So, what's the problem? That he was labeled a communist during the McCarthy witch hunt? That the FBI and CIA etc etc don't like communists, we all know that. As instrument of the coporate state, what else would they do? That's no proof, not even the faintest indication that what he wrote isn't correct. In fact, I've read his book and it's very good, he did very good historical research (and he's a good writer, which is a bonus).
A very interesting thread I think, and a very interesting dicussion in general. Very complex, obviously. For the Americans who say that "Capitalism is the American way": read Howard Zinn "A people's history of the United States" and learn how a century socialism was booming, largely thanks to the appalling conditions people living in and working in. TO everybody else: read Michale Parenti's books, amongst others to learn how the US empire have succeeded in overthrowing popular movements all over the world. With him I would say: most countries in the world are capitalist countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Chili, Angola, Mozambique, Mali, Nigeria, the Filippines, Indonesia. Look at the conditions those people are living in: no health care, no schools,..no food. About the former communist countries: it's true that bureaucracy took over, and that there was a lack of politcal rights. But there was also housing for everybody (no slums), education up to university level, food, women's rights, work for everybody (no army of unemployed needed to keep wages down). Just compare the "unhappy" people in the former USSR with the hapiness of it's people under capitalism: no more cheap housing, no more work, education and health care for everybody. But a small group of millionaire with enough money to buy European soccer teams as a hobby. Cuba: a Batista dicatorship supported by the USA (and by its mafia) with people living under exstremely bad conditions; no freedom no democracy. Today (and I know there's also things going wrong): highest literacy of Latin America (and higher than USA), life expectancy highest of Latin America (and equal or little above that in the USA), more doctors per capita than any other country in the world, more doctors in Third World countries than any other country in the world, a direct democracy. Result: a USA boycott, attempts to kill Castro and a failed invasion. Before people start responding that there is no democracy in Cuba: you're wrong. They have local, provincial and national elections. For local elections they take quartes from about 2000 people to elect a cancidate. All candidfates are on one list and get equal attention in the press. For provincial and national elections candidates are selected from students, unions, elder people, etc. How are they selected? By hearing the opinion of about 10% of the population (that is only for the formation of the list of candidates!). There are no professional politians, once a candidate is elected, he or she just gets time of from the job. When an elected politician doens't do well, people can replace him with another candidate! About 90-95% of all voters use their vote! I only learned all of this recently because our "independent and objective press" never mentions this!
Gert1 Forum Posts (2)
RE: COMMUNISME OR KAPITALISME ?
So, what's the problem? That he was labeled a communist during the McCarthy witch hunt? That the FBI and CIA etc etc don't like communists, we all know that. As instrument of the coporate state, what else would they do?That's no proof, not even the faintest indication that what he wrote isn't correct. In fact, I've read his book and it's very good, he did very good historical research (and he's a good writer, which is a bonus).