If you’re committed to anti-imperialism, at some point you’ll need to make a choice: stay with the insularly focused leftist circles that seek to gatekeep the struggle, or break from these circles so you can help expand the movement into the broader masses.
I'm new to this mode of thinking. I'm new to following the (independent) news closely. I'm new to learning about what capitalism is, what imperialism is, the whole shabang. Just a few years ago I was one of those Democrats completely brainwashed against Trump. While it sucks they got me for a couple years, in a way I'm glad it happened. You can't understand the other side without hearing their arguments (which is why Democrats won't ever understand a system other than capitalism, but I digress.)
These people are brainwashed. Nearly the whole of America is brainwashed. We need to have grace with these people. Not saying you don't display grace, not at all. I'm more reminding myself and anybody else strolling by these comments that most people who oppose us are not inciting opposition against us. It's more casual. They've been told we're idiots, so they don't bother to look at our info.
We cannot hold it against people or judge them for not understanding that 1) the bullshit system we have doesn't have to be and 2) some of the people who present themselves as the solution are actually dead end distractions from the solution.
Which brings me to the second point- I could've saved myself a lot of agony had I found people like you a year ago. But I'm sure you know that the algorithms are strict and will never let me find you or Peter Coffin or Caleb Maupin by chance. No way. I thought I'd found something "really left" when I came across the Socialist Program (Becker podcast). When the starting place is Democrats, Becker can look pretty good.
And yes, I think people have misgivings about the Becker type groups, I mean anybody with half a brain knows that nothing changes without a LOT OF PEOPLE. So I would hope that a lot of people get in those groups and think, "Hmm that is odd but ok we're gonna bash I can be down with bashing".
Because you can't find real leftists on the internet! Unless you have a clue to start with- a good name, for example, you're going to be stuck with all the fake left bullshit the algorithm lets you see.
Which all makes me agree with your thesis- in urgent times like this, we need to meet the people who are ready to be met. And that is NOT the mainstream left. They're more brainwashed than any of them because they're so certain they're not brainwashed. It's too much energy just describing them, let alone trying to smash their worldview and build a new one. And I say that with respect for them as individuals. I understand that THEY don't understand how much they're being used.
Hi . I first read Manifesto and Das Kapital when I was 21 , was introduced to an org in Toronto by an activive member at work abd , it was 1975 , 48 yrs ago , but the Marx , Lenin , Engels , Luxemburg and quarterlies I read were consistent enough to capture my political awareness trajectory to the present day , but that didn't cure me of my social democratic bearing until much later . Now I will likely never vote for eg., the New Democratic Party in Canada , the Greens nor have I ever voted Conservative or Liberal as I view them as bedfellows of your blues and reds which are just organized crime .
One thing that occurs to me is that like MSM the mainstream and uniparty aparatii are deeply mystified about communism and given to extensive falsifications of especially the eras and personages of Mao and Stalin . Unfortunately like you observe , the general population may like the idea of wresting people power from the machine but because of the confounding compatibilities of social democracy and duopoly electoral politics with ruthless brute fascism we're quite enmeshed as seen with the onerous contradictions of capitalism like the virtual nuclear stand offs occurring over Ukraine and now Palestine . Just out all proportion . We're STILL enduring a Russiaphobic cold war and conquering the Middle East , messing in Africa and fomenting Sino hate for colonial economic dominance . It's the nature of Imperialism , not human nature as the church has it .
My basic assertion to close with is that indeed , the G7 highlights the burgeoning need for an en mass departure from the confines of contemporary western electoral politics , but sever these bonds we are going to have to show up . If everything political is corrupt then there is really only the long bashed authentic Left that must be consolidated and represented as not a lumpen insurgency but ideologically and to do that people will need to give voice to such fundamental rights and intentions . Gaddafi was Islamic Marxist , the PFLP of Palestine is too . Cuba produces the finest doctors . Sanction USA and Israel and suspend USA UK ISRL's UN memberships . Canada Ukraine Israel should be neutral . Palestine should be recognized and Israel should be dissolved as I see it . Perhaps I digress . Turn Left , no the OTHER Left lol .
What's curious is how labels have screwed with alliances. In the US, Republican voters actually DO favor Medicare for all, a living wage, progressive taxation, etc. What they don't favor is talking about identity all day long. But the point is, they want socialist stuff even though they think they hate socialism. Not sure what to do with that. Could it be so simple as not using the word "socialism"?
There's not enough authentic lefties out there to push the government in the way we need to push it.
There could've been, had the propaganda project failed. But it didn't fail, it's worked quite splendidly, but (maybe) it only works because labels are invoked.
I read your last comment again and found it deserving of more praise . My more explicit choice of language doesn't over rule the implicit choice(s) conservatives are ready to manifest - win or lose , class is always in session whether I get my shiney red star or not , to some degree anyway . I do get into problems though . Statements I take to be true , like "capitalism requires imperialism to survive" are drivers that keep me in my lane .
You can get a matte red star with an organization I'm working with- we hate the synthetic left. We want a government of action that fights for working families. And we join alliances with libertarians and others who don't agree with us, because the whole point is to defeat these looters.
Trust me, there are reds out there who absolutely abhor the fake left. I'm reeling right now after reading an account of a German farmer friend. A synthetic leftist who won't join the farmer protests in Germany because he doesn't like the alliances. I find that disgusting. This dude thinks he's so smart, yet he is actually fighting FOR the rich, FOR the imperialists, FOR the oligarchs. I mean what a moron.
Well I have to agree that fundamental issues around the obvious assaults on now German farmers can and should bring different strata together oppose their looting , who by sounds of it are on a focused blitz to extort and also in probably significant numbers dispossess farmer's , bust their bank accounts and put them out of business on false premise , often the fascistic and bizarre climate hoax on Nitrogen and carbon .
Lastly I am heartened when I see people like you overtly step off the carousels of chicken farts that cling to ms orgs in a next level Class War .
My inclination is to maintain a platform that shuns ultranationalists (imperialists) , anti-socialists (Russaphobes/Sinophobe/Supremacists), while offering intellectual supports for Left curious . Synthetic Left is the Right . The working class Right is confused , self defeating . Populism , like centrism , is day care . The idea of eg., not explicitly saying "we are a Revolutionary Socialist Party" is camouflage, misrepresentation . I'm not the boss but looking at the PSL and UK Labour I just wont shop voters via social democracy . Read about the Mensheviks , they ratted on the Bolsheviks because they had no conviction . Not sure if Rainer would agree but bourgeois Socialism is just liberalism , not sustainable in my view .
continued> The current stage of decline and powerlessness we're experiencing is bringing people around to open up to the Socialist option . Many people are ready to supplant the whole electoral parade with Socialist leaders . I'm @bobdayton on X , something similar on Threads and Robert Dayton on FB . I DO find many Socialists who are openly vocal and others not . Remember sm is made up of not only Americans and they're educating Americans that they're being lied to about everything Socialist . Don't worry , it's coming but it's not helpful to launch doomed showboats over and over . So my idea is to be authentic about it and fight the information and ideology wars , and consolidate the working classes like Rainer says , rally on the major issues , Anti imperialism and real wage . Demystify the illusion of scarcity . Show skeptics that there's enough money , arable land and food etc to circumvent and de incetivize Big Pharma and the MIC . THEY have our fucking $$$ after all . So Socialism is affordable , legit , pays well and SERVES the PEOPLE .
As always, great essay. Couple thoughts-
I'm new to this mode of thinking. I'm new to following the (independent) news closely. I'm new to learning about what capitalism is, what imperialism is, the whole shabang. Just a few years ago I was one of those Democrats completely brainwashed against Trump. While it sucks they got me for a couple years, in a way I'm glad it happened. You can't understand the other side without hearing their arguments (which is why Democrats won't ever understand a system other than capitalism, but I digress.)
These people are brainwashed. Nearly the whole of America is brainwashed. We need to have grace with these people. Not saying you don't display grace, not at all. I'm more reminding myself and anybody else strolling by these comments that most people who oppose us are not inciting opposition against us. It's more casual. They've been told we're idiots, so they don't bother to look at our info.
We cannot hold it against people or judge them for not understanding that 1) the bullshit system we have doesn't have to be and 2) some of the people who present themselves as the solution are actually dead end distractions from the solution.
Which brings me to the second point- I could've saved myself a lot of agony had I found people like you a year ago. But I'm sure you know that the algorithms are strict and will never let me find you or Peter Coffin or Caleb Maupin by chance. No way. I thought I'd found something "really left" when I came across the Socialist Program (Becker podcast). When the starting place is Democrats, Becker can look pretty good.
And yes, I think people have misgivings about the Becker type groups, I mean anybody with half a brain knows that nothing changes without a LOT OF PEOPLE. So I would hope that a lot of people get in those groups and think, "Hmm that is odd but ok we're gonna bash I can be down with bashing".
Because you can't find real leftists on the internet! Unless you have a clue to start with- a good name, for example, you're going to be stuck with all the fake left bullshit the algorithm lets you see.
Which all makes me agree with your thesis- in urgent times like this, we need to meet the people who are ready to be met. And that is NOT the mainstream left. They're more brainwashed than any of them because they're so certain they're not brainwashed. It's too much energy just describing them, let alone trying to smash their worldview and build a new one. And I say that with respect for them as individuals. I understand that THEY don't understand how much they're being used.
Hi . I first read Manifesto and Das Kapital when I was 21 , was introduced to an org in Toronto by an activive member at work abd , it was 1975 , 48 yrs ago , but the Marx , Lenin , Engels , Luxemburg and quarterlies I read were consistent enough to capture my political awareness trajectory to the present day , but that didn't cure me of my social democratic bearing until much later . Now I will likely never vote for eg., the New Democratic Party in Canada , the Greens nor have I ever voted Conservative or Liberal as I view them as bedfellows of your blues and reds which are just organized crime .
One thing that occurs to me is that like MSM the mainstream and uniparty aparatii are deeply mystified about communism and given to extensive falsifications of especially the eras and personages of Mao and Stalin . Unfortunately like you observe , the general population may like the idea of wresting people power from the machine but because of the confounding compatibilities of social democracy and duopoly electoral politics with ruthless brute fascism we're quite enmeshed as seen with the onerous contradictions of capitalism like the virtual nuclear stand offs occurring over Ukraine and now Palestine . Just out all proportion . We're STILL enduring a Russiaphobic cold war and conquering the Middle East , messing in Africa and fomenting Sino hate for colonial economic dominance . It's the nature of Imperialism , not human nature as the church has it .
My basic assertion to close with is that indeed , the G7 highlights the burgeoning need for an en mass departure from the confines of contemporary western electoral politics , but sever these bonds we are going to have to show up . If everything political is corrupt then there is really only the long bashed authentic Left that must be consolidated and represented as not a lumpen insurgency but ideologically and to do that people will need to give voice to such fundamental rights and intentions . Gaddafi was Islamic Marxist , the PFLP of Palestine is too . Cuba produces the finest doctors . Sanction USA and Israel and suspend USA UK ISRL's UN memberships . Canada Ukraine Israel should be neutral . Palestine should be recognized and Israel should be dissolved as I see it . Perhaps I digress . Turn Left , no the OTHER Left lol .
What's curious is how labels have screwed with alliances. In the US, Republican voters actually DO favor Medicare for all, a living wage, progressive taxation, etc. What they don't favor is talking about identity all day long. But the point is, they want socialist stuff even though they think they hate socialism. Not sure what to do with that. Could it be so simple as not using the word "socialism"?
There's not enough authentic lefties out there to push the government in the way we need to push it.
There could've been, had the propaganda project failed. But it didn't fail, it's worked quite splendidly, but (maybe) it only works because labels are invoked.
I read your last comment again and found it deserving of more praise . My more explicit choice of language doesn't over rule the implicit choice(s) conservatives are ready to manifest - win or lose , class is always in session whether I get my shiney red star or not , to some degree anyway . I do get into problems though . Statements I take to be true , like "capitalism requires imperialism to survive" are drivers that keep me in my lane .
You can get a matte red star with an organization I'm working with- we hate the synthetic left. We want a government of action that fights for working families. And we join alliances with libertarians and others who don't agree with us, because the whole point is to defeat these looters.
Trust me, there are reds out there who absolutely abhor the fake left. I'm reeling right now after reading an account of a German farmer friend. A synthetic leftist who won't join the farmer protests in Germany because he doesn't like the alliances. I find that disgusting. This dude thinks he's so smart, yet he is actually fighting FOR the rich, FOR the imperialists, FOR the oligarchs. I mean what a moron.
Well I have to agree that fundamental issues around the obvious assaults on now German farmers can and should bring different strata together oppose their looting , who by sounds of it are on a focused blitz to extort and also in probably significant numbers dispossess farmer's , bust their bank accounts and put them out of business on false premise , often the fascistic and bizarre climate hoax on Nitrogen and carbon .
Lastly I am heartened when I see people like you overtly step off the carousels of chicken farts that cling to ms orgs in a next level Class War .
My inclination is to maintain a platform that shuns ultranationalists (imperialists) , anti-socialists (Russaphobes/Sinophobe/Supremacists), while offering intellectual supports for Left curious . Synthetic Left is the Right . The working class Right is confused , self defeating . Populism , like centrism , is day care . The idea of eg., not explicitly saying "we are a Revolutionary Socialist Party" is camouflage, misrepresentation . I'm not the boss but looking at the PSL and UK Labour I just wont shop voters via social democracy . Read about the Mensheviks , they ratted on the Bolsheviks because they had no conviction . Not sure if Rainer would agree but bourgeois Socialism is just liberalism , not sustainable in my view .
continued> The current stage of decline and powerlessness we're experiencing is bringing people around to open up to the Socialist option . Many people are ready to supplant the whole electoral parade with Socialist leaders . I'm @bobdayton on X , something similar on Threads and Robert Dayton on FB . I DO find many Socialists who are openly vocal and others not . Remember sm is made up of not only Americans and they're educating Americans that they're being lied to about everything Socialist . Don't worry , it's coming but it's not helpful to launch doomed showboats over and over . So my idea is to be authentic about it and fight the information and ideology wars , and consolidate the working classes like Rainer says , rally on the major issues , Anti imperialism and real wage . Demystify the illusion of scarcity . Show skeptics that there's enough money , arable land and food etc to circumvent and de incetivize Big Pharma and the MIC . THEY have our fucking $$$ after all . So Socialism is affordable , legit , pays well and SERVES the PEOPLE .