The Observation Deck

Given your schooling in political science then, Gary, let me ask:

When would a democracy change into a fascistic state?
Historically, what are some examples of countries that made that transition?
What might be the telltale signs that the transition has begun?

I would contend that since democracy is rule by the people (or their duly elected representatives) and fascism is rule by one leader, it be a sign that we are changing from one to the other when that one leader (and/or those elected representatives) begin to dictate policy against the will of the majority of the people.

The fact that you are still talking is good enough to tell me we are not heading toward fascism...

Jim DeVito wrote:The fact that you are still talking is good enough to tell me we are not heading toward fascism...

How long has it taken Chavez in Venezuela to start taking TV stations off the air?
Rome was not built in a day.

Both fascism ( i.e. government and private industry collaborating, often in a dictatorial context) and socialism (where the means of production are nationalized, and production is dictated by some national plan) require more central power than the US Constitution will allow.

In Political Science, we study Presidential power, and what would be considered to be "strong" and "weak" presidents. There is broad discretionary power in the Executive Branch, but of course, in our form of representative democracy, presidents neither make, nor interpret the law. That's for the other two branches of the federal system- the Congress and the courts.

President Obama will accomplish some things, and will no doubt, be frustrated by others. The conservative backlash from the Health care bill could well cause the Democrats to lose their majority in Congress in November. In that case, Health Care could again come to the table for discussion.

It's always good to discuss government. We do have a good republic, if, (as Franklin supposedly said) we can keep it.

Back to the banjo...