I’m gonna tell you fascists
You may be surprised
The people in this world
Are getting organized
You’re bound to lose
You fascists bound to lose
— Woody Guthrie, All You Fascists Bound to Lose (1943)
“Ria-Ria-Hungaria!”
That was the chant heard throughout Hungary last night as massive crowds filled the streets of the country’s cities. It was a chant of victory and release as voters showed up at the polls in huge numbers to defeat Viktor Orbán, who had ruled for the past 16 years. Over that time, Orbán created an authoritarian state that became the template followed by other would-be autocracies, such as our current administration.
His reign was marked by staggering corruption, cronyism, control of the press, a consolidation of all governmental powers into his hands, a restructuring of the judicial system to favor his ruling party, a stripping of rights from the LGBTQ+ community, virulent anti-immigration measures, and most importantly in a subservient toady to Putin’s Russia. In this position, Orbán served as Putin’s wingman against the constraints of both NATO and the EU, weakening the power of both. He often cast a vetoing vote against measures that would counter Russia’s western reach and influence.
In the end, it was the corruption, staggering inflation, and the increasing limitation of rights in Hungary that drove the massive surge in voting that created a landslide victory to Peter Magyar. It was a huge mandate for Magyar and his party, which produced a supermajority in their representative body, the National Assembly.
It was also a huge blow to the authoritarian cabal that is in place at the moment. Orbán’s “electoral autocracy” had seemed indomitable with its iron fisted control of the country for much of the past 16 years. If it can happen there, why can’t it happen anywhere where oligarchs seek total control of any country or people?
Seeing his reign crumble so quickly and decisively should serve as inspiration for everyone standing against those with fascist aspirations.
The world owes the people of Hungary a great deal of gratitude this morning.
They proved that the seemingly all powerful, the dictators and kings of this world, are never as powerful as they want us to believe.
They are only as powerful as we allow them to be.
I extend a big Thank You to the people of Hungary.
Much like the good folks in Minnesota in their resistance to ICE brutality and overreach, let their example fuel our own resistance and strengthen our resolve.
Here’s a tune from Woody Guthrie that speaks of the universal truth that led to Orbán’s downfall, that when the people organize and unite against the greed, hatred, and corruption of those who seek to control them, they will inevitably be victorious.
Why? Because fascism and authoritarianism of all sorts, eventually devolve from their own inbred mediocrity. A system that values loyalty over excellence, expertise, and plain old competence is bound to collapse at some point under the weight of ill-advised decisions and unintended consequences.
We’re seeing that play out in real time here with an administration that is based almost entirely on mediocrity, ignorance, and hubris.
With that potent combination, how could you do anything but lose?
The version at the bottom is from one of my favorite albums, Mermaid Avenue, from the collaboration of Billy Bragg and Wilco. This is All You Fascists. Below are Woody’s original lyrics. 1943 or 2026, they still apply.
I’m gonna tell you fascists
You may be surprised
The people in this world
Are getting organized
You’re bound to lose
You fascists bound to lose
Race hatred cannot stop us
This one thing we know
Your poll tax and Jim Crow
And greed has got to go
You’re bound to lose
You fascists bound to lose.
All of you fascists bound to lose:
I said, all of you fascists bound to lose:
Yes sir, all of you fascists bound to lose:
You’re bound to lose! You fascists:
Bound to lose!
People of every color
Marching side to side
Marching ‘cross these fields
Where a million fascists dies
You’re bound to lose
You fascists bound to lose!
I’m going into this battle
And take my union gun
We’ll end this world of slavery
Before this battle’s won
You’re bound to lose
You fascists bound to lose!
Redtree Times 