Libertad wrote:
2. Many American Right-wing ideologies are older than fascism. Also, fascism is totalitarian, but it's a specific kind of totalitarianism with things that set it apart. from other forms of nationalism. It views the Nation-State as the end-all be-all of national unity, that only a select few should lead society instead of letting the majority have a say in national policy. It believes that universal, worldwide peace (or any kind of utopia) is impossible, and that conflict is inherent to human nature. It is highly collectivist, emphasizing that individualism is a negative. The US GOP, despite its nationalist and militaristic leanings, is too free-market friendly and too individualistic in economic affairs to actually be fascist.
I hate to break it to you, but American Right Wing is not individualistic. Just look at the record of Republican votes and you'll see that they never break ranks. (Libertarians might talk a good game about individualism, but as a fringe group will few representative, it's impossible to know how they'd actually act with any real power.)
The Right also demonize any member that breaks ranks on any idea or dares to vote against the party. That's not a respect for individualism in any way, and the evidence is only a few links away if you actually care.
As for being "free market", there is no major American political movement that is not free market. The Democrats are just as free market as the Republicans, it's just that the Republicans and Libertarians promote wealth inequality in the name of Austrian and Chicago school voodoo economics that say that giving all the money to the rich will somehow promote the free market (Protip: It won't and they don't have any evidence that it will.).
The American Right are not Hitler-style fascists, but they do use a number of fascist tactics. They destroy anyone who breaks with their message, are strongly nationalistic, militaristic and pro-militia, and focused on concentrating wealth and power at the top, strongly against personal rights that aren't related to gun-ownership, and they operate on a philosophy of fear that focuses public attention on an imaginary outside enemy from the majority (immigrants, gays, Muslims, blacks... whatever). The fact that they are strongly anti-intellectual is also straight out of the fascist playbook.
I could also link you to Republicans and other ring wingers mocking the Left for being utopians.
So yes, American-style fascism has it's own flavor because it talks about freedom and individualism while restricting rights, disempowering the individual, and enforcing conformity and group-think. They also haven't tried to take over the government yet, merely settling for paralyzing all government functions to date.