They wanted a fascist demagogue all along

[Soph0571]

Graphic mine

Trump was always right up their fascist street, which is why they still suck Trump dick until today, while they look you straight in the eye as they support insurrection and white supremacist terrorists, while they shit all over the constitution and push disenfranchisement across the red wall. It is not because they are scared of him, they are him – they have always been fascist at the core. Kuchel had a handle on that over ½ a century ago and nothing has changed the intervening period – other than they are much more in your face blatant fascist fuckers, even in what passes for polite society.
You reap what you sow… and they grew Trump in all his orange horror. They love him. All of them. He is what they have been building up to for a very long time…

[Thomas Hurt]

1. The modern right in this country has always been fascistic.

The civil rights era and counter culture years pushed their prominence down, lessened their cultural dominance.

Starting with Reagan the right began a path to christofascist theocracy.

They fully intend to have an Christian dictatorship. It is the only way they are going to get their abortion ban and reach their utopian Leave it to Beaver society.

[paulkienitz]

4. and "libertarianism" has largely been an intellectual smokescreen to disguise fascism

The core of conservatism in America -- the ethos that keeps the right wing unified across hundreds of issues -- is that "real Americans" are deserving of prosperity and social rewards, whereas all others unlike them should be excluded or punished or repressed. And a lot of self-described libertarians are lying when they claim otherwise about their own agendas.

[peggysue2]

8. Yes!

Always thought libertarianism was simply an excuse for selfishness, the exploitation of the many by the few. It's only a half-step to fascism under the guise of 'Muh Freedom.' The grievances, the racism, sexism, xenophobia, etc. are all part of the scheme to de-democratize the US, reshape our future to something akin to Orban's Hungary, the faux Paradise of many so-called conservatives.

The politicians and media hacks promoting this push are seditionists and should be treated accordingly.

Otherwise, the future looks grim for most Americans.

[NoSheep]

10. Agreed 100%!

[paulkienitz]

14. yep... freedom and rights are for them, but not for you

A lot of people have been puzzled by the paradox of American conservatism, which is where the rhetoric of liberty is loudest but where moves to savagely curtail people's freedoms meet little resistance, as we are seeing right now in Texas. The solution of the paradox comes when you understand that it's not about which principles they want to support, but which people they want to support. Liberty and rights are sacred for Real Americans, but don't apply to minorities, foreigners, gays, feminists, atheists or others not qualified to count as Real Americans. And this constitutes fascism, which is rooted in the desire that one culture should be privileged above other cultures by the power of the state, so that members of the chosen culture have rights which other people do not have.

[Tommymac]

5. Lindburgh popularized Conservatism in the 1930's

with his Isolationist 'America First' ideology. He supported Hitler's Nazi Party until he couldn't.

The early 20th century publisher of the Chicago Tribune Robert R. McCormick is also to blame.

The Bush family was also a player in the authoritarian game in the 1940's.

The roots of Movement Conservatism in the USA are very very deep.

[Dawson Leery]

13. All Conservatives are Bastards.

Self serving, self loving scum who will turn anyone against anyone for the advantage of power.

[ck4829]

2. K&R

[JHB]

3. Where is the quote from and when did he make it?

While he was in office? Afterward? Just want to check whether he was talking about Birchers or Reaganites.

[Glorfindel]

15. Looks like he made it in 1966, according to this article

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?203494-Thomas-Kuchel-s-prediction-for-the-Republican-Party-from-1966

[JHB]

16. Hmm, so kind of both: The Birchers who gave Reagan the CA governorship.

So many people give "reasonable" conservatives a pass, when they've always needed to surf in on a layer of foam to take office.

[SergeStorms]

6. The GQP has come to the stark realization...

that if they don't take over the government by illegal means, their political party will die out very quickly.

The demographics of the United States have changed dramatically. Their dependence on white, mostly male supporters is gravely threatened. Even far right women are deserting them.

It's either right-wing fascism now, or they disappear completely, and all hope of controlling the United States in any form disappears with it.

It's imperative that Democrats and Independents stand tall now, for if we don't the United States, as a beacon of democracy, is lost forever.

[Kablooie]

7. The John Birch society used to be the fascist minority but they were seen as nut jobs.

But they didn't go away and now they are the controlling force of the GOP.
It took them more than half a century but now they are mainstream, something no one thought would ever happen.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

11. It's no coincidence the Koch brothers are largely to blame for the radicalization of the GOP.

Their daddy was a founding member of the John Birch Society.

[hadEnuf]

9. Right on the money.

At the heart of conservatism there has always been the need to have an authoritarian king or a dictator and Trump is their vehicle to get there. They fear and loathe democracy and their "patriotism" is a complete and utter sham.

This is their last big shot at dominance over the country and nothing is off the table. Nothing.

We need to respond accordingly and make this their last hurrah.

[Hortensis]

12. I've read that @15-20% are hard-core authoritarians all the time,

and to a lesser degree perhaps a third, but that authoritarianism can increase to involve more people, as we're seeing, to as much as 50% and more. Such as after 9/11 when W's approval ratings rose.

When, for whatever causes and reasonably or unreasonably, people in general get afraid, angry, and more conservative, they're inclined to want strong leaders to protect them. By nature, those with authoritarian leanings to begin with are always more concerned with safety than civil rights. Also by nature, as authoritarian passions increase, people get meaner and more ruthless.