Rant: Fascism and Communism

These 2 terms have been thrown out far too frequently to describe political opponents.  Please allow me to educate y'all on the true philosophy of both abhorrent ideologies. There are plenty of similarities in how they turned out in practice.  First, both are usually totalitarian dictatorships in which any political dissidents can be imprisoned or executed so don't dare speak out against the government.  Both are highly militaristic in which neighboring countries are often invaded or threatened with conquest. Think North Korea.

Let's start with fascism.  This term has been used with increasing frequency to describe Trump supporters as well as pretty much anyone right of center politically.  What do actual fascists believe?
-Glorification of the State above the individual
-Collusion of big business and government.  Very difficult for small businesses.
-Rigid class structure with institutionalized racism and discrimination
-Eugenic and possibly genocidal with restrictions on interactions with other races and socioeconomic classes
-Open discrimination against women in the workforce
-Churches allowed but closely monitored, no tolerance for dissent or alternative lifestyles.

I am a Southern conservative and I am DISGUSTED by all of these bullet points.  I am proud to say that my maternal grandfather fought against actual Nazis in World War 2 and I have a trace of Jewish ancestry myself so it REALLY bothers me when mainstream conservatives such as myself are called these names.

As I've said in other political posts, I believe strongly in racial equality as well as prosecution of anyone who discriminates in the job and housing market.  I support immigration from all corners of the globe as well as integration into society but it must be done LEGALLY with proper vetting.  I favor freedom to worship God as you see fit or not worship at all.  I could go on and on but let's suffice it to say that I disagree with pretty much all that fascism stands for.

Now that's look at Communism:
-Claims to be stateless and classless but in reality, party leaders are VERY wealthy and military aggression as well as death camps have come out everywhere Communism has been tried.
-If you speak out against the government and demand free elections- Remember Tienanmen Square in China. Criticize Kim Jong Un in North Korea and you're dead.
-State is officially atheist and open religious activity is not permitted.
-Does guarantee a job for able bodied people but all business and means of production are owned by the government.  You often cannot choose your occupation or where you'd like to live.  International travel is either not permitted or heavily restricted.
-No private property permitted and no chance to become wealthy.  Typically, you live in a planned community similar to an apartment high rise with government officials watching your every move.  If you skip work without a valid reason, you won't be fired.  You could be imprisoned instead.
-In theory, there is racial equality but given what I've heard from groups like Antifa and the New Black Panther party, I believe there would be open discrimination against whites if their ilk came into power.

Most millennials grew up after the Cold War so they don't remember the Soviet Union.  Many claim to have a favorable view of socialism and even communism but if they knew what it's really like to live under such a regime, they might think differently.

Now let's shift gears to the violence in Charlottesville.  Trump condemned the march before it started, which drew criticism from actual white supremacists like David Duke.  After the attack, Trump condemned "the egregious display of hate and bigotry on many sides" and stated that it has no place in contemporary America then called for unity and to "love and respect" each other.  I don't see anything wrong with that statement yet all I saw in the news was that Trump "failed to condemn" white nationalists.  Two words: FAKE NEWS.

What generated the controversy was the 3 words "on many sides" meaning that he had the guts to criticize the left-wing loons such as Antifa, the radical elements of BLM and other violent anarcho-Communist groups.  For the record, I think that the Neo-Nazis, the KKK, actual fascists and white nationalists are  despicable groups of people and I condemn them in the strongest terms that words can express.  However, I also condemn groups like Antifa, whose members often assault Trump supporters as well as the radical elements of Black Lives Matter, which chant for dead cops and throw rocks at traffic from overpasses onto the Interstate.  I condemn anyone who throws out terms like "fascist and racist" and riot to suppress the free speech rights of anyone with a different opinion. If their ilk ever gained political power, we would see death camps just like Communist countries under Stalin and Mao.  Are these groups on the same level as Neo-Nazis and white supremacists?  I will leave that for my readers to decide but before you criticize me or Trump for these words, please watch the following videos of the "alt-left" in action.

New Black Panthers
Black Lives Matter
Antifa Riot
Attacks on Trump Supporters

Another problem that I have with the far-left is their tolerance for hate and bigotry in name of cultural relativism.  If a Christian fundamentalist called for killing gay people, executing apostates and stoning women for adultery, progressives would scream FASCIST and rightly so.  However, when radical Islamists spew the same thing, they often go silent or even attack the critics.  If a Southern Republican called for segregation, everyone would scream RACIST and rightly so but when extremists from BLM want the same thing, they go silent as well. Almost every mainstream conservative will condemn hate and bigotry from the far-right.  I have not heard many mainstream liberals condemn the alt-left.  Here's what I think of you and your ilk:

You are not a liberal.  You are a regressive leftist who is more interested in political correctness and multiculturalism than advancement of human rights.  If you do not stand up against radical Islam, you are not anti-fascist either.

Let's end this post on a more positive note with a quote from Nelson Mandela:
"Nobody is born hating another person because of the color of their skin, background or religion.  They must learn to hate but also can be taught to love.  Love comes more naturally from the human heart than its opposite."  Amen brother.  I will call out hate and bigotry whenever I see it no matter what the source.