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Entry: The Smear Bund Never Rests Link: http://www.takimag.com/blogs/article/the_smear_bund_never_rests#12606 Post contents: Justin, Might it be worthwhile to emphasize a key point in defending Paul against accusations of fascism: Ron Paul cannot possibly be a fascist, because he tries to reduce the power of centralized government. When applied in practise, Paul's political ideas create a state where the government is so weak that it is impossible for a leader to excert fascist control over the population. Paul's thinking is diametrically opposed to the reasoning of totalitarians, both left and right, who try to build up the state, which they absolutely need to excert their authority. This connection was noted already in the 1870s by the Swiss historian, Jakob Burckhardt. He observed with great concern the growth of German state bureaucracy and warned that this organization will yet be captured by an unscrupulous political leader, who will use it to build a horrendously effective dictatorship -- precisely what Hitler did sixty years later. Pushing the argument further, one wonders whether the reason for the wide-ranging front now forming against Paul is precisely this: Paul's ideology undermines the sate's importance and thus politicians' power, income and status. As a result, politicians from left to right are joining forces to defend their livelihoods. The old idea that Americans are capable of rational thinking and taking care of themselves leaves little need for politicians, and that could be why today's political elite reacts so ferociously to Paul's traditional American views. Sent at: 2008 11 23