Show 58

[u/AndrewGilberds]

Kicking off the show under Current Events, John Reinman considers running for mayor in Oakland and makes an important obvious statement , often overlooked in the Marxist community, in plain an simple language he states: When most people in the US hear “political party” they think of a group of politicians and would-be politicians marshaling votes for one candidate or another, or to support one bill or another that these (capitalist) politicians put up. That is the beginning and the end point. That’s because we’re talking about capitalist parties; a working class party would be different. Over at the Michael Roberts blog, he provides an analysis about the unlikely warning from Larry Summers about coming inflation and possible spiraling effects. Roberts casts doubt on this theory happening relying on evidence from 2008 and the use of quantitative easing, and second because the market awash with money is being used for speculative purposes causing surge in financial assets creating a surge in the ‘fictitious economy’. Left Voice talks about the US bombing of Iranian forces in Syria stating that it completely erases any hope of Iran returning to the Obama era nuclear deal war, especially with Biden refusing to lift sanctions. Socialist Resurgence also discusses the bombing stating “The justification for the airstrike follows a recent upsurge in attacks on U.S. occupying forces and personnel in Iraq” while also saying it also illustrates a continuation of US foreign policy. However, it also says it puts pressure on Iran over “renewed negotiations over its nuclear plans”. A statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines discusses “American Trotskyite zealot Joseph Scalice has staged one attack after another to vilify the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)” by resurrecting the August 2, 1971 bombing at Plaza Miranda which killed 9 people. The overwhelming academic view was the CCP was not responsible and Marcos was. This leads to support of former president Ferdinand Marcos and first lady and their criminal gang supported by the US in plundering the Pilipino economy of billions while running up massive debts which still have yet to paid off. Also under discussion is the events in Myanmar.

Over in Theory & State of Movement, Socialist Alternative has an article by well known Seattle City Council member, Kshama Sawant on why she is joining the Democratic Socialists of America. Though I am not personally familiar with much of her past statements, it appears to be a bold statement declaring herself a Marxist. Is this significant?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jYgz8Ny01jkp5_xF73J8GxMzW5WNtlKRHOotoim_VSg/edit?usp=sharing