If the US is fascist, then where are the political purges? Where is the suppression of freedom of speech? Where are the armed groups of thugs diffused across the country coercively instituting the will of a radical nationalistic philosophy? Further, in fascism the government de facto takes control of the corporations and while allowing them to remain private nevertheless forces them to serve the "national interest". In the case of Hitler and Mussolini this interest was producing supplies for wars of conquest. I don't doubt the US is more plutocratic now than it was 50 years ago, though in the gilded age (which was roughly the era between the Civil War and WW1) it was probably much worse. However, I don't see these plutocratic forces as being omnipotent. Nor do I see Obama as being anything worse than a well-intentioned technocrat. If the banks failed, the economy would have, and hence it was in everyone's best interest, regardless of their class, for the banks to be bailed out. Furthermore, one of the main reasons why they were in danger of failing to begin with was government policies aimed at procuring poor people homes they couldn't afford. Very few people predicted the crisis, and its occurrence therefore largely is a consequence of ignorance. I don't doubt that populism and corporatism are two of the driving forces behind US governmental decision making, but on both accords then it wouldn't make sense to try to reform health care as such reform is presently unpopular and heavily lobbied against and has been for a while. Yet our government is still trying to accomplish it, which suggests a third force, namely good intentions.

William, Fascism is not a Hollywood movie with "armed group of thugs", and other colorfull accessories. The freedom of speach? I consider it non-existent. Every media, from print to TV, is basically sticking to one narrative, be that foreign policy, financial crisis, or any other issue. The narrative is always the same, everything else --- can be debated. Pay attention to what CANNOT be debated in press. For one, that the crisis is due to poor people buying houses they cannot afford! Do I really have to explain to you what a nonsense this is? This is a good narrative for the dumb and uneducated. Wrong, many, many people predicted the crisis. And it did not start in 2008, but in 2007. And it was not result of ignorance, but of greed, and KNOWING full well that the public will not have any recourse but to fork over the money. People who made the decisions that lead to this precipice should be treated as criminals, and their work a criminal syndicate --- the organized crime. Taxpayer should have stepped in only to help the victims, not the perpetrators. And every instititution that had to be bailed out should have all of their management immediately fired, and new management put in place to INDEPENDENTLY examine the books, and provide an honest assessment to the public. Instead, the books are still hidden from the public by the same people! And they want BONUS for that? My hat off to Iceland for refusing to pay debts incurred by sleezy bankers who took billions, and are now residing comfortably in England. While England is trying to collect from Iceland's taxpayer! The health care is about socializing the cost of high-risk population, while reducing the cost to private insurance companies, so they can make even more money.

@Bianca “The freedom of speach? I consider it non-existent”? Who are you calling “dumb and uneducated”? It seems to me that you are speaking of yourself. No!..the crises did not start in 2007, it started long before that but by your comments, I don’t think you can comprehend what I am saying… You mention “Iceland” ..lol…….a bankrupt country that beg for assistance and money from anybody in the world that would help them but nobody did other Russia….they basically sold themselves to Russia to keep from hitting rock bottom….. Your comments of Health Care are those of a Communist who all they wish for and want is to keep everyone under their control…. Sorry, but the world has changed and we are all in for turmoil and growing pains….. so get over all of you dumb assumptions….

Nuta, only you comprehend what you are saying. Just watch for communists, aliens, and green people. They are really everywhere. And Iceland is really that bankrupt little country --- that nobody in the world would help but Russia? Huh? As for the health care reform, do not think too hard, you can hurt yourself. Peace!