Our Own Fascist

by | Sep 1, 2021 | Politics | 9 comments

History rotates between tragedy and farce, but sometimes a farce turns out to be something far more dangerous. In his loose-lipped way, Madison Cawthorn toed the line of open incitement to political violence. The prospect of another uprising against the government of the United States was in no way theoretical when Cawthorn told a constituent “we have some plans in motion I can’t make public right now.” Cawhtorn was playing the classic fascist game of the will to power.

For all his historical illiteracy, Cawthorn seems to regard himself as a player in a grand historical drama. He referred to Adolf Hitler’s summer home as a “bucket list” destination, even referring to the most evil man who ever lived with the honorific “fuhrer.” His rhetoric is consistently melodramatic, a semi-literate’s hackneyed imitation of grand orations from the 20th century’s greatest demagogues. Cawthorn sees himself as voice of the red-state volk in a war with cosmopolitan Others for the control of the nation and the course of history.

It’s classic fascism. The concept of a wronged majority called to violent action against an internal enemy, with charismatic leaders representing the white hats and the black hats an embodiment of degeneracy, is the main trope by which fascist leaders rallied their followers in the 20th century. Cawhtorn’s crude, blustering machismo and flair for the dramatic would not have been out of place in Mussolini’s March on Rome. Whether he knows it or not, he is imitating some of the forces who helped to make the 20th century the bloodiest in human history.

“Bloodshed” is his word, not mine. Though I doubt Cawthorn really wants to see a hot war break out between Blue America and the MAGA volk, violence suffuses his rhetoric and behavior. He is rarely seen without a firearm, even attempting to carry a loaded Glock onto an airplane last summer. It’s a testament to white privilege that he wasn’t arrested for that action; North Carolina rapper Petey Pablo served two years in prison for the same offense. But the point is that menacing his opponents with weaponry and the threat of retaliation is central to his political persona.

Violence, aggrieved majoritariansim, and the marshaling of authoritarian means are persistent themes in Cawhtorn’s brief political career. These elements add up to what can fairly be called fascism. Cawthorn is not just a particularly radical and obnoxious extrusion of the American political right. He and colleagues like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Josh Hawley are something new to these shores. They are the most dangerous threats our democracy has faced since 1860.

Madison Cawthorn cannot be allowed to keep brandishing his torch a barn full of hay. There are too many radicalized, mentally unbalanced people in this country who are listening to him and becoming even more politically militant. He’s dangerous. And I believe that most Republican leaders understand that fact as well as any liberal. Responsible politicians on both sides of the aisle need to end this man’s political career before he causes irreparable damage to our republic.

9 Comments

  1. Rick High

    In that jacket, Cawthorn looks very much like Dr. Strangelove.

  2. Norma Munn

    I wonder if Cawthorne understands that the admiration he demonstrates for Fascists, especially as practiced by Hitler & cohorts, would have sent him to a concentration camp due to his physical limitations. Probably not.

    • cocodog

      You are expecting too much from this child. Anybody who admires Hitler, and his kind knows little or nothing about history.

  3. Edwin Finch

    Indeed! — Indeed, the “good” politicians should “do something” with the “Congressman” .
    But unfortunately, the GOP has “gone to POT ———- Party Of Trump”.

    The “type” existed before, but the ultra extreme machine created by the Trump takeover of core “Republicans” (with considerable help of Maga media), facilitated it: —— “They are all “coming-out-of-the-woodwork” so to speak. ———— and please everyone, let”s stop talking about these “folks” as “Conservative”. —- there is nothing conservative about them: not their speech, not their considerations, not their beliefs, and not their faith.. ———- Christ did not teach HATE. They do.

  4. Carolyn Carpenter Sawwyer

    He has 10 people running againnst him. Hopefully, one person will win that has better sense.

    • Ralph D Morris

      I grew up in Asheville but have lived in Greensboro since the mid 80’s. God, what has gotten into the drinking water. I can’t believe that Western North Carolina could be that foolish. I hope your right about his future competition.

  5. Shel W. Anderson

    I agree – his clownishness and stupidity makes him seem a parody but I think failing to discipline him is a great mistake

  6. cocodog

    A person with little more worldly experience than taking an order for a chicken sandwich with less education than my neighbors preforming parrot, leading a revolt seems absurd . But he did become a member of congress. Joining such stellar examples of leadership and intellectualism as Ms. Green and Louis Buller Gohmert . Both of which will go down in congressional history as being the most intellectually challenged to occupy a seat.

    Unlike his idol, Hitler who committed and encouraged others to commit horrid crimes against his fellow man, this guy possesses not even a scintilla of leadership skills. Although Hitler was booted out of art school, he still could produce some forms of mediocre art and unite a few disillusioned moronic followers behind him.

    I do not picture this guy as having even that capability. Boarding a commercial airliner with a loaded firearm is both a crime and foolish. He is not mentality or physically equipped to properly deploy that weapon in case of an emergency, nor does he appear capable of preventing that weapon from falling into the hands of wrongdoers thus heightening the risk to other passengers and crew.

    This act alone should give the house speaker the authority to discipline a member of her preschool class. And I am not talking a note home to his mother.

  7. glenntetterton

    Madison Cawthorne is an embarrassment to North Carolina and should be to the GOP. That party has gone off the rails and should be considered a criminal conspiracy. Cawthorne needs an early retirement from politics. I hope the Congressional investigation finds the full extent of his criminal behavior before, during, and after the January 6th insurrection. At a minimum, he should be expelled from Congress and banned from political life.

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