Meanwhile, you’ve scored a technical almost-point there with your republic comment. Do/should republics have any democracy in them? And is what the Founding Fathers intended the last word on what we should do? Why? Do you like slavery?

As to socialism, people still believe in it because it’s only been tried for 100 years, and because capitalism is an unsustainable death-march.

A libertarian socialist? I had to look that one up. Anarchist just doesn’t get the respect it once did, eh? I don’t understand how after the fall of so many failed communist states, and europe’s declining population/wealth, people can still support socialism.

With Rahm Emanuel on board, that ain’t happening soon.

Meanwhile, my argument was not and is not that Obama will deliver good things. My point is that the election of a black president in a huge landslide may end up inspiring people to get them out of cynical despair and into a social movement. Time will tell, but it’s a possibility.

The scare is already there, per today’s NYT:

“Mr. Obama’s advisers said they were startled…by the jubilation that greeted the news of Mr. Obama’s victory in much of the United States and abroad.”

Corylus,
The point being made (pretty well too) is that democracy is FORCED on the establishment. It’s not about procedures that can be rendered meaningless by removing (as you say correctly) the roots. Parenti makes a similar point: all the achievements won by the American working classes were won by democratic pushing (and forcing things on the rulers; things like 8-hour day, no child labor, etc.); in other words, by organizing mass movements that came from the working classes/’regular’ people; and all of those demands won democratically (i.e., in the streets, not by merely casting ballots) were fought against by the ruling class (and still are being fought, as the last 30 years shows). Of course, those who rule have more powerful means of oppressing. That’s natural. So, for our part, we too need to organize ourselves into a bigger, more powerful force.

So, the point is: step one) Stop them from sticking it to you; and step two) stick it to them in organized fashion!

it’s definitely spooky the administration being assembled for/by Obama, but even more so it’s indicative of the future course…minimal change, at best.

And best to you.

an enjoyable piece, especially the integration of relevant sources, smooth. But most importantly, you voted your conscience, that’s yours, and the message your share with us is ours, thanks.

Best to you.

Zionism is only part of the network of inter-connected interests & ideologies that rule the US behind the facade of ‘democracy.’ It should not be ignored but neither should its importance be exagerated to the exclusion of all else. The centre of the problem is the symbiosis between capital & the state.

Your warning is absolutely correct. Unfortunately the Left tore itself apart over Zionism. The issue as you state is not to exaggerate Zionism to the exclusion of all else is plain common sense. The problem is NOT to ignore how Zionism works as a force to divide the Left. It played a huge role in the diffusion of the anti-war movement which was the most recent opportunity for the Left to coalesce into a movement. Unfortunately that energy was tapped by the Obama campaign because the Left left a huge void when it diffused the anti-war movement.

The centre of the problem is the symbiosis between capital & the state.

I wish Obama well, but I fear that the PNAC snakes who have been at their deadly work since the awful Reagan era will not allow an Obama Presidency to stand.

Max Shields says…

I have two words for you: Rahm Emanuel. Expected Obama chief of staff (Israel firster)…and there’s much more to follow…

Both John and surprisingly Max identifies the main area of weakness with Obama and clearly could lead to his downfall — Zionism. And as Michael Dawson states the elites are losing some of their capacity to trick “Bubba”.

Can the Left really confront Zionism? There were unable to do so 4 years ago. However going forward if the Left can position itself as a real voice of opposition and confrontation to Zionism it will put the Obama Administration is a very awkward position and highlight a sharp contrast with the Left.

But the sheer category of what just happened, plus the large scale on which it happened, makes me at least entertain new possibilities. Millions of new voters and old burnouts are now getting up off the mat. If they don’t get what they thought they were asking for, they might start thinking for themselves.

As to democracy, all I’m saying is that social movements cause the advancements. The form, as you say, either advances or recedes according to popular pressure or its absence.

As to the reactionary elite, John, I would never take my eye off them, as you say. But they are in some pretty serious trouble now, nevertheless. They’re losing some of their capacity to trick the Bubbas.

Very nicely written piece…but some thoughts

I don’t think what you’re attributing to democracy (at least as a human concept) is really the fundamental principle at work. In the biological science it is referred to as organized complexity co-created through the dynamics of self-organizing. Perhaps you could call living democracy at its best an example of this principle; but democracy as we refer to it is generally taken to be a formal means of governance.

So when you say “democracy” moves in ebbs in flows, you are really describing the underlying principle, not a form of governance per se. I think it is very important to understand fundamental principles. All else is a “layering”. The layers, such as democracy, readily crumble when the fundamental priniciple (I’m talking about something so basic to the very nature of an living being plant or animal that it can either create or destroy when we align with it or against it).

Constitutions and the like are trappings which are important insofar as they reflect the underlying principles. If not they can be worthless at best or pathological.

As a Green you probably know this, perhaps through your research or intuitively – it is what draws you to the Green party – at least in part. Socialism, at least as the basis of economics and social relationships certainly follows the path of this natural principle. But like all “man” made systems, they can readily go awry – be weary of ideologues.

As far as the emotion you showed – good for you – but give yourself some time before thinking this Obama phenom is more than the jubilation after a Jack Johnson bout.

I have two words for you: Rahm Emanuel. Expected Obama chief of staff (Israel firster)…and there’s much more to follow…

Bush & Cheney were/are indeed awful, but it’s the powers behind them that are truly to be feared. And they’re not just going to go away.