Traitor vs. patriot

By James Thompson

Much has been made in the right wing, bourgeois media, about who is a traitor and who is a patriot in the United States today. Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and other bourgeois cheerleaders connect the dots by declaring that communists/socialists are traitors and the right wing fringe of the GOP are patriots.

Before we examine this proposition, it is important to clarify the definition of the terms.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a traitor as:

“a person who is not loyal to his or her own country, friends, etc. : a person who betrays a country or group of people by helping or supporting an enemy”

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a patriot as:

“a person who loves and strongly supports or fights for his or her country”

The bourgeois media sidesteps these definitions when identifying traitors or patriots. They also failed to clarify who constitutes a “country.”

When examining these concepts, it is important to keep in mind that a “country” is composed of its residents. In the United States, the populace is composed of very diverse groups who have different interests. There are many ethnic groups in the United States to include Anglos, African-Americans, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and many others. People also belong to various socio-economic strata to include bourgeois and proletarians, in other words owners of the means of production and workers. Another way to put it is wealthy and poor.

Some people have drawn attention to the fact that the 1% owns the vast majority of the wealth in the United States and the rest is divided among the 99%. Many people have pointed to the vast inequality in personal wealth in the United States.

When examining the concepts of traitor and patriot, it is important to keep in mind which socio-economic sector of the population to which the individual is loyal. It is also important to consider the policies advocated by the individual in question and how these policies apply to the interests of the various sectors of the population.

For example, Sen. Ted Cruz, who just announced his candidacy for the position of President of the United States, has taken very strong positions from the starting line. He has made clear that he favors shutting down the US government, especially the IRS. He has also taken an uncompromising anti-immigrant stance, even though he, himself, is an immigrant. Ted Cruz was born in Canada.

Let us examine Sen. Cruz in terms of the traitor/patriot dialectic.

What would it mean to the people of the United States if the federal government was shut down? It would mean that all social programs to include Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Federal Bureau of prisons, Federal Aviation Administration to include air traffic controllers, federal highway programs, public health service, the military, Bureau of Indian affairs, to nothing for the executive branch of the government, legislative branch and judiciary. Also, the border patrol would be shut down. This element of his policies is particularly contradictory. In other words, Sen. Cruz advocates chaos. It should be remembered that the IRS is the agency that provides the funding which makes it possible for this country to function as a sovereign nation.

Most working people with any understanding of the functioning of the United States easily understand that the eradication of the federal government would result in extraordinary hardship for workers and their families. Meanwhile, the people in the 1% would benefit tremendously from the eradication of the federal government. It would mean lower taxes and lower labor costs. For the working class, the eradication of the federal government would mean lower wages and lower social benefit programs. In other words, only the wealthy would be able to afford education for their children, only the wealthy would be able to afford healthcare, the criminal justice system would be reduced and travel would become very difficult or impossible if one was not extremely wealthy. Discrimination against immigrants also benefits the 1% because both immigrant and citizen workers can be manipulated to accept lower wages

So, Sen. Cruz’ positions would clearly define him as a patriot to the 1% and a traitor to the 99%.

Conversely, for example, Sen. Bernie Sanders who advocates an expansion of social programs and a reduction in the inequality of income could be considered a traitor to the 1% and a patriot to the 99%.

In the coming elections, it will be important for people to ask themselves the question “Which side are you on?” and vote accordingly.

You can view the videos of the Rally against Republicans held on 2/28/2015 in Houston which was organized by the Houston Socialist Movement at the following links:

http://youtu.be/eH5gteUx_HQ

http://youtu.be/dQZmH5LH-ug

http://youtu.be/55MI956srIc

http://youtu.be/SugVZPSzoJE

http://youtu.be/NeqoRM8X2d4

http://youtu.be/HekqSmY0QHw

http://youtu.be/CKpvEzZOm-Q

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

This is a reminder that you are invited to participate in the “Rally against Republicans, Who are Hurting Us!” on Saturday, February 28, at 2 pm, on the sidewalks at the intersection of Harrisburg and Macario Garcia (Hwy 90) in Houston.

As our previous email noted, the purpose of the Rally is to expose the Republicans and the Far Right for their increasingly dangerous attacks on workers, people of color, women, immigrants, LGBTQ communities, and the masses as a whole—and to help develop the kind of independent working class political action which will be required to stop these dangerous attacks. Of course, we will also have something to say about reformist politicians whose real loyalty is to the wealthy few, not the people.

So if you’re opposed to further militarization and racist militias on the border; repealing in-state tuition, DACA, and executive relief for undocumented people; openly racist attacks on people of color, Muslims, and other minorities; the attacks on women’s rights; the refusal to expand Medicaid and attempts to cut Social Security and Medicare; the refusal to adequately fund public schools, services for the disabled, and veterans care; widespread unemployment and poverty wages; the constantly growing legal and economic privileges and rights of the very rich; calls for new wars in Iraq, Syria, and Iran; giving Latin American governments taxpayer money to repress their people under the guise of fighting the drug trade; and more…You should join us on February 28!

This event is being organized by the Houston Socialist Movement. We are a new organization of long-time activists who are resolutely opposed to the Republicans and the Far Right–and their reformist counterparts–harming the working class and the masses of people. We are committed to helping workers and democratic-minded people of all nationalities understand that these problems are rooted in the capitalist system and that socialism here in the United States and around the world is the answer to these problems.

The February 28 Rally will feature short speeches, chants, music, the distribution of flyers, and an open microphone. We hope to see you there. If you would like more information, please contact us at movimientosocialistahouston@gmail.com or (832) 692-2306.

In Solidarity,

Houston Socialist Movement

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

You are invited to participate in the upcoming “Rally against Republicans, Who are Hurting Us!” on Saturday, February 28, at 2 pm, on the sidewalks at the intersection of Harrisburg and Macario Garcia (Hwy 90) in Houston.

The purpose of the Rally is to expose the Republicans and the Far Right for their increasingly dangerous attacks on workers, people of color, women, immigrants, LGBTQ communities, and the masses as a whole—and to help develop the kind of independent working class political action which will be required to stop these dangerous attacks. This event is being organized by the Houston Socialist Movement.

We are resolutely opposed to the Republicans and the Far Right harming the working class and the masses of people by

• * further militarizing the border
• * supporting racist militias on the border
• * repealing in-state tuition for undocumented college students
• * attempting to end DACA and executive relief for undocumented people,
• * harassing Texas legislators who oppose “Open Carry”
• * making openly racist attacks on people of color, Muslims, and other minorities
• * refusing to expand Medicaid
• * attempting to cut Security and Medicare
• * refusing to adequately fund public schools
• * refusing to adequately fund veterans care
• * opposing improved services for the disabled
• * opposing measures to reduce unemployment
• * opposing a living wage for all workers
• * constantly adding to the legal and economic privileges and rights of the very rich
• * calling for new wars in Iraq, Syria, and Iran
• * giving Latin American governments taxpayer money to repress their people under the  guise of fighting the drug trade

…and more!

We are committed to helping workers and democratic-minded people of all nationalities understand that these problems are rooted in the capitalist system and that socialism here in the United States and around the world is the answer to these problems.

We hope you will plan to join us for the Rally on Saturday, February 28. If you would like more information, please call (832) 692-2306.

In Solidarity,

Houston Socialist Movement

Please sign the petition

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-private-militias?source=c.em&r_by=8638452

By James Thompson

 

According to a Houston Chronicle article http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Abbott-photographed-with-militia-leader-5862450.php , the Republican candidate for Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, was caught in a photograph consorting with supporter J.K. Massey in Brownsville. Massey is a convicted felon and was arrested on federal firearms charges four days after the photo with Abbott was taken . According to the Chronicle, Massey had an arsenal similar to that of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.

 

Many Texans are demanding that Abbott, as Texas Attorney General, denounce Massey for his terroristic activities as a militia leader. Apparently, Abbott’s non-response to these demands indicate his tacit support for right-wing terroristic lunatics. It is already well-documented that Abbott has been the beneficiary of fundraisers staged by Ted Nugent who has gone on record advocating that people should be shot as they come across the Texas-Mexico border. Abbott has failed to renounce Ted Nugent’s activities and hate speech to date.

 

Does anyone besides me see a pattern here? How do Texans think that relations between Texas and Mexico will be affected if Abbott is elected governor? Does anyone think that elevating a man who has consorted with open racists to Governor might complicate trade relations with Mexico and result in a reduction of commerce? Does anyone think that if Abbott is elected, Texas’ public image will be enhanced?