Is it that Americans basically like neofascism?

[ananda]

I keep thinking about the way Americans are currently tolerating what
should be absolutely intolerable.

Is it that we.. basically deepdown.. like corporate control and the ability
of leaders to work above and outside the law? Are we all outlaws
at heart, people who would break laws and kill if we could just get
away with it as Bush and Cheney are doing?

After watching the video of LBJ signing the Civil Rights Act with MLK
by his side, I found myself realizing how much of the Great Society
has been dismantled and lost to the great detriment of America and
all Americans. Where are the Civil Rights activists now? Where are
the protests, the sit-ins, the civil disobedience, the great leaders..
and we need them far more today than ever.

Sue

[rudy23]

1. Yes. It's a lot easier than the Great Society.

It requires no time, energy, or sacrifice (in their minds).

[no_hypocrisy]

2. My theory is that Americans are generally passive and lazy in their

duties as citizens. That's why megalomaniacs and demagogues rise to the top of politics to rule over their proles. No one wants to stop them before it's too late.

[Swamp Rat]

3. In the long run?

No.

[demnan]

4. We are the ones who have failed

We have failed to maintain a constant vigilance toward holding our government accountable. Accountability is key. As Benjamin Franklin said when he left the Constitutional Assembly, "We have created a Republic, if you can keep it."

[BuyingThyme]

5. We're telling the Pelosi supporters to fuck off so we can get our country back.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. "All politics is local" - Tip O'Neil

I have no doubt that the majority of the American people would accept a purely fascist government if it provided for their "security" and economic well being.

Throw in a lot of flag waving and erect some bogeymen..and, voila!, they'll all be ready to consign the "enemies of the state" to the concentration camps and ovens.

Don't believe it? Just look at the popularity of Bush and the acquiescence of the public to the invasion of Iraq. And, the readiness to accept "Homeland Security"

Anyone who thinks that the Americans in 2007 are any less gullible than the Germans were in 1933-45 better study some history.

[bdamomma]

8. history does repeat itself sadly.

I only hope Americans will get angry enough to do something.

[shanti]

7. i doubt it

how can you like something that's being shoved down your throat? :shrug:

[Az]

9. I think we went a bit beyond that. I think we are in a Neo Feudalistic state

CEO are the new Lords. They have far more power than is suggested by Fascism. They have squashed our access to information and power. The people are kept in their place by debt and ignorance. We are the new peasant class.

[kwolf68]

10. No...

I don't think the average American knows or cares what Neofascism is. We are too busy with our "bread and circusus" to really care much anymore.

[Sapere aude]

11. We are all still here, a bit older and a bit grayer. Don't believe that shit about the

hippies becoming right wing repubs.

Today we spend our time on the internet and blogs. We would not get the coverage that we did in the 60's.

[Larkspur]

12. When the Dem Leaders cave into Bush and Cheney what do you expect the American people to do?

Americans turned out in large numbers in 2006 to elect Dems to hold Bush accountable. Americans did their job. We're waiting for the Dems to do what they should do -- defend the US Constitution.

[Nay]

16. Thank you, Larkspur. I also have been saying this. There's no

reason to think that there aren't a whole lot of Americans who are upset -- that's what the 2006 elections were about, after all -- but now we expect our Dems to step up and do what THEY need to do -- namely, start impeachment, stop funding of war and start bringing troops home, etc. The fact that they seem to be so reluctant to take meaningful action is pretty much knocking me senseless.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

13. I've had the same thoughts...

...there are many who seem to be willing to tolerate widespread suffering and injustice right up to the point where it starts scraping up against them personally, and then of course, it becomes intolerable.

If we, as a nation, do this it will be too late:

http://www.crisispapers.org/Editorials/germany-1933.htm

[melody]

14. Oh, please

Of course not. Simply because we don't react in the same way other cultures
do does not mean we don't hate them. We're a nation of abused children --
abused kids don't make noise to upset their sociopathic parent.

[Vidar]

15. In some sense, yes. Bullying & empty bravado are perceived as strength

by a significant portion of the populace.