from a reader in Oregon

The foundation of fascism is a charismatic leader who demands total loyalty and declares himself above the law.  Facts, truth, justice and human rights are marginalized.

A fascist leader claims to be “The Chosen One” to whom everyone must pledge allegiance.  Social contracts such as a Constitution exist at the will of the leader. Separation of powers is eliminated;   separation of church and state is blurred.

Fascist leaders disdain science, ridicule intellectuals and the arts and devalue education.

Freedom of speech and assembly are restricted.  Protestors and journalists are intimidated, arrested, imprisoned and murdered.  Voices of dissent are silenced.

Fascist leaders gain power through fraudulent or rigged elections, manipulation by corporate and state controlled mass media and the economic power of wealthy donors and corporations.

Fascist leaders sustain power by isolating themselves in a cocoon of cronyism, corruption and nepotism.

Laws criminalize people of color, immigrants, homeless people, unacceptable religious groups and others not in The Master Race.

Fear, intimidation, lies and repression function to control the population in the “homeland.”  A police state is empowered and emboldened to squash dissent using surveillance, arrests, mass incarceration, concentration camps and privatized prisons

A fascist empire exploits resources and people using economic strangleholds and military power.

Corporate power is protected; labor power is suppressed.

Nationalist propaganda placates the “homeland” population to justify fascism.

Fascism could never happen in our “homeland” of course.