Is Fascism in Fashion?

By Dr. Russell McDougal

Dear Reader,

We all live in a particular time in history.  It is very easy to get caught up in daily mundane life.  The challenge is to take a step back and analyze the larger picture.  What has happened to the Republic our Founding Fathers inspired?

This is a most controversial topic and I do not take it lightly.  We are going to look at exactly what fascism entails.  Your job is to evaluate exactly how closely the USA does or does not currently follow fascist ideologies.  Would you recognize a fascist if you saw one?

First, let’s look at some of the primary “free man” principles that were the basis of the “great American experiment” via our Constitution:

1. The purpose of the state is to guarantee individual liberties, and to protect property and citizens.
2. Individuals have natural rights with or without the state.
3. Economic markets are to be free, open and honest - “free enterprise.”
4. Money has sound backing.
   

As both a free man and a citizen of the United States, these are my continued expectations.  Nothing less will suffice short of heaven on earth.  Our duty, per Thomas Jefferson, is “continued vigilance.”

Let’s look at a common definition of fascism and then look at some of its primary traits.  From Webster’s, fascism is defined as “a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized, autocratic government.” This definition is merely a starting point.

What are the typical traits of a fascist regime?

1. Government is proportionally huge and dominates its citizens.  It is the master.
2. Markets are heavily regulated with every attempt to intervene and control them.
3. Corporations are inbred with government.  They take precedence over citizens.
4. Elitists run the government.
5. Individualism is highly discouraged.
6. Propaganda and obfuscations predominate.
7. There are burdensome taxes.  Income transfer policies are commonplace.
8. Imperialism is the order of the day.
9. The middle class and working class get destroyed.
10. There are abuses in human rights.
11. Patriotic fever is whipped up in regards to “communists,” “terrorists,” etc.
12. The mass media is controlled.
13. Military funding is overweight.  There is a major focus on national security.
14. Greed, corruption, and cronyism replace the law of order.
15. Suppression of a class of people.
16. Fear is a primary tool used by government.

This is by no means a complete list, but you surely get the picture. Fascism was the tool of Mussolini in Italy, Hitler in Germany, and Franco in Spain.  All involved countries came to a ruin as a direct result of its implementation.

Fascism is the polar opposite of what is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and our Bill of Rights!  These are not shades of gray. Fascism is tyrannical, authoritarian, and evil.

Countries can have fascist tendencies, but not be totally fascist.  Historic minority suppression in the United States, South Africa, India, or China qualifies under the fascist label.  The economic markets in one country may be fascist, but other tendencies are not as prevalent.

Fascism should be looked upon as a graduated scale.  Most current-day countries will have some segments of their society that can clearly be labeled fascist.  Others are predominately fascist.

It is in the nature of man to try to control everything.  My considered opinion is that elitist individuals and groups plan to dominate the globe to the extent they are able.  Fascism is one of their primary tools.

Countries historically go through phases.  They start out as a democracy or a republic but tend to abandon these ideals through time.  Few democracies have endured as long as the current-day United States.Countries often break down into dictatorships or fascist entities.

I am not presenting my ultimate personal opinions along this line of thought.  You certainly know that I don’t believe we have free markets or true capitalism any more.  The rest of the list is up for discussion.

Your job is to dig through these ideas and come to some conclusions. Where exactly do you see your country right now on the scale from complete liberty to autocratic fascism?  

Would you recognize a fascist government if you had one?

Invest Resourcefully,

Rusty

P.S. Here are a few pertinent sources for your consideration:

“What is Fascism?” by Laura Dawn Lewis

“Economic Fascism” by Thomas J. DiLorenzo

Aaron Russo’s recent documentary entitled “Freedom to Fascism”.  He has since passed away.

P.P.S. To let me know what you thought of today's article, send an e-mail to: feedback@investorsdailyedge.com.

[Ed. Note: Dr. Russell McDougal has dedicated years of study and investing in the natural resources exploration sector. During that time he has closed out DOZENS of gains of 500%... 1,000%... 2,000% and more! Currently he is sitting on multiple thousand percent winners, including one stock that is up a whopping +5,000%. And for a select group of investors, Rusty has agreed to share his secrets of success... and his top stock recommendations. Click here to learn more... ]

Market Watch

A Call from Mark Skousen

By Charles Delvalle

A few weeks ago, I got a call from Mark Skousen, one of the leading economists in the world today.  And Mark had a favor to ask.

You see, Mark is really into free-market capitalism and Austrian economics. I’ll admit, I’m not so into Austrian economics, but that doesn’t take away from what Mark does.  He accurately predicted the 1987 stock crash just six weeks before it happened.  And he also predicted the 90’s bull market.

Clearly, Mark knows what he’s talking about.  And that’s why I decided to help him out when he told me he was running a conference called FreedomFest 2008 on July 10-12 at the Bally’s/Paris resort in Las Vegas.

Mark told me FreedomFest was “The world’s largest gathering of free minds … The Trade Show for Liberty … An intellectual feast in a fun town … Three glorious days of great ideas, great books, and great thinkers.”

Some of the debates you’ll see include:

• Can You Beat the Market With Less Risk?
• Single Payer National Health Insurance: Yes or No?
• Should the World Return to the Gold Standard?

Plus, Ron Paul, Mark Skousen, Stephen Moore, Alex Green, and John Mauldin are all speaking at the event along with more than 15 others.

I’ll be attending this event for sure.  It gives me a chance to talk to some of the leading minds in the financial world.  And I’m sure if you attend, you’ll also get a great deal out of this event.

For more information, go to this link: http://www.freedomfest.com/ide.  And if you decide to sign up, make sure you mention that IDE sent you.

I hope to see you in Vegas in July!

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