This commentary is by Alison Despathy, a resident of Danville.
Benito Mussolini stated that “fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power.” He is also quoted as saying, “The definition of fascism is the marriage of corporation and state.”
The question is: What would Fascism look like today? Would we recognize it? Would it be reminiscent of Germany during World War II? Would the streets be covered with soldiers marching in unison under the leadership of a psychopathic dictator? Would the buildings and towns be plastered with propaganda? Would people be deemed “dirty and dangerous,” as Jewish people and the Roma were during World War II? Would they be placed in ghettos, and abused, experimented on and worked to death in factories and concentration camps?
Or could fascism be stealth? Could it be hidden in plain sight? Could it be sold to the people by manipulated means of offering protection, security, services, justice and aid? Could people be nudged through propaganda, social media, groupthink and psychological manipulation to experiment on themselves with new products or alter their thoughts and behaviors in ways previously unimaginable?
Could governments today dangerously and even unknowingly introduce industry-driven agendas into legislation and falsely promote public-private partnerships — thus fascism — as the solution to all of the world’s problems?
It seems this is indeed the case. This is currently in play and humanity is in danger unless we come together and identify the game.
If we think about Mussolini’s statements, we can extrapolate this out to the current day and it becomes blatantly obvious that we live in a fascist country, even a fascist world, in which corporations are utilizing both the media and the government to market products, ensure funding, control thought and societal and cultural norms, and grow and secure industries that are self-serving, take advantage of and actually harm the people, and create monopolies and more concentrated wealth.
Historically, this has always been the case — the rich and powerful work to secure and enhance their position. Why would we think it would be any different today? Taking advantage of people, using people for personal gain and resource extraction and seeking to control and manipulate the people and expand power due to insatiable greed — all are absolute constants throughout history.
Do we think it just magically and perfectly ended — that time is over, we know better now, people have learned? Or does this evil continue to change form and reinvent itself as the robber barons of the present day relentlessly strive to grow stronger, richer and more powerful, no matter the cost, no matter how much damage, destruction and death they may leave in their wake? Unfortunately this appears to be the case.
Today, fascism is often masked behind the buzzwords of justice, innovation, sustainability, protection, equity and the “greater good.” All of these are important concepts in their true form but it is important to acknowledge that fascism is nefariously wrapped in massive propaganda and marketing campaigns, wordplay, thought manipulation and, even more dangerously, legislation.
This collusion of government and corporate industries is ultimately predatory and destructive for the people. The sooner we can recognize this situation, the safer humanity will be and the more of a chance we the people have to reclaim our governments and ensure that our elected officials are aware of these threats.
Further, it is urgent that our legislators are dedicated to adamantly and fiercely upholding the constitutional rights, civil liberties and fundamental human rights of the people and creating real solutions for the problems we face. It is of paramount importance that legislators today are informed and educated regarding the reality of the fascist corporate agendas. They must be fully prepared to heavily research and identify legislation that enters the Statehouse that is based on industry-driven solutions that feed corporate agendas, political ideologies and ultimately bring destruction and actual harm to the people, environments and economy in their self-serving goals for profit and power.
At all costs, legislators must ask themselves several critical questions when considering and voting to potentially enact laws and distribute money. These questions include:
Who wrote this bill and what is the source of this legislation?
Who will this legislation ultimately serve?
Is it a real solution for Vermont?
Will constitutional rights, civil liberties and fundamental human rights be infringed upon?
This is absolutely imperative moving into the next election cycle. Will our elected legislators stand up for Vermonters and truly represent and serve the people and our state, NOT corporate agendas?
