August 20, 2009 2:49 PM
Obama - saving America or destroying it?
From Martha - an amazing editorial cartoon from the Chicago Tribune, circa 1934:
This conservative/traditional/Constitutional America v. Marxism/socialism/communism/fascism thing has been going on for a L-O-N-G time.
It is imperative that we dig far back in history to educate our children on where this is coming from.
Posted in Obama Nation | Permalink
Comments
Mmhmm....make sure how you mention Nazism (caricature of President Obama) grew out of far-right political ideology in which other political ideologies such as: "Marxism/socialism/communism" were vilified.
[This comment is not very clear, but I am assuming you are associating the right with Nazism? While I know this has been a popular smear - aided by our leftist media - Obama's takeover of private enterprise and bullying us into a nationalized medical system is more akin to Hitler than anything perpetrated by the right. Not to mention his politics of division and scapegoating and calling out supporters as thugs to keep the opposition in line.
I have met at least a dozen people who immigrated here from Germany and they have been saying consistently that Obama's rise to power is very reminiscent to them of Hitler's.
Time will tell, my friend.]
Posted by: Wordsmith | August 20, 2009 4:00 PM
In what sense did Nazism grow out of far-right ideology? I assume you are talking about the ideology that modern Conservatives espouse, otherwise there would be little point to the comparison.
Hitler was opposed to all forms of religion. The "far-right" embraces it.
Hitler brought all sorts of private industry under government control. The "far-right" opposes big government.
Hitler's belief in a superior race was rooted in Darwinism. The "far-right" rejects Darwinism.
You are defining "far-right" as "opposed to communism / socialism." But the "far-right" opposes Nazism for some of the EXACT SAME REASONS it opposes communism and socialism -- both replace God, morality, and individual responsibility with reliance on the government, which results in tyranny and ultimately the deaths of millions. (Remember, Stalin killed at least 4 million people, plus at least another 6 million died from famines he caused!)
Some people base their "far-right" = Nazism claim on the belief that the "far-right" wants a tyrannical government or theocracy that forces all Americans to abide by the tenets of Christianity. This makes no sense since the "far-right" openly and passionately fights for a smaller government that has LESS say over an individuals life and choices. How this equates to Nazism, I have no idea.
Posted by: Michelle Potter | August 20, 2009 7:06 PM
Suffice it to say I don't agree with you, but for some reason I'm intrigued by your blog.
When you're talking about the this: "Obama's takeover of private enterprise" are you talking about the banks or the auto industry receiving funds? We do have two systems of 'nationalized medical' with the VA and those receiving Medicare. Seriously - why against those who can't afford health care being covered by a similar program as Medicare or what veterans receive?
Posted by: Wordsmith | August 20, 2009 9:09 PM
Michelle, people confuse Nazism with right wing ideology because of the Nationalism. However, Nazism is national socialism while the communism is international socialism. Essentially, Nazism and Soviet communism were left-wing cousins engaged in a family feud.
Posted by: Amy K. | August 20, 2009 10:43 PM
I can't speak for Barbara, but I would say that "Obama's takeover of private enterprise" includes his actions toward the banking and auto industries. This administration's policy toward failing companies has been carot-and-stick -- offer them a carot, and then hit them with a stick!
You ask why anyone would be "against those who can't afford health care being covered by a similar program as Medicare or what veterans receive?" I haven't been on Medicare (too young), but I have been on Medicaid and was treated abysmally. My "Medicaid-approved" doctor dropped me as a patient -- seven months pregnant! -- all to try and save himself 15 minutes of drive time.
A relative of mine has a son who was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy a couple of years ago. His father is in the military, and the family leaved overseas on a US military base. The wonderful US government health care failed to diagnose this boy for FOUR YEARS, and as a result he deteriorated rapidly. He is now 8 years old and wheelchair-bound.
I think the Founding Fathers were right when they strictly limited the powers of the federal government and DID NOT include "take care of the poor." The government is ill-equipped to do this job, and the result is that the poor or otherwise government-dependent receive sub-quality care. The church, on the other hand, has been charged by God with caring for the poor, and as a Christian I would be ashamed to let them down by foisting this responsibility off on an entity that will not treat them as well as they deserve. I'd rather give them money from my own pocket to pay for REAL quality healthcare (and I do).
Amy K., I did some looking into "nationalism" (wanted to be sure I knew what I was talking about), and I fail to see how the nationalism of the Nazis in any way conflates with the patriotism of modern conservative Americans, unless you buy into the myth that conservatives are racists or opposed to legal immigration. Otherwise you could accuse anyone who says, "I'm proud to be an American," of being a Nazi. (Not that I am saying you would, Amy K.)
(At first, because I've been reading about the American revolution, I thought "nationalist" might mean something similar to those in the Philadelphia Convention who wanted to make the states obsolete and essentially eliminate the federalist system, like James Madison. Definitely not a plan that would be endorsed by modern right-wingers.)
Posted by: Michelle Potter | August 21, 2009 1:22 PM
Michelle, I was not making that comparison. I was pointing out that the reason Nazism is always being confused as a right-wing phenomenon is because of Hitler's extreme nationalism. But, in fact, nearly every single policy of the Nazis was leftist.
Posted by: Amy K. | August 21, 2009 7:21 PM
I didn't think you were, Amy. We're just discussing what other people say. :)
Posted by: Michelle Potter | August 26, 2009 10:22 PM
