… Given that you got the question wrong, and so it is only natural that you can believe that Catholicism is the mainstream religion most responsible for fascism.
Can't get the question wrong when you're redefining the terms.. Because Fascism has never traditionally been considered a "mainstream religion". Because religion is man's interpretation of how to believe in a supreme being (or supernatural power). If anything, Fascism attempts to present the state, itself, as representing "god". Everything from the state, everything sacrificed to preserve the state.
The correct answer is that fascists are most responsible for fascism.
What are Fascists? I really don't believe people like Mussolini would have been such proliferators of Fascism were they not the ones in charge of it, rather that the subject of its subjugation.
So when we discuss Fascism, including Islamo-Fascism, we're still talking about flesh and blood human beings attempting to exploit a political or religious ideology in order to control and dominate their fellow human beings for the purpose of advancing their personal wealth and power. And those not at the helm of the Fascist state, attempt to "hitch their wagons" to this oppressive star in order to safeguard themselves from it's oppression. "Better to be the guy wielding the club, than the guy being beaten by it."
The intent of the terrorists is to gain hearts. Given that there are more of them today than five years ago, a casual observer can easily conclude that the terrorist intention to gain heart is working.
Who are you trying to kid? The goal of the terrorists is not to "win hearts", it is to beat them into submission. It is to suppress ALL potential alternative thinking for fear of being targeted. It is the goal of forcing all political opponents to either shut up, or flee the country.
It's tantamount to applying the sarcastic cliche, "The beatings will continue until morale improves", to an entire society. It is SOCIETAL TORTURE THAT SEEKS TO REPROGRAM THE PEOPLE INTO SUBMISSION AND OBEDIENCE.
And unless such terror is actively confronted and neutralized, people will find themselves lapsing back into "survival mode" and saying whatever the power elite demand that they say.. just so they can continue to breath another day.
The USD, once created, will end up in T-bills, after as many change of hands as necessary.
Who cares how many changes of hands that takes place? What is important is the supply of T-Bills versus the market demand for them. And right now, it indicates that, considering the prime rate is some 50 basis points over the yield of the 10 year T-Bills, DEMAND IS OUTPACING SUPPLY in that market.
As for gold.. have fun.. I refuse to accept the view a nation's economy must be harnessed to the amount of a rare shiny yellow metal that can be dug out of the ground. I much rather it be tied to productivity gains. And should I worry about inflation, I will buy inflation indexed bonds.
Btw, I'll worry when I see chinese dumping US T-Bills and buying Yuan. But I don't see that happening for some time to come.
Do you know why? And the answer is most assuredly not because folks value the interest that USD pays.
No.. they value the transparency and safety. The US debt market is the "slush fund" where global capital parks excess cash when they lack better places to invest it.
Hawk |
