Re: [Marxism] liberal forum on the economic crisis+

["Ivan D. Drury" <ivanddrury@xxxxxxxx>]

To be honest - I've felt overwhelmed by the happenings of the credit crisis. 

Itemized, I mean this:

1) I've grown to appreciate Henwood's analysis of the US (and world) economy 
through listening to his radio show. In part this is because, as someone who 
has a weak theoretical background in economic questions, his radio show has 
helped me follow the economic world situation.

2) I was taken aback at his analysis that the bailout is/was necessary because 
it flew in the face of my instinctual response. 

3) I was also repelled by the perspective of (some of) the vanguardist left in 
the way they interpret the crisis as an opportunity for their party/sect. While 
I think the crisis does present opportunities for change, these prospects make 
me very nervous. From my perspective, along with an objective opening in class 
struggle for an effective left intervention, is the obvious incapacity of the 
left to respond in a socially meaningful way. I believe it was a feeling of 
Marxist self righteousness in Andrew P's report that I was responding to. I saw 
in it echoes of the sort of disdainful report I would have written when I was a 
dutiful sect/cult member. Contextually Andrew's was very different, and I think 
I overreacted some.

4) I agree that Henwood is wrong to accept the Paulson plan. I appreciate the 
cdes on this list (Andrew P included) for making the effort of this discussion, 
which has been some help to me.

5) "Mark my words, this crisis as it unfolds is truly going to expose where 
people really stand." (Matthew Russo) 
Part of this, I think, has to do with relations within the left. I suspect that 
the people who showed up to the Brect Forum (and some of those who spoke) are 
important people to engage in discussion and/about struggle. This crisis is 
confusing and overwhelming to a lot of people and, from the successes of 
initial discussion forums (greater turnouts than have been seen in some time - 
at least from what I heard in Toronto), have opened opportunities for 
collective discussion as hopeful bridge to collective action.
The emergence over the last few days of concrete demands (anti-forclosure / 
evictions / specific economic plans bail out people and not banks etc) has been 
heartening and the sorts of approaches that I think are revolutionary.


-
Ivan



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