Was FDR a fascist?

[glockmail]

Mike Church put it simply the other day when he compared socialism to fascism. “A fascist is a socialist with a gun.” Although overly simplified, the comparison is valid.

Its fairly obvious that FDR was a socialist. He ushered in the era of Big Government. His wide reaching social programs, such as Social Security, the “alphabet agencies” such as the WPA and the CCC, the explosive growth of government, and government employment have caused millions to be dependent on the government. He raised taxes to the highest level ever seen in America, up to an individual marginal rate of 91%!

But did FDR cross the line into fascism? Did he use a “gun” to enforce his policies? If you refuse to pay your taxes, would you not be threatened with imprisonment? What about the relocation camps for Americans of Japanese, Italian, or German origin?

FDR crossed the line. He was a fascist.

[Kathianne]

I just received my copy of Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg today.

pg. 11

..."Even FDR's defenders openly admitted ther admiration of fascism. Rexford Guy Tugwell, an influential member of FDR's Brain Trust, said of Italian Fascism,

"It's the cleanest, neatest most efficiently operating piece of social macihinery I've ever seen. It makes me envious."

"We are trying out the econmics of Fascism without having suffered all its social or political ravages." proclaimed the New Republic's

editor Geoge Soule, an enthusiastic supporter of the FDR administration.

[glockmail]

I'd steal it but this is posted on JPP as well. The libs over there are having a bird!

[Kathianne]

I'd steal it but this is posted on JPP as well. The libs over there are having a bird!

I know. I really think people should try to keep threads on one forum. I try to keep the various topics in mind when I go from one to another. If it's a piece of information that I think general, I might cross post, but rarely.

It gives me a headache to keep the same argument going with so many people. Especially when I find my thread titles with someone else's name, sometimes even my opinion given at other places, sometimes with the the same link, sometimes with a different one.

and I'm not talking about Glock!

[JohnDoe]

okay, i'll bite!

here's the definitions and some history that i have found on www.dictionary.com

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
fascism [(fash-iz-uhm)]


A system of government that flourished in Europe from the 1920s to the end of World War II. Germany under Adolf Hitler, Italy under Mussolini, and Spain under Franco were all fascist states. As a rule, fascist governments are dominated by a dictator, who usually possesses a magnetic personality, wears a showy uniform, and rallies his followers by mass parades; appeals to strident nationalism; and promotes suspicion or hatred of both foreigners and “impure” people within his own nation, such as the Jews in Germany. Although both communism and fascism are forms of totalitarianism, fascism does not demand state ownership of the means of production, nor is fascism committed to the achievement of economic equality. In theory, communism opposes the identification of government with a single charismatic leader (the “cult of personality”), which is the cornerstone of fascism. Whereas communists are considered left-wing, fascists are usually described as right-wing.

Note: Today, the term fascist is used loosely to refer to military dictatorships, as well as governments or individuals that profess racism and that act in an arbitrary, high-handed manner.

fas·cism (fāsh'ĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
n.
often Fascism
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
Oppressive, dictatorial control.

Based on this, I would say that FDR was NOT a fascist..... unless you considered him a RIGHT WING authoritarian.....?

We had a Congress that instituted SS and other socialistic programs, FDR didn't do it, "we the people" had representation that either legislated or regulated or delegated the money for each one of those programs and.....

FDR did nothing at gunpoint...and yes he did round up the Japanese here in this country which is horrible but he did not torture them or kill them or rule this country at gunpoint as an opressive dictator....and a few other things involved in the free market vs a fascist market regarding businesses were not present that would make him a fascist or us having a gvt form of fascism here in the united states during the time.


soooo, I repeat, NO, FDR was not a fascist.
jd

[Dilloduck]

[LiberalNation]

I'd say he was pretty close, tho more successful at it then say Bush.

[manu1959]

no he was not a facist....his actions do not meet the standard

[LiberalNation]

Not for a classic facist but that term is used to mean more than that now days. He was elected three times and all that.

[hjmick]

Not for a classic facist but that term is used to mean more than that now days. He was elected three times and all that.

How many times was Saddam Hussein elected? j/k

[manu1959]

Not for a classic facist but that term is used to mean more than that now days. He was elected three times and all that.

name a classic facist.....

for extra credit is facisim a right wing or left wing political philosophy.....

[LiberalNation]

Hitler, classic facist. Stalin, commie (leftist) facist.

[manu1959]

Hitler, classic facist. Stalin, commie (leftist) facist.

stalin was a communist not a facist......imho

musolini?

franco?

so you believe facisim is left wing?......

[glockmail]

name a classic facist.....

for extra credit is facisim a right wing or left wing political philosophy.....

Hitler. Left wing:socialist. The use of the term to describe a conservative may be fashionable among leftists but is without basis.

[JohnDoe]

I'd say he was pretty close, tho more successful at it then say Bush.

but where does this fit in?

suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.