Link to Archive of Weekly Issues Denying Voice and Representation of Interest

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Voice and Representation of Interest

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Created: March 26, 2002
Latest Update: March 26, 2002
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takata@uwp.edu

Denying Voice and Representation of Interest

Copyright: Jeanne Curran and Susan R. Takata and Individaul Authors, March 2002.
"Fair use" encouraged.

This essay is based on one of CyberBrook's posts to PSN. Congressman Pete Stark, of California, objected to the denial of a forum to voice opposition to the budget proposals. He says it smacks of fascism. Some may not understand how he construes this as communism. Conceptually link this denial of access to debate to fascism.

Consider:

  • A definition of fascism.
  • The several consequences of refusing open debate:
    • Privileging of author of budget, for that is given voice.
    • Suppression of argument, for opposing voices not allowed.
    • Deflection of focus from the many conflicting voices not represented.
    • Weakening of rational argument by failure to expand privileged argument to cover conflicting voices and unrepresented interests, for in opposition we are often forced to explore our argument in greater detail and depth.
  • Then link these consequences to fascism.
    • Reservation of agency to sovereign.
    • Police force to control.
    • Privileging of the sovereign's position on any validity claim.
    • Domination and exploitation by the hierarchy of control.

On Tuesday, March 27, 2002, CyberBrook posted to PSN:

smack of fascism by CyberBrook.

Comments by California Congressman Pete Stark during House Debate on Concurrent Resolution on the Budget, Fiscal Year 2003.
(House of Representatives - March 20, 2002)

Mr. Chairman, there are some of us who remember this world in the 1930s, when Hitler suspended the Bundestag to promulgate conservative ideology and not let people speak. It is a shame that the Republicans in the House, Mr. Chairman, have taken up that same ideology and are denying a chance for debate and open discussion of a budget. It does smack of fascism...