I can appreciate you not wanting this to turn into yet another Mudcat member/guest rant space, CarolC and Freda, but Shambles does make a valid point.

Protofascism can't occur in a vacuum. In countries where protofascism becomes the social, economic, and political order of the day, it takes hold because the citizenry allows it to take hold. The masterful manipulation of human emotions by the ruling elite, through use of media (which in today's era includes forums like this on the internet) aimed at "target market" groups known to have a well developed taste for the blood of those they dislike, are the first to fall in lockstep with the message of scapegoating.

Scapegoating in it's most negative manifestation is at the root of much of the flaming and trolling that occurs here at Mudcat. The scapegoats are, of course, the nebulous 'GUEST'. And while you may not feel there is an in-group at Mudcat, there is most certainly a ruling elite functioning here. That ruling elite has a despotic leader in Max, and layers of his loyal followers, including Pene Azul as his ministers, the Mudcat clones as the henchman, and the loyal members as the gang of 500.

Shambles' point is, for the objective, knowledgeable observer who knows what to look for (ie what protofascist behavior actually looks like when practiced by the citizenry, not it's rulers), well taken. Mudcat is a microcosmic example of the mainstream US protofascist macrocosm.

If the shoe fits...

BTW, I don't believe the US fits the protofascist profile quite as neatly as some have suggested, although it is true that protofascist elements clearly hold power in the current US administration. But I don't think that means you can declare US democratic traditions dead in the water yet. The citizenry of the US has plenty of fight in it, but it isn't a political party partisan fight the citizenry is itching for.

What people seem to want is to take back power from the economic and political elites that have held sway since the Reagan administration, because they are finally seeing the true erosion of quality of life and standard of living the US middle class is being threatened with under the current ruling elite. Which did/does include the Clinton "New Democrats".

However, it doesn't include politically independent minded voters, or the majority of the rank and file of the Democratic Party. But it definitely includes that 9/10 Republicans who support George W. Bush. Which is why this is such an important election cycle for the US. The protofascists definitely need to be beaten back, and it won't happen with the support of mainstream media, who by and large support the current Republican regime, and their 'New Democrat' cronies.