[lbo-talk] fascism in the usa

[Wojtek Sokolowski]

Yoshie
> It's not surprising, though, that portrayals of the USA as fascist,
> of the Republican Party as fascist, etc. function as a tool for
> keeping activists corralled in the Democratic Party pen.  Crying
> "Fascism!" most often is a way of saying that you _can't afford_ to
> pursue independent politics as doing so would only help fascists.
> --

I used to think in those terms until I became thoroughly disgusted with
the US notion of individual/celebrity based politics.  There is no other
politics other than those based in mainstream political institutions -
utopian idealism notwithstanding.  I would love to see this country
having a parliamentary system and a socialist or a communist party like
many European nations do - but we do not.  Democrats is all we have, so
any serious progressive political action should take place within that
institutional framework.  Any "third party" idea is nothing but a freak
show and sheer lunacy.  

PS.  A few years ago I changed my party affiliation to Independent (the
Greens were not around at that time in MD) out of disgust with the
Clinton administration.  This was a mistake, as I cannot vote in the
primaries.  I am going to register as a Democrat again. 

Wojtek