The Republicans are crowing about Bush being compared to Hitler. Fair enough. Hitler was about as bad as they come on the Evildoers scale. Of course, the Pubs don't mind when any Democrats or Libertarians are called the same by persons from their party. So, let's talk about Hitler and see what where this analogue is supposed to have come from. Hitlers regime was built, primarily, on fascism. Many are saying that the Bush administration is operating in a fascist manner. Hmm...

Let's consider the Nazi concept of Gleichschaltung or "coordination" and see what we find.

How to attain power:
1) Squelch dissent
Examples: Protesters are kept out of sight of the leader and the media who are following him. They are most often moved to 'free speech zones' away where only their guards will hear their protest. generally they are not allowed out of the area until such time as their protest is pointless. Some will be arrested because their signs or words are dissenting, while assenting sign carriers are left alone to greet the official procession and the media. The arrests are part of an effort to instill fear in potential future dissenters. The government's law and security forces paint a picture of protesters as potential terrorists who must, ergo, be restricted and controlled.

2) Appease the populace
Examples: Tax cuts, even when economically unwise are morale boosting to bring on board those who are likely to be vocal opponents later - the working class. Platitudes that the economy (despite what state the economy might be in) is growing and unemployment relief is coming (despite any statistics that unemployment isn't really falling - the media needs to be controlled to quell this). More tax cuts along the way, even if they don't affect the working class or poor, can be used to soften talk of hardship. Also, lip service to policies or services even when they will be immediately be cut or reduced looks good for the leader. Cutting military pay, benefits or services can be a useful tool for paying to keep the public in tax breaks or the war itself, but troops should be kept away from the homeland lest tales of their service and subsequent loss of income influence public opinion.

3) Atomize society
Examples: Lock up dissidents. Assure the public that those locked up are undesireables. Withhold due process as long as possible so as to control public perception until such time as the general populace has forgotten or lost interest. Expand means of surveillance of the citizenry. Remove barriers of law for government agencies who wish to investigate or surveil citizens. This is best done under cover of secrecy if possible. Withdraw or stand away in protest from any international league that might hinder ones ability to war or invade. it is vital that said league be made out as the one who caused the rift. Keep at least one or two allies in the league for appearances and possibly for military support.

And a bonus: Hitler's favourite propaganda boost, as propaganda is vitally important to a successful spread of fascism, 'big lies are best'.

“The receptive powers of the masses are very restricted, and their understanding is feeble. On the other hand, they quickly forget. Such being the case, all effective propaganda must be confined to a few bare necessities and then must be expressed in a few stereotyped formulas.” - Hitler, Mein Kampf, 1925.

Weapons of Mass Destruction
Threat to Democracy
Bringing Freedom
Evildoers

Except for the outline for "Gleichschaltung" and the quote from Mein Kampf, all of the above is attributable to George W. Bush and his administration. Not Hitler and the Nazi party.

People roll their eyes at the word 'fascism' after hearing one too many 'beatnik' or 'hippie' bandying the word about. But fascism is a very real thing that has permeated history for thousands of years. It can come to the modern world and it can come to America. All it takes is for us to ignore it. But I want to take a step back and curb my urges to do that whole pod people open mouth-point-scream thing. I don't think Bush is another Hitler. I think he's just another fascist (and not a very smart one). And he needs to go. We're too smart to let this one get through..

UPDATE: So I wake up today to find Kuro5hin and Wil Wheaton had the same sorts of things on their minds today (by the way, this was posted at around 3am last night, not 1:34am. Dunno what's wrong with the time. Will have a look.)
UPDATE2: Oh crap! How could I forget to mention Margaret Cho's blog which got us talkign about this in the firts place!