NP Rank:
Fascism a Right Wing Projection
A case of the pot calling the kettle black : Fascism is a projection onto Obama, coming from the right.
I just read a series of chilling articles by Sara Robinson, a well-know futurist with Campaign for America's Future ( http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2009083311/fascist-america-ii-last-turnoff). In these pieces, which give a detailed, meticulous, and probing analysis of the danger in which our democracy stands at present, Robinson makes the astute point, that those who cry loudest about the coming anarchy, are in truth throwing up a smokescreen of deception and projection.
Since Obama's election, extremist on the right - given the wink and nod by more moderate Republicans - have charged Obama with being up to no good, in the Fascist sense: He is planning a totalitarian take-over; he will organize a Brown Shirts brigade; he will silence, and then round-up, the opposition. And all the while, theirs have been the loudest voices of hate and suspicion: It is they who have organized a brigade of gun-toting Town Hall disrupives; they, who have launched the Tea Party platoon. Who can doubt that the fantasy of Naziism, is theirs, and their alone?
And Robinson's warnings are grave: Given media attention, having had a taste of power and a flash of the glory which publicity bestows, they are not likely to go back to their hum-drum lives. Our choice now, Robinoson says, is a "grave" one. Diminish them now, she urges; dissipate their effect before they are big enough to "enforce order", or pay the consequences when they - THEY, and not Obama and his supporters - begin their Nazi-like machinations.
One of the more chilling points Robinson makes, citing from the historian Robert Paxton, is the fact that fascism always arises when the less-educated, rural, and disenfranchised , "offer themselves up as the goon squads" of the irate conservative party. Paxton made clear that when rural movements rise up in a spirit of national renewal, it is time to sound the alarm: Liberal democracy is threatened with relative death.
Jung warned of the dangers of projection: When we refuse to see ourselves and our own motives as in any way suspect, but continually point the finger at the opposing side - something this brand of right wing libertarians is extremely apt at - we give power to the dark unconsious forces within us, unleashing them to our own, and the general society's, detriment.
Addeduem: This quote from Terrance Heath of Campaign for America's future is equally disturbing:
If Republicans continue to either stand silent or cheer on the mob we can assume one of three things: (a) they don't know what fire they're playing with, (b) it's what they want, (c) or — for the sake of ideology — they're willing to risk it.


Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (4)
at 09:25 on August 19th, 2009
Chilling indeed. Lest we not forget how "less-educated, rural, and disenfranchised" can be led by over zealous conservatives who vilify ideals and pander to the base instincts of "dark unconsious forces." Igniting topics like religion, gun control, abortion, and gay rights are used to stir the pot of discontent and direct the public conversation. Corporate American knows how to use these people for control purposes, and the sad part is they don't even know they are being controlled. The most recent example is the demonstrations about health care reform. What would be your guess at the percentage of those fueled and funded by insurance companies?
at 09:32 on August 19th, 2009
Yes, it is the insurance companies who would love to see this railing out at Obama Care grow and continue. And you are correct: It is tragic to see these (well meaning?) people, spurred to passion, all the while not guessing that they are being used as a vehicle by forces who have no concern for their genuine well being. It is natural enough for people to want something to care about, something to fight for: If only their energies could go into helping bring about Obama's program of change. But he would not manipulate them as these Limbaugh and corporate forces do....
at 10:33 on August 19th, 2009
Thank you for turning us on to Sara Robinson and the Campaign for America's future. It is a great site, and she is spot on in her arguments.
at 10:35 on August 19th, 2009
You are quite welcome: I am glad I found it myself! ;)