The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines fascism as "a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition".
The rise of jingoistic patriotism, the move away from federalism in favor of federalization, the increased power of the Executive Branch, the plethora of unconstitutional or extraconstitutional legislation criminalizing behavior and micromanaging the economy, and the propensity of politicians to disregard the Bill of Rights has pushed America to what Lew Rockwell calls an "an updated and Americanized fascism".
Steven LaTulippe writes: Lew Rockwell is correct. The seminal political event of the past several years in America has been the changing political ideology of Middle America from small-government conservatism to a virulent brand of fascism.
America may be just one terrorist attack or economic crisis away from becoming a full-blown police state with all the trappings of fascism. The republic is in grave danger and radical change is required. It is time to re-think the role of government. It is time for a new American revolution.
NOTE: I wrote this article in April of 2005 and it was a reflection of what some anarchists, libertarians, conservatives and anti-war activists were thinking because of the actions of President George W. Bush, as well as most Republicans and Democrats, following 9/11.
The national security state, including the police state, was given political steroids and the size, scope and power of government began to grow and grow. The national debt at the end of 2005 was $7.9 trillion and now, in January 2024, it stands at over $34 trillion. By all metrics, including the powers of the executive branch, America has become more fascist than it was in 2005.
A day doesn't pass when Democrats don't accuse Trump and/or Republicans of being fascist while the leader of their party is certainly as much a fascist as George W. Bush, if not more so. Both of these power-seeking cults have brought America to this state of fascism. Please peruse the articles below. The earliest article, "Economic Fascism," is from 1994 and is instructive in that area. The other articles are from 2003-2005 and provide some perspective on where we are today and how the two political cults have embraced a new type of totalitarian fascism.
The worst sort of fascists were the Nazis. They required groups to demonize and blame for things gone wrong. Democrats blame Russia and Republicans. Republicans blame China and undocumented immigrants (who are also becoming less popular with Democrats living in sanctuary cities). Problematic for those who believe Biden is morally superior to Trump is the fact that Biden is named in a suit against Israel in the UN's International Court of Justice as being complicit in genocide. Biden is also named in a federal suit regarding genocide. Supporting genocide is not a "good look" as the pundits say, especially if you are accusing others of being fascists.