[Marxism] Re: The US Election debate from the Philippines

[Reihana Mohideen <reihana_m@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Friends,
We have been following the debates on your list re the US elections and 
especially what stance to take towards the Nader and Camejo campaign.
Not having a preferential voting-style electoral system does pose a major 
dilemma for the left in the US and Britain. In countries such as Australia, 
while the debates over lesser-evilism continue, the partial preferential voting 
system makes it somewhat easier on left alternatives to put their case in the 
electoral arena.
We agree with putting the stress on the strategic questions here: the need to 
build a strong mass movement and a left alternative to the two-party system. 
This, also includes electoral tactics, especially because of the level of 
illusions in the parliamentary system. A left alternative needs to have an 
electoral expression as well.
Unfortunately some of the arguments of those progressives calling for a vote 
for Kerry could lead to the conclusion that the left does not participate as an 
independent force in electoral politics, period, because there is always a 
danger that it will aid the Republicans (or the Conservatives).
This is the danger in confining your framework to the lesser-evil in electoral 
politics.
And, of course, that Kerry is a lesser-evil is even questionable from the 
point-of-view of the war in Iraq, a decisive question in world politics, and 
the economic policies of the US ruling class, especially in relation to the 
third world.
Kerry's pro-war line is clearly exposed to the international movement. Here in 
the Philippines movement everyone acknowledges there is no difference between 
the Bush and Kerry policies. In fact after the release of the latest al Qaida 
video Kerry's line has been so chillingly pro-war: "They are barbarians. I will 
stop at absolutely nothing to hunt down, capture or kill the terrorists 
wherever they are, whatever it takes." (Philippines Daily Inquirer)
These statements aren't "abstract" to us either. This is not just against bin 
Laden. This is against so-called "terrorist" movements and peoples of the Third 
World, such as the movement here in the Philippines.
If I was voting in the US I would vote for Nader and Camejo (I think Camejo's 
statements have been excellent) and simultaneously campaign for a big anti-war 
action when the next president is inaugurated.
The Nader/Camejo campaign too needs to think about life after the elections and 
its role in building a militant mass movement because that's where its future 
lies: in the mass movement and not electoral politics.
Reihana & Sonny
Philippines

Fred Feldman <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I accidentally dropped the final sentence of my last contribution:

And on one thing I AM taking my lead from the Cubans: I am not burning
my bridges with anybody over how they vote in this election.
Fred
_______________________________________________
Marxism mailing list
Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism



---------------------------------
Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
_______________________________________________
Marxism mailing list
Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism