MADISON, Ga. -- U.S. Rep. Paul Broun is again raising the specter of Democrats turning the United States into a totalitarian state.
Broun, a Republican whose district includes part of the Augusta area, apparently has not changed his belief that President Obama may be a fascist since he made similar remarks in Augusta in November and then in an Associated Press interview.
He told a meeting of the Morgan County Republicans on Wednesday night that Obama already has or will have the three things he needs to make himself a dictator: a national police force, gun control and control over the press.
"He has the three things that are necessary to establish an authoritarian government," Broun said. "And so we need to be ever-vigilant, because freedom is precious."
As he did when comparing Obama to Hitler and the Soviets last year, Broun cited a speech Obama gave in Colorado during the campaign last July calling for "a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded" as the military.
In the speech, Obama called young Americans to serve both at home and abroad, and said he would expand the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and other volunteer opportunities. Broun, however, said Obama was referring to a national police force.
"'The liberals say, 'What is wrong with Americorps?' " Broun said. "Well, this is not Americorps."
Broun also said he thinks the national media is openly supporting Obama's policies. He also said he believes the president and Attorney General Eric Holder will enact new gun-control policies.
Holder said in February that he wants to renew a Clinton-era ban on assault weapons, but Obama said in April that he is putting the issue on the back burner.
Broun also cited the dozens of so-called "czars" Obama has appointed to oversee areas like the troubled car industry as evidence that he is overstepping his bounds to seek power.
"They're developing a shadow government that (does not) answer to the American people," Broun said.
At a town hall meeting in Clarkesville last month, Broun called Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid a "socialistic elite" and agreed with a constituent who said they might use a flu pandemic to declare martial law.
"They're trying to develop an environment where they can take over," Broun said. "We've seen that historically."
More than 1,000 people combined turned out to hear Broun speak mostly on the topic of health care at town hall meetings Wednesday in Madison and Greene County.
About 300 attended the Madison meeting. At Lake Oconee, the audience filled three 300-seat movie theaters, where Broun spoke on the invitation of three local doctors who have been giving presentations on Democrats' proposals for health care reform, said Bob Cowles, one of the organizers. Broun spoke live in one theater, while crowds in the other two listened in over a closed circuit.
Health care reform also is about Democrats seeking more power, Broun said.
"It gives them more power, more control over your life," he said.
Health care is too expensive, he said, and he attributed the cost to government regulations like HIPPA, a 1996 patient privacy and insurance portability law. Rather than create a government-run insurance program to compete with private insurers, the current system's framework should be kept, but with changes like expanded tax-free health savings accounts, more tax credits for medical expenses and tax breaks for doctors who provide charity care, Broun said.
"Just like (when) you have a dog with fleas, you don't kill the dog, you put on a flea collar," he said.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Broun belongs in a nut house. He has lost it.
Rose, I agree with you 100%. I voted for him in the last election. I will not make that mistake again.
I voted for him one time. It might have been in a runoff or primary. I can't remember which.He will not get my vote again.He is nothing but a lying hating scumbag.
Hubby is about ready to leave for work. I will be back later.
While I think his delivery is kind of (well real) whacky, I am not sure yet whether or not what he is say is possible. If what he says is even remotely possible, it would be a very scary thing. I always wondered how great industrial societies in the past ever allowed some of their horrible or just extreme leaders get in power in the first place. Watch out for that Trojan Horse. Lets hope Broun is wrong.
poor ole rose, still wants to be "O"s Monica.......
How can someone consider the PeaceCorps the same as a nat'l police force????
The warning signs are there. I support Broun for his fortitude to state the obvious. Now is not the time to stick your head in the sand. Soon it will be to late!
obongo said a national police force. u guys cannot see the forest for the trees. you are playing with fire.
Broun is one NUT among a lot of NUTS, OMG looney.
I can't believe I voted for this nutcase. I should have known better than to support a Republican for anything. He's gone off the deep end like "rootin' tootin', let's have a duel" Zell.
What a nut case. O welll, thats what the ignorent redneck republicans around seem to want.
Broun has the three things that a demagogue needs: a narrow mind, a big mouth and an ignorant mob.
Broun, hats off to you. Finally a politician willing to step up to the plate. BROUN FOR PRESIDENT!!!!
Yep, that's how you shut up the opposition, call names and belittle them and they'll go away....sure, that works...right?
Works for me.
Paul Broun: The Republiklan's Cynthia McKinney......
Listen to the liberals squak, it is so funny--silly libs!
What is false about the following statements? *** Obama already has or will have the three things he needs to make himself a dictator: a national police force, gun control and control over the press. *** the dozens of so-called "czars" Obama has appointed to oversee areas like the troubled car industry as evidence that he is overstepping his bounds to seek power. "They're developing a shadow government that (does not) answer to the American people," *** Health care reform also is about Democrats seeking more power, "It gives them more power, more control over your life," If you're not concerned -- You're not paying attention...
Broun is right on the money, SnObama is without doubt a facist, nazi, dictator wannabe. Those of you who refuse to believe this are living in a pipe dream.
fth610, you should know--cynthia is right up your "alley" know what I mean.
Way to go DR.Broun. You speak for the majority, that is the employed majority.
I was disappointed when Broun won. But now I am sorry I didn't vote for him. I will next time. I like Broun for President!!!
As for you Libs... Bless your hearts.
because convertedsouthern it's a LIE that's why, ya'll are going crazy... LOL... Broun has all his NUTS in a row LOL...
"Listen to the liberals squak(sic), it is so funny--silly libs!"
Who's squawking, jasonhixon? We're laughing our butts off at the ignorant redneck inbreeds. And TRY to learn how to spell correctly; it really is not that difficult.....
BROUN IS A NUTJOB!! He does not speak for the majority, he speaks for an ignorant minority. You all have fallen off of the deep end and maybe you should read more on your own instead of believing the propaganda machine.
fht610 - if you are going to correct others then you should be correct yourself. "We're laughing out butts off". Shouldn't "out" be "our"?
Liberal looneys said the same things about Bush. It's funny to see the same conservatives that were up in arms about those wacky accusations turning around and making the same wacky accusations of Obama. When it comes to politics, sanity is about as common as civility.
noway, could that propaganda machine be all the media except Fox News and the AC.
McCarthyism raises its ugly head again! What a nut job!