I grew up in Mossyrock, so I know many people in Lewis County.
Friends and neighbors ask me: What is fascism?
The dictionary definition of fascism, paraphrased is: political regime that says the nation is more important than the individual, and the regime is associated with an autocratic government headed by a dictator; it is also characterized by use of force to silence opposition.
Dictionary definitions are abstract, so I think it is useful to identify steps a once democratic nation takes to become a fascist state, and to consider how having a fascist dictator would affect us in Lewis County.
1. Step one is that the dictator wins the last “fair” election. Afterward, rigged elections are held in which the dictator always wins.
2. Expand the power of the executive branch, or president.
3. Gain control, or capture, the other two branches, judicial and congressional. If the judicial and congressional branches are both “captured,” the president holds all the power of the government.
4. Gut the civil service, composed of multiple government employees, many who work to provide services to citizens.
5. Install loyalists. Those who will not question the president's orders.
6. Attack the media, eventually destroying all oppositional programs.
7. Scapegoat vulnerable communities. For the present regime it is immigrants and trans people. Instead, we should fault the billionaires for our economic distress.
8. Destroy support systems that would help citizens to fight back, such as legal aid, advocacy and nonprofit organizations.
9. Normalize violence. Militarize law enforcement, ICE. Claim that groups of citizens that are in opposition to the regime are an enemy of the state; label them domestic terrorists.
10. End democracy itself. This becomes obvious when election systems are disrupted, when groups of citizens are restricted from voting.
In rural Lewis County, without democracy, we would experience the loss of livelihoods, affordable health care and food, nearby hospitals, and loss of constitutional rights. And most of us are aware now that our taxes that funded these needs have gone to un-democratic billionaires, or the oligarchy. Ten steps to freedom are also available:
Ten steps to freedom (adapted from 10 Steps campaign):
1. Commit, join pro-democracy organizations, like Indivisibles, and be consistent. Join Indivisibles rally and march, Jan. 24, 1 to 3 p.m., George Washington Park.
2. Share the facts, and also share how you are taking action.
3. Organize, create a group of friends, family, allies. Pick your issue. That's it. That's organizing.
4. Mobilize, help immigrants (Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network), host public events.
5. Litigate, be a plaintiff or witness.
6. Disrupt, protest, film violations of civil rights, hand out “know your rights” cards, call out lies.
7. Deny, boycott, non-violent civil disobedience.
8. Engage, work with elected officials, start ballot initiatives, public petitions.
9. Elect city council members, county commissioners, mayors. Engage in election process.
10. Demand more. Be clear. Don't meekly ask for what we think we can get. Declare what kind of democratic country we want and intend to build.
Linda Warren
Winlock
