GOP has millions in the bank, Dems have millions in debt

Plus the Dems have a bunch of terrible, lunatic candidates

historian said:

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It's not one similarity that makes fascism a movement of the alert. It's the ideology, the history, the politics, the economics, the tactics, and much more.

I wonder if people in general tend to dwell too much on the question of private property. Capitalism is about economic freedom in the broadest sense, not only on who owns things although that key freedom is essential. Maybe this narrow focus is why so many people are confused about fascism, along with decades of propaganda. As I've said before, fascists don't care who owns things so long as they control it all. Actually, it's quite clever: by maintaining private property they can deflect the blame when the inevitable failures arise. It's still socialism, it's still tyrannical, it still fails every time.

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That works only if socialism is defined as government control and capitalism as freedom. Under those definitions, the conclusion is built into the premise. Fascism certainly restricted economic freedom, but that alone does not make it socialist. Otherwise, nearly every authoritarian monarchy and military dictatorship would also become socialist by definition.

Just in: MAGA Inc.’s midterm spending begins with $10 million for the Texas Senate racehttps://t.co/4CoPTaAb9b #TXSEN

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) September 5, 2026

Your argument then, is not with historian but with Marx, that whole 'means of production' thinking.

This is a huge stylistic difference between the Democrats’ two marquee millennial Senate candidates

Both deflect attacks by pivoting to affordability

But El-Sayed tries to win the nickname/insult game (beta, coward,
Conman Mike, Mike Dodgers, etc) while Talarico rejects it https://t.co/sOMNR91gr2

— Bill Scher (@billscher) September 5, 2026

Keyser Soze said:

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historian said:

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It's not one similarity that makes fascism a movement of the alert. It's the ideology, the history, the politics, the economics, the tactics, and much more.

I wonder if people in general tend to dwell too much on the question of private property. Capitalism is about economic freedom in the broadest sense, not only on who owns things although that key freedom is essential. Maybe this narrow focus is why so many people are confused about fascism, along with decades of propaganda. As I've said before, fascists don't care who owns things so long as they control it all. Actually, it's quite clever: by maintaining private property they can deflect the blame when the inevitable failures arise. It's still socialism, it's still tyrannical, it still fails every time.

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That works only if socialism is defined as government control and capitalism as freedom. Under those definitions, the conclusion is built into the premise. Fascism certainly restricted economic freedom, but that alone does not make it socialist. Otherwise, nearly every authoritarian monarchy and military dictatorship would also become socialist by definition.

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Socialism inevitably leads to government control. It's the only way it's possible, through overbearing force. Fascism is also based on socialist ideology. Capitalism is an economic system based upon individual freedom. Economic freedom works best when coupled with political freedoms. The two go together.

I'm talking about economics and politics together instead of separate things. I'm also talking about practical aspects of things, not only theories.

I understand the practical argument, but it still combines two separate questions. Saying socialism eventually leads to government control is an argument about what socialism may become; it does not prove fascism was socialist. Capitalism can exist under authoritarian government, just as some socialist policies can exist under democracy. That is why economic policy and political freedom are better viewed on separate axes.

boognish_bear said:

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Just in: MAGA Inc.’s midterm spending begins with $10 million for the Texas Senate racehttps://t.co/4CoPTaAb9b #TXSEN

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) September 5, 2026

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🚨🚨JUST IN: The MAGA, Inc. cavalry charges into Texas with a $10 million #TXSen buy, half supporting Paxton, half opposing Talarico https://t.co/wApaZOgyDe

— Rob Pyers (@rpyers) September 5, 2026

historian said:

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It's not one similarity that makes fascism a movement of the alert. It's the ideology, the history, the politics, the economics, the tactics, and much more.

I wonder if people in general tend to dwell too much on the question of private property. Capitalism is about economic freedom in the broadest sense, not only on who owns things although that key freedom is essential. Maybe this narrow focus is why so many people are confused about fascism, along with decades of propaganda. As I've said before, fascists don't care who owns things so long as they control it all. Actually, it's quite clever: by maintaining private property they can deflect the blame when the inevitable failures arise. It's still socialism, it's still tyrannical, it still fails every time.

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So very true, if only you could see it.

historian said:

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Keyser Soze said:

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historian said:

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It's not one similarity that makes fascism a movement of the alert. It's the ideology, the history, the politics, the economics, the tactics, and much more.

I wonder if people in general tend to dwell too much on the question of private property. Capitalism is about economic freedom in the broadest sense, not only on who owns things although that key freedom is essential. Maybe this narrow focus is why so many people are confused about fascism, along with decades of propaganda. As I've said before, fascists don't care who owns things so long as they control it all. Actually, it's quite clever: by maintaining private property they can deflect the blame when the inevitable failures arise. It's still socialism, it's still tyrannical, it still fails every time.

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government control and capitalism as freedom. Under those definitions, the conclusion is built into the premise. Fascism certainly restricted economic freedom, but that alone does not make it socialist. Otherwise, nearly every authoritarian monarchy and military dictatorship would also become socialist by definition.

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Socialism inevitably leads to government control. It's the only way it's possible, through overbearing force. Fascism is also based on socialist ideology. Capitalism is an economic system based upon individual freedom. Economic freedom works best when coupled with political freedoms. The two go together.

I'm talking about economics and politics together instead of separate things. I'm also talking about practical aspects of things, not only theories.

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Given this is your key tenet of fascism/socialism, what would you call the current admin and all their hanger-ons enriching themselves, self-dealing gov't contracts, and generally merging their administration positions with their economic interests?

GrowlTowel said:

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RD2WINAGNBEAR86 said:

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historian said:

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RD2WINAGNBEAR86 said:

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I cannot and will not vote for Ken Paxton. EVER!

The people get the government they deserve.

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That's a foolish position. No American deserves what the commies want to do to America.

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Not foolish at all. You Trump/ Paxton cheerleaders had better rally the troops. I am 63 years old and will never again place a vote for a knowingly $h!tty and immoral candidate. I thought you being man of the Lord that you might understand. You do you.

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Do you also do this "take my ball home" decision making when faced with other choices?

Did you pick your physicians this way?

One of these candidates will be your vote in the Senate for 6 years regardless of your opposition to them.

If you do not want to participate, that is your call. But there is nothing virtuous about it.

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It's the only responsible choice. If your physician is offering two types of poison, choosing the weaker one every time won't save you. Eventually you die.

Partisan voters on both sides act like the race to the bottom will last forever, but it won't. At some point we actually get there. The system breaks down. If you think we'll steer clear of the rocks at some future time, when the culture war is won and the aliens all go home, that will never happen. It's now or never.

Keyser Soze said:

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I understand the practical argument, but it still combines two separate questions. Saying socialism eventually leads to government control is an argument about what socialism may become; it does not prove fascism was socialist. Capitalism can exist under authoritarian government, just as some socialist policies can exist under democracy. That is why economic policy and political freedom are better viewed on separate axes.

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I did not say that. I said socialism does not happen without government control. By its very nature it is tyrannical. The basic premise of socialism at all levels is public ownership of the means of production. That's straight out of Marx. What does that actually mean? It means the government owns everything and tries to run it all. Since they never have any idea how to make a factory or any other enterprise work it always fails. Fascism tries to overcome this failure by allowing "private property", but it's an illusion because the govt still controls everything.

You did say socialism inevitably leads to government control, which is what I paraphrased. But I think we have reached the actual disagreement. We agree that fascism is authoritarian and heavily controls the economy. You call that socialism. Historians generally distinguish fascism from socialism because it kept private ownership and profits while organizing the economy around the state. We are now debating definitions more than historical facts.

I'm looking at the bigger picture. It's not about economics only.

Texas governor Greg Abbott releases video about his recent trip to Israel. pic.twitter.com/2iGxXsi9Xj

— Senex (@senex_official) September 5, 2026

boognish_bear said:

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Texas governor Greg Abbott releases video about his recent trip to Israel. pic.twitter.com/2iGxXsi9Xj

— Senex (@senex_official) September 5, 2026

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This ad was made by an anti-Abbott PAC, right....No? Boomers are seriously this out of touch!?!?

Responses to latest crazy Talarico clip:

It’s crazy how I can retweet by the hour story after story about Democrat candidates being insane. Repubs have their loons too, but the ratio of crazy far left Dems to crazy far right Repubs isn’t even close. https://t.co/WQ42dJpWPk

— Alt-Middle (@MiddleAlt38607) September 4, 2026

For those of you who don't know, this is Crazy. https://t.co/nfwXTNujBU

— David & Chester's Page (@wdavid1983) September 4, 2026

If he considers himself an advocate for Transgenderism .. why doesn't he show up at public events dressed as a woman ... https://t.co/UL3vyFzj5j

— 🇺🇸 ✝️ TBaer (@ThomasB47402901) September 4, 2026

Elon Musk’s America PAC is out knocking doors for @KenPaxtonTX pic.twitter.com/jXu0cgRL6G

— Brandon Waltens (@bwaltens) September 7, 2026

It seems we've confused government with economics. Intimately related of course, but two separate entities altogether. Same can be said of the magic word "democracy", which is a product of government or not depending on the execution of "government". That's why we have lost the idea of a Republic in this nation....we blather about democracy and hype about exporting it when no one seems to be buying any of it. At least what we are selling. The Left's successful attempt to blur lines of demarcation, and thus understanding to racism vs. Marxism vs. Naziism vs. every other Ism has been hugely successful because were ignorant of all that. One of the foundational principles establishing our Republican form of freedom is the inviolate ownership of property with the notion that government cannot "unreasonably seize" or take control of said property. But like Adams said, our Constitution is one for people who are serious about faith in God found in the Bible. Gonna be a wild ride from here on out.

Speaking of the Bible, Talarico needs to read for comprehension Romans 1 and 2. While that applies to Paxton as well (as well as the rest of us), at least Paxton is not shilling the faith for votes. my disregard for Paxton can never be overridden by anyone shilling his faith, especially the Christian faith, when his own professions of beliefs are in contradiction to Scripture. The Talarico ad with his mentor- "pastor" should never have seen the light of day.

J.R.: " He was a terrible AG, btw."

What is your basis for that claim, please?

See you soon, Dallas.

I am all in to elect Ken Paxton to the US Senate in Texas.

Every Republican Senator should be on board with helping Paxton.

— ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) September 7, 2026

J.R. said:

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gtownbear said:

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I'll defend Ken Paxton. He has been a really good Attorney General for Texas. He sued the Biden Administration numerous times ahead of other AG's around the country over insane immigration policies, lax law enforcement policies and many other things. He has gone after these massive Mosques going up around Texas and fought for numerous conservative policies for our state.

And if he was such a terrible husband, why do I get letters from his daughter asking for money for his campaign? It's like some of you were in the household to have inside information about his marriage, something no one is privy to. And he did not speak publicly about the marriage. Maybe because of the children he chose not to. Some of you folks are quick to get on your high horse about politicians. Do you honestly think any of them have not made deals, sold themselves, that have been in that business for years or decades? Get real!

Paxton is one hell of a conservative and Texans can count on him voting that way when he is elected to the Senate. Besides lies are spread about folks all the damn time in case you haven't noticed. Are any of us smart enough to know the difference all of the time? I seriously doubt it. But to sit out an election with such a radical in opposition is rather like cutting off ones nose to spite his face in my opinion.

Go Paxton!

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Good luck with that POS. I wouldn't vote for him if my life depended on it. He was a terrible AG, btw.

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Seriously, ask anyone who works at the AG's office and they'll be blunt: Paxton is terrible at his actual job. Abbott and Cornyn still have good reputations with the old-timers (so these opinions are not about politics), but Paxton is universally despised and morale is at an all time low. He's been good at picking public fights that make good Fox News headlines, and that's about it, but it's been good enough for the crowd who doesn't know any better (e.g. the comment you replied to).

I'm not going to name the people at OAG that I know, don't be stupid. And I won't say anything more identifiable here, but I've met and interacted with Paxton myself. When I talk about what Paxton's current employees think about him, I'm reporting facts, not opinion.

And you really don't even have to necessarily take my word for it, Paxton's own hand-picked lieutenants quit on him and turned witness against his corruption already years ago.

I my experience you hard-core Republicans will just believe whatever you want, facts and reality be damned. It's how we've ended up with our country in the extremely precarious position we now find it.

Trump and Paxton are pretty similar: both obviously and unrepentantly corrupt, and most of those who who work under them think they're terrible bosses. But all it takes is one recitation of some fake problem like "boys in girls sports" or whatever, and y'all just fall in line.

Maybe one day it will click for you: rewarding corruption with your vote is how you make things even more corrupt. Trump is withholding disaster aid arbitrarily from states that didn't vote for him, while he rakes in multiple billion$ a year, and that corruption is entirely on you. It's why a lot of the non-maga people in this nation are finding it harder and harder to forgive the stupidity of voting for it.

Yes, keep lunatic liberals out of Texas!

Stop voting with feelings and vote for policies!