From The American Left History Blog Archives (2006) - On American Political Discourse

 

 

Markin comment:

 

In 2007-2008 I, in vain, attempted to put some energy into analyzing the blossoming American presidential campaign since it was to be, as advertised at least, a watershed election, for women, blacks, old white anglos, latinos, youth, etc. In the event I had to abandon the efforts in about May of 2008 when it became obvious, in my face obvious, that the election would be a watershed only for those who really believed that it would be a watershed election. The four years of the Obama presidency, the 2012 American presidential election campaign, and world politics have only confirmed in my eyes that that abandonment was essentially the right decision at the right time. In short, let the well- paid bourgeois commentators go on and on with their twitter. I, we, had (have) better things to do like fighting against the permanent wars, the permanent war economies, the struggle for more and better jobs, and for a workers party that fights for a workers government . More than enough to do, right? Still a look back at some of the stuff I wrote then does not a bad feel to it. Read on.     

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SENATOR KERRY RAISES HIS “ANTI-WAR” PROFILE

COMMENTARY

LAMBASTS SOFTBALL TARGET LIEBERMAN ON WAR

Apparently even ostrich-like Democratic Party politicians are starting to realize that as the 2006 elections are approaching the war in Iraq is the central axis of politics this season. Massachusetts Democratic U.S. Senator Kerry, punitive presidential candidate in 2004, has even got that message- a little. But, John, everybody and his brother (or sister) is running for cover on this one. There is not enough room on that train (now) for everyone. No one, apparently, wants to be the next Senator Lieberman.

Obviously, the Senator is gearing up for another presidential run as the ‘born-again’ anti-war candidate. To bolster those credentials he recently took some pot-shots at his old friend Lieberman for being a lackey of the Bush Administration’s war policy. This, seemingly, is his bid for nomination for this year’s Profiles in Courage Award. Talk about ‘softball’ politics. Sure, Lieberman should be beaten down and kicked when he is down. My point is that the beating should have come from real anti-war militants, not the aging yuppies of this world like John Kerry and Ned Lamont. Those of us who opposed this war from before its start should have very long memories. Make these fools run the gauntlet.

This writer makes no bones about the fact that he long ago gave up on the Democratic Party as a vehicle for progressive change. The fight against the Iraqi War has only emphasized how right that decision has been. However some readers may not see it that way. At a time when only the immediate Bush family appears to still support the war something more than verbal opposition to the war is necessary.  On the parliamentary level the only real way to end this war is to cut off the war budget. I have been beating the drums on this theme throughout this series on the election cycle. I pose the question again here for anti-war militants. Ask Senator Kerry or any candidate for that matter -Will you vote against the war budget? Yes or No. To pose the question is to know the answer. It is high time to move on to other forms of political expression.      

 

FORGET DONKEYS, ELEPHANTS AND GREENS- BUILD A WORKERS PARTY!