[Marxism] Two gains US scored recently in Iraq

[stansfield smith <stansfieldsmith@xxxxxxxxx>]

In response to Intense Red on Fred Feldman, in 2002-3 most Americans got up and 
did something about the war when they thought there was a practical possibility 
of changing things. And remember, most Americans are not Marxists, so do not 
look at the situation as we do. They are pragmatic and look at what is the most 
useful choice among those various rather unpleasant choices they are given.  
First they thought if they protest to Congress and go to protest rallies, this 
will convince or put pressure on the government not to go to war. They were 
wrong, which shocked a lot of them, so after the war started, they were 
demoralized and angry at Bush - and most still do not see the efficacy of 
anti-war demonstations anymore.

   Second, they thought working to vote Bush out of office was the most 
feasible thing to do after the war started. He didn't listen to them, so get 
rid of him. It became the most feasible way to register opposition to the war. 
His possible replacements did not appeal to people so much, so they just 
focused on getting rid of Bush.

   I'm sure none of this is new to us. We all typically take the most feasible 
practical solution to a problem.

    The real political disaster for us, and the great victory for the US 
bourgeoisie was that they got the overwhelming majority of the leaders of the 
anti-war movement to turn down the the movement and devote their time and money 
to getting rid of Bush. The leaders, and we most know most of them, are not 
unfamiliar with Marxism, do understand that it is American imperialism, not 
Bush imperialism, understood that Kerry was not their ally, but still, it was 
the leaders of the antiwar movement that really provided major assistance to 
the bourgeoisie in turning off the anti-war struggle. They abdicated their 
responsibility to lead and to educate the newly awakened millions of Americans 
about the role of Big Business in running this country.

   So I do not agree with "Intense Red" when he states:

  In summation, the anti-war movement -- which largely evaporated once the
shooting started and the "support the troops" propaganda kicked in -- was a
very minor (if any) consideration.


    To me, UFPJ and the like reminded me of what happened with the 
international social democracy in World War I, though on a much less disastrous 
and horrifying scale.

---------------------------------


   I think this is a worthwhile analysis.  It skillfully points out the present 
situation in Iraq re: the Shiite and elections -- that is important and is 
largely overlooked by many.   And I think it strongly and correctly points out 
the demoralization of some of the peace movement for supporting what they 
considered a sure-fire Kerry win; but I do think overemphasis is place on the 
bourgeoisie's role of opposing Kerry because of his being "tainted" by the 
anti-war crowd. > They [the bourgeoisie] ended up tilting toward Bush partly 
because > Kerry had the burden of OUR SUPPORT AND WE WERE STILL > ACTIVELY 
AGAINST THE WAR -- as was shown clearly in the march > of 500,000 in August!   
I think this was a very trivial consideration on the bourgeoisie's part.  As 
you point out:  > The rulers were glad to see Kerry reel us in.   Exactly.  So 
what explains the bourgeoisie's support of Bush?  It's simple:   Tax cuts 
(versus Kerry's promise to roll back Bush's tax cuts), "free" trade support
 (especially compared to Kerry's jumbled response on this issue), and the 
promise of privatizing social security and other New Deal social services.   In 
summation, the anti-war movement -- which largely evaporated once the shooting 
started and the "support the troops" propaganda kicked in -- was a very minor 
(if any) consideration. In solidarity.

                
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