They're Not Fascists!

We’ve seen a lot of disturbing things going on since Donald Trump took office the second time, and they seem far worse than anything we saw in his first term. Despite talk from his cronies about running for a third term, he knows this is his last term, and he’s going to do whatever he wants.

Microphones

In the last week, there have been equally disturbing moves to attack the First Amendment. Those who speak their opinions about a certain man or his assassination are quickly swooped down upon and punished. People have lost their jobs, shows have been cancelled, and the government is threatening prosecution. Most of this, of course, is occurring to distract people from the Epstein files, but that is not what this article is about.

Today I am bringing up people who supposedly follow the MAGA line. I am, of course, talking about extreme right-wing Christian nationalists. Supposedly. These are those pundits who travel the country, making money off of personal appearances and speeches, radio shows, newsletters, websites, books, and groups.

They say extreme things, most of them offensive to the general public. Their rhetoric is full of misinterpretations of the Bible, racist commentary, anti-immigrant sentiment, anti-LGBTQ horse mess, extreme and restrictive views on women’s rights, and just general hate. They all spout their favor of the Second Amendment, and they support measures that violate the First Amendment. They are out of control and out of touch with the average American, and they don’t care.

They’ve always been here, and not all of them are white, Christian males, either. Think back to Michele Bachman, a congresswoman who proudly claimed that she only ran for President of the United States with her husband’s permission. Anybody remember her? She is just one example of several women who spout this kind of crap.

But do these people truly believe the outrageous things that they say? Some of them do, I’m sure. Mostly those politicians who stand up and parrot what they are told by the Christian nationalist leadership. They proudly spout this crap, and they don’t even realize that they are being manipulated in the background, because they are too stupid to care.

That’s the thing about these pundits and speakers, they don’t believe a word they are saying. They aren’t fascists. They aren’t Nazis. They aren’t bigots or woman haters. They aren’t nationalists or Christians. They aren’t any of these things, nor do they give a rat’s behind about any of those causes.

So, if they don’t truly believe, why do they say these things in the first place? It’s simple. Saying these things attracts true fascists, Nazis, Christian nationalists, Second Amendment conspiracy theorists, and other kooks just looking for someone who voices their minority opinion in a loud enough manner to get attention.

It is a multi-million dollar industry. Look at how much money these people make in an average year. Look at how much their organizations are worth. They say these things, not because they believe them, but because these statements make them millions of dollars. It’s all about the almighty buck!

So no, they are not Nazis or fascists or bigots. They are shills and snake oil salesmen, some of them literally. Look at Info Wars and their supplement industry. It’s a simple formula. All you have to do is say something that appeals to the horrible followers they attract, and you are raking in the dollars.

Should we feel relieved that these people aren’t who they say they are? Absolutely not! You see, they are far worse than the fascists, the bigots, and the extreme Christian nationalists. These are the people who not only exploit and manipulate some really bad people, they throw away their own morals for the sole purpose of being millionaires. There is nothing redeemable about them in the least. They are worse than bigots and extremists; they are empty and devoid of souls.

And what has been the result of their hate speech and manipulation? Young men who shoot up schools and public gatherings, the erosion of American civil rights, the murders and attempted murders of politicians, the violation of women’s and LGBTQ rights. They don’t care about any of the things they’ve done.

Now, of course, one of their own has been murdered by one of the very people they manipulated. An attack has come to their home field, and they are doing the only thing they know to do to combat the endangerment of their financial well-being- using those manipulated politicians to assure that they are free to pour out their vitriol without retribution, while trampling on the rights of their opposers.

They have placed a moron in the White House, a man who is so narcissistic and self-absorbed he doesn’t realize that he is a tool in their ultimate game. Perhaps he really does know, but he is making so much of his own money and investments that he doesn’t really care. Or, perhaps he is just too senile to notice. The only thing we really know is that the puppet strings are firmly attached, and he’s not doing anything to cut himself loose.

Why is he there? Oh, that’s an easy explanation. He has the charisma that the other shills do not, and he pulls more followers into their sphere of influence. MAGA is a cult of massive proportions. All the shills have to do is spout their allegiance to Donald Trump and in come the ticket sales, promotional product sales, and donations. To Hell with the Constitution and American freedom! They’re rich!

Why has the Republican Party fallen in line with them? Well, they are cowards. They get a lot of crap from the right-wing shills, who either threaten to unleash their followers or actually do. The other Republicans, who don’t want to lose their jobs, fall in line. They bow down to Trump for fear of character assassination. So once again, you have someone sacrificing their morals for their pocketbook.

The sad thing is the number of people who fall for it, even on the left. You see, the more negative attention we give to these people, the more people turn in their direction and the more money they make as a result.

I know one thing for sure. The average MAGA nut is not going to like learning that they have been manipulated and taken advantage of. Perhaps we actually should give these shills the attention they deserve, to call out their act for what it is. How many people will still tune into their radio shows? How many will buy their supplements and promotional products? How many will buy tickets to their speaking engagements? How many will purchase their books?

When the explanation for the illusion is revealed, the magician loses their audience. Let’s pull back those curtains and reveal these people for who they really are. Before it’s too late for this country.