Today, I learned that my cousin (whose father was as progressive as they come) is a tea partier. In response to a post I made about all the good things the government does, he posted the following:
"yeah, and the trains run on time and the police don't bother you too much, if your papers are in order."
I called him on it, and just like every other jerk on his side of the argument, he backpeddled, saying that if I saw a similarity to our government in what he said, then maybe there is something there. And further, that obviously I just corrolated strong statist governments with naziism.
With steam coming out of my ears, and fighting chest pains, I responded:
You espouse the feeling that is at the root of modern conservative thought; that people will take advantage if given the opportunity. I will give credit where it's due, people do take advantage and sometimes that is a good thing, resulting in innovation and plenty. Sometimes it is bad and results in people hurting others (like the ENRON debacle). I espouse the feeling that is the root of modern liberal thought; that people generally will do the right thing. Sometimes that is not true, but in general it is and is proven out by the fact that given the opportunity, most humans are charitable and helpful.
Nevermind the full name of the Nazi party, it was fascism, not socialism. Fascism has been described variously, as corporatism, and as capitalism with murder. This country is not headed in that direction, and to imply otherwise is inflamatory and wrong. We are all responsible for the effect our words have. Spreading fear and hate is an irresponsible act, especially when you are disingenuous enough not to own up to what you are doing.
What you posted was meant to evoke visions of the horrible aspects of Hitler's Germany and imply that Democrats and the Obama Administration are working toward that end. It worked, and when I called you on it, you retreated from it because, deep down, you knew it was wrong. Then you put that cute little smiley face at the end of your response. Perhaps you think fascism and genocide are funny. I assure you, I do not. I spent 20 years in the Navy. I LOVE the Constitution and the United States. I have served my country because I believe in it and the principles upon which it was founded. If I thought for a nanosecond that our nation was on its way to becoming a fascist sate, I would be among the first in the streets protesting. I know better.
I find your insistance on parroting inflamatory, untrue talking points not only hateful, but shameful and boring.
What irks me most, is I didn't make a dent. He's still insistant that he is right and that I am in the wrong for calling him hateful. ARRRGGGHHH! These people aren't reasonable, and I am CONCERNED.