It is a fundamental principle of democratic socialism to " connect " heart and mind with all the workers of the world. Upton Sinclair's " The Jungle " described the abuse and exploitation of a Lithuanian family of immigrants more than a century ago.
The hero of " The Jungle " is at first stupefied by the " American Dream ". Then he evolves into a socialist. In the " Progressive Era " socialism was indeed a mass movement in this country.
Outstanding in it were the figures of Eugene V. Debs-the presidential candidate of the Socialist Party and the legendary " Mother Jones " - a fighting voice for the striking coal miners.
Will the so called " Dreamers " long be able to dream the petty bourgeois dream of " success " under American capitalism or will they wake up like Lithuanian immigrant in Upton Sinclair's " The Jungle ".
Why is it possible only to dream this dream in the USA ? Is not Mexico a big, beautiful resourceful country with class conflicts somewhat mitigated by its Catholic Tradition ?
In truth , US imperialist oppression of Mexico - going back to 1848 - ( Henry Thoreau opposed this predatory war ) - has kept Mexico down - almost blighted .
Perhaps another Mexican Revolution - nationalizing the country's natural wealth - will end the daydreaming about PARADISE in the United States - even now certainly not a worker's paradise.
Organized labor should organize all these unorganized " illegal immigrants " and demand a living wage for ALL working class people - whatever their race or ethnic group.
There should also be lucrative job opportunities for the much maligned white working class in Mexico . We can all be productive " citizens of the world ".
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