Month: December 2015

A Reactionary is someone who is attempting to use the political process to return society to a perceived Golden Age in which traditional values were properly respected.  This can be done through democratic or non-democratic means.  A Fascist pursues the Reactionary substantive agenda through unconstitutional mechanisms:  the press is shut down; the legislature is typically eliminated; individual legal rights are ignored; a cult of personality is created around the leader; and enemies are neutralized through the use of violence.

While some of Trump’s rhetoric is undoubtedly consistent with fascism, I don’t see any real evidence yet that either he or his constituents have given up on the democratic process or the rule of law.

For all of the ink that is being spilled on this subject, it’s really very simple.  As I noted in one of my earliest posts, the GOP electorate has always responded to swagger:  that is, the constant expression of simple and forceful opinions without any sign of hesitation or doubt by men who appear to be willing and able to kick butt if and whenever necessary.  Trump has simply taken this to the point where his swagger is virtually the entire message; consistency and ideology are almost beside the point.

You can argue that this makes Trump a caricature of a Republican, not the real deal, and you might be right.  God knows there’s nothing in his background as a semi-successful developer that logically entitles him to portray himself as a man on horseback.  These are unusual times, however, so it is possible that none of that will matter when the process is played out.

 

               All Along the Border Wall

“We’ve got to keep them out of here.”

Said the Trumpster to Ted Cruz.

“There’s too much crime here.

Too many more jobs to lose.”

 

“Businessmen, they send me funds.

Pastors tend my flock.

But none of them along the line

Understands it’s all a crock.”

 

“No reason to get frustrated.”

Ted Cruz he sharply spoke.

“There are many in our country

Who think that we’re all just a joke.”

 

“But you and I, we’ve fought through that.

We deal in hate and fear.

So let us both talk falsely now

The election’s getting near.”

 

All along the border wall

Drones kept the view.

Electric fences going up

Alligators, too.

 

Outside in the cold distance

The refugees did cry.

Two smugglers were approaching

The voters watched and sighed.

 

Parody of “All Along the Watchtower” by Bob Dylan.