On 2010-11-23, at 12:30 AM, Dennis Claxton wrote:
> At 08:38 PM 11/22/2010, Marv Gandall wrote:
>
>> It's not plausible that these leaders, in many countries over many generations, were all, or even mostly, treacherous opportunists who consciously misled their supporters about their intentions while seeking office.
>
> Maybe. But I think it's plausible that those who weren't treacherous opportunists would not have made it into office without an invitation and help from others who were.
That's true. Ultimately they're all products of the conservatizing and corrupting political culture of capitalism and are increasingly affected by it the closer they get to power. They wouldn't be allowed to govern or exercise leadership in mass organizations if they did not accommodate themselves by degrees to the system. Those who turn against it are removed from office, marginalized, jailed, or shot, as conditions dictate, by the ruling class, abetted by "treacherous opportunists".