The War Department Explains Fascism

After just a week of reality, I have to admit that it might be more comfortable to keep oneself in the dark when it comes to politics. Comfortable, yes, but dangerous. Right now, too many Americans are waking up to the fact that we, as a country, have made a terrible mistake.

The inability to tell the difference between truth and propaganda is only one piece of how we got here. There is also the assumption that our democracy will last forever, whether we participate or not.

Army Talk: Orientation Fact Sheet 64, published March 24, 1945 sheds some light on what we might be up against:

“Fascism is more apt to come to power at a time of economic crisis.”

“The people run democratic governments, but fascist governments run the people.”

“They maintain themselves in power by use of force combined with propaganda, skillful manipulation of fear and hate, and by false promise of security.”

How does it start? They pit “political, religious, social, and economic groups against each other.”

How does it work? It promises “all things to all people.” These include promises that they cannot nor even want to keep.

Also, “Fascists deny the need for international cooperation.”

Suddenly, this is becoming real. It’s only a week into the new administration and already the U.S. has been pulled out of the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreements. What’s next? NATO? Remember “I alone can fix it?”

Truth doesn’t matter. President Trump’s first lie was his oath of office. He promised to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” He broke that promise by tossing the 14^th Amendment to the Constitution that says that people born in the United States are citizens of the United States. And he doesn’t acknowledge the right of asylum seekers to seek asylum, even when they do it the legal way.

Fact Sheet 64 defines fascism as “ … government by the few and for the few. The objective is seizure and control of the economic, political, social, and cultural life of the state.”

The rules in place no longer apply. This includes the rule of law. “They make their own rules and change them when they choose.”

It’s hard not to be angry right now with our fellow citizens who were misled by propaganda, by those who didn’t pay attention, by those who didn’t even bother to vote. But we mustn’t be angry with each other. Hopefully enough of our legislators on both sides of the aisle are brave enough to risk their own power for their constituents. And we, the people, must be brave enough to speak up and stand up for each other.