> But a key part is that there has to be an in-group and an out-group [2], which pretty much requires some great moral panic or perceived threat. But the outgr

> But a key part is that there has to be an in-group and an out-group [2], which pretty much requires some great moral panic or perceived threat. But the outgroup can't be too big. Otherwise it becomes capable of real (rather than just apparent) resistance. Making "those who think crimes were committed on January 6th, and that those crimes should be prosecuted" the outgroup may be a strategic error, because that's far too many people. I think, if this is following the fascist playbook, it's doing so accidently and badly. I think he's just trying to punish everyone who ever told him he did something wrong. (And make it so no one will do so ever in the future, so maybe that is part of the fascist playbook.) > American conservatism is fascism. It's only purpose is to punish one's perceived enemies. Cruelty is the point. Chaos is the point. That's not conservativism. That's the shell of conservativism after a hostile takeover. There's plenty of conservatives who are appalled at all this. > $8 trillion of the nation's ~$35T in national debt in the almost 250 year history of the US happened between 2016 and 2020. True. Now do 2020-2024.