>I wish one of you would respond to my argument that a Dem president
>provides a better discursive and organzing environment for more
>radical critiques of The System. That hardly strikes me as panicked
>passivity or surrender - it's just the opposite.
I think I have responded to this before, but either I haven't or you have paid no regard to the response.
Does the wolf in sheep's clothing provide "a better discursive and organzing environment for more radical critiques of The System"?
The danger with the slightly lefter party in a two party democracy is that they are far more successful at implementing the right-wing agenda than the openly right-wing politicians like Bush. At least that is my experience. For example it was the previous democrat administration in the US that implemented the horrific welfare "reforms" which I think someone has already mentioned is one of the most vicious acts of class warfare in living memory.
Another example here in Australia (besides similar welfare "reform") is the wholesale privatisation of government owned enterprises, in conjunction with de-regulation of industries, which was the work of the Australian Labor Party.
In practical terms, it is simply easier for them to get away with this sort of class warfare, because they can undermine, bribe and coerce the only forces of resistance. Because these potential forces of effective resistance (such as the union movement) are ALLIED with the left party, they can be neutralised. Whereas, if the conservatives tried the same thing, resistance would be fierce, when the leftists try it there is no resistance at all. (Obviously not from the right, because it is the right's platform, but also not from the leadership of the union movement, because they are mostly careerists, "mates" with the leftist ruling party.)
Not to mention the fact that many people are simply taken in by the wolf in sheep's clothing, whereas with the wolf in wolf's clothing, the sheep are instantly suspicious.
So you are simply wrong, it is a fact that the election of a Democrat administration in the US would actually create a much more hostile environment for resisting regressive class warfare by the government. There would be significantly less likelihood of any resistance within the machinery of government of course (because the Republicans probably won't resist the Democrats doing their dirty and unpopular work for them.) There will be fewer potential allies within the union movement and the activist movement as well, because these people will try to make excuses for them, or will hope for favours from them, or be compromised by past favours from them.
It would be an even more hopeless situation. I have been chipped about using this sort of absolute turn of phrase before, but I'm going to have to do so again I'm afraid - you are dead wrong.
Bill Bartlett Bracknell Tas