[lbo-talk] Sandbox Politics

[Carrol Cox]

In playing farm or war or politics in a sandbox, the pieces are distinct
& move willingly to obey the orders of the player. Posters on maillists
seem often to regard the real world as a sandbox, with all the players
definite and fixed units as in a sandbox but differing from a literal
sandbox in that these fixed pieces simply aren't following orders.

Consider the following phrase: "The left in the US, by being unwilling
to ally. . ."

Fucking think a little bit.

States make allies. Their foreign ministers negotiate, arrive at a
treaty, and it is ratified by a definite body with clear responsibility.

Democratic Centralist parties make alliances. Their General Secretary
negotiates with the leadership of other parties and arrive at a
specified coalition in which the two parties unite under specified
conditions.

Now who in the fucking hell is the formal leadership of this (mythical)
creature THE left in the US? Who conceivably is in a position to ally
with anybody or anything?

The stupidity, or dishonesty, of such statements surpasses belief.

Carrol

P.S. Almost all leftists in a position to make such alliances, i.e.
those working in local groups for this or that purpose, DO make just the
alliances which assholes on this list claim ought to be made but that
"The Left" won't make.