[Edited Message Follows]

I think the "coastal elites" narrative is a product of the right-wing 
disinformaton machine and is without merit.  Capitalism, on the level of major 
corporations and their constoria, are global and have no patriotism no matter 
their geographic location.  Progressive workers are not limited to the 
"heartland." Phony corporate politicians push patriotism, for lack of issues 
and policy, to attract the support of the lumpenized ignorati. Our workers' 
movement must be international knowing that Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican, and 
other workers around the world work for the same corporations and are pitted 
against each other for maximum profits and minimum working standards.  This 
reminds me o a poem I wrote years ago --

*All's Not Quiet*

When I see the flags waving
I know death is sure to follow
and the rocket's red glare
the bombs bursting in air

I'm told, "patriotism
is a good thing"
love of country and all that. . .

I see in my mind
the old flickering images,
ecstatic proud
Germans waving
those little flags
It felt so good
in those days
after shameful defeat in war
and the weakness and corruption
of Weimar it felt so good
to be proud again
to adore god and country blood
and soil to be
strong and united
we stand and
patriotism is a good thing and
they all hate us anyway
so bomb them all and
let god sort 'em out
We're back and we're proud and
Never Again and make America Great
We're number one and
these colors don't run
so wave that flag with pride

But am I still talking
about Germany or
am I talking about
Israel or Croatia or
our own corporate empire
where misery pools to wealth
and the burning world fuels
our glory? Or
does it matter?
Does it matter?

Is patriotism still
a good thing if
it kills if it
justifies murder?
Mass murder?
If it prohibits asking
even this?

So wave that little flag
harder or
better yet
put it down

Now is the time
to stop fanning
hatreds
to stop cheering murder
to dispossess the evil
which threatens us all
to look each other in the eyes
to listen and hear
our common human needs
our common hopes
for the future
if there is to be one
at all

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