On Oct 6, 2009, at 1:43 PM, David B. Shemano wrote:
Ok. The defining line between left and right is xenophobia/racism, internationalism/nationalism. So then, the AFL was a right-wing organization lateintothe20thCentury(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_policies_of_American_labor_unions)? And the Libertarian Party, which favors unrestricted immigrationisleftwing(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarian_perspectives_on_immigration)? And does that mean that a Marxist would have more ideological affinity with the Libertarian Party than the AFL?
Many do. But "ideological affinity" is not the only consideration. Marxism is not an ideology but a political practice based on a philosophy of history that sees the class of exploited wage workers as the only hope for the thoroughgoing change in the organization of society that alone can ward off the catastrophes that Rosa Luxemburg envisioned when she proclaimed the choice confronting humanity as "socialism or barbarism." As such, focusing on social base rather than ideology, Marxists orient more toward organizations based on the working class rather than middle class individualists. But if Ron Paul proposes bringing all the troops home, cutting the military budget to what is essential for territorial defense, ending the war on drugs and the prosecution of victimless "crimes," and welcoming immigrant workers unconditionally then many Marxists, including this one, will vote for his proposals with both hands!
Shane Mage
This cosmos did none of gods or men make, but it always was and is and shall be: an everlasting fire, kindling in measures and going out in measures." Herakleitos of Ephesos
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