Whatever the fate of Bernie Sanders POLITICAL REVOLUTION has arrived in the USA of the new millennium

Bernie Sanders commands the respect of many independent , " democratic socialists " who appreciate his focus on unacceptable economic inequality rather than the false drama of fatuous identity politics. He is the overwhelming favorite of young and " progressive " voters presently inclined to vote Democrat. It is about time that some Democrat revive the spirit of the New Deal and challenge the moral legitimacy of even " legitimate " wealth.

Democratic socialists have always had a preference for the Marxist explanation of capitalist profit making: the labor theory of value. Our society's wealth is the collective product of intellectual and physical labor of its working/middle class. Our " job creators " are not even very good at that. They resemble more and more the Robber Barons of the 19th century.

An establishment scorned Bernie Sanders should inspire the formation of an American Labor Party -with a bold socialist agenda.

He might also team up with Jill Stein, the presidential candidate of the Green Party.
Whatever the fate of Bernie Sanders POLITICAL REVOLUTION has arrived in the USA of the new millennium. Let the ruling class tremble . 

    We don't need the capitalists. They are even ruining the Good Earth.

Daffy Donald Trump and his KKK supporters

No honest democratic socialist would try to link ANY of the major party political candidates with the overt racism of David Duke's KKK. What we find damning about ALL of them is their connection-their loyalty- to ruling class America, to the ONE PERCENT.
Hillary Clinton is the choice of the black bourgeoisie. Younger blacks are at least listening intelligently to " socialist " Democrat Bernie Sanders. A scorned Sanders should go INDEPENDENT , team up with Jill Stein of the Green Party.
Both the Democratic and the Republican Party -even when conforming to the dictates of " political correctness "- have helped wage a one sided class war on working class Americans of ALL races and ethnic groups. The Clintons waged war on the poor way back in the Roaring 90s- not roaring for the nation's have-nots.
Neither Bill nor Hillary Clinton oppose the certainly " racist " death penalty. They support U.S. wars in the Middle East which inflame racist ( " raghead "? ) Islamophobia- without the help of the KKK. They rarely speak with any sympathy for the oppressed Palestinians.
And Donald Trump is simply telling the truth when he says that the vast majority of black Americans are worse off in the Obama Era- with very high unemployment among black youth.
With friends like the Clintons black voters need to reconsider the Bernie Sanders message of the evils of systemic economic inequality. And so should the now mostly ruined white middle class. American capitalism works just fine for the ONE PERCENT.

" White Privilege " surfaces at the Academy Awards

Race Card shown at Academy Awards It  is just a scientific FACT that no race or ethnic group has a monopoly on brains, talent, or character. But I think too many brainlessly " politically correct " celebrities -and politicians with a " race card " agenda- are simply stirring up an invidious -and phony- controversy.  I am sure there are plenty of black actors and actresses certain to be recognized  at some point in their careers. Shouting and demanding RECOGNITION in the real rat race world is just self-humiliating and an indication of mediocre talent.

         " White privilege " is a hot issue only among the black bourgeoisie- people who are already privileged and quite comfortable themselves. But a Culture of Narcissism makes ALL " successful " Americans insecure and often neurotic for MORE, more applause, more money, more intoxicating SUCCESS in American Consumer Heaven.

      I recommend they read Samuel Johnson's " The Vanity of Human Wishes ". And  have a kind thought for all of us obscure " losers " - like those annoying " socialists " out there worried about more substantial issues.

     I read that Bernie Sanders- a democratic socialist or a " socialist " Democrat- is fairly popular in the Hollywood world as a presidential candidate.  In general , democratic socialists shun " identity politics ", do not strive to be the darling of any particular race or ethnic group. 

Even working class whites  enjoy  " white privilege "  ?

Bernie Sanders is still useful to progressive voters-and still competitive with Hillary

Hillary Clinton wins South Carolina primary

As a democratic socialist myself I have been a " critical supporter " of " socialist " Democrat Bernie Sanders of Vermont. No " socialist " will strive to make himself or herself the darling of any particular race or ethnic group. Black Americans with their " Black Lives Matter " chants have been terrorized into playing it safe with those establishment politicians who at least seem to be sympathetic to their particular plight.
But democratic socialists see the root of much misery and social injustice in economic inequality. Pro-capitalist Hillary will never correct the innate flaws of the capitalist profit system- despite her good will toward the have nots and her good intentions.
As a serious " socialist " Bernie Sanders functions in the toxic environment of the corrupt Democratic Party. As " independent " Ralph Nader said many times we really have ONE party ruling America- the party of the corporate rich.
Bernie is still very competitive and useful to progressives running for president in Democratic primaries. But a scorned Bernie Sanders should consider teaming up with Jill Stein of the Green Party.
I do intend to vote for Sanders in the Rhode Island Democratic Party Primary. I see no reason why he should not win big here as he did in neighboring New Hampshire ( 60 percent ! ).
The " political revolution " is inspired by this good and decent man. But Bernie Sanders is NOT the revolution.No, alone he is not even radical reform.
But we still " Feel The Bern " .

Do Brown University poll experts favor Hillary Clinton ?

Latest Brown poll puts Hillary ahead of Sanders

This sudden reversal of poll fortune for Hillary Clinton just a few days after her less than overwhelming victory in the Nevada Caucus SMELLS rotten. Were the SAME people questioned a few days later ? LIBERALS are rarely that erratic-wavering between establishment Hillary and " political revolution " Bernie Sanders. One columnist seems to think that the Democratic Party establishment is now- contrary to all past wisdom - conspiring to keep voter turn out in these primaries LOW. The new and younger voters overwhelmingly favor " socialist " Democrat Bernie Sanders.
There is every reason to believe that Sanders could win here in Rhode Island just as big ( 60 percent ) as he did in neighboring New Hampshire. I will bet the Brown polling " experts " favor " pragmatic " liberal Hillary Clinton.

" My Vienna Days ", explains Hitler's political personality

Review of Erich Fromm's " Anatomy of Human Destructiveness "

Hitler's speeches for bedside reading ? Well, he could be quite soporific, Adolph Hitler. In " Mein Kampf " one chapter at least explains the roots of Hitler's political personality . Read " My Vienna Days ". Psychiatrist Erich Fromm analyzed Hitler as a " destructive personality ", a petty bourgeois who despised working class life, seeing himself as the artist type-but living in hateful squalor and misery. Personal misery does often find political expression. Other ruined middle class Germans turned to some variety of socialism. It can happen here !
Both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders talk about the death of the American Dream - the middle class " good life ".
     [      Review of " Anatomy of Human  Destructiveness "
    " In sane life-loving societies it would be recognized as the pathology that it is; malignant character-types like Stalin, Hitler and Himmler -- Fromm's models -- would be harmless because they wouldn't have a chance to come to power. "]

Hitler was shaped by his " Vienna Days ".

In fact, Vicente Fox LOOKS more like Hitler..... " The Donald " looks more like US General Patton

" Trump remnds me of Hitler "

Former Mexican president Vicente Fox (L) and US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (R)

Yes, there is a resemblance !

For democratic socialist Irving Howe " A Margin of Hope ". So is Bernie Sanders

Democratic Party establishment wants a low turn out ?

As a democratic socialist and a critical supporter of " socialist " Democrat Bernie Sanders of Vermont I have no " favorite " conservative " Republican. But right wing Red Eye Radio with Eric Harley and Gary McNamara talks in a rational tone at least about  this political drama. They made the point that what ties Donald Trump's supporters to him is ANGER- and justified anger about the perceived " betrayal " of establishment Republicans. I think " angry " is more accurate than brainlessly " hateful ".
The supporters of " socialist " Democrat Bernie Sanders are more coolly angry over the death of the American Dream-already pronounced dead by " The Donald ".
Trump's solution is extreme nationalism - " make America great again ". Sanders' " solution " is to attack by civil means this growing -now atrocious- economic inequality- happening to ALL races and ethnic groups. The news media rarely " sees " poor, struggling Jews, for example. Bernie's " socialism " has its roots in Depression Era New York. Read Irving Howe's book " World of Our Fathers ". Howe himself was a democratic socialist until the end of his life. He also wrote a political autobiography " A Margin of Hope ". 
    I do intend to vote for Bernie in the Rhode Island primary- suddenly behind in the polls here after Hillary's Nevada Caucus less than overwhelming victory.

Noam Chomsky- both parties have drifted to the LEFT ???

"During the last generation, both political parties have drifted to the
left, said Noam Chomsky as he criticized their ambitions for wealth and
power instead of getting more votes."
ERROR ? Coming from a leftist like Noam Chomsky this sentence makes no sense at all: " both parties have drifted to left ".... ? The opposite is true : both parties have drifted to the right. So some Republicans can imagine that the Goldman Sachs cheerleader, Hillary Clinton, is a Marxist. Ask aging pop singer Pat Boone who said that President Obama was a Marxist too: " He does not want anybody to get rich " .
It would make more sense for Chomsky to be a critical supporter of Democrat Bernie Sanders rather than the " lesser evil " Hillary Clinton.
As a democratic socialist myself I think Sanders scorned should team up with Jill Stein of the Green Party.

  [    Democrats are center right and Republicans are far right

Dec 14, 2014 -  "  Both parties have drifted to the right. We don't have a real Democrat party anymore, they all became moderate Republicans with D's next to their ...]

Hillary is a tough sell even to the most jaded liberals

Hillary is a tough sell even to the most jaded " liberal " voters. SHE is going to protect us from the Wall St. wolves ? SHE is going to keep us out of war ? Working class women and black people in general should find comfort in her nomination ? Do we ever reach a point of gut revolt over " lesser evil " candidates ? A 60s voice recalled : " There comes a time when the machine becomes so odious.... " ( yes, even the Clinton machine) .
We don't need " Feel the Bern " Bernie Sanders' political revolution ? What is good for the ONE PERCENT is just fine for the rest of us ?

When Bernie endorses Hillary- END of his " political revolution "

  To be sure, no establishment politicians speak for the working class. True, you can only expect betrayal even from " progressives " mired in the Democratic Party. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont at least raised the issue of obscene economic inequality. But when Bernie soon endorses Hillary Clinton- war hawk and cheer leader for Goldman Sachs- that will be the dismal END to his " political revolution ". But there is an X factor in any confused political situation. What if Sander's not unexpected failure leads to a commotion for a third party- quite independent of the ruling class ?
      I can't believe the American electorate can get all excited over Hillary vs. Trump or Hillary vs.  Cruz or Hillary vs. Rubio. Perhaps a very low voter turn out will in itself constitute a pathetic protest vote          .U.S social crisis ignored by establishment politicians

THE PEOPLE should over-rule the Supreme Court

 

         " As he [ Judge Scalia ] once wrote,' by what conceivable warrant can nine lawyers presume to be the authoritative conscience of the Nation?' "
As a democratic socialist I think THE PEOPLE should be able to over-rule the ruling class appointed hacks on the Supreme Court. Our Supreme Court, even the Electoral College, is incompatible with popular democracy.
I can't imagine this Supreme Court ever outlawing capitalism. I guess the exploiting class, the ONE PERCENT is a protected minority. Real " democracy " will correct this flaw in the system.

Has identity politics corrupted " progressive " voters ?

  Identity politics has corrupted the idealism of " progressive " voters. There is no rational reason for black people or women as women to make Hillary Clinton their favorite presidential candidate .Hillary is too hawkish in foreign policy. The " war on terrorism " is a both an endless failure ( thanks to her " experience " as Secretary of State ) and an Orwellian cover up for the New Colonialism - condemned by Pope Francis.
The anti-establishment young are being corrupted by old dead souls. The spirit of Ayn Rand's " Virtue of Selfishness " is at work in the Democratic Party too.

Sudden poll reversal for " socialist " Bernie Sanders ?

Hillary now leads Sanders in new polls

   As a registered Democrat in neighboring Rhode Island -and a critical supporter of Bernie Sanders- I was surprised by a SUDDEN poll reversal here too. I can't believe that Establishment Hillary's less than overwhelming victory in the Nevada caucus quickly changed minds. Identity politics is stale. The big issue is economic inequality and the need for peace in the Middle East.
As a democratic socialist myself I think " socialist " Bernie should team up with Jill Stein of the Green Party. We need an independent Labor Party in the United States- but with a bolder pro-socialist program.
Right now it looks like I will vote for Jill Stein in the presidential election. If Bernie meekly endorses Hillary, that is certainly THE END of Bernie's " political revolution ". I will still thank him for trying to change the Democratic Party- pull it sharply to the left. A Quixotic project.

A presently inexplicable new poll favoring Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton and how our generation blew it

Hillary Clinton represents the betrayal of the youthful idealism of the anti-war, anti-establishment 60s baby boomer generation. Bernie should team up with Jill Stein of the Green Party -once the Democratic establishment gives him the big chill.
In the past few decades we are seeing the greening of Socialism. The Good Earth takes sides in the class struggle.
Horror writer Stephen King in " Hearts in Atlantis " writes about how our generation sold out, " blew it ".

  [Hearts in Atlantis (1999) is a collection of two novellas and three short stories by Stephen King, all connected to one another by recurring characters and taking place in roughly chronological order.
The stories are about the baby boomer generation, specifically King's view that this generation (to which he belongs) failed to live up to its promise and ideals. Significantly, the opening epigraph of the collection is the Peter Fonda line from the end of Easy Rider: "We blew it." All of the stories are about the 60s and the war in Vietnam, and in all of them the members of that generation fail profoundly, or are paying the costs of some profound failure on their part.}

How could Hillary's Nevada caucus quickly change pro-Bernie mood in Rhode Island ?

I do not scoff at scientific polls. But the voters are in an anti-establishment mood. And Hillary is the very face of the establishment of the Democratic Party. I think a large turn out on Primary Day here will definitely favor Bernie Sanders.I find it hard to believe that Hillary's less than overwhelming victory in the Nevada caucus so quickly changed the hearts and minds of registered Democrats in Rhode Island.
I also see no reason whatever why black voters- especially young black voters -should favor hawkish Hillary - the cheer leader for Goldman Sachs, and hardly anti-Wall Street. Hillary is NOT " political revolution ". She is a neo-Democrat. Bernie Sanders is closer to a New Deal Democrat-even as " democratic socialist ". Hillary and Obama make FDR look like a flaming Bolshevik.
I don't think there is any more political magic in stale identity politics. The class struggle rises above it. A critical supporter of " Feel the Bern " Bernie Sanders , I at least know who I am voting for in the Rhode Island Democratic Primary. The latest polls show him leading in Vermont and Mass. ( still close ) .

Who speaks for the Italian-American soul ?

   Too many conspicuously " successful " Italian-Americans - like Judge Scalia- turn their backs on their " lower class " friends and relatives and think this " conservative " snobbery consistent with the spirit of Catholic social philosophy. I have more respect for the Italian anarchists organizing Federal Hill during the Great Depression.
Sacco and Vanzetti expressed the Italian-American soul better than Judge Scalia. My brother recommends Mario Puzo's neglected book " Fortunate Pilgrim ".
Respect for reasonably good Constitution is not the same as the worship of it as a secular Holy Book.
Change and PROGRESS is the law of life - even in sunny Italy. The American film industry can learn from the post-war Italian cinema- communist/socialist inspired, of course - " The New Realism " . It was compatible with " La Dolce Vita ".

" The Fortunate Pilgrim " ( book review )

Review of Puzo's " Fortunate Pilgrim "

If Gina Raimondo endorses Hillary, Bernie will win Rhode Island Democratic Primary by a landslide

Out of touch with the young Hillary     What does Republican Donald Trump have in common with Democrat Bernie Sanders ? They both appeal to the self-evident anti-establishment mood of the majority of voters. Both tell us what we know to be true : the American Dream is dead. Bernie has a democratic socialist solution: SHARE THE WEALTH. " The Donald " promotes extreme nationalism right out of the pages of the Sinclair Lewis novel " It Can't Happen Here ": MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN  ( with the help of Islamophobia and xenophobia ).
The only poll I read has Bernie Sanders doing as well in the Democratic Primary in Rhode Island as he did in neighboring New Hampshire.
Right now I can't imagine hawkish Hillary- the Goldman Sachs cheerleader- hardly anti-Wall St.- being the beneficiary of this anti-establishment mood.
As a democratic socialist myself I remain a critical supporter of " socialist " Democrat Bernie Sanders. I will certainly vote for " Feel the Bern " Bernie in the Rhode Island Democratic Primary.
If " popular " Governor Gina Raimondo endorses Hillary , Sanders will win with 70 percent here.

Here Hillary endorses Gina

Does working class America -do the majority of voters- have a conservative soul ?

Republicans to debate in Texas

So Ted Cruz pretends to be or is the hardest of the hardline conservatives ? And he suspects the erratic Donald Trump of having a liberal soul ? What about the soul of the nation ? Is a " democratic socialist " like Bernie Sanders wrong to think that America- the vast majority of working and ruined middle class voters- has a SOCIALIST soul ?.
Anyway, it is inconceivable that Ayn Rand- a militant atheist by the way- is as popular in mainstream America as she is in today's Republican Party. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio never spoke with affection for the author of " The Virtue of Selfishness " ?
And these same Republicans are now appealing to " conservative " Christians - who at least take the Sermon on the Mount seriously ?
Soon the soul of Texas will speak. A large voter turn out in Election 2016 will favor " progressive " candidates . Sanders is right about that.
What champion of " democracy " will wish for a low voter turn out-even in a state primary ?

Will presidential election 2016 be cancelled due to popular unrest ?

A most important election As a registered voter in the United States ( Rhode Island ) I agree that we face a most consequential election. A large turn out invariably favors the more democratic side of our bourgeois ” democracy “. There is clearly a crisis of the two party system. The electorate is rejecting the establishment presidential candidates. On the left Bernie Sanders is calling for some sort of democratic socialist inspired ” political revolution “. On the right Donald Trump is promoting extreme nationalism : ” make America great again “.
How can any voters imagine hawkish Hillary- a cheer leader for Goldman Sachs- to be in the least anti-establishment ?
Spike Lee, the black film director ( ” X ” ) has just endorsed Democrat Bernie Sanders for president in a South Carolina ad.
Hard to believe that the American voters -in such an anti-establishment mood- can still revere the Supreme Court- which is hardly independent of the American ruling class.
” Political revolution ” will certainly abolish the Supreme Court. The very honorable YOUR HONORS will never outlaw capitalism.
Donald Trump seems right out  of the pages of the Sinclair Lewis novel about the rise of a fascist leader in America : ” It Can’t Happen Here “. Islamophobia serves Trump in the same way that anti-Semitism served Hitler in the Germany of the 1930s.
At times I wonder if the presidential election of 2016 will even happen- CANCELLED DUE TO POPULAR UNREST ?

The Supreme Court will never authorize democratic socialism

President Obama really wants the American people to approve a Supreme Court judge ? What use would popular democracy- especially in the form of democratic socialism- even have for the Supreme Court- an effete, anachronistic, ruling class oriented American institution ? These monarchs of THE LAW serve as a bastion against PUBLIC OPINION in protecting the ONE PERCENT plutocracy. Does even Bernie Sanders shouting for " political revolution " think that these most honorable YOUR HONORS will ever outlaw capitalism ?

These lackeys will never outlaw capitalism

Trump wins big in Nevada caucus- a crisis of the two party system

Trump triumphs in Nevada Republican caucus

  So the electorate is determined to support perceived outsiders ? That has been obvious for months now with the passionate support for Donald Trump on right and Bernie Sanders on the left. There is a crisis of the ruling class controlled two party system. Is Hillary Clinton - the Goldman Sachs cheerleader- anti-establishment ? I note that Spike Lee, director of " X " just voiced his support for maverick " socialist " Democrat Bernie Sanders in a South Carolina ad.
Both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders agree that the American Dream is dead. Bernie 's solution is just old democratic socialist common sense: SHARE THE WEALTH. Donald Trump's solution is extreme nationalism : " make America great again ".
Can Hillary promise to make America great again or to check the wolves of Wall Street ? A crisis of the two party system indeed.

Crisis of the two party system

I can't imagine Malcolm X endorsing Hillary Clinton

   In the last year of his life ( 1965 ) in many of his speeches Malcolm X made a connection-which endeared him to white radical leftists-between racism and capitalism, between racial oppression and U.S. imperialism. Young black people today are beginning to listen to democratic socialists and a " socialist " Democrat, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
A still relevant book about Malcolm X's political evolution was edited by socialist writer George Breitman, then a member of the Socialist Workers Party : " Malcolm X Speaks ".
My favorite Malcolm X quote : " Show me a capitalist and I'll show you a blood sucker " This is a long way from " identity politics ", is it not ?
I can't imagine Malcolm X endorsing Hillary Clinton. But Spike Lee, the director of " X ", just endorsed Bernie Sanders in a South Carolina ad.

" Feel the Bern " Bernie should team up with Jill Stein of the Green Party ?

    Nice  to know that we peasants should not count out the BIG MONEY in the ruling class game of finding the right face & personality for selling the next president to the American voters. Perhaps " Feel the Bern" Bernie might team up with Jill Stein of the Green Party- and really break away from the control of BIG MONEY. We are seeing the " greening of socialism " in the 21st century.The Earth itself is a factor in " political revolution ".
Trump at least deserves respect for just selling himself-so far with scary success.The erratic Donald just tears up all scripts. He converges with Bernie on one message : the American Dream is dead. But the show must go on.

" X" director Spike Lee endorses Bernie Sanders

As a democratic socialist-and a registered Democrat in Rhode Island- I am delighted that film director Spike Lee has endorsed " socialist " Democrat Bernie Sanders for president . I got Spike Lee's " message " watching his great film based on the autobiography of Malcolm X - " X ".
     In the last year of his life Malcolm X won the hearts of " progressive " young whites by making the connection between racism and capitalism, between the oppression of black people and  U.S. imperialism.
       Working class voters of ALL races and ethnic  groups should listen to this " socialist Jew ", Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont . But Bernie should try a little harder to win the " peacenik " voters too.
      NOTE : A poll here in Rhode Island predicts a comparable victory in the Democratic Primary to Bernie's recent victory in New Hampshire.

So " socialist " Bernie Sanders wants to nationalize the U.S health care industry ?

Bernie Sanders has socialist health care plan ?

It should be no surprise that ANY " socialist " at least considers nationalizing the American health care industry. I completely support Bernie here. We should also nationalize Big Energy.
And why not freeze all the financial assets of the Big Banks, of the ONE PERCENT.
A democratic socialist always and everywhere questions the moral legitimacy of " legitimate " wealth. It helps to understand Marx's labor theory of value. It is simply impossible for the ONE PERCENT to take credit for the intellectual and physical labor of many millions.
Health care cannot be BOTH a basic human right and a free market commodity. Senator Ted Kennedy-no socialist himself- would not be pleased with this half-baked compromise called Obamacare.

Eric Harley and Gary McNamara- " Red Eye Radio " monomaniacs

  "   And if you thought this was an overcrowded market which surely must not have growth opportunities, let me tell you about late, late night talk radio .....
  Now in several markets you have "Red Eye Radio" hosted by Eric Harley and Gary McNamara. By the ads they run, it seems as if truck drivers are the target audience... from midnight to 5:00 AM you have a hearty dose of right wing political chat.
So, to return to the premise that “the number of listners (sic) has steadily declined, and today, almost no one takes these people seriously. "
             As a left-wing " listner " I am both   entertained   AND turned off by these two.There is nothing obviously mad about their point of view: capitalism makes sense to the people on top-which includes millions of upper middle class types- smug in their anti-intellectual  disdain for all varieties of   daffy LIBERALISM.  Simply because my dysfunctional clock radio tunes in well ONLY to  a right wing radio station (  630wpro.com- where the notorious John DePetro is a star )   I have listened to these guys, Eric and Gary ,  chat  right wing " common sense " for hours. They are both psychologically incapable of " free thinking " dialogue with ANY critic of the capitalist system. They never disagree with one another. They  never give any obviously LIBERAL callers more than a few seconds on the air- enough time to show their rotten liberalism.They are all for " free enterprise " - that is their economic philosophy-which they promote literally in every breath.  No surprise that I sense no hint of " liberal education " in these two all night monomaniacs. At least those very sectarian Trotskyists  enjoy reading a novel or experiencing art or music or the wonders of science now and then. Now and then, one of the two will pay homage to God-unlike the Ayn Rand cranks. But their real religion -what holds their souls together- is " free enterprise " capitalism. They have cramped souls-like most right wing conservative " listners ". No, I will never give Eric Harley and Gary McNamara a call at 3:00 AM- the ideal time, says one horror writer, for a nightmare . Was that a black mouse-or a RAT -  I caught in the corner of my eye scurrying under my bed. I will sprinkle Holy Water on the floor.  Sometimes EVIL has a palpable presence- especially at 3:00 AM .On the back page of a dusty , 19th century  book ( with an excerpt from "  Confessions of an English Opium Eater " )  I recall my latest nightmare.
       I have only a small wooden crucifix to discourage a visit from one who was known in mortal life as "Vlad the Impaler ". How many dialectical materialists unconsciously believe in the devil- and in ghosts ?And hope for the Resurrection ? And fear the Last Judgment ?
     In the world of THE ABSURD all things are possible-but especially the weird.
         

Sound right wing LOGIC-if you LOVE capitalism

Hillary might win the Blah vote--- feel the Blah ?

Spike Lee endorses Bernie Sanders

Young people sense that the establishment politicians in general rarely speak any blunt truths. But both Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Bernie Sanders rebelled against this respectable, " ruling class " script. Both presidential candidates agree that " the American Dream is dead ".
The solution for Sanders is just Socialist common sense- share the wealth. The solution for Trump is quasi-fascist nationalism- " make America great again ".
The vast majority of voters are working class or middle class-in- free fall.
If they turn out on Election Day 2016 and vote their CLASS interests, Donald Trump will lose by a landslide- even to " socialist " Democrat Bernie Sanders. Hillary might win a Blah vote . Feel the Blah ?

I wish American doctors were as competent as they are arrogant and overpaid

My own view about the rottenness of our mostly FOR PROFIT medical system has been confirmed by my accompanying a woman friend and neighbor ,age 74, with metastasized breast cancer, for radiation treatments. Why do so many medical doctors have a haughty, condescending attitude even toward their most intelligent and informed patients ? The insensitivity of the " system " as a whole is mind boggling. The other night I witnessed my female friend spitting up significant amounts of blood . The next day the radiation doctor denied that the treatment had anything to do with it. Today another doctor laughed at this " self-defense ". A " world class " cancer center was advertised in " Oprah Magazine ". My friend called the center and was quickly brushed off: they did not take Medicare patients without private insurance.
Obamacare is a pathetic substitute for Senator Ted Kennedy's dream of health care as a basic human right. In capitalist America human rights are subordinate to the rights of MONEY.
For ordinary Americans our health care system stinks. And I wish American medical doctors were as competent as they are arrogant- and overpaid.

Pope Francis -no surprise-condemns the death penalty

  As a democratic socialist-well informed about Catholic social philosophy-delighted with this pope's scolding of global capitalism values- I see his opposition to the death penalty-the shame of America- as consistent with the Church's RIGHT TO LIFE position.
Republicans Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio- two Catholic presidential candidates are more in tune with Ayn Rand Thought than Catholic social philosophy.
Pope Francis also opposes the New Colonialism in the Middle East.I don't think he needs that Good Christian Donald Trump's hawkish protection from ISIS zealots.
" Thou shall not steal " is also Old Testament condemnation of the new Wall Street Robber Barons. It clearly points to the sins of the One Percent .
Too many neo-liberals have embraced the New Atheism. Their attitude is expressed by the Christopher Hitchens ' book : " God Is Not Great-- how religion poisons everything "
Do not expect this pope to encourage Islamophobia .
Decades ago the famous pacifist A.J. Muste asked : " Who Has the Spiritual Atom Bomb ? "
Not the Tea Party Republicans.

Is Rhode Island drinking water safe, Senator Whitehouse ?

Sheldon Whitehouse and the lead scare in Rhode Island

As a voter in Rhode Island- who voted for Senator Sheldon Whitehouse - I am sure he speaks- and speaks from experience- about this crime against humanity - perpetrated by unregulated capitalism which just lost its best friend on the Supreme Court.
Is the writer also peeved at the Senator from Rhode Island for being a passionate crusader against Big Energy for its role in global climate change ? In a letter to the Providence Journal Senator Whitehouse compared rogue scientists who scoff at the consensus of global climate change experts with the hirelings of Big Tobacco after cigarette smoking was proven to be HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH back in 1965.
The conscience of humanity can't be bought. I am also beginning to worry about level of toxins in Rhode Island drinking water. Has it been tested for high levels of lead ? Why all this radio-TV advertising for rather expensive, private home, water filters ? Is not the less affluent population in Rhode Island entitled to safe drinking water ?
I know what answer I will get from Ayn Rand Republicans and the Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity. Ayn Rand wrote their cult classic " The Virtue of selfishness "
Not for nothing I will vote for Bernie Sanders in the Rhode Democratic Primary. Bernie should be very popular in Flint, Michigan. 

   [ " A decade before Flint, Michigan, there was Rhode Island, a tiny state that took a daring plunge by suing the paint industry to seek money for cleaning up a danger lurking on walls and windowsills in up to 80 percent of its homes. The landmark lawsuit reverberates today not only in Flint, but also in California, where 10 cities and counties are fighting to hold onto a $1.1 billion victory over the same industry. "]
   [ " In 2004, The Washington Post reported high levels of lead in the DC water supply, and later studies detected the toxic metal in many residents’ blood. Greenville, North Carolina; Sebring, Ohio; and Providence, Rhode Island have also recorded high lead levels in recent years".]

  [ "The attached statement includes links to reports made by Rhode Island Public Radio regarding the cessation of lead water line replacements and says there is a significant level of lead contamination in the Providence water supply as well as the wider state supply.  " ]


   

How safe is Rhode Island drinking water ?

Bernie hardly routed by Hillary in Nevada

Jill Stein offers plan B for Bernie Sanders supporters

" Feel the Bern " Bernie Sanders has hardly been routed by Hillary Clinton in the Nevada Primary . At least the contest for the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party is a cut above the Republican Party 's Donald Trump circus in civility. Trump is NOT Hitler but like Hitler he is both reactionary and unprincipled. He pushes angry, mostly ruined-and erratic- American middle class in the direction it wants to go. Hitler did appeal also to many confused and backward working class Germans.
Islamophobia does for Donald Trump what anti-Semitism did for the Hitler in 1932. If " socialist " Bernie Sanders feels the big chill from the pro-Hillary establishment, then he should team up with Jill Stein of the Green Party and return to Independence-ville, USA.

Trump- like Hitler- pushes the right wing mob in the direction it wants to go

Did General Pershing really do that ?
As a critical supporter of " socialist " Bernie Sanders-and a registered Democrat myself- I don't see how any potential primary voter who takes the " feel the Bern " POLITICAL REVOLUTION half seriously could easily be persuaded to support " lesser evil "  Democrat Hillary Clinton. A lot  more militant democratic socialists already see Sanders as a " lesser evil ".
      The rise to popularity of both Trump, the maverick Republican ,and Sanders, the maverick Democratic ,is a barometer of " anti-establishment " mood of the American people.
       In a world on the brink of World War III Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is weak on foreign policy. He hardly sounds different from Hillary Clinton. I would like to hear Bernie sound more like the famous pacifist A.J. Muste who asked during those Cold War years : " Who has the Spiritual Atom Bomb ? "
         Trump is NOT Hitler but is like Hitler in being both reactionary and unprincipled. He tells the enraged -and often ruined- American middle class what they want to hear.  Like Hitler he pushes the right-wing-and erratic- mob in the direction it wants to go. Not for nothing the new Russian czar, Vladimir Putin, thinks he can " make a deal " with Donald Trump.
         Both Trump and Putin are " New Colonialism " visionaries. In post- Soviet Russia -and in pro-capitalist China " socialist " Bernie Sanders is considered a threat to the new rich.
         And yet Sanders is much more a New Deal liberal-or at best a Fabian Socialist-  making  GRADUALISM an absolute truth.
         The destruction of the environment is hardly " gradual ".

   " Donald Trump praised a US general who killed 49 Muslims with bullets dipped in pig blood and fat - even though the story has been widely debunked."

Must I vote yet again for Mother Teresa ?

 

The defense budget might be good for Rhode Island capitalists- and a small number of stupefied unionized workers- but it is definitely not GOOD, not good for world peace or humanity.
Such weapons of mass destruction certainly are useless also against ISIS terrorists. Not even those formidable- and often murderously misguided drones - seem to terrify the terrorists.
What good are these weapons ? They do back up the New Colonialism. I read where we are even hiding tanks in caves in Norway. Getting ready for World War III ?
Decades ago pacifist A.J. Muste asked : " Who has the Spiritual Atom Bomb ? " Not the Ayn Rand, Queen of Mean, Republicans. Not hawkish Hillary. And in his foreign policy Bernie Sanders is slightly to the right of " socialist " Eugene V. Debs, five times a Socialist Party candidate for president of the United States.
I hope I don't have to vote yet again for Mother Teresa.

"Good " times for Electric Boat workers ?

 "  Police arrested 82 protesters in Groton, Conn., for trying to prevent Electric Boat shipyard employees from going to work building submarines that will carry a new generation of nuclear missile. "The Trident II, when it's deployed, will bring the world closer to nuclear war than it was 25 years ago," said protest spokesman Bill Boston, a member of the New Haven-based Coalition to Stop Trident. "[ 1986 news story ]

NPR article on Rhode Island Bernie Sanders campaign worker, Tad Devine

Tad Devine, Bernie Sanders campaign adviser

Very interesting NPR story on this campaign worker for " socialist " Democrat, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. I see Bernie as basically a New Deal Liberal but I like his boldness about " democratic socialism ". Tad Devine might confirm the Rhode Island Democratic Primary poll which predicts for Sanders as big a victory here as he had recently in New Hampshire ( 60 percent vs. Hillary ) .
" We're seeing younger African-American voters turn to Bernie ",says Devine. I think the neo-Democrats -like Hillary Clinton- have exhausted identity politics. Try selling " white privilege " to jobless white working class people. Trying selling " white privilege " to homeless, mentally ill white people. Way back in 1965 , Malcolm X was connecting racism with capitalism. THAT is talking " political revolution ".

Tad Devine, Sanders campaign adviser

Corrupt scientists say " nope, no problem here "

As Karl Marx explained way back in middle of the 19th century : class interests shape the dominant ideology-which is very pro-capitalist in the United States. Find one anti-capitalist socialist among the rogue " scientists " denying human caused climate change ? They are invariably solicitous for the needs of Big Energy .
Only corrupt intellects would redefine scientific " consensus " in a pejorative way: suggesting a LACK of intellectual integrity .They are as corrupt as the Flint, Michigan public officials who told the people: " Nope, no problem here " , knowing about the unacceptably high levels of lead in Flint drinking water.
The late popular science writer Isaac Asimov laughed at giving creationism equal time in the SCIENCE classroom. It is the same thing here with climate change deniers. In 1988 Asimov said that human caused global warming was the big science story of the year.

[1989] Isaac Asimov on the Greenhouse Effect - Duration: 2:39.

 

A warning to today's scientists from J. Robert Oppenheimer

   I hope most NPR readers and listeners come down firmly on the side of science. Yet ambitious scientists, as individuals , can betray SCIENCE by willingly serving the ruling class , Big Energy plutocrats. These charlatans are just as morally stained as those Flint , Michigan public officials who assured the common people there that the drinking water was safe -knowing that it contains unhealthy levels of lead. The father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer, talked about good scientists " knowing evil " : " I have become Death - the destroyer of Worlds ".

A democratic socialist 's vision of Rhode Island's future

   Assume Rhode Island politicians are not all pathologically corrupt. They still must operate within a budget over-determined by the internal limitations of a single state. Any democratic socialist in America ( I am a critical supporter of Bernie Sanders ) will at least imagine a USA divided at most into a few economic regions- operating under the same laws. Rhode Island would be reduced to a rather large( still beloved ) neighborhood in the grander post-capitalist political structure. THAT would constitute a POLITICAL REVOLUTION. And no more un-democratic, anti-populist Electoral College. The majority rules !
Ultimately the same fate for the capitalist nation states : more porous borders -with an equilibrium of " world citizens " flowing across the old, artificial borders.
A GLOBALIZED WORLD BANK will send out entitlement and social security checks, and needed " welfare " checks. The " social surplus " will be rationally distributed -according to need. Nobody will be privately wealthy. Nobody will be publicly poor ( as are the homeless now ).
The former ONE PERCENT plutocracy will be entitled to WORLD STATE WELFARE. A GOOD LIFE for all .
[ The population of Rhode Island will be reduced to that of ancient Athens - just right, just livable ]

This democratic socialist had a vision of the World State ( Utopia ? )

Un-Christian and un-Socialist hostility toward wretched Mexican immigrants

 

        ALL the Republican candidates for president are showing " un-Christian " and very un-Socialist contempt and hostility toward the wretched Mexican immigrants - many of them Roman Catholic ( an additional reason for the Pope's solicitude ).
Rather than showing " compassionate conservatism " the Republican presidential candidates- with Donald Trump the leader of the pack-are showing their Ayn Rand profile described in " A Life of Contempt ".
Bernie Sanders, a very compassionate, socialist Jew, understands the ugly side of American capitalism - as do other, more militant, democratic socialists.
The democratic socialists also have a deeper understanding of racism than the neo-Democrats like Governor Gina Raimondo and Hillary Clinton.
Rather than protecting us - and even His Holiness - from deranged ISIS Donald Trump and most politically ambitious Republicans are spreading Islamophobia - which breeds angry terrorists.
The New Colonialism is also breeding Middle East terrorists. Pope Francis has also been outspoken about this.
Of course , a Catholic social conscience is superfluous in any decent humanist.

Scientist Marc Edwards on Flint water poisoning

      " Well, I think that’s why it’s striking such a chord among everyone, making this story a national, international sensation. It’s truly malevolent government. There’s no other explanation. I’ve never seen such a black-and-white case. To get Congress to the point of frustration as part of the American people where they pass a law that says EPA has to tell people about high lead in drinking water if they know about it, that’s pretty unbelievable. We have to pass a law for people to exercise common sense and to be human? " [ Marc Edwards ]
World Socialist Web Site interviews scientist on Flint toxic water scandal
"    Though residents had immediately expressed outrage at the foul, discolored water, they were repeatedly assured by officials at all levels of government that the water was safe to drink. "

" Good thoughts radicalron, thank you. "

JohnBDesMoines 

  " Good thoughts radicalron, thank you."

Pope Francis scolds Donald Trump as " not a Christian "

As a democratic socialist-a critical supporter of Democrat Bernie Sanders- and also a critical supporter of Pope Francis with his rage against Donald Trump's beloved capitalism - I agree with the essence of the pope's condemnation of this REPUBLICAN war on Mexican immigrants. Catholic Marco Rubio is just as " un-Christian " as Trump here. In general, how do they reconcile Ayn Rand Thought ( " The Virtue of Selfishness " ) with Jesus and his " Sermon on the Mount " ? Ask Catholic Jeb Bush.
Islamophobia is also very un-Christian and very un-Socialist.

" The Trouble With Diversity ", by Walter Benn Michaels

Racial tensions simmer on college campuses ( NPR )

For decades now the neo-Democrats- betraying the New Deal principles of Franklin D. Roosevelt-even the vibrant liberalism of the Kennedy brothers- have pursued " identity politics " into its nth dimension. A very illuminating book about this mistaken policy was published ten years ago : " The Trouble With Diversity... How We Learned to Love Identity AND IGNORE INEQUALITY ". Thinks the author Walter Benn Michaels : " multiculturalism is capitalism's best friend ".
His book is about " how liberalism- in its polite, well meaning way- missed the boat on the greatest liberal issue of our time: inequality ".
Bernie Sanders at least is focusing on social inequality . Most socialists agree that racism is rooted in the nature of capitalism. By 1965 Black Muslin Malcolm X was talking anti-capitalism and anti-imperialism. And telling black people here that they should not be brainlessly loyal to the Democratic Party. Good advice for Bernie Sanders too- soon to win the Democratic primary in Rhode Island. Bernie could form a left-wing third party.The rainbow could be its symbol for " a future to hope in .

The correct word for " socialist " Bernie Sanders is REFORMIST

 I  am a critical supporter of Bernie Sanders. I think he should be more blunt about his proposed " socialism ". His seeming embrace of " democratic socialism " within the unfriendly territory of the Democratic Party makes it easier for others -more " independent " of the establishment - to talk socialism. ALL socialists want to socialize the wealth created by the physical and intellectual labor of working class people and our free falling middle class.
If Bernie is -in truth- just a New Deal Democrat , he should be honest about his proposed policies : the correct word is REFORMIST( possibly Fabian Socialism - oh so very " gradual " ) .
In his foreign policy Bernie Sanders is far to the right of Eugene V. Debs- who opposed all imperialist wars and would never campaign as a Democrat. Read Debs' Canton Speech.

Under socialism - no right to be PRIVATELY rich

Yet another big bank rescue ?

   The " democratic socialist " Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is at least helping to get a polite hearing for old socialist ideas- ideas still quite sound and rational. Rather than transfer financial resources from the common people to the banks, real socialism would transfer them, transfer WEALTH, the " social surplus value " ( Karl Marx ) , to the common people. The state - acting in the interest of the vast majority of American citizens- will freeze the assets of the ONE PERCENT plutocracy and NATIONALIZE their banks.
Under socialism you will quite simply have no right to be PRIVATELY rich. That is political revolution ! MOST of us will be a lot better off- unless you think capitalism is part of the divine plan.

• True, regulation is not the same as nationalization. I think Bernie is more New Deal liberal than even a Norman Thomas socialist. The neo-Democrats - like Hillary Clinton- have betrayed the values of the FDR reformism. How can you play with the idea of serious regulation of the banks without suggesting the more radical solution ? I am pragmatic too. I would certainly give Bernie's ideas a chance to work. But we are entering a stage of human history where nothing is more practical than UTOPIAN vision.

  
  

  

Racism at Providence College ? Or just a snobby, bullying capitalist culture ?

Black student sit in at Providence College

From a Leftist perspective I see these Providence College kids as innocently wrongheaded about the nature of racism in a capitalist society with equal opportunity " bullying " for ALL " underprivileged " groups-including poor and working class white people and a now free falling American middle class- of all races and ethnic groups.
There is no evidence whatsoever that Catholic Providence College is plagued by institutionalized racism. A competitive capitalist culture creates belligerent, snobby social climbers quick to find any way to humiliate and discourage others

    I  highly recommend a book published ten years ago , " The Trouble With Diversity " by Walter Benn Michaels,clearly a liberal: "How we learned to love identity AND IGNORE INEQUALITY.The neo-Democrats are clueless.

Is this institutionalized racism at PC ?

Can any metaphysics negate socialism ?

Einstein and Henri Bergson

The human side of any philosopher must ask this question about metaphysical TRUTH : what are its social consequences ? I have observed that not a few great physicists " gravitated " toward a Marxist social philosophy. Moreover, they were less erratic than academic scholars or middle class journalists. Is there any metaphysical truth-which I admit as credible- which would negate Einstein's thinking in his popular essay " Why Socialism ? " . As for this philosopher Henri Bergson I will review what Bertrand Russell- a life long socialist- said about him in his " History of Western Philosophy ". I recall Will Durant writing about Bergson in " The Story of Philosophy ".
Also what did the dialectical materialist Vladimir Lenin think about Henri Bergson in the now obscure-but still relevant and interesting- book: " Materialism and Empirio Criticism ".
Oddly enough, the famous horror writer H.P. Lovecraft wrote an interesting letter about Einstein, time, and materialism. Lovecraft was a true believer in COSMIC HORROR -which is a kind of metaphysics of the EONS .Instead of gods Lovecraft has THE OLD ONES. I recall Einstein called God ( in the Spinoza sense ) THE OLD ONE .
Proustian Memory ( involving TIME ) also arouses metaphysical speculation.

           Betrand Russell on Henri Bergson

As intellect is connected with space, so instinct or intuition is connected with time. It is one of the noteworthy features of Bergson’s philosophy that, unlike most writers, he regards time and space as profoundly dissimilar. Space, the characteristic of matter, arises from a dissection of the flux which is really illusory, useful, up to a certain point, in practice, but utterly misleading in theory. Time, on the contrary, is the essential characteristic of life or mind. “Wherever anything lives,” he says, “there is, open somewhere, a register in which time is being inscribed” (C. E., p. 17). But the time here spoken of is not mathematical time, the homogeneous assemblage of mutually external instants. Mathematical time, according to Bergson, is really a form of space; the time which is of the essence of life is what he calls duration. This conception of duration is fundamental in his philosophy; it appears already in his earliest book Time and Free Will......

 

" The Best of Prokofiev " ? on You Tube

Prokofiev, Russian composer

     I love reading ALL heartfelt comments about beloved musicians. Of FEELINGS there can be no dispute. The best commercial for any artist is someone's " hopelessly devoted to you " appreciation. Young people just have to be exposed to great classical music. What if they never get to hear it ? A sad deadening of their emotional life. THANK YOU ALL !

  [  " Prokofiev died on the same day as Joseph Stalin. According to Wiki: 'The leading Soviet musical periodical reported Prokofiev's death as a brief item on page 116. The first 115 pages were devoted to the death of Stalin "

  "  I'm sorry but these are just his more famous works, to call them "the best" isn't appropriate at all as this is barely even scratching the surface; his best pieces are those where he gets very introspective and personal, allowing us a glimpse of his mind/soul " ]

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• 50+ videos Mix - The Best of ProkofievYouTube