Fascism has more to do, imo, with the willful ignoring of laws, the intentional ignoring of congress, the desire for open borders, and making unilateral decisions to undercut the constitution of the USA. That would be Obama.
I don’t see DJT doing those things - yet, at least.
It is true that , I think, most Americans are taxed first and hardest, are given the least amount of attention, and bear the fallout of bad decisions
“Lower healthcare expenses for people with expensive needs, less dependence on fossil fuels, and preserving our wild lands is “fascistic socialism”?”
It can be when the federal government intrudes past its Constitutional limits and restrictions. We have a Republic … not a democracy (huge difference) and our Republic has a very well defined role. We now have the so-called ‘deep state’, a very large and growing bureaucracy of unelected people who exercise power of the people and our daily lives. This is a growing fascistic socialism. We can see evidence in the many abuses of power within the FBI that have been unearthed over the past 18 months.
We should pay more attention to people like Alan Dershowitz, a life-long Democrat, a liberal, a Clinton supporter who is alarmed and speaking out against these abuses. I am a Libertarian politically. I have left the Republican Party because it too is yielding to the ‘deep state’ … to fascistic socialism.
An alarm went off this past election. Did you hear it?
Loud and clear! I hope we hear more of it in 2018/2020,
Me thinks if Plato and Aristotle, could time travel to this forum topic. …They would be right at home and fighting tooth and nail. 
That’s right - we should never talk about politics or religion 
So it seems I can not put a smile face without a comment 
Are you saying these are good things or bad?
Thanks
As the person who made the original “fascistic socialism” remark, please let me clarify. First, I know what fascism is because I looked it up a couple weeks ago. It is authoritarian governance. It means the government gets to force me to pay for other people’s healthcare when I cannot afford my own healthcare. And I’m not even sick–my insurance, though, is in excess of $700/month. I could not pay that, but it’s coming out of my husband’s reserve because (despite getting a bone marrow transplant), he took very few sick days when he was working (he’s now retired). That is a small and dangerous (to me at least) symptom of fascistic socialism. If I had nothing (and presumably because of that chose to vote the Ds (not that the Rs are much better)), then someone else would have to pay for my insurance. As it is, I have to pay for someone else’s insurance. I do not work–or at least, I do not get paid. I take care of my Alzheimer’s suffering mother pretty much full time. Sorry if this offends anyone, but I would prefer that young people get a job (now that the job market is in most places, so much better) and buy their own health insurance.
Chad, that was Jim quoting something Qaz said. If I’m not mistaken, Qaz thinks those things are very good indeed, and who wouldn’t? Unless of course, one happens to be the person who gets the bill landed on their doorstep…
Sometimes when discussing religion or politics, you need a bit of Holy Fool humor. Fortunately, Sunil Bali provided some today at 10 Coco Chanel quotes to make you irresistibly bold 
A duck is waiting to cross a busy road.
A chicken walks up to him and says, “Don’t do it, man. You’ll never hear the end of it.”Why did the cows return to the Marijuana field?
It was the pot calling the cattle back.
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
No, Qaz, the middle class pays for both the helpless and the freeloader. If you really believe the rich are paying, then you are deceived. The point here… The endgame… is to abolish the middle class. Then the rich will pay for the needs of the poor… and if you believe that, you really ARE starry eyed. Fascist = authoritarian and socialism = redistribution of wealth. Hint the authoritarian government will no more give the stolen “wealth” of the former middle class to the poor than Hugo Chavez has done in the socialist “paradise” of Venezuela.
Quick question, Qaz… My contribution, in addition to taxes and exorbitantly expensive insurance is to care for my helpless mother (and no, it’s not hateful to call the helpless… helpless… that merely establishes the genuine need for help) after having spent many years carrying for my helpless grandfather. Since you think me uncaring, I think it would be only fair for you to disclose your own contribution to the needy amongst us.
I think Hugo Chavez is the perfect example, unless you want to call up Cuba… Both have been ecstaticly lauded by the darlings of the left. Both are stellar examples of the suddenly fashionable and desirable fascist dictatorship.
Excellent points qaz.
Cole
What about Cindy’s points? Are they not valid somehow?
Cindy makes some good points. I like Trump more than I used to because I see the problem isn’t so much Trump as it is postmodern social Marxism. Trump has his flaws morally but he seems to be doing okay so far. It’s the liberals who are relativistic in morality and truth that are causing the problems. The Bible commands us to work. And the main reason is so that we can help those in need like the elderly. I don’t think tax dollars going to help the needy is a problem. It’s called being a descent human being.
Well, I plan to do my part. When the tribulation and the Zombie Apocalypse occurs…I plan to set up, a Zombie relief fund.
Don’t forget to watch the AMC show tonight - The Walking Dead. And Fear the Walking Dead, in a few weeks time.
Well, I work in a long term care facility and I would say there are those who ‘take quite advantage of the system,’ There are people who are totally capable of taking care of themselves and being productive members of society, who for what ever reason end up in a nursing home and like to be waited on. That is not to say they have not had a hard time of it, but I have to work for food, shelter, medical attention etc, And every paycheck I get a blob of money is taken out for others. I accept it cause it is what it is.
Cindy has devoted her time to a mother that quite frankly, there are others who would stick her in a place like I work and come and visit once a week. If that. And let the rest of us foot the bill. And she may HAVE to at some point. (or maybe she is already there) It is in my view less about taking care of the real needy than the responsibility and the need of government to have some accountability to the ones who’s money they are spending.
These are hard things. Most people who find themselves in a situation like that (having to go to a controlled place even though they could realistically take care of themselves) have personal social problems that to be honest the church could and should maybe be dealing with.
First of all, I think you are misrepresenting what I said. I was pointing out that there does seem to be folks who for whatever reason feel that long tern care is ‘easier’ than making a go of it on their own. I think I also said that I was fine with it cause it is what it is. I don’t recall saying government should not make health insurance cheaper for those with expensive needs.
In LTC, you usually have 3 and one half options. Self pay (out of pocket), health insurance coverage, Medicare / Medicaid, or the 1/2 being Medicare with a supplemental policy. I’m not an expert so someone may have to straighten me on that.
My point was that it is sometimes disheartening to see your tax dollars (in this case dollars going for Medicaid) being squandered, and yes that is just my opinion. For the most part, the people overseeing these programs do a wonderful job and I would say that if there is a questionable situation, they usually side on the side of the recipient. Also I realize there are people who have had very hard lives and basically give up. And if they have no loved one to look after them they either end up in squalor or in LTC.
Your point about my point about Cindy (Cindy you must feel like we’re talking about you while you are sitting right there) is quite out there. I was simply applauding the initiative to put ones life on hold to care for a loved one. Let me tell you, I see the flip side to that coin every day.
Peace.
During the last Presidential campaign Bernie Sanders often spoke admiringly about Denmark having “free” health care, education, etc. Here is the thing that gets me more than a little worked up about such statements.
The U.S. pays over 4% of our GDP to defense. Denmark pays 1.3% of their GDP towards their defense. Now if Demark had to pay a comparable amount (4%) … could they also afford the social services? The answer I believe is a resounding NO!
The Danes (and other Europeans) are taxed to the max and if they were forced to pay their fair share for their OWN defense, they could go broke! It seems to me that the U.S. defensive umbrella over Europe permits the life-style of most European nations. So screw them!!!
How about we pull ALL of our military, and other financial defensive aid away from Europe and let them defend themselves?
Or, we could recover the hundreds of million Hillary got from the Russians when she sold our uranium to them, and use that for healthcare.
But seriously, great as it would be to have no bad actors in the world that necessitates a military at all, we have to be prudent.
This spineless Congress - both sides - have the power to replace ACA with something that really works for all folks, but they will not do it. B******s.