It’s possible to be fascist without being totalitarian, and totalitarian without being fascist. When the central state authority is groping you through your underwear on the assumption you could be planning something nefarious, and demanding you as an individual make purchases of commercial services from its approved list of providers, that seems to me to be edging toward totalitarianism even in the context of a putative republic.
A boot stomping on a human face - forever - never goes out of style.
(of course, they might sport hobnail boots and be all Steampunk about it)
It never goes out of style as a quote, but Orwell didn’t do very well at predicting what future governments would look like. He did point out the behaviors of totalitarian governments of his time.
The domesticated cattle will never leave the pen to take a chance in the wild, even if the gates were left open. (and wisely so)
And I thought that “sheeple” thing went out of style after Bush left office. 
When they came for my junk, I said nothing.
I’m moving this from MPSIMS to GD, because that’s the kinda jack-booted mod I am.
And it’s a pretty good combo (well, technically “Police State” and theocracy) if you want to stomp all over other civilizations with your tanks. In fact, just add vassalage too and you’ve got a super killing machine.
Wait, what’s this thread about again?
Wait, what? I don’t understand what you’re trying to say here. Dahmer is hardly the only white person who ever lived in a “black” neighborhood.
My fiancé and I are also concerned about the direction this country is heading, to the extent that we are exploring emigration to Canada, which is a country much more in line with our political beliefs. I’m reluctant to abandon the U.S. rather than continuing to fight from within, but it may be time to accept defeat.
They are on their way to keep Americans prisoners in their own country. IMHO.
Just my WAG, but I think that the high level of intrusive security we’re seeing isn’t going to last long. Things were far better a year after 9/11 then they were a few months after.
I dunno, but this summer I had to renew my driver’s license. I was informed that I needed to bring FIVE forms of ID, per Homeland Security.
I brought:
•My old driver’s license (that counted)
• My car insurance card
•My social security card
• My birth certificate
• My voter registration card.
It also cost about three times what the fee used to be.
I went home, with my shiny new state-approved driver’s license and posted on my FB wall, “I’ve never lived in a fascist society, but I have to wonder if maybe it starts out a little bit like this.”
Holy shit. I don’t know if I even have five forms of ID. I could maybe bring two.
I renewed my driver’s license this Summer and all I had to do was fill out a form online. I never even needed to leave the house or take an eye exam in the presence of a DMV employee (my eye doctor’s word was good enough).
Am I not living in a fascist country, but somehow you are?
Um. You do realize that different states have different requirements and my state decided to go with the “Extra security” measures as mandated by some new homeland security law.
Neither of us are living in a fascist country, but my state might be slightly further toward the fascist scale than yours. Right now.
I was thinking about this while viewing news stories about the alleged Portland bomber, and how he wanted to kill and maim as many people as possible, and North Korea’s continuing to produce and (probably) sell material for nuclear weapons to anyone who has the money, and I thought Just wait until some terrorist’s nuclear device goes off in some American city. Everyone will then gladly give the feds “powers that will make martial law look like anarchy.”
Of course, the slow approach seems more likely. But I like to think in apocalyptic terms.
Roddy
I suspect Dogzilla’s state is indulging in some over-the-top power-tripping independent of actual requirements of Homeland Security.
Roddy
It is? How? Fascism is an inherently totalitarian philosophy.
Agreed on that part. But Fascism is a subset of Totalitarianism.
Unfortunately, my wife and I are having these very same conversations. Ten years ago, I’d never believe I would be saying this, but I think it’s time to go. The US is falling farther and faster into the crazy, and I’m afraid (grateful?) the election of Obama has brought what was covered by a just thin layer of dust to the gleaming light of day.
America, sadly, lauds ignorance and intolerance, and I think I’ve had just about enough of it. On top of everything, my wife, who’s Hispanic and not a native of this country, although a naturalized citizen, has become a little more, let’s say, self aware when in public, and that upsets me.
Of the three places I’ve begun to look into: Japan, Britain, and Canada, Canada currently tops the list as the most realistic option, but I have a ton of research ahead of me as I’m more familiar with Japan than the other two.
I can’t comment on Canada or Japan, but I think with Britain you might be suffering a little from “the grass is always greener” syndrome. Yes there are things in the US you won’t see in the UK - the stifling dominance of religion, for example. But there are things on the personal freedom side that are significantly more authoritarian in the UK - police powers that the LAPD would kill (probably literally) for, for example. Last time I went to visit friends/family, I was amazed at the prevalence of CCTV surveillance.