Miami beach, Florida
History doesn’t repeat itself but it rhymes. There are similarities between Trump regime of today and Fascist regimes of early 20th century. There are also critical differences which I will elaborate in future article. But that’s for later. In this article, I will discuss a peculiar commonality between Fascism of past and Trump regime of today.
It’s well understood among scholars of Fascism that Fascism was a Psychological phenomenon. This assertion is explained since the earliest writing on Fascism, like in the Book Fascism and Big Business by Daniel Geurin. The irrationality of masses, Pathocratic politicians capitalizing on psychological vulnerabilities of population, capitalizing on their anxieties/grievances, Fascism as a kind of mystical religious movement - this was the hallmark of Fascism of 20th century. And this also exists in MAGA movement of today’s American politics. Now this article is focusing on a specific point - Contempt for Scientific objectivity.
The irrationality of Nazis on Science was mind boggling - their theories on race, their contempt of modern Physics (which they labeled as Jew Science), their contempt for Jew Scientists or any scientists/intellectuals for that matter who questioned Nazi stupidity, their superstition and mystical theories - all this was integral part of Nazi philosophy. Nazis also put their theories into action. The Eugenics project, the crackpot medical experiments on human subjects and extermination of inferior species was Nazi philosophy in action. Most of the Nazis were in fact Psychopaths and dangerously delusional.
Fascism of past was about irrational belief system, a delusional and dangerously radical world view. Let’s jump to current times. What is MAGA world view? A highly irrational, conspiratorial and a psychotic world view. Like their theories on QAnon and Satanic cults, world ripping off America through trade, immigrants stealing American jobs & welfare etc. Then there’s anti-Science attitude of MAGA - attack on modern medicine, vaccine science and attack on green technology (clean energy, Solar & wind power), and disputing reality of Climate change itself.
MAGA has put its anti-Science attitude in action with policies like withdrawal from Paris Climate accord and rolling back environmental regulations. The most visible anti-Science attitude of MAGA is demonstrated in public health policy like attack on vaccines. RFK Jr, a delusional man, has an obsession with theory that vaccines causes autism. He has now cut critical funding in various R&D programs of healthcare system like mRNA vaccines.
One of the critical components of Nazis race theory was a belief in natural superiority of Aryan race. Today, RFK Jr’s view is something similar which is that modern medicine shouldn’t interfere in natural human environment. From this thinking originates his belief that milk of unvaccinated mother gives best immunity to humans. It’s proven that Coronavirus vaccines and vaccines in general have saved millions of lives but RFK Jr questions these facts. RFK Jr also believes in variety of conspiracy theories like Covid-19 was meant to target Blacks and Caucasians while Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese are most immune to it. Such is the delusional mind of RFK Jr who heads HHS department in Trump regime.
So what is the mantra for healthy life according to RFK Jr? Of course, the natural remedies like mother’s milk (best if mother is unvaccinated), raw milk, organic food, fluoride free water etc. While world is moving away from carbon intensive energy, Trump regime is boosting on coal, oil & Gas. Reason - Windmills kills birds and whales, solar takes too much land and coal is clean & beautiful. Such is the delusional worldview that’s dictating American policy today.
There will be a long term impact of these foolish policies apart from obvious environmental degradation and deterioration in public health standards. Modern medicine and Green technology are among the leading drivers of industrial innovation today. Strangulating these industries in America will cause leading minds in these areas to migrate elsewhere for better opportunity. On top of that, the regressive immigration policies will aggravate isolation of America.
The danger of anti-Science attitude can have bigger consequences. In Covid-19 pandemic, Trump’s crackpot policies caused a lot of unnecessary deaths. Recall the grotesque messaging of Trump regime where they spread misinformation about Masks, HCQ, Ivermectin etc during grave public health emergency. Imagine how much damage Trump would do to America if a new public health emergency occurs.
The number of melanocytes in your skin has no correlation to soi-disant superiority. The notion of different races based on skin color arose at a time when human beings were ignorant of genetics, medicine, the scientific method, chemistry, biology, and science in general. If a white person has sex with a black person, or vice versa, any offspring will be of mixed heritage but they will be members of the HUMAN race, regardless. If a person needs a blood transfusion and the donor is the same blood type, then the transfusion will be successful, irrespective of either person's skin color. We are ALL members of the HUMAN race! QED!
The Ds and scientists themselves have done much to foster this anti-science attitude by being smug and supercilious about the intelligence of the voters (Remember Hilary's 'deplorables' comment?) Nobody likes to be called stupid and nobody likes to be lectured about their shortcomings. The Ds would do well to remember these facts if they want to have any hope of recapturing the House in the Midterms.