Date: Mon, 4 Mar 96 5:43:42 EST From: boddhisatva <kbevans-AT-panix.com> Subject: Re: the anxious middle Ms. Ryan, I agree with you about the CPUSA. When they are clear and topical, they have a great message that makes logical, "common" sense to people. It also helps when they don't end the piece by saying "but, of course after the massive Communist revolution we won't have to worry about this problem" As long as socialists can stick to analysis and not depart into rhetoric, theory, or talk of the revolution as Messiah, their radicalized consciousness is an advantage over other groups trying to appeal to the same disaffected working class. If you look at modern, popular libertarianism, racism, and even conservatism, you see movements trying to develop all-encompassing ideologies. In fact this is the thing about Gingrich that made him so effective, he was able to distribute those tapes to potential candidates that gave them a ready response on every issue. Of course, this is also where people have found fault with Gingrich, because he, like Buchanan, is hobbled by the totality if his message. Pieces sound great, but he insists on trying to put the thing together and it reveals its crippling flaws. Socialists have a great advantage here because, when pressed, we can always come out with more of the compendium of Marxist thought. Any small issue can be related to another in easy and logical stages. We need not take the leaps of faith that our competitors for the hearts and minds of the working class have to take. Also, we can always relate the problems of the day to solutions that rely on positive, practical solidarity, rather than hate-mongering or moralistic wishful thinking about "the family" and "100 points of light (and other fairy stories)." peace boddhisatva --- from list marxism-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu --- ------------------
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