Letters to the Editor: What exactly makes a fascist or a semi-fascist?

Fascism defined

Henry Olsen, in an article printed on August 30, contested President’s recent statement that MAGA philosophy is “semi-fascism”. Maybe MAGA and fascism aren’t a perfect fit, but he misses some important factors that fit the fascist playbook.

First, recall the statement made by the MAGA leader, former President Donald Trump: “the free press is the enemy of the people”.

Second, the MAGA playbook fails to recognize the rule of law, a keystone of democracies.

Finally, and the most telling fascist related MAGA theme, is the “big lie” about the 2020 presidential election, a lie that the former president and a majority of republicans continue to perpetuate.

Mr. Olsen has a right to his opinion, but failure to recognize these critical issues, diminishes his point.

As voters, we must begin to eliminate political candidates who fail to call out MAGA for what it is. Begin by sending U.S. Rep. Andy Barr home, because he didn’t feel the MAGA leader should be impeached. Then send U.S. Sen. Rand Paul home since he didn’t believe the former president should be convicted after impeachment.

So, Mr. Olsen, you can continue to view MAGA through rose colored glasses, but voters can bring us back from fascist tendencies to democratic principles.

William Farnau, Lexington

American fascists

In response to the editorial in the Washington Post by Henry Olson where he rejected President Joe Biden’s assertion that MAGA policies are semi-fascists: it is not the “policies” of former President Donald Trump and his minions that recall fascism; it is their behavior. The fascists in Europe were militaristic, anti-democratic, imperialist, racist, anti-Semitic, male supremacist, homophobic, ideological bullies who subverted their own governments to install glib, murderously selfish, relentlessly manipulative and dishonest, demagogic dictators who could excite and stimulate the ignorant, the unhappy, and the violent in society with rousing, threatening, insulting oratory.

“Stop thinking and follow me,” Hitler said in a speech, “I will make you masters of the World.”

And his followers cheered! People who questioned or opposed such dictatorial regimes were attacked by self-righteous, ideologically militant followers and destroyed by police states.

The Trumpian “policies” you talk of are just window dressing. The part Republicans in Congress have bothered to do anything about is to cater to the whims of anti-government business interests (i.e., their big donors) and grasp at control of the courts. They have blocked serious, legal immigration reform for decades, and show no signs of changing!

Two fascist shoes may not fit, but one certainly does. Biden’s reference to semi-fascism was carefully measured and spot-on.

Glenn Rainey, Richmond

Embarrassing Paul

Once again Kentucky’s other idiot senator proves that just because he’s a doctor, it doesn’t mean that he is intelligent. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul now wants to start a probe into Dr. Anthony Fauci’s conduct during our ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Why not waste less money and time and have a probe into whether or not Paul has a brain? It’s fairly obvious that he doesn’t and is an embarrassment to our state.

Sara Wellnitz, Lexington

Both sides

Another day, another “both sides” editorial from Lexington Herald-Leader columnist Rev. Paul Prather. No, Reverend, we don’t “all [have] a measure of the truth” in us; some folks simply argue in bad — or misled — faith. There is no shred of correctness in someone who sincerely believes Biden stole the election. Neither is there a shred of correctness in someone who believes racism is dead in America. You and I both know there are more than a few outliers who believe these sorts of sentiments. Let’s stop fooling ourselves by pretending “both sides” have an equal amount of work to do in reducing hate in America.

Aaron Kruse-Diehr, Lexington

Statesmanship

In a true act of statesmanship, to quickly react to the devastating flooding of Eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian counties, Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, called a “special session” of the Commonwealth’s State Legislature to consider a $213 million Flood Relief Package. And, in another act of statesmanship, Senate President Sen. Robert Stivers and Speaker of the House Rep. David Osborne, amazingly without political posturing, passed a nonpartisan relief funding package within three days, just one vote short of unanimous. That relief is now on its way with a welcomed helping hand for our Eastern Kentucky neighbors “to get back on their feet!” It can be done!

It is hoped that this “Spirit of Statesmanship” prevails in the future, and that our government officials “make all their decisions and actions based on the principles of statesmanship; and not on political expediency;” in an attitude of “Service above self!”

Thanks to our Governor and State Legislature, working in the spirit of my old Carlisle High School “Musketeer” motto, “One for All, and All for One!”

Don J. Dampier, Georgetown

Fatherless children

Doesn’t it seem strange that the religious right and the political right are so morally outraged over a woman seeking an abortion, BUT they seem to have nothing to say about the man who impregnated her?

The rush to overturn Roe v. Wade and ban a woman’s right to a legal and medically safe procedure even in cases of rape or incest, leaves the male without any responsibility either morally or, even more critical, financially. The woman is now forced to give birth and to be responsible for raising and supporting the child without any help from the “father”!

How “Christian” and morally right is that? At the very least, the “father”, as determined by a paternity test, should, by law, be responsible for at least one-half the expense of raising the child until he/she reaches 18 years of age. Of course, if the child is adopted, then the adoptive family would have the financial responsibility.

Why should the mother be forced to have the child and then be forced to bear all financial obligations to raise it?

Barbara Rave Plymale, Lexington

School Tax

Fayette County Schools is considering raising taxes this year even as the inflation rate is higher than at any time since 1979 along with the crazy real estate market of 2022. The article regarding a possible school tax increase should be clarified. Fayette County School Board’s “financial advisor staff” states additional cost of school taxes to be $25.00 for a $100,000 home if option 2 is favored. Your home is $200,000? That would be $50.00.

Remember that new base is used each year to figure the next year’s rate. The PVA only sets the value of your property, a very important factor that escapes many people. It is your local government, school system, and various other County governing bodies that determine the rate and cause most tax increases. Thelma Stovall, former Ky. Lt. Governor (1975-79) is responsible, though not given the credit due, for the 4 percent increase cap on revenue derived from taxing property (without recall). She understood how money hungry our leaders can be as they all reach for another new building or program (that never seems to end). She wanted a way to rein them in.

It is time to hold accountable those who make our laws, regulations and tax rates.

Judy Yount Lyons, Lexington

More whiskey fungus

Everyone including the Gov. Andy Beshear, Scott County Judge-Executive Joe Pat Covington and Georgetown Mayor Tom Prather seem overjoyed about Blue Run Spirits distillery and rickhouse purposed for Georgetown. Have they heard of angel’s share black fungus? They have in Bardstown. I can’t believe there wasn’t a chance for the residents that live within a mile of the proposed distillery to voice any opposition to the proposal. I welcome being on the Bourbon Trail, but at what cost? Powerwashing the house twice a year?

James McDermott, Georgetown