The United States internationally in 50 years.

[yossarian22]

Just off the top of my head:

Those are great arguments for fascism in America, but do you have any reason for comparing America specifically to 1930s Germany? Or did you just use it because it is the most known case of fascism?

 

[Pariah]

Those are great arguments for fascism in America, but do you have any reason for comparing America specifically to 1930s Germany?

Are there are any social attitudes which produce a mindset similar to that of poverty and desperation that would lead us to accept a fascist leader, in America?

 

[Valjean]

Those are great arguments for fascism in America, but do you have any reason for comparing America specifically to 1930s Germany? Or did you just use it because it is the most known case of fascism?

Mostly because it is familiar to most people and the specific parallels fairly clear.

 

[yossarian22]

Are there are any social attitudes which produce a mindset similar to that of poverty and desperation that would lead us to accept a fascist leader, in America?

Ah, you found the biggest hole in the fascism in America argument.
While economic recession creates a good environment for fascism (as well as Communism), it is not technically needed for a fascist government to form.
9/11 did cause a wave of xenophobia in America which is still present today.

 

[Trassin]

If America continues on its current course it is certain for a massive financial and social collapse. Between the combination of a generally apathetic populace and criminally negligent, whether through ignorance or on purpose, elected officials there is little chance of it changing course in time to save itself.

The one bright spot I see is the impact the Internet is having on society in the way that information is assimilated and discussed. As has been shown over and over again in studies information from watching TV doesn't require the use of the parts of the brain that involve logic. TV also doesn't allow for meaningful discussion and argument about the information that is presented.

When you read something, such as a blog or news story on the internet, the brain handles it in a completely different manner, due to having to take symbols, in the form of letters, and turn them into something that can be understood. The internet also allows for people to present counter arguments to the information they are shown and receive feedback on their ideas.

This results in people actually analysing the information they are given instead of just accepting it based on shock value.

The use of TV as the main source for information over the last 50-60 years is part of the reason why there is such a pervasive level of apathy in American society currently.

With the tax and spend Democrats and the borrow and spend Republicans as our only choices, class envy will be the unraveling of the fabric of our society.

I agree Reverend, although I don't think the complete unraveling is guaranteed yet. I still think that there is a chance the middle and working class will take control of society back and manage to save themselves.

For the American people to save their society they will also have to decide to do something about the massive, unchecked power of the federal reserve. What is done in response to that over the next twenty years will have a huge impact on the direction our society goes.

 

[Mathematician]

The problem is, the parts of the Internet the people are visiting [Myspace, Google, Yahoo] are largely owned by the same big-whigs in Washington and on the TV. Wikipedia is nice, though. Hopefully we see a general migration towards forums.

 

[greatcalgarian]

Another good view from the Great Canadian from Montreal:

READ A CHAPTER OF "THE NEW AMERICAN EMPIRE":

When the balance sheet is in, the apogee of the Democratic Western Empire under American leadership may be set at the 1989-91 period, at the fall of communism and the demise of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The only credible rival of the Democratic Western Empire for worldwide hegemony has disappeared. For those who control the greatest military force, that is the United States, this absence of competition could remove all restraints and open the door to the worst follies. Perhaps in the future, the determining factor in the eventual decline of the Democratic Western Empire will be seen to be this dangerous concentration of power in a single dominant pole, based upon military force, apart from all other nation states.

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

The internet leads to dicussion sure, but I feel that its limits the shock value too much and people feel like they are making a difference behind a keyboard instead of out on the street.

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

For the American people to save their society they will also have to decide to do something about the massive, unchecked power of the federal reserve.

Yo no comprende. What do you mean? Scratching head... the fed does what it does very well.

 

[Pariah]

The internet leads to dicussion sure, but I feel that its limits the shock value too much and people feel like they are making a difference behind a keyboard instead of out on the street.

Unless internet discussion translates into street action... in the way of dissemination of knowledge, such as the racism of George Allen calling an Indian reporter macaca and then losing the race.

 

[Trassin]

The internet leads to dicussion sure, but I feel that its limits the shock value too much and people feel like they are making a difference behind a keyboard instead of out on the street.

For the moment, I'm just happy to see the dicussion. People actually thinking about what they are being told instead of blindly accepting it because they saw it on tv.

You do have a point though, to many people think that typing on their keyboard is the equivilant of real action.

Yo no comprende. What do you mean? Scratching head... the fed does what it does very well.

This article does a much better job of explaining it than I could: The US Federal Reserve System

That being said, here are a few points to consider:

-The federal reserve is a privately owned and controlled entity.
Court Rules Fed is Privately Owned

-The federal reserve control the printing and circulation of U.S. currancy. This is the responsibility of congress per the United States constitution.

The Congress shall have Power To...To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;...To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fi x the Standard of Weights and Measures;​

This puts the control of United States currency in the hands of private, unelected citizens.

-The federal reserve causes an artificial decrease in the value of the dollar. Effectively transfering wealth from those with savings but very little money in the stock market (the working/middle class) to those with a high level of investment in the stock market(the rich).
Abolish the Federal Reserve « Rational Activism

 

[ChrisP]

That may be what saves us -- if China calls in our loans, there goes their economy as well.

And I can't see them destroying their biggest market.

Does anyone from over Stateside consider it possible that some of the states may leave the union?

 

[Mathematician]

It's more like some of us in the union are wishing to kick states out.

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

Does anyone from over Stateside consider it possible that some of the states may leave the union?

Been there done that. We don't fight each other anymore(at least with guns that is).