By Tom KandoThis is the second half of an analysis of the mendacious arguments used by ultra-conservatives such as columnist Charles Krauthammer (see his “Wisconsin GOP sees the debt and crosses the Rubicon,” Sacramento Bee, February 25, 2011):
1. Falsehood: Krauthammer and his acolytes define the problem as a “deficit” and “debt” problem, and the solution as “entitlement reform.” They have successfully brainwashed the populace into accepting this definition.
Truth: Yes, there is a deficit problem, but no, the solution is not “entitlement reform.” “Entitlement reform” is a euphemism to take away the rights gained by the people over the past century. The solution is to raise taxes on millionaires (about 3 million of them in the US).
2. Falsehood: The solution to the deficit problem is also “Tax Reform.”
Truth: by “tax reform,” Republicans mean tax cuts for the rich, for example reducing the top tax rate from 35 % to 29%.
3. Falsehood: Public Unions are a privileged special interest group.
Truth: Their wealth and influence pale in comparison with those of business and corporations. Business enjoys a vast advantage in campaign financing through its PACs, and in its influence upon public opinion. As Rachel Maddow noted recently, 70% of major political contributors are private businesses.
4. Falsehood: Republicans in Wisconsin and elsewhere just want a requirement that unions be re-certified every year, and that dues become voluntary.
Truth: This will mean the death of unions. Unions - for example the National Educational Association - are the last remaining bastion against the full take-over of the government by private corporate interests.
Clearly, Krauthammer is a spokesman for and a member of the Kleptocracy. The Sacramento Bee, desperate to avoid going under as its readership evaporates, thinks that presenting such crypto-fascist views represents “balance.” But the balance we find in the media is increasingly a balance between the Right and the Extreme Right. As Rachel Maddow said, year after year this country keeps moving further to the right.
The US has always had the potential to be either good or evil. It is now in danger of fulfilling its potential for evil. This often happens to countries on their way down.
We, at the European-American blog, may be the voice of Cassandra. But readers ignore us at their peril. leave comment here
6 comments:
Your solution is to raise taxes on the rich. I believe in a previous blog you said there are ?30,000 ? millionaires in Wisconsin. Where is this figure verified.
I can’t believe you think that Charles Krauthammer is a fascist. And if you do somehow
think that he is, what word would you use to describe the political orientation of Hitler (who
really was a fascist)?
To anonymous 2:
What can I say? I used the word “crypto-fascist” to describe the views Krauthammer expressed in that particular article. Is that the same thing as accusing the man of being a fascist? Hmm...
But alright, let’s say I was a bit hyperbolic. Let’s say that I used the word in the sloppy but often used sense of “extremely right-wing,” conservative, pro-business, anti-union, pro-military intervention overseas, etc., all of which Krauthammer IS. Just watch him on Fox News and read his columns.
This is not the place to get bogged down in an exegesis of the concept of Fascism. I do know what it is, conceptually and historically. I was the victim of it.
Still, here are some of the words used by Krauthammer in the article I criticize:
There is now a “magnificent turmoil gripping statehouses in Wisconsin and elsewhere.” This is “an epic moment.” The “Republicans are charging the barricades.” Union power must be destroyed, because “Unions are a privileged interest group.” There is the “blinding clarity of this moment,” and “Democrats are avatars of reactionary liberalism.” “Federal entitlements for the elderly” must also be done away. “A new generation of recklessly principled Republicans has looked at the debt and is crossing the Rubicon.”
Call this whatever you want, but if these are the words of a “more-or-less mainstream political columnist,” as anonymous called Krauthammer in another message, then this country is in trouble.
I called these views “crypto-fascist,” and frankly, I’m not so sure now that the shoe does NOT fit.
When I read articles by George Will or William Buckley, I see conservative views with which I disagree, but not fascism. But when I see hate-mongering demagogues such as Rush Limbaugh, spewing an almost uncontrollable rage and hatred for the working class and for various other groups (gays, immigrants, Muslims, etc), yes I see fascism, just as when I see old documentaries of Joe McCarthy and Adolf Hitler. I do not equate Krauthammer with Rush Limbaugh, but he, too, is in danger of being consumed by his hatred.
As to the more important question whether the country is becoming fascist - with the support of people like Krauthammer - let me put it this way:
(1) America will never be a fascist country. It is too diverse and too unruly for that. (2) There are strong fascist tendencies in America, as there have always been, and currently they are getting stronger. But don’t take my word for it. Check out this unbelievably eloquent article by Jill Dalton - Is it Fascism Yet? - which I plan to reproduce in the next few days:
http://www.readersupportednews.org/pm-section/256-justice/4820-is-it-fascism-yet
to anonymous 1:
Our post "Deficit, Schmeficit" has live links to our sources.
There are about 30,000 households in Wisconsin making at least $1 million (about 1% of households).
But there are many more millionaires than that, because the definition of millionaire is BEING WORTH a million or more, which is a lot more common than MAKING a million.
Another complication is that in some studies (for example an international source I came across recently), being a millionaire requires you to be worth a million EXCLUDING your primary house of residence (which is a higher threshold)
Absolutely! Concise analysis and rebuttal to the BIG LIE of the right.
To G. W. Matson,
Thanks for your support.
Checked your blog. Excellent articles!
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