The point is not that the GOP has always been a fascist party. That's silly. The point is that an internally diverse, minoritarian political persuasion we can call "a home-grown, fascist tradition" has always been a feature of modern US politics. Beginning in the 50s it targeted the GOP for takeover

What I find difficult to parse, speaking in good faith, is the fundamental difference between fascism (palingenetic ultranationalism) and conservatism (the rigid belief & enforcement of “natural” hierarchy). Feels very, “all squares are rectangles but not all rectangles are squares”

That process of takeover was slow, often reversed, & still ongoing. The guy I'm writing about, a fascist who led a grassroots insurgency that took over the OR GOP in 1978, encountered a ton of resistance. He was ultimately pushed out of institutional GOP politics, but not for a lack of trying.

But also since 1962, the GOP has not been fiscally responsible party. I know that's the one I'd like to put out but when you actually look at the numbers they're horrible at the finances.

Before Trump, even during the awful Bush(s) years I dismissed accusation of the GOP being fascists as hyperbole, now there is not other word for that party, Jan6th removed all doubt. The takeover is complete as it is successful and the GOP needs to be treated accordingly.

Would you mind explaining what you mean by internally diverse?