After all these years, I am surprised that I can still be surprised.
What am I surprised about? I am surprised that anyone who really knows me and knows my dozen years of public activism would expect me to support an imperialist politician and be themselves surprised that I don't.
What does being a socialist have to do with this?
First of all, I call myself an "organic socialist." I was not a "red diaper baby" and I don't come from a radical family or community. In fact, I grew up in the height of the Cold War and very negative views about socialism were inculcated in me. I was indoctrinated with the Pledge and intimidated by regular nuclear drills that had us Budding Patriots diving under our desks just in case the Red Menace decided to drop an a-bomb on Bellflower.
Secondly, as an organic socialist, even though I have now done study on scientific socialism, I see socialism as just pure common sense and caring for society (see how similar the words are?). What is best for 100% of humans, not just 1%? When I am accused of "envying the wealthy," my response is, "I don't want to be like the rich, I want them to be like us."
I was harshly ridiculed and reviled in 2008 when I didn't support the imperialist Obama. Now, while many of Obama's 2008 rabid fan club can now see that his regime has been a complement to the Bush regime and can readily recognize the same flaws in Hillary Clinton, they refuse to acknowledge factual arguments in my opposition to the Sanders' candidacy.
As far as I can see, he had one good vote among many that were right up the imperialist's alley. I am not going to make a laundry list here, but this is an excellent summary from the facetiously named Facebook page, Bernie Barry Bush.
What disheartens me about all of the Sanders mania is the chauvinistic character of it. Sure, Sanders is promoting some solid reforms on the domestic side, but still promoting imperialism on the global side. As you can see in the above link, he is consistently for a bloated Pentagon budget which shows how little regard he has for the people of the planet that are being repressed, oppressed, murdered, tortured, imprisoned, and/or displaced, etc, by The Empire™, or its "friends" (especially Israel).
True socialism is not imperialist and stands against invasions of sovereignty and stands in solidarity with people resisting oppression and occupation. True socialism cares for 100% of the people on this planet, not just the small minority of the seemingly entitled humans here in the USA.
True socialism cares about the planet and is against the destruction of it and of its life. The Empire™ is the largest exploiter of its resources and polluter of its essential life-support systems.
True socialism strives to not only create healthy communities, work-places and environments, but to also look outside of our own communities and work-places and desire healthy human rights and peace for everyone. E.g, Sanders has said that he would be comfortable using drone bombing to "combat terror" and when I first came out strongly against Obama's favorite weapon of terror three days after he was inaugurated in 2009, many "liberals" wrote me saying, "what are you crazy? If Bush had used drones in Iraq, your son would still be alive." This argument angers me, because A). No one knows what could have happened; and B). Although, as his mother, Casey was my primary concern, I also mourn each innocent's death.
True socialism knows that every person on this planet has the same existential right---not just selfish USAians.
I believe that the biggest disappointment to me around the Sanders campaign is that its success is evidence that there is little anti-imperial sentiment in the US and that during the Obama regime, "Humanitarian war," which is the most blatant oxymoron ever, has become acceptable.
It's my opinion that if people were truly antiwar, or anti-Empire, there are many other candidates to support if one thinks that is effective.
Look, I am not campaigning against Sanders (for the record, I am also not a Clinton or any Republican supporter--I wish I didn't have to say that, but I will be accused of it), I am campaigning against what the USA stands for and is about, but it's time for the supporters of Sanders to acknowledge his aggressive stances and votes and stop trying to run away from, or soft-pedal his record. It speaks for itself. It's hunky-dory to support Sanders, but support of Sanders means one also by extension supports imperialism.
In this capitalist-imperialist, rotten Empire, there is no such thing as "holding his feet to the fire" and if the Obama-mania and resultant expansion of Empire didn't convince people, what will?
What will?
[1991] Supported genocidal sanctions against the people of Iraq:
http://www.c-span.org/video/...
[1993] Voted for the invasion of Somalia:
https://www.congress.gov/.../senate-joint-resolution/45
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1993/roll183.xml
[1996] Voted for sanctions against Iran and Libya in order to prevent the two countries from developing ‘petroleum resources’:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/3107
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1996/roll250.xml
[1997] Voted to urge the president to illegally recognize Jerusalem as the ‘undivided capital of Israel’:
https://www.congress.gov/.../house-concurrent-resolution/60
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1997/roll176.xml
[1998] Voted to endorse regime change operations against Iraq:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/4655
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1998/roll482.xml
[1999] Voted for the NATO assault on Yugoslavia:
https://www.congress.gov/.../house-concurrent-resolution/42
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1999/roll049.xml
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dazZyVW7DaQ
[2001] Voted for the so-called ‘War on Terror’:
https://www.congress.gov/.../house-joint-resolution/64
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll342.xml
[2001] Voted to extend and toughen sanctions against Iran and Libya:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/1954
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll276.xml
[2003] Voted for a resolution ‘Expressing the Support and Appreciation of the Nation for the President and the Members of the Armed Forces Who are Participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom’:
https://www.congress.gov/.../house-concurrent-resolution/104
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll083.xml
[2003] Cosponsored a bill authorizing sanctions against Syria for supporting Hezbollah and the PFLP:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/1828
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll543.xml
[2006] Cosponsored a bill authorizing regime change operations and sanctions against Iran:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/282
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll105.xml
[2006] Voted for the so-called ‘Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act’:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/4681
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll181.xml
[2006] Voted to endorse Israel’s brutal onslaught against Lebanon:
https://www.congress.gov/.../109th.../house-resolution/921
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll391.xml
[2008] Cosponsored a resolution “reaffirming the bonds of close friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel”:
https://www.congress.gov/.../110th.../senate-resolution/522
[2009] Cosponsored a resolution for the purpose of strengthening USAID, a CIA front organization:
https://www.congress.gov/.../111th.../senate-resolution/312
[2011] Cosponsored a resolution authorizing NATO’s decimation of Libya:
https://www.congress.gov/.../112th.../senate-resolution/85
[2012] Voted for the ‘United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act’:
https://www.congress.gov/.../112th-congress/senate-bill/2165
http://maplight.org/.../bill/112-s-2165/1083433/near-votes
[2014] Did not object to the passage of a bill by unanimous consent to wage a massive propaganda campaign in support of the fascist regime in Ukraine:
https://www.congress.gov/.../113th-congress/senate-bill/2183
[2014] ] Did not object to the passage of a resolution by unanimous consent in support of Israel’s brutal assault on Gaza:
https://www.congress.gov/.../113th.../senate-resolution/498
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI come from a totally different political background than you. But, factually, you are correct in your assessment of Bernie Sanders and of both of these parties.
My best,
-Patrick
thank you!
DeleteExcellent post.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that people are putting on such blinders in their support of Sanders.
thank you!
DeleteThanks for stating it as things really are.
ReplyDeleteAlan L. Maki
thank YOU!
DeleteHello Cindy, thank you for this presentation of "Organic Socialism"
ReplyDeleteWe met in Denver '04 at the Mercury Cafe, with a true bunch of Organic Socialists, yourself, Medea, McKinney, Evans, much thanks to Susan Harman for introducing me to the advocates for our kind of Socialism; Which, i have tuned in to wondering or recent, 'what kind of Socialist am i'...?.. certainly not a Democratic Socialist... i think you've coined the essence with 'Organic Socialism' ...so spiritually pertinent. 'Organic Socialism' Definitely deserves some mental consideration.
i see donating to Sanders campaign as a swing at HC. And the thrill of either seeing Sanders beat HC or just embarrassing the DNC/DLC/New Democrats/ ...if that's possible. A two-bit peanut farmer from Georgia makes it to POTUS seems even more possible for a Bernie Sanders to be the next POTUS.
Clearly his war record is almost as bad as HC. I don't think the list noted the Suppression of Freedoms for voicing grievances either; Like the Domestic Terror legislation.
An interesting unknown: Who will Sanders pick for a VP? Plz don't say Lizzy, Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran, Warren...SheeeshLouise
I wish Sanders would be more incisive with the current regime; with some consistency...with some measure of alacrity...and sorrow for his past mistakes !... but that's not going to happen here in reality. In spite of his record i still donated. He does offer some consolations that make it worth Donating TO!
i don't think he can skate around or dance over the Palestine Land grab; he will have to come out and say how biased and partial he is or NOT. Sanders will not be able to straddle the Israel Wall...
The deception (ala IDF/Mossad) by which they divide and conquer is staring right as us... i don't think were getting played by throwing a few bucks to his campaign. i don't think donating to his campaign makes me less of a Organic Socialist. But if Trump starts to prosecute war criminals and torture, and bankers for crashing the economy, tells Israel to go to hell... he could get my vote. Foreign Policy dictates Domestic Policy and he's such an F5 flip-flopp'n fool he might just flip flop my way...Unlike HC the Neo-libs Lib, curse of Satan and friend of Israel... deserves to be beaten in my opinion.
Perhaps a Sanders / Trump ticket :0 jk.
my new meds are kicking in
Will,
Billings, Montana
ps how 'bout Holistic Socialism <..>
"Holistic Socialism"
DeleteLove it!
Thanks for your comments, Will.
C
I think you have it all wrong. I ask, in all seriousness, why you continue to rail against the US, and then stay here. I'm not trying to bait you, or debate you. You must know that the kind of 'socialism' you are so fond of does not, nor ever has existed in human history. If you don't, or can't see this, then you are exemplifying the maxim of the definition of insanity.
ReplyDeleteIf this country troubles you so, then please go to a place that you do like.
You are doing nothing to help this country.
But,I know no one will read this, so maybe I am insane as well.
No, Kevin McAvoy, you are not insane. But isn't is the duty of those of us born in this country to try to do the best we can to make this the kind of place where humanity can survive and flourish--something which cannot be separated from the conditions perpetuated by Wall Street and the military industrial complex whose home we share? Yes, you are right that socialism has never come to a full realization yet on this planet precisely because it still remains an unrealized project due to the lack of fundamental change in class relations in the most advanced and powerful capitalist countries, i.e. Western Europe and the the U.S. Your hopelessness for an egalitarian future reflects the cynicism present in the dominant capitalist culture surrounding us. This culture is perpetuated by the the U.S. ruling class whose existence depends on continued destruction of both national and worldwide human and natural resources to survive. I thought I'd share this with you as my contribution to the discussion which I see as a positive effort in making this country better by supporting those I identify with, working people and the multiply oppressed.
DeleteVerbiage aside, niether you, Cindy,or any person on Earth can cite even one single socialist, populist or other anarchic insurgency that has ever come off without the horrifying death and destruction of the very people the 'liberators' sought to exploit. Not one.
DeleteCindy fills space with rambling quasi intellectual screeds reprinted from the usual worker party suspects that go on ad nauseam about the greatness of Stalin, Mao And Minh. Do you, or she understand the cost in human death and misery that came as a result of the installation, at gunpoint, of so called socialist regimes in the countries stolen by those monsters?
All your psuedo political nonsense can't lay the carnage of the 20th century on the steps of the White House.
If Cindy abhors war, famine, human rights abuse and death the way she says, then she should see the truth of her 'convictions' and admit her hypocrisy. So should you.
What on Earth would you have-the murky slide into cultural oblivion of SocDem Europe, or the quick death of uncountable millions in Asia. Or, putting all that aside, perhaps you would choose our middle eastern nutballs as our new temperate and inclusive overlords?
You can have the last word. Good luck in your endeavors.
DeleteYour points about Bernie marching lock-step with the aims of the military industrial complex are right on! If he were serious about funding his reforms, i.e. free education through college and universal quality healthcare, he'd talk about dismantling the Pentagon. There is no socialism without a genuine internationalism in every way and that means mutual respect and solidarity among all the world's peoples which we in the heartland of world imperialism need to begin showing we stand for today. The scientific aspect of socialism is based on the irrationality of capitalism in its last stage-world imperialism. I remain an optimist and join you in continuing to fight for a better world, Cindy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Stephen.
DeleteI must correct myself. The various Bolivarian regime changes were arguably the least destructive to the native populace. Still a lot of graves to be found, but nothing approaching the Asian/Soviet/European atrocities.
ReplyDeleteTwenty-million dead in WWII when the imperialists went to war over who was going to come out on top, if we are going to mention atrocities in terms of numbers. Just a comment. The destruction of this war is what brought the U.S. and the world out of the Great Depression, if we one speak in terms of numbers.
ReplyDeleteWell, your reasoning is seriously flawed. Germany and Russia were going to go at it, no matter what. Hitler convinced a terrified populace than communism would be the end of German culture. There were something like 25 communist candidates in the election that was handed easily to the nazis. The wholesale slaughter in Russia after the revolution didn't go without notice from 1917-1932. Millions died or were enslaved by Stalin and his paranoia. The 'imperialists' in western Europe tried to sue for peace with the nazis. The US tried to stay out of the nonsense as long as possible, much as was done in WW1. Britain and France made conditions ripe for a Hitler by punishing Germany for it's role in WW1, and happily divvied up the German colonial holdings.
ReplyDeleteJapan was trying to protect their sphere of influence in the Pacific and wound up murdering uncountable millions in China and other countries. Mao took advantage to kill a few dozen million more in purges and famines. The typical conditions seen in all sociacommunist countries where people lie about grain harvests and new tractors to save their lives resulted in millions more to be starved and pogrommed.
No one has clean hands. But socialisms' has blood that will never be cleansed.
But, you can have the last word..
Bernie Sanders, on our greatest national security threat: "The scientific community is telling us, if we do not address the global crisis of climate change, transform our energy system away from fossil fuel to sustainable energy, the planet that we're gonna be leaving our kids and grandchildren may well not be habitable. That is a major crisis."
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/pGNHxZgb8WQ?t=35s
They are all the same: Clinton, Sanders, Trump, Cruz, etc. I'm voting for Gloria LaRiva, of the Party of Socialism and Liberation. U.S. voters must start voting for third-party candidates, in order to rid the country of the stranglehold of the Republocrats. And by the way, someone asked why Cindy remains in the country. That is her choice; I fled 11 years ago, shortly after Bush was elected. You will recall he was only appointed in 2000, but elected in 2004. That was the point where I said I need to leave. And I did. I've lived in Canada ever since.
ReplyDelete