Americanism is one of those "Feel Good" words. Its meaning is vague
and can easily be manipulated to mean whatever one wishes it to mean.
In the way it was used, I suspect it means, "We Americans are
superior, and the rest of the world's peasants should learn our
superior ways.
Which makes my earlier point.
Carl Jarvis
On 5/10/16, Roger Loran Bailey <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
What is Americanism and what good is it?
On 5/10/2016 12:10 AM, Richard Driscoll wrote:
Roger:
Why not make an effort to combine 'solidarity' and 'Americanism'?
Richard
On 5/9/2016 7:39 PM, Roger Loran Bailey (Redacted sender rogerbailey81
for DMARC) wrote:
http://themilitant.com/2016/8019/801901.html
The Militant (logo)
Vol. 80/No. 19 May 16, 2016
(lead article)
Workers need international solidarity,
not ‘Americanism’
The following statement was released May 3 by Osborne Hart,
Socialist Workers Party candidate for U.S. vice president.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he’s going to
“make America great again.” Democratic Party candidate Hillary
Clinton says America is already great.
Both want workers to think of ourselves as “Americans,” and to view
working people across the globe as our enemies. We need to recognize
ourselves as part of a worldwide working class with common interests
and a common enemy: capitalism.
Clinton is for using U.S. military might to defend American interests
and argues for more “robust” intervention than President Barack
Obama. Trump claims to be the “peace” candidate who will put America
First by building up a strong military and let nations around the
world know they should come to the table or else.
What America are they talking about? The America of the Verizon
workers, forced out on strike by bosses who want to slash medical
coverage, contract out work at lower pay and close down call centers?
Or the America of the Verizon bosses? The America of fast-food
workers fighting for $15 and a union? Or the America of the
propertied rulers who have nothing but scorn for working people here
and abroad?
Capitalism is in a deep worldwide crisis. Unable to make the high
profits they want by investing in production-expanding factories, the
capitalist class instead speculates on everything from stocks and
bonds to the future prices of oil and other commodities. In the
factories, mills and mines they speed up the work pace with total
disregard for safety and the lives of workers, slash pay and attack
our unions.
The U.S. bosses’ foreign policy is an extension of their course at home.
Washington emerged victorious from World War II as the dominant
imperialist power. Today, the world order they established is coming
apart. From the Middle East to Europe to the South China Sea,
Washington faces challenges, conflicts and disorder.
That’s what’s at the root of the disputes between Trump, Clinton and
Obama.
More drones or fewer, more diplomacy or less, more special forces or
more infantry, more money for NATO or less, trade pact or no trade
pact — everything Washington does, whoever the occupant of the White
House happens to be, is to defend the interests of U.S. capitalists
around the world, not working people anywhere.
Clinton and Trump’s tactical differences are on how to best defend
imperialist interests.
Working people need our own foreign policy independent of the bosses.
Revolutionary Cuba proves that this is possible. Cuban
revolutionaries don’t say “Cuba first.” They start with recognition
of the right of self-determination of every nation and offer
solidarity to all those fighting imperialist domination.
The Socialist Workers Party stands shoulder to shoulder with Verizon
workers standing up to the bosses here. We stand with workers and
farmers in Syria who are being battered by the dictatorial regime of
Bashar al-Assad and its backers in Moscow and Tehran, the reactionary
Islamic State, and the efforts of Washington to defend its
imperialist interests in the region. We demand the withdrawal of all
U.S. troops abroad, from Korea to Syria to Latin America.
Under capitalism there is no peace.
Building a movement capable of replacing the dictatorship of the
propertied rulers here at home with a government of workers and
farmers is decisive to the future of all humanity.
Related articles:
Trump, Clinton debate best foreign policy to advance US imperialism
Socialist Workers Party joins fights, gets on Colorado ballot
Spring subscription drive chart April 2 - May 17 (week 4)
Militant Fighting Fund chart April 2- May 17 (week 4)
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home
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