In Naomi Wolf’s book, “The End of America, A Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot”, she outlines ten steps that are used to seize and maintain power. They are:
1. Invoke a terrifying internal and external enemy
2. Create a gulag
3. Develop a thug caste
4. Set up an internal surveillance system
5. Harass citizens’ groups
6. Engage in arbitrary detention and release
7. Target key individuals
8. Control the press
9. Dissent equals treason
10. Suspend the rule of law
The concept is based on the September 2006 military coup in Thailand but have been happening here. For more information read her blog at the Huffington Post:

Dr. Lawrence Britt after examing fascist regimes from the last 75 years has found 14 defining characteristics common to each:
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
4. Supremacy of the Military
5. Rampant Sexism
6. Controlled Mass Media
7. Obsession with National Security
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined
9. Corporate Power is Protected
10. Labor Power is Suppressed
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
14. Fraudulent Elections
Read Dr. Britt’s essay here If you are following along you will notice both lists have several items in common. For instance number one on Ms. Wolf’s list is “Invoke a terrifying internal and external enemy” while it is expressed on Dr. Britt’s list as “Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause” (number 3). Which leads to Dissent equals treason

Tags: constitution, fascism, fascist, rights