-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Seattle <left-transparency@...>
To: marxist@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, June 07, 2003 10:29 AM
Subject: Illusions in Kucinich undermine opposition
to infiltration of the Democratic Party


Hi everyone,

> I do strongly think Kucinich is an eminently sensible
> and knowledgeable and courageous guy of great
> sincerity -- and honor.
-- Hunter -- June 2 (see post below)

The antiwar and progressive movements include both what is best
and what is worst in modern society. On the one hand these
movements represent the aspirations of the masses to oppose
imperialist war and the kind of capitalist globalization which
impoverishes millions. On the other hand these movements also
include the worst kind of political deception.

It is the destiny of the progressive movement to lead the working
class in a successful struggle to end bourgeois rule. An
inseparable part of this struggle is against the influence of
bourgeois politics within the progressive movement itself.

The main vehicle for promoting the influence of bourgeois
politics and the bourgeois worldview within the antiwar and
progressive movements--is the left wing of the Democratic Party
and its many allies (open and hidden) and allied institutions.
These vehicles of bourgeois influence are the principal source of
the massive illusions which saturate the antiwar and progressive
movements. These illusions promote the idea that the present
system of bourgeois rule--can be gradually reformed into a world
without imperialist war and capitalist oppression and
exploitation--if only we give up our independent stand--and
carefully align ourselves with "progressive" saviors from within
the establishment.

Illusions of this sort add up to the biggest lie of all time.

Should we call anyone "courageous" who voted to support US
imperialism's criminal war of aggression against Afghanistan?
Should we call anyone "courageous" who fails to support abortion
rights? One small lie paves the way for the next. And before
you know it the idea that the working class in the U.S. is
capable of taking up politics which are _independent_ of
bourgeois influence--becomes lost in euphoria over the fact that
a representative of the ruling class understood that he could
help his career by extending the influence of dangerous illusions
within the ranks of progressive activists.

I respect Hunter's many years of struggle on behalf of all kinds
of progressive causes. But he is dead wrong on this one.

The "easy" path forward gives up the perspective of a movement
which is independent of bourgeois influence. In exchange we
agree to lie to ourselves and others--to deceive the masses--and
promote the illusion that there is a section of the imperialist
Democratic Party which we can rely on--if only we give up our
independence.

This is truely the road to hell.

Sincerely and with revolutionary regards,
Ben Seattle
----//-// 7.Jun.2003
http://struggle.net/Ben (my elists / theory / infrastructure)

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--- original message below ---

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marxist/message/10423
From: "Hunter Gray" <hunterbadbear@e...>
Date: Mon Jun 2, 2003 3:56 pm
Subject: Kucinich

A few days ago, after a number of expressions of strong
DSA/ASDnet approval regarding Dennis Kucinich and his obviously
very positive positions on a wide range of compelling issues,
Duane Campbell quite appropriately pointed out that Kucinich
stands for much that DSA professes to support. He went on to
suggest that DSA throw its backing behind Kucinich at this
critical point. I like that; and, assuming DSA is really
committed to some trail-blazing work on the social "frontiers,"
I'd certainly like to see Duane's suggestion implemented. As I've
noted, I would vote for a presidential ticket that contained
Kucinich as a candidate for either top office. If he didn't make

that, I'll go with a Left candidate and vote Democratic in the
state and local Idaho elections. But I do strongly think Kucinich
is an eminently sensible and knowledgeable and courageous guy of
great sincerity -- and honor.

So I'd like to see DSA back him -- Now.

What do you say, DSA?

Hunter Gray [Hunterbear]
www.hunterbear.org [social justice website]