[PEN-L:30645] Re: Re: On the US ruling class split

[Waistline2@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 9/27/02 6:42:57 PM Pacific Daylight Time, michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:


> I have not seen any anti-war activity from any of the "leaders" in
> government.  I just sent a note to my former student -- his wife used to
> babysit for us and he helped keep our tractor in repair -- who is now a
> congressman visiting Iraq.  He is a blue dog Dem.  He was a liberal state
> senator, but he is in a relatively conservative district.  He was a
> decorated Vietnam veteran.
>
> I would like to learn more about his motives, but the fact that someone
> like Mike went to Iraq is a sign that the Dems could be more vocal.




I understand - really. 


Political representatives cannot be more vocal than their base or they would not be elected. This is a real equation.  My older brother is running for Vice president of the UAW (autoworkers union) - the highest elected position outside of President. He could not be in that position in the first place if he did not have a finger on the pulse of his base. 

My brother gave me a copy of "War of the Rat's" which became the basis for the movie "Enemy at the Gates" - by a French director. He also gave me "900 Days In Leningrad" - twenty years ago, and has a fundamental conception of the fault line of W.W.II. He applied Stalin's scorched earth policy in numerous political campaigns.

Forget motives at this stage of the game. 

We are not in a good position.  

Melvin P.