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The capitalists are faced with a number of crises. The threat of default is uppermost in their minds, and there is a distinct possibility that this could happen within the next few weeks, in early December. There is also the Covid 19 virus, which is once again raging out of control. Add to that the massive unemployment and homelessness, with winter fast approaching, so that the ”discontent” of so many Americans is causing quite a stir. To top it all off, one of their own, Donald Trump no less, the former president, is already campaigning to run for president in 2024! That is the same lad who has been blamed for the ”January 6 Insurrection”!

One of the most highly respected of the American bourgeois news sources has reported, on October 11 of this year, that ”the Republican fealty to Donald Trump is again thrusting the U.S. form of democracy into peril”. That is one way of putting it! That same article goes on to say that ”the growing fear outside the committed base of the GOP (the Republican Party) is that the attempted coup of 2021 was not a one off, but rather ‘a dress rehearsal for something that could be happening near term, in 2022 or 2024”’. They report that these are the words of a ”Brooking Institute senior fellow (who)…says that the US is in a dangerous place…it is absolutely appropriate to view the Capitol Insurrection as a sort of pre-revolutionary act”.

The facts are stated correctly. The conclusion that this most bourgeois writer, of the most bourgeois news outlet, comes to, can at best be described as rather strange: ”The coming question for all Americans is whether their government should be run by a president and a government selected by voters”. Perhaps someone should suggest to this simple soul that the Constitution makes it clear: The president is elected by the members of the Electoral College!

Strange as this attitude may be, it is also quite common. The writer goes on to say: ”This past weekend provided multiple examples of how the GOP is moving to fully embrace Trump and his overtly antidemocratic views. This antiquated view of constitutional law is the bedrock of a growing view that legislatures and not voters should select presidents”.

No one is arguing that the ”constitutional law” is not ”antiquated”. It is ”antiquated”. Nor is it democratic. That in no way changes the fact that it is still the law!

The former Democratic candidate for president, Hillary Clinton, has also weighed in on the matter. She stated that ”the United States is in the midst of a concerted, well funded effort to undermine American democracy. I think we not only came close to a full constitutional crisis, I think we are still in it. That give me absolutely no satisfaction in saying this, because I think we’re at a very dangerous, continuing high level attack on the legitimacy of our government and the election of our president. And obviously, our former president is not only behind it, he incited it, he encouraged it, and he continues to do so.”

This lady is correct when she says that ”American democracy” is in danger. The fact is that democracy is not majority rule, it is a method of class rule. In the case of ”American democracy”, it is a matter of the rule of the billionaires, the bourgeoisie. That is the ”American democracy” to which she is referring, and that is certainly under attack. Yet even Hillary Clinton refuses to face the fact -or is not capable of facing the fact?- that it is the working class, the proletariat, that is ”undermining American democracy”.

In response to this ”full constitutional crisis”, various bourgeois intellectuals have decided to take steps. As the same article goes on to say, quoting two sources who are thought to be close to the ”GOP base”: ”Moderate Republicans are encouraging people to vote for Democrats. It’s becoming obvious that political extremists maintain a vice like grip on the National GOP, the state parties, and the process for fielding and championing House and Senate candidates in next years election.” They go on to state that ”they and others have considered forming a party to appeal to disaffected Republicans….Rational Republicans are losing the GOP civil war. And the only near term way to battle pro-Trump extremists is for all of us to team up on key races and overarching political goals with our long time political opponents: the Democratic Party.”

The astute reader may well get the idea that those opinions, expressed by some of the finest of the bourgeois intellectuals, are completely muddled. So they are. In fact, during times of crisis, as Lenin put it, ”they cannot help committing irreparable blunders. That, in fact, is what will bring about the downfall of the bourgeoisie”.

These simple souls think that Trump is the root cause of all their misfortunes. They are of the opinion that he may even influence the ”2022 midterm elections”, so that more ”Moderates” may be elected to the House and Senate. Worse, he may even run for president in 2024! The elections of 2022 and 2024 are their idea of ”near term”! If that is not an example of muddled thinking, then I do not know what is!

As for the skeptical reader, one who suspects that this may be an exceptional case of misguided bourgeois intellectuals, may I refer you to the following article, dated the same day. The heading is instructive:

”Trump supporter thinks civil war is coming. Seriously.

”The vast majority of Americans have no interest in violent confrontation, so there was something jarring in the words of a supporter at Trumps Iowa rally, when he said very seriously that ‘civil war is coming’. That kind of active mindset is exactly what was behind the insurrection. It’s clearly around – and it was blooming at Trumps rally”.

The best and the brightest of the bourgeois scholars cannot see that which is happening! Civil war is approaching! And to think that a ”supporter of Trump” can see this! The fact that he is such a ”supporter” implies that he is one of the less advanced, yet even he can see the ”writing on the wall”. That says something for the best and brightest of the bourgeois scholars!

Remarkably enough, a similar situation took place in Britain, perhaps one hundred years ago. At that time, the two mainstream political parties were the Liberals and Conservatives. They too were facing a mounting revolutionary motion, as the discontent of the British working people was very broad and deep. In response to this, the Prime Minister, Lloyd George, called for a close coalition between the Liberals and Conservatives. His fear was that of a victory for the Labour Party, which Lloyd George referred to as ”Socialist”, and one which he accused of ”working for the common ownership of the means of production”.

It should be added that the leaders of the Labour Party were Snowden and Henderson. With that in mind, the advice of Lenin, to the British Communists, makes complete sense.

In response to this, Lenin suggested that: ”British Communists should participate in parliamentary action, that they should, from within parliament, help the masses of the workers see the results of a Henderson and Snowden government in practice, and that they should help the Hendersons and Snowdens defeat the united forces of Lloyd George and Churchill. To act otherwise would mean hampering the cause of the revolution, since revolution is impossible without a change in the views of the majority of the working class, a change brought about by the political experience of the masses, never by propaganda alone….given a Henderson and Snowden victory over Lloyd George and Churchill, the majority will soon become disappointed in their leaders and begin to support communism (or at all events will adopt an attitude of neutrality, and in the main, of sympathetic neutrality, towards the Communists).” (italics by Lenin)

In much the same way, American Communists should unite with all Leftist people, including all Socialists and reformists, in an effort to support Senator Sanders, an Independent Socialist, as well as all ”Progressives” in the House. One way to do this is by simply joining the two mainstream political parties, as card carrying members, and then nominating one of their own to run for each and every House seat, in the 2022 election. I would suggest that the Progressive members of the House be allowed to run again, but of course that is up to the card carrying members of the parties. A third of the members of the Senate are also up for reelection. Aside from Sanders, they should all be challenged.

No doubt, this will infuriate the billionaires, especially as they have been saying for years, that ”those who do not like the way things are, should change it from within”. I can only suggest that we take them at their word. In this way, ”American democracy” can be changed from the rule of the bourgeoisie, to the rule of the proletariat. Not likely!

Yet in the process of becoming politically active, the working class, or at least the most advanced members of the proletariat, will receive an education in class conflict. They will learn that the billionaires are in charge and fully intend to remain in charge.

The point is that, as Lenin said, ”propaganda alone” is not enough. Political experience is also required. There is no reason in the world that we cannot flood Washington with Progressives! Then watch the ”fur fly”!

No doubt, the capitalists will respond with actions, which will leave no room for any misunderstandings. As yet, we have no way of knowing the precise nature of those actions. We just know that it will not be pleasant. They will be sure to let the proletariat know that they, the bourgeoisie, are in charge!

In this way, the working class will gain practical political experience, which will no doubt serve them well. After the revolution, such workers will be placed in positions of authority.

A great many working people, or at least the most advanced workers, will learn that the only alternative to capitalism, is scientific socialism. Bourgeois democracy, in the form of the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie, must be replaced with working class democracy, in the form of the Dictatorship Of the Proletariat.

The press is reporting that Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader, has just ”blinked”, thereby avoiding a government default, as the country was due to run out of money on October 18. As the Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, warned everyone that ”nothing would be more harmful to the currency than default”, this came as a great relief to all economists.

The announcement was carefully stage managed. As McConnell read his speech, before the cameras, the person sitting behind him was Senator Manchin. It was clear that Manchin was completely dejected, with his head down and his hands covering his face. The message to the American public was unmistakable. Manchin disapproves of the fact that McConnell, and the Republican Party, have allowed the several hundred billion dollar increase to the national debt. Such a scene was worthy of a Hollywood movie! The actual decision was made, ”behind the scenes”, and the speeches made in Congress are for the benefit of the common people. Entertainment!

Just as any fine story teller ends an episode on a ”cliff hanger”, so too this particular edition of Washington Politics is no exception. The politicians have merely ”kicked the can down the road”, in that they have merely bought themselves a few weeks. Instead of having the country facing default in late October, they will face default in early December. This is carefully designed to entertain the members of the American public. God forbid that the ”lower class” should get any bright ideas! Not all of then know their proper place!

The billionaires have cause to be concerned. It may come as a great surprise to many people to learn that the monopoly capitalists, or the ”500 billionaires”, as President Biden refers to them, are supremely well aware of the revolutionary theories of Marx and Lenin. No doubt, all of them have learned this in university.

None of these billionaires earned their vast fortunes. They were born into families with great wealth. As that is the case, their parents made sure that they received the finest education, so that they could gain admission into the finest universities in the country. If their offspring failed to qualify, because of a lack of academic ability -otherwise known as stupidity- then a little ”palm greasing” cleared any obstacles. In this manner, even the most intellectually challenged -a certain former president comes to mind- were able to graduate with high honours. That is true to this day.

As university students, most of these youngsters, even those whom are quite stunned, tend to focus on certain subjects which interest them, such as economics, law and political science.

With a good grounding in economics, they are better able to manipulate the stock market, as a means of stealing from other capitalists. Those who are most familiar with the law, are better able to commit legal acts of theft, or at least know to break the law, without getting caught. That brings us to political science, in which they learn of the most heretical revolutionary theory of all, that of the Dictatorship Of the Proletariat, the very ”touch stone” of a true Marxist.

It has been suggested that the billionaires, the bourgeoisie, are the new ”American Nobility”. Although possibly said in jest, there is some truth to this. Just as the nobility are supremely well aware of themselves as a class, and consider the ”lower classes” to be completely contemptible, so too the bourgeoisie feel the same way.

Yet they are well aware that the common people occasionally get into motion. In particular, they are of the opinion that the working class, the proletariat, are supremely dangerous. In this, they are absolutely correct. Further, they are equally well aware that the revolutionary motion is sweeping the country. As they have managed to almost completely wipe out all other classes, including the farmers and middle class, the small business owners, that just leaves a huge class of proletarians. Not only are they dangerous, they are numerous!

As that is the case, the loyal servants of the billionaires have devised a plan to divert the revolutionary motion. They are trying to attract the attention of the working people to the political power plays in Washington, all of which is carefully stage managed. Let the workers think that there are politicians who really care about them!

Our response, by whom I mean all Leftist people, must be to focus on raising the level of awareness of all working people, proletarians. Just as the monopoly capitalists are well aware that they are members of a class known as the bourgeoisie, so too we must make the workers aware that they are members of a class known as the proletariat. Further, those of us who work for wages are proletarians, and that is not middle class. Just as members of the trade unions refer to each other as brother and sister, so too it is reasonable to expect that working people will begin to refer to each other in this manner. Very likely, at some point, that will change to the term comrade.

The proletariat has already made great strides in this direction. For many years, the existence of classes in North America was simply denied. Then at the time of the Occupy Movement, working people began to refer to themselves as the 99%, and the ”super rich” as the 1%. That was the beginning, the first vague glimmering, of the awareness of classes. Now people are openly referring to classes, even though in a manner which is mistaken. As I have gone into this in a different article, there is no need to repeat it here.

There are various ways of driving home the awareness of the existence of classes, and of the antagonism between them. The press is reporting that the politicians are already focused on the midterm elections, even though it is still a year away. So be it. As I have previously mentioned on numerous occasions, all Leftist people, including all working people, should join the two mainstream political parties, as card carrying members.

Bear in mind that all members of the House of Representatives are up for reelection, as well as one third of the Senate. It is the card carrying members of the two parties who determine the candidate for office, and that does not have to be the sitting politician. May I suggest that the card carrying members endorse the ”Progressive” members of the House, and possibly the Senate, assuming there are any. May I also suggest that different candidates be selected for all offices which are occupied by the ”Moderates”.

Among the working people who join the two parties, they can decide, among themselves, the person to run for office, in any particular district. The Moderate politician is of course free to run for that same office, just not as a Democrat or Republican.

But then the former candidate for the presidency, Andrew Yang, has just announced the formation of a new party, named Forward Party. Perhaps the Moderates can run on behalf of that party. Fly at it!

Bear in mind that the purpose of joining the two parties and running for office, is not to take over Washington. The goal is to raise the level of awareness of the working class, the proletariat. Any Leftist political candidate who secures such an office, is merely a bonus. The monopoly capitalists, those who are ruling the country, are not about to allow any challenge to their authority. They are sure to respond by changing the rules, and in the process, will be more exposed. In this way, the working people will receive a valuable education, becoming ever more class conscious.

There is also a need for more marches and demonstrations, as such events are less frequent. The billionaires must be harassed at their places of business, homes and entertainment. Restaurants and clubs must be targeted. All Leftist people can unite in this. But then the Marxists, Communists, must be allowed to make clear our belief in the Dictatorship Of the Proletariat. Without that condition, such an alliance is not possible.

Other entertainment, in the news, is being provided by Donald Trump. He still maintains that the election was rigged -they are all rigged!- but not in his favour, so he is upset. Then too, he is scolding Mitch McConnell and the other ten Republican Senators, those who voted to raise the debt ceiling. Siding with the Democrats is rank betrayal! Of course the debt ceiling was raised several times under his administration, so the hypocrisy of the man is not lost on the public. More entertainment!

We all need a good laugh, now and then, so a round of applause to the capitalists! Now it is time to get back to work.

With that in mind, it is time for conscious people to become active. Encourage all workers and Leftist people to join the two parties. That includes students and seniors. Organize marches and demonstrations, in support of the Progressives. Nominate Leftist candidates for all political offices. Defend and support all those who are defending our democratic rights, regardless of our personal attitude towards them. Put aside all personal differences. Place principle before personality. Call for unity with all those who are fighting for democracy and socialism. Join in the demand for reforms. Bear in mind that reforms ”strengthen and further” the revolutionary motion.

Concentrate on the most advanced workers, as the less advanced listen carefully to the more advanced. Make sure such workers are aware of the revolutionary theories of Marx and Lenin. The importance of smashing the existing state apparatus, and replacing it with a working class apparatus, in the form of the Dictatorship Of the Proletariat, must be stressed.

Literature must be prepared for all working people, very popular literature for the less advanced, as they must not be neglected. Bear in mind that the social chauvinists will try to use them, for their own purposes.

There is an urgent need of a true Communist Party, one which openly calls for the Dictatorship Of the Proletariat. In this way, we can distinguish ourselves from the social chauvinists. As such people are anxious to take advantage of the revolution, in order to set themselves up as the new rulers, the last thing they want is to see, is the state apparatus smashed.

We will know that our message is being received, that the working people are class conscious, when a hot topic of conversation is: Dictatorship Of the Proletariat!

The finest of the American economists assure us that the country is facing ”default” on October 18, as it will run out of money on that day, unable to pay its bills, unless the government raises the national debt limit. They are predicting ”economic chaos”, a ”disaster”, as all Social Security payments are cancelled, the military personnel do not get paid, and the banks do not receive their interest payments, on the national debt.

In response to this, President Biden does not seem too concerned, as he is starting a ”cross country tour”, in order to ”drum up support” for his Economic Plan. This is rather strange, as he says he ”can’t guarantee no debt default”. But then he is blaming it on the Republicans, for not raising the national debt. He refers to this as ”playing Russian Roulette with the American economy”. Joe Biden certainly knows how to pass the buck!

Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican Minority Leader of the Senate, has a different point of view. He pointed out that it is the Democrats who control both Houses of Congress, so it is up to the Democrats to raise the National debt ceiling, should they so desire. He maintains that they can do this through the ”Reconciliation Process”, which may take a couple of weeks. Therefore, if the country goes into default, then it is all the fault of the Democrats! He too knows how to pass the buck! But then the Republicans are focused on the upcoming midterm election! They have their priorities well established!

The Speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, is focused on a vote, concerning the Economic Development Plan, which she has scheduled for October 31, long after the country could face bankruptcy. Perhaps she knows something we do not?

As for those who find this political posturing to be confusing, Lenin provides a little clarification. As he phrased it, ”Take any parliamentary country….the actual work of ‘state’ is done behind the scenes … Parliament itself is given up to talk for the special purpose of fooling the ‘common people’…the real ‘state’ business is being done in the government offices”. Now that explains everything!

The politicians are nothing more than highly paid actors. Professional writers prepare their speeches, and professional ”handlers”, or coaches, train them to perform. Emphasis is placed on the tone of voice, facial expression, posture and ”body language”. The ability to fake sincerity is stressed. Speeches are rehearsed and the proper response to awkward questions are recited. Nothing is left to chance.

Perhaps we can compare this to a second rate movie, or even a professional ”wrestling entertainment” event. As such events are geared to the mentality of adolescents, it may be more appropriate. Or perhaps a ”Soap Opera”. The writers of ”Soaps” make a supreme effort to end each show on a ”cliff hanger”, perhaps with an announcer making a speech. I can only imagine such a scene: ”Will Joe Biden get his Economic Development Plan? Will Nancy Pelosi get her vote on October 31? Will Mitch McConnell ”blink” and support the president? Will the Dastardly Duo of Senators Sinema and Manchin pull a ”Grinch Who Stole Christmas”, have a change of heart, and shower the American public with gifts of jobs and ”stimie checks”? Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Political Posturing!”

All joking aside, and that last part was meant as a joke, it is clear that someone, working ”behind the scenes”, has prepared a script. We do not know precisely who that is, nor is it terribly important. The important thing is that we know the class that is being served. That class is of the monopoly capitalists, the billionaires, the bourgeoisie.

The script has been written, the ”puppet master” is ”pulling the strings” of the politicians, and they are ”dancing to his tune”. This is not to say that the ”common people” should play along! On the contrary, that is all the more reason to ”throw a monkey wrench into the works”! After all, the capitalists are doing their best to take advantage of us! One good turn deserves another!

With that in mind, I can only suggest that we take the capitalists at their word! They say that if we do not like the way things are, then we should ”change the system from within”! Outstanding! An excellent idea!

Accordingly, may I suggest that all those who took part in the ”Bernie World Diaspora”, or the ”Berniespora” (these expressions are not mine) should come together and form a United Leftist Front. It is not too late to get behind Senator Sanders and President Biden, as well as the ”Progressives” and the ”Squad” in Washington.

May I further suggest that all Leftist people, including all ”common people”, from students to seniors, join the two political parties, as card carrying members. Then elect a member, of your choice, to run for political office. Demand that the rich ”pay their fair share of taxes”, perhaps at a rate of 90%. The extra tax money can go towards university education, free medical and dental for all, an increase in pensions, a $15. per hour minimum wage, repairs toward the infrastructure of the country, and ”stimie checks”, among other things. No doubt ”common people” will flock to this!

In the process of attempting to flood Washington with Leftist people, the monopoly capitalists will be sure to ”show their true colours”. They will make it clear that they are in charge, they rule, it is in fact a ”dictatorship of the bourgeoisie”, and further, they are not about to stand for any challenge to their authority.

In the mean time, prepare for a government default. You never know. It could be written in the script.

In this way, people will learn that the Marxists are correct, that a violent revolution is required, and that the completely reactionary class of monopoly capitalists, have to be overthrown and crushed, under the Dictatorship Of the Proletariat.

President Biden campaigned for president with promises to ”shore up the middle class, extend health care, raise taxes on the wealthy, invest in green energy, forgive student loans and provide free college education”. The price of this is referred to as ”social spending” and is estimated to cost $3.5 trillion, or thirty five thousand billion. This is also referred to as an ”economic platform”, and includes money for food programs, child care, a minimum wage of $15. per hour and money for individuals, referred to as ”stimie checks”. Although this is an impressive amount, it is far less than the $6. trillion amount recommended by Senator Sanders.

The other major part of the ”Biden Agenda” includes that which is referred to as the ”American Rescue Plan of 2021”, as a means of ”rebuilding the backbone of the country and giving people in this country a fighting chance”. Biden went on to say that ”you won’t see the pain if your score card is how things are going on Wall Street”. This is very likely a reference to the fact that the stock market is soaring, so that the capitalists, the billionaires, are reaping record profits. No doubt, those same billionaires are of the opinion that this is just the way it should be!

Biden went on to say that it was his goal to ”strengthen the social safety net for those pushed to the brink”. Clearly, Biden is a man of unusual ambition, as countless Americans have been pushed to the brink, and over the brink! He certainly has his work cut out for him!

At the same time, Biden is careful to separate himself from those who are thought to be socialists, such as Senator Sanders, a self described Independent Socialist. By contrast, Biden refers to himself as a ”moderate, no revolutionary”. As he put it, ”I don’t think 500 billionaires are the reason we are in trouble. The folks at the top aren’t bad guys”. As if it was a matter of ”good guys” versus ”bad guys”!

No one is suggesting that the ”500 billionaires” are ”bad guys”. We are merely stating, as a fact and not a suggestion, that those ”500 billionaires” are members of a different class, a class of monopoly capitalists, technically referred to as the bourgeoisie. As such, they are the natural enemies of the working class, the proletariat. Biden is correct in referring to them as ”the folks on top”, which is to say that they are the ruling class. They are also the ”reason that we are in trouble”. The only thing they care about is their profit. This does not make them ”bad guys”. It does make them the enemy.

Such terms as ”good guys” and ”bad guys”, belong in literature for adolescents.

That in no way changes the fact that those of us who are ”Leftists”, should get behind Biden, supporting him and his American Rescue Plan. With that in mind, may I suggest that all members of the Left express our appreciation by chipping in and buying him something for Christmas. Perhaps an old time western movie, such as Roy Rogers, the ultimate Good Guy. No doubt Biden will be able to spot the Bad Guys. Or not. Hint, Mister President: The Bad Guys wear black hats.

No one can argue with Biden when he states that ”Folks in the middle class are in trouble. It’s not just their perception. They are in trouble.” The reason he mentioned this is not clear. No one was suggesting that ”folks in the middle class” were just imagining that they ”are in trouble”! They already know this! They do not need Biden telling them what they already know!

Yet Biden has his own peculiar definition of ”middle class”. His idea of middle class is ”more in terms of values and life style, rather than an income group”. That statement is certainly a muddle, but strangely enough, there is some truth to this home spun philosophy. The middle class is not determined by the income of the members. That part is true. On the other hand, it is certainly not determined by the ”values and life style” either, whatever that means.

The middle class is just that, stuck in the middle, between the monopoly capitalists, the bourgeoisie, and the working class, the proletariat. That is the reason they are referred to as middle class, petty bourgeois, or small time capitalists. They are small business owners, trying their best to compete with the monopolies. The few who are left, starry eyed optimists, one and all, are fighting a losing battle. Most of them are earning less than a reasonably well paid worker. All of them are facing financial ruin. It is just a matter of time before they cut their losses, possibly by claiming bankruptcy, and join the ranks of the working class.

Yet Biden is concerned with the ”social and economic stability” of America. He blames the ”lack of opportunities and optimism” in the country for ”phoney populism” and a ”younger generation that’s questioning the very essence of our capitalist system”.

This statement is quite remarkable, if only because Biden has inadvertently blurted out the truth. The lack of opportunities in the country is due to the fact that the monopolies have eliminated almost all competition. Any small business that is still in operation is ”living on borrowed time”, and the ”younger generation” is well aware of this. The lack of ”optimism”, as Biden sees it, is merely the younger generation facing the fact that there are no opportunities, at least in terms of getting into business. The days of the ”little guy getting ahead” are long gone.

It is true that the ”younger generation”, and not merely the younger generation, is indeed ”questioning the very essence of our capitalist system”. He certainly ”hit the nail on the head”! A great many people are indeed questioning capitalism, as it is indeed in its highest stage, that of monopoly, referred to as imperialism. What is more, as Lenin stated, ”imperialism is reaction, right down the line”. This is another way of saying that there is nothing progressive about imperialism. It merely has to be destroyed.

In the interests of furthering the ”questioning of the very essence of our capitalist system”, as Biden rather ineloquently phrased it, may I suggest that all Leftist people get together and support President Biden. After all, his stated goal is that of fixing twenty thousand miles of roads, ten thousand bridges, climate change, racial inequality, as well as raising corporate taxes. This ambitious agenda is variously referred to as his American Jobs Plan, or American Rescue Plan, or American Family Plan. Biden is determined to ”show the world that democratic capitalism still works”.

So now capitalism is democratic! Try telling that to the countless working people who have been ruined by capitalism! For that matter, try telling that to the billionaires who are doing the ruining! ”Democratic capitalism” is strictly democracy for the capitalists! If you do not believe me, ask the billionaires! They will tell you!

Biden could use a little help. His lofty goals have hit a snag or two, in the form of reality. This is to say that he needs the support of the Senate and House of Representatives. The members of neither one of those bodies is terribly excited about his Plans. Both are almost equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, and as Biden is a Democrat, he can expect no support from the Republicans. Yet the Democrats are fighting among themselves, to the great delight of the Republicans. Those who have been watching the political infighting in Washington, have compared it to a ”gong show”, or perhaps more accurately, a ”Soap Opera”. As I have never watched the ”Soaps”, I cannot say. Yet people assure me that this ”live action” is more exciting. Even more entertaining than ”reality television”, which is all bogus. By contrast, the slugfest in Washington is true reality!

This in no way changes the fact that most working people are concerned, paying strict attention, and with good reason. Regardless of the outcome, the working people are bound to be effected. As that is the case, it is also a good reason for Marxists to explain to common people, in terms they can understand, precisely what is happening. This allows Marxists to raise the level of awareness of the working class, as it provides us with a very clear cut example of the class struggle.

On the last day of September, late in the day, or the ”eleventh hour”, as the journalists phrased it, the politicians were able to come together long enough to avoid a ”government shut down”, at least for another couple of months. This is referred to as ”kicking the can down the road”. Rather than agree on a budget, for at least a year, they once again decided to ”carry on as before”. Of course, this resolves nothing.

The next major crisis is set to take place on October 18, at which time the treasury will likely run out of money, so that the country will be unable to pay their bills, forcing a ”default”. The economists assure us that this will result in a ”man made disaster”. They predict massive unemployment, an inability to cover the Social Security payments or the military checks. Worse, they are afraid of ”social unrest”, a polite term for revolution.

Against this background of ”economic chaos”, we have various factions within the Democratic Party. On the one hand, we have those who are determined to improve the living standards of the working class. The journalists refer to them as ”progressives”, or as ”liberals”, possibly because the term liberal is frequently meant in a derogatory sense. By contrast, the Democrats who are determined to keep everything precisely as it is, are referred to as ”moderates”. There is nothing moderate about them. They are reactionaries, determined to protect the monopoly capitalists. If they have their way, nothing will change.

As these are the terms which the press is using, I have chosen to use them also, for the purposes of this article.

As I write this, the journalists are reporting that the progressives appear to be growing stronger, more united. The possibility of a default, whether on October 18 or some later date, is becoming more likely. Biden even went to the great length of personally going to ”Capitol Hill”, a very rare event, in order to pressure the members of Congress. Apparently there were no results, as he left with the cryptic remark that ”We’re going to get this done…It doesn’t matter when…six minutes, six days, six weeks”.

Reality check, Mister President. You do not have six weeks! You have less than three weeks, if only to prevent a default on the federal debt.

As for those who suggest that the politicians in Washington could not possibly be so petty as to allow the country to go into default, I can only respond that you are mistaken. It is not a matter of pettiness. Nor is it a question of the amount of money, to be spent on the Biden agenda, over which the politicians appear to be squabbling. It is, quite simply, a matter of class conflict.

The revolutionary motion is now very powerful, so that it has even reached a considerable number of politicians, within the capitol. If nothing else, this should serve to motivate the Marxists. A government default is becoming ever more likely, and the bourgeois economists are correct, when they say that such a default will give rise to ”severe economic dislocation and social unrest”.

In fact, it could well give rise to a spontaneous uprising, a true revolution. That would give the social chauvinists, opportunists one and all, the chance to set themselves up as the new rulers. This is another way of saying that there is an urgent need for an American Communist Party, Dictatorship Of the Proletariat, ACP,DOP.

There is also a need to raise the level of awareness of the working class, using the current events in Washington, as it has the attention of so many advanced workers. The class conflict must be explained to them, in language they can understand.

I stress the fact that the only reason we must support Biden and the progressives, inside and outside Washington, is in order to raise the level of awareness of the working class. Experience is a fine teacher. We must encourage working people to get involved in the class conflict, to support their democratically elected leaders, possibly even to the extent of personally running for office. If the politicians are not listening to their voters, then replace them. Join the two parties as card carrying members, nominate a candidate to run for office, then go to Washington and ”change the system from within”!

That is the very thing the capitalists say American citizens should do, and I think we should take them at their word! Then watch how fast they change their tune! In the process, the working people will learn, from their own experience, that the Marxists are correct.

Countless working class people, or at least the most advanced, are following the proceedings in Washington. The monopoly capitalists, the billionaires, are in charge, and fully intend to remain in charge. They see the progressives as a threat to their rule, and are determined to crush them. There is no ”middle ground”, no ”give and take”, no ”happy medium”. It is either capitalists or workers, bourgeoisie or proletariat.

The capitalists are represented by the moderates and the workers are represented by the progressives. The journalists are reporting that negotiations are going on between them, and that each side must compromise, in order to come to agreement. That is not about to happen. The two classes cannot live in peace.

They think the Democratic Party should be united. There can be no unity between bourgeois and proletariat.

I have deliberately written this article in a popular manner, so that the more advanced workers can understand it. The use of very popular expressions is meant to help the readers be entertained, as well as to be educated. After all, no one reads these articles, just to be bored!

This is not to say that the less advanced workers should be neglected. More popular literature must be prepared for them, written in terms they can understand. Feel free to use sports metaphors, for example, but avoid vulgarity. Our goal is to attract as many working class people as possible.

Now is the time to get active. Marches and demonstrations must be organized. The progressives must be supported. Demands must be made to force through the Biden agenda. The two mainstream political parties must be flooded with working people. The new, card carrying members of both Parties, must put forward progressive candidates for all political offices. Washington must be flooded with progressive people. For this, may I suggest a slogan: Unite The Left!

No doubt, all Leftist people can support this. That includes all Independent Socialists, Democratic Socialists, left leaning socialists and anarchists. All working class people are welcome to unite, regardless of their political convictions. Belief in socialism is not a requirement.

It does not include the social chauvinists, as they are socialists in word only, dedicated servants of the capitalists in fact. They are free to support the moderates, which is to say the reactionaries.

Without doubt, a great many Leftist people will see this as a way of taking power away from the capitalists, as a peaceful transition to socialism. As well, a great many working people will agree with them. That is perfectly acceptable, as the capitalists, the billionaires, will straighten them out. They, the bourgeoisie, are in charge, and are not about to surrender power, at least not without a fight. In this way, the Leftist people, and the working class, will learn a valuable lesson. They will learn that the Marxists are correct.

Now the banners and posters must read:

Unite The Left!

Workers of the World, Unite!

Dictatorship Of the Proletariat!

Support the Biden Agenda!

The current crises in capitalism have inspired the very finest of the bourgeois historians and economists, to ”sound the alarm”, so to speak. One historian has compared this situation to three previous crises in American history, that of the Civil War, the Great Depression and World War 2. For that reason, he refers to the current situation as the Fourth Crisis.

He certainly has a point. The longest war in American history, that of the twenty year war in Afghanistan, has just come to an end. As American troops pulled out, amid great confusion, they gave the Afghans a ”parting shot”, in that an unmanned drone fired a missile into a car. Ten civilians were killed, including seven children.

In addition, the Covid virus is still raging out of control, causing countless deaths and suffering. The medical system in the country is on the verge of collapse.

Unemployment is wide spread, so that working people are unable to pay the rent. Landlords are once again evicting tenants, forcing so many working people onto the streets. The more ”fortunate” are reduced to living in vehicles, while others are seeking shelter under bridges. Hunger has forced workers to rely upon food banks, which is a form of degradation. Yet so many food banks are running out of food. Now parents are being forced to send their children to school hungry, without breakfast.

On the southern border, the journalists report that perhaps ten thousand refugees are camped under a bridge, desperate for a better way of life. Many of them are from Haiti, a desperately poor country, and there are an estimated thirty thousand more refugees on the way north.

The agents of the Border Patrol have been caught on video, mounted on horse back, ”herding” those people as if they were cattle, striking them with the reins of the horses.

As well, the recent collapse of an apartment building, merely serves to drive home the point that the infrastructure of the country is rotting, in desperate need of repair. That includes the roads, bridges and tunnels, among other things.

The politicians in Washington are well aware of these ”issues” which are gripping the country. They are also well aware that the government is due to shut down at the end of September, at which time it runs out of money, unless the national debt limit is once again increased. Further, a couple of weeks later, the country is scheduled to default on the various loans, unless the politicians can come to an agreement. The economists maintain that such an event could result in the loss of six million jobs. They in turn are badgering the politicians to come to an agreement, in order to avoid a default, but are not at all optimistic. After all, the politicians are ”at each others throats”.

The Democratic Party controls the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives, if only by a very slim margin. Yet they are fighting among themselves. President Biden has met with politicians who are classified as ”moderates”, as well as with politicians who are classified as ”progressives”. He is trying to persuade them to come to an agreement. The journalists are reporting that there is no indication that an agreement is in sight. In fact, they are impressed by the level of tension within the capitol. It is extremely high. In fact, they have never seen the level of anxiety at this level.

Biden reports that he is at a stalemate, that he has made no progress in his attempts to bring the various factions, within the Democratic Party, to an agreement. He has apparently blurted out the truth. The journalists are reporting that the ”Biden agenda is in limbo”.

President Biden and Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, have sent to Congress, which is to say the Senate and the House of Representatives, several bills. They are being referred to as ”Reconciliation and Infrastructure” bills, in order to ensure a ”social safety net”, for all Americans. The cost of these bills is in the neighbourhood of five trillion dollars! As the American national debt is reported to be at twenty eight trillion, there are some awkward questions which have been raised, such as just how the money is to be raised. The ”progressives” have dared to suggest raising taxes on the billionaires, technically referred to as the bourgeoisie. They refer to this as ”taxing the rich”, ”forcing the billionaires to pay their fair share of taxes”. The billionaires, the monopoly capitalists, have another word for it. They consider such a proposal to be complete madness.

Those of us who are Marxists, Communists, have been calling for such proposals, for many years. These so called ”progressives” deserve our unconditional support!

Another one of the finest of the bourgeois historians has even gone so far as to write a book on the subject. (I mention no names because I do not want to face a law suit) In his book, he maintains that the American empire is in a ”horrific state”. As he phrases it, quite bluntly, ”The American empire is coming to an end”. He blames it on the ”growing deficit”, the ”devastating effects of industrial development”, as well as ”tax cuts for billionaires”, and ”corporate bailouts”, also known as corporate welfare. He maintains that Washington is populated with a ”motley collection of imbeciles, con artists, thieves, opportunists and war mongering generals. That is just the Democratic Party!” (He very likely meant that last statement as something of a joke.)

From this rather accurate description of the current political situation, he proceeded to predict economic ruin, as the country defaults on the national debt, the value of the American dollar collapses, the military dissolves and the country enters another Great Depression.

So far so good, as his analysis is completely valid. In fact, the journalist who conducted an interview with the author of the book, stated that after reading his book, he ”could not decide whether to slash his wrists immediately, or to wait until morning”. No doubt, this is the bourgeois journalists idea of a joke.

That same journalist neglected to focus on the one qualifying statement the historian made: ”short of a sudden and widespread popular revolt” ! (my italics) Of course, the bourgeois historian thought there was little chance of that, or ”was not likely”, as he phrased it. In fact, the historian merely dismissed the possibility.

His analysis is correct, as are his predictions for the future. Yet these predictions are dependent upon capitalism proceeding upon its merry way. A Revolution, or a ”widespread popular revolt”, as he phrased it, as he cannot bring himself to utter the dreaded ”R word”, is sure to turn things around completely. Yet the bourgeois historians, scholars and economists, intellectuals one and all, cannot even imagine the possibility. The very word, Revolution, is too terrible to mention!

I have deliberately chosen to quote the most highly respected, conscientious bourgeois scholars. Even they can see the ”writing on the wall”. Without doubt, the American empire is on the verge of collapse, and the subsequent suffering of the common people, the members of the public, the working class, is about to become ever more intense, ”short of a sudden and wide spread popular revolt”, as the bourgeois author phrased it. Short of Revolution.

Even the bourgeois journalists are concerned. They are openly speculating on the possibility of an end to the ”democratic republic”. They are careful not to mention that the democratic republic to which they are referring, is their very own bourgeois democratic republic. They would have us believe that democracy is ”majority rule”. It most certainly is not. Democracy is a method of class rule.

Under the current democratic republic, we have democracy for the monopoly capitalists. The billionaires are in charge. Yet for the working people, technically referred to as the proletariat, it is a dictatorship, the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie. The capitalists, the billionaires, the bourgeoisie, must be overthrown, and then crushed, by the working class. This alternative, democratic method of rule is referred to as the Dictatorship Of the Proletariat. Democracy for the working class, the proletariat, but a dictatorship for the billionaires, the bourgeoisie.

I have documented, in a previous article, the fact that the American empire has already fractured, into no less than three separate republics, with no doubt more to follow. It is merely a matter of time before each republic declares independence. It is strange that the bourgeois scholars have missed this. Or perhaps not so strange, as they may be incapable of imagining this.

This is my none too subtle way of hinting that the Revolution is very close. Even the bourgeois scholars can see the ”storm clouds”. Time is not on our side, the side of the Marxists, the Scientific Socialists, the Communists. Bear in mind that the uprising is bound to happen, as an Act Of God, or a law of development, if you will. And then a new government will be established. The only question being, what kind of government?

The vast majority of working people are not aware of the revolutionary theories of Marx and Lenin. Left to their own devices, they cannot be expected to establish the Dictatorship Of the Proletariat. That is the duty of intellectuals, Scientific Socialists, Marxists, Communists, most of whom are middle class, petty bourgeois. At least they used to be middle class, until they were ruined by capitalism.

Without that leadership, the American empire will merely break up into a number of smaller, squabbling, capitalist republics.

With that in mind, may I make the following suggestions:

1) That all adult Americans join the two mainstream political parties, Democratic and Republican, and offer full support to the ”progressive” politicians in Washington, as well as in the state capitols

2) Call to ”Unite the Left”, in that all those who consider themselves to be ”Leftist”, including those parties, groups or individuals, who consider themselves to be socialist, democratic socialist, Communist, anarchist, Marxist Leninists, or merely those fighting for democratic reforms, should come together

3) Form an American Communist Party, Dictatorship Of the Proletariat, ACP, DOP. Only a Party which calls for the Dictatorship Of the Proletariat is a true Communist Party. Only such a Party can provide the proletariat with the leadership it so desperately needs

4) Draw a clear distinction between all progressive people, and those who are social chauvinists, socialists in words, chauvinists in deeds. The social chauvinists are devoted servants of the bourgeoisie, determined to sabotage the socialist revolution

5) Organize an insurrection. The women have established themselves as excellent organizers, as have the students, so no doubt the students can help in this. It would be a mistake to place too great a burden on the students, as they are too young to have been tempered, and could easily collapse under great pressure. Yet the capitalists have to be overthrown, and the insurrection will likely have to take place within all fifty states, or at least all major cities. That is a tall order, yet no doubt the women can manage it, with the help of many men

I can only stress the fact that the current situation is revolutionary. The experience of all revolutions, especially the three revolutions of Russia, in the early twentieth century, confirmed that which Lenin referred to as the ”fundamental law of revolution”. As he stated: ”for a revolution to take place it is not enough for the exploited and oppressed masses to realize the impossibility of living in the old way, and demand changes; for a revolution to take place it is essential that the exploiters should not be able to live and rule in the old way. It is only when the ‘lower classes’ do not want to live in the old way and the ‘upper classes’ cannot carry on in the old way that the revolution can triumph.” (italics by Lenin)

Even the bourgeois scholars can see that the situation is revolutionary. The social chauvinists are also supremely well aware of this, just waiting for a spontaneous insurrection, so that they can set themselves up as the new rulers. All the more reason for the creation of a truly Communist Party, Dictatorship Of the Proletariat.

I have chosen to write this article in a popular manner, complete with repetition, for the benefit of the advanced members of the working class. No doubt they can perform an invaluable service to the middle class intellectuals, most of whom are currently being ruined by capitalism. Together they can take part in a successful, socialist revolution, and establish the Dictatorship Of the Proletariat.