
<p>President Biden has taken a deep dive into name-calling rhetoric when he attracted what he called “MAGA Republicans.” ; That is a fictional brand being promoted by Democrats to smear Republicans. ; It is a variation on Hillary Clinton’s description of Republicans as a “basket of deplorables.” ; And Clinton’s verbiage was an escalation of President Obama’s pejorative reference to folks who “cling to their guns and bibles.” ; ;</p>



<p>Biden has been using propaganda techniques to malign millions of decent Americans. ; And he does not stop with the MAGA references. ; In a recent speech, Biden labeled Republicans as “quasi-Fascists”. (This from a guy who campaigned on uniting the nation and claiming he would work cooperatively across the aisle.)</p>



<p>At the same time, Biden was pointing an accusatory finger at Republicans for being a threat to democracy, his political ally, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, was at an election night celebration screaming (yes, screaming) “SOCIALISM WINS!! ; She went on to say that they (Democrats) will “not stop until America is a socialist state.” ; ;</p>



<p>Socialism and fascism are the Siamese twins of political authoritarianism. ; Both are strongly rejected by conservatives. ; The authoritarianism of all varieties is anathematic to conservative ideology – which favors limited government and free-market capitalism. ; Since socialism and fascism have never succeeded in the long run &#8212; and have only brought oppression, misery, suffering, and death to the people – it should be an easy choice. ; Socialists and fascists peddle romantic visions and myths while the people live with the horrible reality.</p>



<p>While Ocasio-Cortez embraces the failed ideology of authoritarian socialism, Biden uses references to authoritarian fascism as a political attack.</p>



<p>This manner of stereotyping is not the historic standard in political discourse. ; Both sides often attack the leadership and the policies of each other but refrain from using mendacious fearmongering narratives against an entire class of people. ; That is hateful prejudice. ; That is the way of authoritarians.</p>



<p>If you want to see how wrong the Biden attack on generic Republicans is, just change the term from “MAGA Republicans” to “Jews” … or “Blacks” … or “Muslims.” ; Unless you are an intellectually dishonest or stridently partisan, you will get the point.</p>



<p>While politicians play a game of nuances, the truth is much simpler. ; Socialism and fascism (and throw in communism) are bad. ; Free market capitalism is good. ; ;</p>



<p>Biden knows this – so he uses fascism dishonestly to attack and malign Republicans. ; Ocasio-Cortez actually promotes socialism – and her political ideology has gained dangerous influence among Democratic Party leaders – including Biden.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Socialism … fascism. Which is it?
