My Take: The nature of fascism

Don Bergman
·4 min read

Ruthless, narcissist leaders with no empathy for the pain they cause others have been with us since before recorded history. They crave power to advance themselves and are quite willing to use any means, including the death of others, to acquire and maintain power.

Beginning in the 20th century (Mussolini, Hitler, Tojo, Franco, Pinochet, et. al.) and now into the 21st (Putin, Orbán, et. al.) these individuals have acquired the title of Fascist.

The term was first used in the 1920s by Mussolini’s National Fascist Party. The symbol for his movement was a bundle of sticks with an ax, called fasces, used in ancient Rome as a symbol of a magistrate’s power and jurisdiction.

Don Bergman
Don Bergman

Some Fascist leaders came to power via a coup, often supported by the military or paramilitary groups. Others came to power through an election process. Fascists are quite willing to twist democratic norms to gain power. They abhor the workings of democracy. Once in power, they change the rules to maintain power, exploiting elections to justify their rule, i.e., the people voted me in again. Napoleon never had problem with elections, provided he counted the votes.

Historians studying Fascists have discovered they shared many traits:

  • Powerful and continuing nationalism. You oppose me; you’re no patriot.

  • Disdain for human rights

  • Use of and often creating chaos to justify control to restore order

  • Identification of enemies, creating fear

  • Racism, scapegoating minorities as a unifying cause

  • Supremacy of the military; the use of force to solve problems

  • Obsession with national security

  • Rampant sexism

  • Control over mass media; no free press

  • The Big Lie, propaganda

  • Banning and burning of books

  • Use of the judiciary to protect their power

  • Intertwining of government and the dominant religion

  • Protection of corporate power; a symbiotic relationship with the very wealthy

  • Suppression of labor power

  • No concern for income inequality

  • Disdain for intellectuals and the arts

  • Obsession with crime and punishment; often miss-applied to minorities

  • Rampant, nepotism, cronyism and corruption

  • Fraudulent sham elections

  • Cult of personality; loyalty to a messianic leader who says, “I alone can fix it!”

This is a very scary list because each of these characteristics, in some form, is present in today’s GOP. To astute observers of history, they have been present and growing for decades. The cult of Trumpism no longer makes any attempt to disguise its intentions. Instead, Trumpists come right out and embrace them. "We want power." Trump has made American Fascism acceptable.

More: My Take: Why did Putin invade Ukraine? Why now?

More: My Take: Why we need fair redistricting

Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage

On Jan. 6, 2021, the president of the U.S. attempted a coup to stay in power by overthrowing a fair and free election. This attempt, had it succeeded, would have ended democracy in the U.S. Many GOP senators and representatives, including the wife of a Supreme Court Justice, were part of the planning for Jan. 6. A majority voted to not certify certain Biden electors. Many GOP state and local elected and party members also assisted President Trump in that attempt.

A scene from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol when it was stormed by protesters.
A scene from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol when it was stormed by protesters.

Republicans who refused to support the coup are being removed from positions of power in government and the party. Sen. Mitch McConnell shortly after the events of Jan. 6 wondered aloud that if Trump’s actions on Jan. 6 are not grounds for removal from office, what is? He soon changed his tune. A majority in the GOP in Senate and House refused to remove Trump from office. McConnell said that if Trump committed a crime, let him be convicted. But GOP leaders now are obstructing that investigation.

Believing the Big Lie that Trump won the 2020 election, the Republican party with acquiescence of the U.S. Supreme Court is passing laws to assist their controlling the government and are preventing the passage of laws that promote democracy.

FILE - Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. A North Carolina man has become the second member of the Proud Boys to plead guilty to conspiring with other members of the extremist group to stop Congress from certifying the Electoral College vote. Charles Donohoe pleaded guilty Friday to charges of conspiracy and assaulting federal officers during an appearance in federal court in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

nullThe Michigan Republican Party just endorsed Kristina Karamo to run for the office of Secretary of State. She believes and is pushing the Big Lie that Trump won in 2020. She also lied about voter fraud in Detroit and signed a false affidavit seeking to overturn the election. She is endorsed by Trump to oversee Michigan’s 2024 election. They also endorsed for Michigan’s Attorney General Trump-backed Matthew DePerno, who filed a bogus lawsuit claiming Trump won, and circulates conspiracy theories. The GOP is putting foxes (Trump loyalists) in charge of the hen house (the next election).

Democracy calls for rule by the majority and protection of minority rights. That is the goal and purpose of the U.S. Constitution. Republicans want minority power stripping away majority rights.

In its present form, a vote for the Republican Party is a vote for American Fascism and an end to American Democracy.

— Don Bergman is a resident of Park Township.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: My Take: The nature of fascism