Socialism in the U.S.
Bob Morris @ Aug 24th 2006 00:24 - Category: Socialism
Tony Blair calls himself socialist. His party, the Labour Party of Britain, is also socialist. Socialists and Communists hold governmental and elected posts there - as they do in most the rest of the world. Except for the U.S., socialism is accepted as a political force across the planet. Someone might love socialism or they might hate it. But at least they will know what it is. It’s only here in the States that ignorance of socialism is so overwhelming. Of course, the propaganda machine has much to do with that, socialism is routinely demonized, and calling someone a communist is an insult. In more rational countries, it simply describes their political affiliation.
Right-wingers in the States get their panties in a twist because socialists organize for social change. Well, duh. Fifteen minute spent reading the Communist Manifesto will explain why communists organize. Yet this short document, arguably one of the most important political documents in history, is barely mentioned in U.S. schools and colleges. Why is that?
The U.S., the home of predatory capitalism, is also nearly completely ignorant when it comes to socialism, and that’s no mistake. That it needs socialism as a counter-force against the predators is a given.
(To my British friends, yes, I know the Labour Party is sorry, corrupt, just-barely socialist, and needs to be tossed in the trash bin. But you must understand, at least you live in a country where people know what socialism is.)
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4 Responses to “Socialism in the U.S.”
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John Couzin on 24 Aug 2006 at 3:23 am #
You nearly got it right in your last paragraph, just remove the word socialist and you could be there. I agree that in Britain there is a tradition of left thinking and we have the word socialist in common usage in the world of politics but however, very few, if any, socialists politicians. Though we are alive at the grass roots of things
Hasan on 25 Aug 2006 at 11:45 pm #
Who is Communist in the British government?
John on 03 Sep 2006 at 12:24 am #
A fine display of American ignorance of socialism. I know it wasn’t your intent, but that’s how it works sometimes, pal.
“His party, the Labour Party of Britain, is also socialist. Socialists and Communists hold governmental and elected posts there - as they do in most the rest of the world.”
Lolz.
Bob on 03 Sep 2006 at 9:30 am #
It appears my comment was clueless. I denounce my ignorance, and promise to research more before expounding again about socialism elsewhere.