As I drink my morning coffee, I’ve come to a cold reality, and it’s not an easy reality to admit. I truly believe that if Adolf Hitler were the front runner for the Republican party, there are a number of white American Christians (not all) who would not only vote for Adolf Hitler but campaign for him with full-throated support. I am very careful not to classify all Republicans this way because I adore my husband, and he is a Republican who would not support Hitler. I think he represents the majority of everyday Republicans. My dear friend and long-lost brother, Dr. Clarence White, brought this to my attention. I think this is especially true here in Texas. The same people who would give full-throated unconditional support for Donald Trump are most likely the same people who would give full-throated support to Adolf Hitler. I have two words for this, “White Supremacy.”
The reality of this becomes more apparent to me each day. The day-to-day multiple lived experiences of everyday people I personally know plus those who serve these people match the information in the articles below. Hence, the reported information must be true. In a number of my Patheos pieces, I listed the traits of fascism at the end. Instead of listing them at the end where I typically do, I am going to list them here in the middle of this piece and give article links to solid sources because I want to draw special attention to the core traits of fascism listed by Encyclopedia Britannica and The Washington Monthly.
Once a political power turns to genocide, which is exactly what they are doing right now to trans children, implementing policies which increase gun violence, attempting to plant deadly traps in the Rio Grande River, and trying to implement the death penalty to mothers who seek abortions in certain states, we have stepped into the beginning stages of fascism. I believe that the current legislative actions of some far-right Republican politicians (not all) are now falling in fuller alignment with fascism, especially in Texas, Ohio, and Florida. According to Encyclopedia Britannica and The Washington Monthly, I list the primary traits of fascism once again, but this time I am expanding them further. I believe we moving closer to a variation of the Holocaust, into a fuller manifestation, with each passing day, at least in Texas.
1. Sources and capitalizes on economic woes and anxieties–Currently in Texas, instead of expanding programs like food stamps, Medicaid, and other programs which help people who are destitute, the state of Texas is squeezing and reducing these types of programs. According to the Texas Tribune, Greg Abbott is redirecting funds from Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Department of Public Safety to the border, leaving those in great need with less access to social services. Greg Abbott redirects $500 million from other agencies for border mission | The Texas Tribune
2. Shifts political blame on to scapegoat groups like minority groups, the Democrats,
immigrants, and other groups while taking away blame from where it belongs, on the leadership–The treatment of migrants at our Texas border is downright criminal. President Biden had to end razors on buoys in the Rio Grande recently by suing our governor, Governor Abbott. Biden administration sues Texas governor over Rio Grande buoy barrier that’s meant to stop migrants – ABC News
3. Propagates extreme nationalism going hand-in-hand with racism and militarism–The United Nations is even concerned and published an article about it.—-Victims mount as extreme nationalism fuels racism | OHCHR
4. A melding of church and state when there should be a separation–According the Texas Tribune, opponents of church-state separation have been emboldened by recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and the growing acceptance of Christian nationalism on the right. Conservative Christians push Texas Legislature on church-state separation | The Texas Tribune
5. Subjugation of women and sexism–The Austin-American Statemen wrote an article a year ago stating that Texas has always been tough on women, and now it’s worse. Commentary: Texas has always been tough on women. It’s worse now. (statesman.com)
6. A disdain for human rights except those of the elite, especially a disdain for those who identify as LGBTQIA+–The number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills which strip away basic human rights are skyrocketing in the United States and have over the last two years. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) gives further details. Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures | American Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org)
7. Obsession with crime and punishment–You can review the statistics of crime and arrests in Texas here through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Crime Records Reports and Statistical Information | Department of Public Safety (texas.gov)
8. Identification of enemies as a unifying cause for political action–According to a recent article in the Washington Post, the list of enemies in the Republican Party rises. Opinion | Republicans’ list of enemies keeps growing – The Washington Post
9. Disdain for intellectualism, science, history, and the arts–According the Texas Tribune, book banning is at an all-time high. Texas has banned more books than any other state | The Texas Tribune
10. Control of different types of media, including books–see #9
11. Rampant cronyism and government corruption–According to an article from the Texas Observer in 2021, Texas politicians face very little to no accountability for their actions. In Texas, Corrupt Politicians Face Little Accountability (texasobserver.org)
12. Attempt to control elections, like through voter suppression–Last, the Brennan Center for Justice gives account for the multiple attempts Texas Republican politicians make to suppress voter rights, particularly those who are of minority groups. Texas’s Voter Suppression Law Is On Trial | Brennan Center for Justice
After reviewing these articles, I don’t think we are in the outer rim of a fascist state anymore. We are closer to a variation of the Holocaust.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In