Who would you like to run for Pres. in 08'?

[Ron Bath]

Christian and Simon; good points. Christian we think too much alike politically. You write it a whole lot better then I would have.
On the tax issue I would prefer a national retail sales tax. And kill the payroll tax. That way all would pay some form of tax. No hiding your income, cause we all purchase no matter what line of work you are in. Legal or illegal

[Tony Carpenter]

Forget I said anything Cristian. I'm not going to argue with you, I know what I know, and if inaccurate it will be corrected in time.

[josephsirois]

Yes it's not a Reich, it's a fascist regime

[Tony Carpenter]

I'm not going to use that term again, apparently I was wrong in using it, and by doing so I affended people. I am sorry for this.

[josephsirois]

In "Fascism Anyone?," Dr. Lawrence Britt, a political scientist, identifies 14 characteristics common to fascist regimes. His comparisons of Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, Suharto, and Pinochet yielded this list of 14 "identifying characteristics of fascism."

1.) Powerful and Continuing Nationalism:
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public display.

2.) Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights:
Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3.) Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause:
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4.) Supremacy of the Military
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized

5.) Rampant Sexism
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.

6.) Controlled Mass Media
Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

7.) Obsession with National Security
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses

8.) Religion and Government are Intertwined
Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.

9.) Corporate Power is Protected
The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10.) Labor Power is Suppressed
Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

11.) Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.

12.) Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations

13.) Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

14. Fraudulent Elections
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

[simon]

A high retail sales taxes would lead to revitalizing a barter system, as people try to avoid paying taxes, which would be good for those that have some thing to barter with. How many video games would I have to give you to get you to build me a house on some property I have? JK

All joking aside Ron I would have to think about that one for a bit. For the sake of round numbers, a 20% tax for the feds and a 10% tax for the state, including food, but not from a restaurant, items purchased for the purpose of resale only get taxed at the time of retail sale, investment income in never taxed, personal income is never taxed, there are no deductions for dependants or property but also no property taxes. Businesses would have to be taxed under a separate process, that is doable I think.

[simon]

When was that written Joseph?

[CHRISTIAN BINNIE]

Don't get the whole fascism thing, how does it apply?

Fascism: a political philosophy, movement, or reime (as that of the Fascisti ) that exalts nation and often race above the indivivdual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by s dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.

SO how does it apply to our Governmental system?....

PEOPLE PLEASE KNOW HOW YOUR GOVERMENT WORKS BEFORE APPLYING SUCH TERMS....... Stop listening to whatever propaganda you are listening to, and research YOURSELF!!!!!!!! Try not to reasearch with T.V., newspapers or websites.....

[Tony Carpenter]

I don't know, Robin Williams makes some pretty funny propaganda.

[CHRISTIAN BINNIE]

I can see where some MIGHt get their info from him or any lame a## comedian or Actor from Hollywood.

[Ryan Thames]

;D

[Tony Carpenter]

Oh, and I thought everyone looked up to Robin Williams.

[Ryan Thames]

Im going to run for president ;D

any votes?

[Tony Carpenter]

HMMMMM, I'll have to think about it.

[josephsirois]

Christian, I was just posting it for critical thinking. Comparisons can be drawn between the current administartion and fascim.

I'll post the link for anyone who wants to check futher into it:


www.oldamericancentury.org/14pts.htm