As to what's best for us...Bush has stipped away many of the illusions about his adminsitration. Reelecting Bush will mean the much more rapid development of a movement after November.
October 1917 (Joe) wrote:
I agree completely. Oppression breeds resistance. Four more years of Bush
could only aid in the awakening of people around the world. With Kerry you
get the same brutality but with a kinder face. For this reason he's even
more dangerous than Bush.
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Oppression doesn't always, or even mostly, breed resistance. Hope and the
possibility of change does. The left has historically favoured a political
environment which raises popular expectations, provides more democratic
space for organizing, and encourages the development of popular movements.
>From this perspective, a Bush victory won't be a more positive development
than a Kerry one. It is more likely to demoralize the liberal half of the
population, which is investing an extraordinary amount of time and effort in
this election, and sap it of political energy and the potential for further
advance.
There's been way too much focus on the role of individuals in this election, and not enough on the mass constituencies each represents. Kerry might feel pressure from the foreign policy establishment -- which, incidentally, is itself divided -- to continue the war, but his Democratic base overwhelmingly wants out. Bush answers mainly to hapless frightened xenophobes, and reflects their prejudices. The social character of each party has an affect on both US foreign and domestic policy, which can be decisive one way or another if the crises on these fronts are deep enough. The New Deal and the Vietnam War are historical examples of popular mobilizations which unfolded under Democratic administrations; I can't think offhand of any similar developments under the Republicans.
Of course, no one can guarantee Democratic supporters will remain active and pressure a Kerry administration after Tuesday, but it's reasonable to suppose that possibility will exist moreso than if their hopes are dashed at the polls. I think this is why people like Tariq Ali, Dave McReynolds and others favour a DP victory, not because they are "careerists" or have any illusions in Democratic politicians. It's unnecessary to lecture or slander them on that account.
Marvin Gandall