, perhaps HE should move.
Again – these nations all pay much less for HEALTHCARE than do we. All their taxes do not go toward HEALTHCARE. By all means “smack me down” with your irrelevant stats! Proving…. nothing (except how little you understand). You are lying, as usual.
“Fascism is a form of radical, right-wing, authoritarian ultranationalism, characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and of the economy. Opposed to liberalism, Marxism, and anarchism, fascism is placed on the far-right within the traditional left–right spectrum.
Fascists believe that liberal democracy is obsolete and regard the complete mobilization of society under a totalitarian one-party state as necessary to prepare a nation for armed conflict and to respond effectively to economic difficulties.”
This sounds just like the wet dream described by American right-wingers today. An America ruled by an authoritarian minority of white Christian arch-conservatives.
Another Wikipedia quote meant to be the definitive answer to a complex question. It can also be said that communism is a form of radical left-wing authoritarian ultra-statism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible elimination of opposition, and a complete takeover of society and the economy.
When theorists place fascism on the far right of the traditional left/right spectrum they do TRUTH a dishonor since there has never been a fascist state that was not also socialist which places them SQUARELY on the extreme left. Fascism is merely the separation of the state from the ownership of the means of production while still controlling them. Again, squarely a leftist principle.
Fascist JUST LIKE COMMUNISTS believe liberal democracy is obsolete and just like communists believe in the complete mobilization of society under a totalitarian one party state.
So with all the GLARING similarities between socialism/communism and fascism fools still try and place the fascists on the right. Silly fools.
One thing is for sure historically, fascism always leads to socialism and socialism always leads to communism. It’s just a matter of time. Like they say: “You can vote your way in to socialism but you must shoot your way out”. Same with fascism and communism because they are all on the left.
“Fascism entirely agrees with Mr. Maynard Keynes, despite the latter’s prominent position as a Liberal. In fact, Mr. Keynes’ excellent little book, The End of Laissez-Faire (1926) might, so far as it goes, serve as a useful introduction to fascist economics. There is scarcely anything to object to in it and there is much to applaud.”
Benito Mussolini