Hauling a Big Semi

​Last Friday, Salon had an article here by Amanda Marcotte titled, “Biden finally busts out the F-word: MAGA is "semi-fascism" — the only problem is the use of ‘semi’".
 
What I find most interesting is that Republican criticism of President Biden’s speech has pretty much come from the farthest-right part of the GOP, the full-fascist wing, rather than the more moderate members who allowed Biden to be polite enough to call the Republican Party only “semi-fascist.”
 
My favorite of these complaints came from Mercedes Schlapp who, along with her husband Matt, runs the CPAC convention, which is the foundation of the Republican Party and this year invited Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to speak – a man so fascist that his long-time advisor finally quit after saying an Orban speech was “pure Nazi” and “worthy of Goebbels.”  In fairness, for all I know Ms. Schlapp may have been upset at the “semi” part, angry that it understated her beliefs.  In her whining thoughts, she wrote that “"If I were Democrats, I would reevaluate these talking points.”  Hey, if I was a Republican, I'd become a Democrat. But that’s just because I don't want to see America become full-fascist.
 
But Ms. Schlapp was not alone, there have been plenty of other far-right Republican fascists crying their tears out that the President of the United States had called them semi-fascist.  (To be clear, lest it be forgotten, they were also initially outraged when Hillary Clinton called their faction “deplorables,” but then lovingly embraced the word, wearing it almost with pride.  Apparently, it seems Republicans just don’t like when it’s explained what the heart of “deplorables” actually meant and that quiet part is said out loud.)
 
The charm of the Republican base acting like literal fascists by the actual book definition -- and then whining that they're called fascist -- has worn off. At the very least, they should learn what "fascist" means before getting upset at being described accurately.  I did my best to explain what fascism is and how it exactly pertains to today’s GOP base in an article here.
 
The very short explanation is that there are three core tenets to fascism – Trying to undermine other sources of authority and power, like the press, intelligence services and court system.  Xenophobic hatred of outsiders and those who are different.  And the use of violence to create your authority.  If you’re a Republican and don’t see that as the foundation of your party today, you aren’t looking.
 
To be clear, I absolutely know why most people don’t like being called “fascist” (though, yes, some do, and wear their shirts with false pride.)  It’s a truly horrific term, a sick philosophy.  But my theory is that if you don’t like being called fascist” or even just semi-fascist, then you shouldn’t act like one.  Or enable them.
 
But what makes the Republican moans about being called semi-fascist (let alone completely fascist) stand out all the more is that for 70 years, Republicans have been calling Democrats “socialist” and “commies.”  From the days of Joe McCarthy today.  And never mind that there have been times in those 70 years when Democrats controlled Congress and the White House, and yet have never turned the country “socialist.”  (The proof being that Republicans are still suggesting it’s what Democrats are trying to do…)  More to the point, though, just like they don’t understand what fascism is, Republicans who try to call Democrats “socialists!” and “commies!” clearly have absolutely no idea what socialism is, what communism is.
 
Socialism is when the government controls the industry, production and distribution.  It is not when the government provides health care to the public.  Or forgives parts of one’s college loan.  Or offers Social Security and Medicare.  Or food stamps to help defray costs to those hungry and in need.  One may not like that when it’s done – or fully support it.  But that’s not socialism.  It’s government helping society.
 
I understand those like Amanda Marcotte who thought the only quibble with President Biden’s speech was calling Republican’s merely “semi-fascist,” not the full monte.  But I also understand why he only went with “semi-fascist” and just referenced some as “MAGA Republicans,” rather than the entire party -- and I thought him doing so was very smart.  First, it limits charges of "Oh, that's just crazy Joe" hyperbole.  Second, it’s accurate, not every single Republican today is a fascist.  And third, it allows him to reach out more effectively to those who are just conservative, but not the extreme radical right fascist in the party.
 
The larger reality, too, is that while not every Republican today is fascist – the base is, indeed most of the party is -- and those in the party who are not nonetheless enable the majority of the party that is.
 
If you don’t like being called “semi-fascist,” then don’t act like one, or enable it.  It’s an easy concept.  But at the very least, understand what a fascist is before you start whining wrongly that it's not you.