Issue #69
Last Update October 31, 2010
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National Republican Brownshirts by Sten Grynir April 2, 2010 Hysteria on the right has now reached the point where it is seriously flirting with thuggishness. From the Sarah Palin-inspired threatening chants, to disruption of "town hall" sessions where right-wingers shouted down anyone who wanted to ask a serious question, to openly carrying loaded weapons to meetings and speeches, to racist signs at right-wing marches, conservatives seem to be focussed less on debate than intimidation. What looks like the early stages of Mussolini's Brown Shirts or Hitler's SA has begun an attempt to make this nation ungovernable, with the hope that a right-wing authoritarian state will be the successor to our democracy.
These are not just fringe elements of the right, although they certainly are fringe elements of the American people as a whole. These are people who are encouraged, supported and defended by Republican congressmen, Senators, Governors and Vice Presidential candidates, and in some cases funded by major Republican contributors. The latest incidents of threats and violence directed against Democrats who voted for the health care bill, even those who delayed passage of the bill while extracting promises on abortion, are merely a continuation of a process that began during the Clinton administration and reached a despicable high during the recent presidential campaign. Even conservative Republicans are not immune from this thuggery, as threats and insults are hurled against Republicans whose conservatism remains within the bounds of sanity.
Al Qaeda and other Moslem extremists may have the power to kill and injure, but only our own citizens have the power to bring fascism to the United States and scuttle the Constitution that remains a high point in human history. The extreme right is pointing us down this fascist path, and is our greatest threat to liberty. Tea Partiers chanting anti-government slogans are not promoting freedom; they are helping to bring about the tyranny they profess to abhor.
Given the tepid response of Republican leaders to the behavior of these people, the covert financial support of right-wingers with great wealth, and the stoking of irrational anger with the lies and distortions that have been substituted for informed debate on the issues, we can look forward to increasing spasms of violence against anyone who stands in the way of the Tea Party agenda. Only two courses remain open: strong condemnation of this behavior from true conservative leaders and swift and immediate punishment for violence and intimidation, or capitulation to fear and a descent into an authoritarian state. The left most speak out, but this is the right's baby, and only the right can smother it in its cradle.
New York Stringer is published by NYStringer.com. For all communications, contact David Katz, Editor and Publisher, at david@nystringer.com