[January 10, 2025] A few years ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic, I thought the idea that Americans would support Fascist-like style running of our government was preposterous. Then Covid-19 hit us. Our federal and state governments went into overdrive to figure out what to do to keep folks “safe.” But are we American fascists?
Unfortunately, many states implemented draconian “emergency” measures to achieve this goal. The level of control extended beyond anything I could ever have imagined. And I wasn’t alone. Many ordinary Americans refused to participate in forced vaccinations. The results were lockdowns, threats of and actual jail sentences, termination from their jobs, and harassment by local officials.
I’m not the first to write about this heavy-handed approach. Rightful criticism of government officials occurred after it was clear that such methods were not working. Those who spoke out, including medical professionals, were also targeted. This was a tragic episode in American history, and I hope we learned from it.
However, there is another result that is far more frightening and frustrating than our local and state governments. Many people in our country were willing to use fascist methods of coercion. I’ve always been under the strong impression that Americans were better.
When a Gallop Poll asked questions about how to enforce rules to “prevent the spread” of COVID-19, the results were startling. The majority of Democrats believed it was acceptable to send unvaccinated American citizens to quarantine camps, levy costly fines, locked in at home, or imprison them. Nearly half think the unvaccinated should have their children forcefully removed from them. The fact these numbers are more than minuscule took me by surprise.
I’m focusing on Democrats because they show the strongest authoritarian streak. The claim by Democrats has been that it’s Donald Trump and Republicans who are the largest “threat to democracy.” The hypocrisy is strong here, but the fact these numbers are so high, especially compared to Republicans, is startling. This is not something I or anyone could have predicted in pre-Covid times.
In my Reading List (Updated), the 12th book listed is Ordinary Men by Christopher R. Browning. In the book, the author tells the story of how a unit of average middle-aged Germans became cold-blooded murderers of tens of thousands of Jews during WWII. These ordinary working-class men committed the atrocities out of a mixture of motives, including group dynamics of conformity, deference to authority, role adaptation, and altering moral norms to justify their actions.
This is scary. Many of our citizens believe that this level of practical fascism is acceptable and preferred. Ordinary men and women in America are willing to impose harsh penalties on their neighbors. We are due better leadership. That is our responsibility as good citizens. I believe the tide has turned. Now is the time to expose those who would employ these methods and deny them access to us.
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Note: Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the perceived good of the nation or race, and strong regimentation of society and the economy. It is at the far right of the traditional left-right spectrum.
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Please read my books:
Gen. Satterfield being Gen. Satterfield again, telling us what needs telling.
Sir, thank you for your publication of this study in a graph. I’d like to congratulate you and coming to the realization that there are many evil streaks in the hearts of ordinary men (citizens of America). I for one am not at all suprised. But I’m that kind of person after being a cop on the streets of Chicago for 12 years.
Shocking
Unacceptable
Horrible
… many more things come to mind that makes me want to puke. Why is it that it is always those from the Democrat Party who want to create violence, cancel people, stop free speech, censor, lie, steal, and cheat? Why? Becuase they are not good people. Period.
I have to make a comment to preempt what I will expect to see. Some will claim this survey by Rasmussen was conducted in 2022 and therefore not applicable to today. That is incorrect thinking and twisted logic. The fact that so many Democrats wanted to see people put into reeducation camps, should absolutely throw a flag for everyone to take notice. That is horrific and as Gen. Satterfield noted, a fascist type of tactic. Are Americans fascists? Well, maybe the Democrat Party is, most of the rest of us no. Keep the faith.
Great comment, Pastor John and, of course, you are write.
Never ever vote Blue again. They got my attention and I’ll never vote for another Democrat in my lifetime.
Another well-written article bybGen. Doug Satterfield and giving me more information on why so many folks can “slide” into evil deeds without much thought or consideration on their part.
Wow, like Sweeney below, I also never gave this much thought, but now that you bring it up, Gen. Satterfield, I can “see” better where you’re coming from. It looks like to me that those whom have a proclivity toward the American Democrat Party are also those most likely to employ fascist tactics. This is shameful.
YIKES
Well, Sweeney, I just might agree with you that this is shocking info. I will add a little link. And I’m sure Gen. Satterfield is aware that Dr. Jordan Peterson has made the comment that US Democrats possess a more “feminine” personality trait in the form of “negative emotions.” While the Republican ps have a more “conscientious” personality. This means, I think that the emotional state old Democrats pushes and pulls them toward emotional tactics. This partly explains why they are more prone to lashing out at others, like the spoiled kid in the grocery store throwing a tantrum because they don’t get the candy they want. Just a few thoughts for consideration.
Shawn, as usual, you’ve made an excellent comment and I do appreciate the application of one of Gen. Satterfield’s mentors. But, in my thinking it’s more complex. I also believe, for example, that those in the Democrat Party are much less informed as a voter and are more easily manipulated by politicians and others in their daily lives.
Thank you, “Jelly”. It’s always good to hear from you, and I look forward to another future article that you write for us.
Great input, Shawn. 👍👍👍👍👍