Redefining the political spectrum

I’ve believed for some time now that the greatest threat to America’s
freedoms is not from socialism or communism but rather an “ism” you
seldom hear much about these days — fascism.

We’re not just slouching toward Gomorrah, as Robert Bork has written.
We’re slouching toward Rome.

To understand what I mean, most people need to rethink their notions
about the political spectrum. At the left end, most people agree, you
have communism — total government control over the means of production
and property. It’s at the other end of the spectrum that many get
confused.

Ask most left-wingers and they’ll suggest that fascism is on the
extreme right — 180 degrees from communism. Unh-uh. I’ve got news for
you, friends. Fascism and communism are ideological kissin’ cousins. I
would place fascism and any other brand of socialism just a few degrees
to the right of communism.

Remember, both fascism and socialism mean — to one degree or another
— government control of production and distribution. The only thing
that distinguishes fascism from socialism in economic theory is how they
get that control and how they maintain it.

Fascists realize the government doesn’t need to own industry to
control it. Through regulation and taxation, fascists know they can
achieve the same results without nearly as much work and responsibility.

Fascism, of course, has become a dirty word because of its
association with Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. But just because
none dare speak its name doesn’t mean it is dead. Fascism is actually on
the rise today precisely because no one recognizes it for what it is and
calls a spade a spade.

It is in wide practice today in what we call Communist China. Beijing
has not achieved communism. And instead of moving toward the
Marxist-Leninist goal, it is moving steadily toward fascism — a hideous
blend of state and private partnership. And guess what? The United
States is moving in the same direction. Every time you hear Bill Clinton
or one of his fellow travelers talk about “public-private partnerships”
I want you to understand what they are talking about — fascism, pure
and simple. Is it any wonder Clinton gets along so well with his buddies
in Beijing? Think of how Rome, Berlin and Tokyo matched up so well in
1939.

So what’s at the other end of that political spectrum? This surprises
a lot of people, but it’s really quite logical, if you think about it.
If total government control in the form of communism is at the left end,
wouldn’t it make sense that anarchy — no government control — is at
the extreme right?

I envision many libertarians nodding in agreement as they read this.
So where do they fit in? Just a few degrees to the left of the
anarchists, of course. Conservatives, favoring less government as they
do, would find themselves 20 or 30 degrees to the left of the
libertarians, while liberals could shake hands with the socialists and
fascists to their left.

And that’s really why we’re facing a serious threat today. You see,
most liberals think they hate fascism. They equate it, understandably,
with Nazism, Hitler, Mussolini, racism, anti-Semitism and imperialism.
But they forget what the definition of fascism is.

Listen, Bill Clinton is no democratic socialist. He’s no Marxist.
He’s a pragmatic politician — just like Mussolini. Like his
predecessor’s dream of making the trains run on time, Clinton’s goal is
for the economy to lumber along at a 2.5 percent growth rate. Whatever
deals need to be cut with big business to make that happen are OK with
him. If he needs to sell some corporate favors for campaign
contributions, that’s just political expediency. If he feels it’s time
to arm the Environmental Protection Agency to put more teeth into
enforcement of the Endangered Species Act, who could blame him?

It’s not just economic, either. Look at the way we have abdicated our
individual liberties in favor of “group rights.” That’s a fascist
concept.
Look at the way we demonize certain groups (whether you’re talking about
smokers or Bible-believing Christians) and elevate others (native
Americans and homosexuals come to mind as the new noblemen or chosen
people) in our society. That, too, is a fascist concept.

One of the reasons America is moving toward fascism today is because
it has lost its constitutional moorings. We’re supposed to believe in
limited government in the United States. The federal powers are
enumerated in the Constitution. But, in recent years, Washington has far
exceeded its authority. And very few politicians — Democrats or
Republicans — seem to give a darn.

Even worse, most Americans don’t even seem to be aware of the
problem.

Is there any hope? Well, unless we understand what we’re up against,
it’s difficult to fight it. We have to redefine our terms, comprehend
the nature of the beast. That’s always a good first step on the road
back to freedom.