Nazi epithets get old
Many pundits, columnists, and just everyday people see that political discourse has become toxic. Where there was once discussion with those on either side of a question respecting the argument – though disagreeing – now we find that advocates increasingly resort to epithets in order to shut down the debate. This is particularly true of so-called “Progressives,” who have determined that anyone disagreeing with them – and saying so – are being violent. “Violence” has devolved to using words people do not like.
We see this is the recent attack on a conservative Asian reporter during an Antifa demonstration. “Antifa,” which is a diminution of “antifascist” is an anachronism because of its own Brown Shirt tactics. While decrying the “fascists,” Antifa itself is an organization that uses violence to shut down opposition. Like the Brown Shirts of old, they use the excuse that their opponents forced them into the violent situation. Speech, particularly speech they don’t like, is violence and must be countered with violence.
Even in places where political debate should be the coin of the realm, we find that politicians, particularly Progressives, are in the habit of attempting to shutdown debate by use of epithets. “Hitler,” “Nazi,” most recently “Himmler,” “Racist,” Xenophobe,” “White Supremicist,” “privilege,” and other such words and phrases are mouthed in order to pigeonhole opponents.
Those who believe open borders are a threat to the nation are “xenophobes” or “racists.” Vice-President Mike Pence, a decent man by any measure, is categorized as “Himmler” by the uneducated and historically illiterate Allysa Milano, who makes her living speaking other people’s words. Let us say at the outset, she has a right to have her opinions as unconsidered as they are, but she does not have the right to tar people with insults in an attempt to besmirch their character.
No matter what the political issue, it seems that Progressives have only two categories, those who are right and those who are wrong – but not only wrong. They are so wrong they should be banned from polite society (as they define it).
More recent Democrats in Congress have made a habit of segregating their opposition by use of Nazi terms and names, or just shouting “racist!” They do not or will not understand that “NAZI” was the acronym for the National Socialist German Workers Party – a leftwing operation. Fascism and Communism were socialist in nature. One saw the means of production should be controlled by the state (fascism), while the other saw the workers controlling the means of production (communism). They are two sides of the same liberal coin.
What we have today are those who believe in the Constitution as a document that should be taken at its word and interpretations made by and with the document vs. those who see it as “breathing” and should be adapted to newer circumstances. Both are valid points of view, but the Left has ghettoized the Constitutionalists into some sort of right-wing cabal that seeks to crush individual rights. So, “white supremacist” is the cry, and the Founders of this nation seen as bigots. No context, no understanding of the debates that took place, just epithets, and slander.
The public is finally getting inured to the slander, and rejecting it. Where once the call of “racist” would, in fact, do what it was intended, people pay no attention. It’s seen for what it is: a slur.
If everyone is a racist no one is. If every opponent of the Left is Hitler, no one is.
It is time to have reasoned and measured debate about the issues that affect us. Unfortunately, the Left seems unwilling – or unable – to mount a cogent argument in its favor, and continues to resort to slurs.