They trot out that kind of argument every few years. In opposing Trump’s border wall during his first terms they claimed border apprehensions were so low that no wall was required, and it’s such a small problem that people shouldn’t worry about. But what others care about is what isn’t apprehended, and what isn’t seized.

The Canada/US border is the largest border in the world. Canada’s fentanyl labs have been known for years, as has its tradition of drug smuggling. One ”superlab” busted just last fall (and close to the border) was estimated to be able to produce 95,500,000 fentanyl doses, which far exceeds domestic consumption. So why should we not wish to stop this drug from crossing the border?

Out of all his pie-in-the-skies this is Trump’s worst idea ever, sure to set the region on fire and send all involved into a spiral of evil. The only way he can redeem himself is if this turns out to be some negotiating tactic.

USAID gives American tax-payer dollars to fund the state-run BBC’s charity, which pushes woke propaganda about misinformation and climate change and DEI in other countries.

Last year USAID gave BBC Media Action $3.23million (£2.6million) of US taxpayers' money, making it the second largest donor to the British-based charity.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14359179/Donald-Trump-Elon-Musks-USAID-closure-hit-BBC-charity.html

This and other examples of “humanitarian aid” has proven a wasteful and corrupt system.

No, I can appreciate the skepticism. The establishment wouldn’t have it any other way.

I appreciate the comments about Milei. After all, he may be the first libertarian leader in human history. All I can say is I hope it awakens some private initiative instead of metastasizing a reliance on the corrupt and wasteful public initiative.

Canada concedes.

I guess we’ll have to see about all that.

Argentina, was it? What do you think of Milei? I’m watching his rule with great interest.

My point is that once they achieve absolute power, the use of democratic means necessarily weakens the fascist nature of the state. Conversely, it precipitates its transformation into a representative democracy. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You either have a fascist state or a democratic one.

I think you’re right that popular sovereignty would eventually be fascism’s downfall, but they literally did create a democratic fascist state in the form of the Italian Social Republic. You can read in their Manifesto of Verona that a leader would be chosen by citizens every 5 years, not to mention the adoption of plenty liberal and socialistic “devices” in order to further the fascist state. So fascism has veered into “left-wing populism”, after all.

Very cool. Thanks.

Let's consider the case of democratic means, to focus on just one example. What would remain of the fascist state if the means of representative democracy were to be the norm? Suppose Mussolini is effectively the Duce. Now suppose that presidential elections are held. And suppose that John Doe gets more votes than Mussolini. Suppose further that, after being elected, John Doe & company (as in, legislators, senators, etc.) carry out a series of reforms such that Fascist Country X starts to look more and more like the United States of America. What remains of the fascist state then, as envisioned by Mussolini, Rocco, and others? Nothing remains of it.

Fascists saw Fascism as the purest form of democracy, so long as the people are considered qualitatively instead of quantitatively. They did use democratic means, such as elections and voting, at least until they achieved absolute power. Again, the point is to use it to service the state, and then perhaps be done with when it is no longer required.

This is just wishful thinking. It's like Stalin's wishful thinking of Socialism In One Country.

Yes, they are terrible ideas. But this is what fascists believed and tried to implement. If we are to oppose it, it might be helpful to recognize it before it becomes action.

Unless they use all of the devices in service to the Fascist state. The phrase “the end justifies the means” doesn’t preclude using these devices to achieve an end.

This indifference to method often exposes Fascism to the charge of incoherence on the part of superficial observers, who do not see that what counts with us is the end and that therefore even when we employ the same means we act with a radically different spiritual attitude and strive for entirely different results. The Fascist concept then of the nation, of the scope of the state, and of the relations obtaining between society and its individual components, rejects entirely the doctrine which I said proceeded from the theories of natural law developed in the course of the XVI, XVII, and XVIII centuries and which form the basis of the liberal, democratic, and socialistic ideology.

At the very least. I think Zelensky was saying that he received all of the weapons he was promised, but the rest, over 100 billion dollars, is missing. Where has it gone?

I don’t know if this translation is accurate or not, so take it with a grain of salt.

So, what's the plan, the drug traffickers will be discouraged by the prospect of tariffs?

I think the point is to convince these governments to help tackle the problem, which is apparent in all countries involved.

And why are they wrong?

Sure, the guy who helped developed fascism is wrong about fascism.

The true antithesis, not to this or that manifestation of the liberal-democratic-socialistic conception of the state but to the concept itself, is to be found in the doctrine of Fascism. For while the disagreement between Liberalism and Democracy, and between Liberalism and Socialism lies in a difference of method, as we have said, the rift between Socialism, Democracy, and Liberalism on one side and Fascism on the other is caused by a difference in concept. As a matter of fact, Fascism never raises the question of methods, using in its political praxis now liberal ways, now democratic means and at times even socialistic devices.

The Political Doctrine of Fascism - Alfredo Rocco

Personally, I’m against tariffs in principle. So I was skeptical of Trump’s moved here. But as leverage they seem to have their practical use.

And now Beijing wants a seat at the table.

“Beijing Prepares Its Opening Bid to Talk Trade With Trump”

https://www.wsj.com/world/china/beijing-prepares-its-opening-bid-to-talk-trade-with-trump-ccec3ca4?mod=hp_lead_pos3

Very nice. I’m glad you’ve read it. The best way to understand fascism is to understand what its creators were thinking, in my opinion.

And you’re right. That’s why Mussolini was willing to use any economic doctrine and policy to further his spiritual one. So fascism could be liberal one day and socialist the next.

I knew it as a general economic principle, sure. I didn’t know Mussolini used the phrase once in a speech or in a poster. So thanks for that.

I’m genuinely surprised that there aren’t more quotes, despite you saying there were several.

Yeah, I was specifically looking for quotes about fascism, by fascists, not a general phrase used by a multitude of politicians across many ideologies.

Which is why I linked to an English newspaper from 1938 for that quote. That doesn't count either?

I suppose it counts now, after the fact. Thanks, I’ll check it out.

A quote of your grandmother quoting Mussolini does not suffice, no.

I don’t think that’s true. One can search the discussion and see that Mussolini’s name hardly appears, especially with quotes.. Write “Trump” in there, however, and you’ll find the true thrust of the thread.

Mussolini has been quoted several times in this thread.

Right, by myself.

It’s that easy. Canadians are expected to arrive sometime today.

No one knows what fascism is. No one has read nor quoted any fascist writings to discuss. Until that time fascism remains as Orwell defined it: “The word Fascism has now no meaning except in so far as it signifies ‘something not desirable’.” And anti-Trumpism colonizes another topic.

Didn't Trump say that the tariffs were imposed in an effort to cut down the flow of fentanyl?

He sure did.

I’m sure all those fired Inspector Generals were remarkable and upstanding characters, and whomever Trump appoints will be evil incarnated. The mythology couldn’t have it any other way. Here is a question for you, though: who is the one person in the world who has the authority to appoint and fire Inspector Generals? Is it Adam Schiff?

USAID is subject to the foreign policy guidance of the President, the Secretary of State, and the National Security Council. Sorry, but the policies you are used to are changing. The organization has spent close to half a century using American taxpayer money to improve Egypt’s economic growth, for example, and look how that has turned out. You get the thirty-year reign of Hosni Mubarak, who amassed a $70,000,000,000 fortune to some estimates, and $700,000,000,000 in others. Do you want FINAID to start throwing vast sums of your money around there, or any other country?

I know it hurts to be weaned from such sweet milk as American taxpayer dollars, but look at the debt. The spending is out of control and there are some good Europeans who sound like they want to help as much as the US does.

USAID on the chopping block.

Wouldn’t be bad. Anything is better than being tethered to the British crown.

First day of Trade War and here in Canada politicians are going nuts. In a fit of pantywaisted rage our lovely socialist premier decided to ban the sale of alcohol from “red states”, while the prime minister, who has already resigned, slapped a 25% tariff on all American goods. That’s a hefty tax on an already heavily-taxed populace. And given the uncompetitiveness and managed decline of this once free nation, it doesn’t look like it will last much longer.

Canada is a protectionist nation, still descending further into socialized, Keynesian mercantilism long past its due date. For example, its had over 200% tariffs on American milk and butter for decades, so as to establish dairy prices and manage supplies like a good interventionist government would. There isn’t even free trade between provinces, so this outrage is hilarious. But thanks to these tariffs the globalist government is speaking of lowering taxes and slashing regulations, which is unheard of. This might be the kick in the pants this nation needs.

Almost missed this one. Huge news.

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP LAUNCHES MASSIVE 10-TO-1 DEREGULATION INITIATIVE

“The Order requires that whenever an agency promulgates a new rule, regulation, or guidance, it must identify at least 10 existing rules, regulations, or guidance documents to be repealed. “

https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-launches-massive-10-to-1-deregulation-initiative/

That’s nice, especially from a nurse.

Oh man. After last year’s expose of NPR and their woke business model, and virulent anti-Trumpism, it makes you wonder why these tax-payer funded institutions exist in the first place, if not to pander to certain audiences.

F.C.C. Chair Orders Investigation Into NPR and PBS Sponsorships

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/business/media/npr-pbs-fcc-investigation.html

Let’s find out if they’re as crooked as their staff.

Hey, last administration you guys thought I was a Russian bot. Looks like your conspiracy theories have elevated me a bit in your hearts and minds. I appreciate that.

You want John Brennan and John Bolton to keep their security clearance? I wonder why…

It’s wonderful seeing the evil rot trimmed from the federal government. With the prices of these initiatives, it’s hard to imagine it could be anything else than money-laundering. There’s a politician or his friends getting kick-backs somewhere on the other side of these boondoggles, no doubt. There’s no other explanation.

Plus the overpaid, useless employees of the government needs purging. The CEO of the New Deal Tennessee Valley Authority is stepping down from his role, and his 10.5 million dollar a year paycheck. Shit like this needs to continue.

https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-valley-authority-tva-ceo-a243548291623ef36ca293144c5d9c5f

Finally, it’s time to turn the tables on the persecution and rid these agencies of the political henchmen, as appears to be occurring. It’s great to see them unceremoniously removed and denied security clearance.

Things are going swimmingly so far!

We experience only sensations. We sense only experiences. We see only sight. We feel only feelings. We think only thoughts.

In grammar it’s called nominalization. It’s also known as “zombie nouns”, because by adding the suffix and removing the active function from its verb-form you take the life out of the word. Like matter, yours are explanations as well, except they’re circular.

I remain unimpressed by your sources.

Probably because you haven’t read them.

When I look for fascistic features I generally don't look at social security, unemployment insurance, public works programs, and the like as examples. Or, was it the rapid marshaling of government programs that struck Mussolini as fascistic? Fascists are not alone in managing economies. Are programs which alleviate poverty fascistic in nature?

You’re right, such programs themselves are not an indication of fascism, since policy predate fascism. If anything welfare statism is the product of European conservatism. But fascism is totalitarian. So the closer one trends towards totalitarianism, the more fascist one can appear. And the idea that only the state can solve the world’s problems is a totalitarian idea.

Roosevelt was open about his admiration for the Prussian militaristic tradition, collectivism, and a strong militaristic state. Include on top of that the deluge of state propaganda during that time and we have a situation ripe for scathing criticism, especially from the laissez-faire inclinations of The Old Right, many of whom were proto libertarians.

I didn’t claim it. I cited a well-researched book from a German historian. It’s called The Three New Deals by Wolfgang Schivelbusch. I recommend it. Here’s some quotes from the arch-fascist himself:

The question is often asked in America and in Europe just how much ‘Fascism’ the American President’s program contains. Reminiscent of Fascism is the principle that the state no longer leaves the economy to its own devices, having recognized that the welfare of the economy is identical with the welfare of the people. Without question, the mood accompanying this sea change resembles that of Fascism. More than that cannot be said at the moment.

- Mussolini

You want to know what fascism is like? It is like your New Deal!

- Mussolini

With respect, Roosevelt had some pretty serious public problems o contend with: mass unemployment, homelessness, people literally starving. What he did actually helped the economy and the population get back on their feet. It's not quite the same as giving huge whacks of public money to one's political supporters.

Hitler did the same. It’s true that war economies work, especially when you have an army of unemployed young men and women at your disposals, but it’s not quite clear if the benefits outweigh the costs.