"When facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross"

This quote, frequently credited to Sinclair Lewis, records an alerting about the capacity for authoritarianism to develop under the guise of nationalism and spiritual fervor. Although there is no direct proof that Lewis himself composed or spoke these exact words, they encapsulate styles present in his works, especially in his 1935 novel "It Can't Take place Here", which checks out how totalitarianism may settle in the United States.

The images of fascism "covered in the flag" recommends that authoritarian movements may provide themselves as deeply patriotic, aligning their programs with national symbols, worths, and rhetoric. By invoking the flag, the quote stresses the propensity for such motions to exploit national identity and pride to rally assistance and stifle dissent. This suggests a form of ideological camouflage, where overbearing policies and actions are justified in the name of protecting the country's interests or restoring its greatness.

The addition of "carrying a cross" indicate the control of religious beliefs and organizations as tools to get authenticity and consolidate power. This part of the quote warns of the mixing of religious eagerness with political agendas, where spiritual signs and teachings may be utilized to sanctify unjust or discriminatory practices. By aligning their cause with dominant spiritual narratives, authoritarian leaders can develop an ethical imperative that makes questioning or resisting their authority seem heretical or unpatriotic.

Together, the signs of the flag and the cross imply a caution against complacency and the value of watchfulness in maintaining democratic concepts. The quote recommends that the attraction of nationalism and religiosity can be controlled to mask the disintegration of flexibilities and civil liberties, thus reminding people to remain important of how political power is worked out and to be wary of those who look for to combine nationalist and spiritual beliefs for authoritarian ends.