President Biden used the word, “semi-fascism” recently. He has been asked about it a few times since.
The Republicans called the term “despicable.” Perhaps they feel cheated that he didn’t just call them — “fascists” considering many of them will vote for the 45th President if he is their nominee. If they do, they are voting for a fascist.
Biden’s Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre doubled down on use of the term when asked about it:
“I was very clear when laying out and defining what MAGA Republicans have done and you look at the definition of fascism and you think about what they’re doing in attacking our democracy. … That is what that is,”
Jean-Pierre left it there.
My only beef with the exchange and response is Biden should have just said “fascist.” I have made the mistake myself and used “semi” on occasion to describe things when I should have just called it out.
No one is a semi-racist. No more is a semi-Nazi. No one is a semi-jewel thief or semi-bank robber. Is the wheel man in a bank robbery, a semi-bank robber?
There is no in-between on such things. The decision to go authoritarian is intentional. Those currently on that path are fascists not semi-fascists.
The 45th President encouraged an insurrection to take over the government after he lost an election. He was on the path to authoritarian rule. He has millions of followers who still feel this way. They support a fascist. They are fascists.
Here is a definition of fascism:
“a far-right, authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement, characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the good of the nation and race, and strong regimentation of society and the economy…”
This is what the GOP is supporting right now. And it is not just the 45th President. Gov. DeSantis of Florida exhibits similar characteristics. The only thing stopping him is the law.
In addition, CPAC, a leading GOP political action committee, invited Viktor Orban, of Hungary, an unapologetic fascist leader to speak in the U.S.
The word “semi” means half in value or quantity. I guess you see now why President Biden was being nice and professional. Neo-Nazis today are not considered half Nazis. They are Nazis; they just lack power and organization.
A car that breaks down is broken down. It is not ‘semi’ broken down. You have to fix the car or just send it to the scrap yard. The GOP is that broken down car. They have a choice to make, though I admit, I don’t care about it. I do care to oppose fascism however I am able.
But we understand, Joe. You wanted to make a point but not do a repeat of a “deplorables” statement. That’s how we got #45.
But we have to call this for what it is. The world wound up with Hitler and Mussolini because people failed to speak up and millions joined in. They got soft. Fascism must be called out.
President Biden did the right thing. He used the word openly and did not back down. But, get rid of ‘semi,’ Joe.
If you support the 45th President, you are not a supporter of semi-fascism. You are a supporter of fascism.
Thanks for reading —
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This post was previously published on briangilmore.medium.com
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