Tag: politics

Concerning Biden’s ‘’Farewell Address To the Nation’’

Gerald Mcisaac

On January 15, 2025, President Joe Biden gave his ‘’Farewell Address to the Nation’’. As a great many working people were watching this ‘’Farewell Speech’’, and were very likely confused, this calls for an explanation. 

One of the professional narrators referred to this speech as being very ‘’dark’’, as it refers to an ‘’oligarchy taking shape in America’’. She mentioned that Biden is of the opinion that this oligarchy, has given rise to a ‘’dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra wealthy people’’.

That is one way of putting it! The lengths some people will go to, in order to avoid any reference to the existence of classes!

True, an American oligarchy does exist. By definition, this is a ‘’small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution’’. This ‘’small group of people’’, which controls the country of America, are composed of a very few ‘’ultra wealthy people’’, as President Biden so delicately phrased it. This is to say that those people have wealth in the tens and hundreds of billions! Even that is not enough! They want more! They want to be trillionaires!

It should be noted that middle class people are well aware of this, as they are class conscious. It is working class people, proletarians, who are not aware of this, as conditions of life, of the proletariat, do not lead to the awareness of themselves, as a class, with their own class interests. 

As that is the case, and as I am mainly concerned with the working class, I should mention that the industrial revolution gave birth to two new classes. At that time, the merchants who lived in town, referred to as ‘’burghers’’, saw an opportunity to invest their money, and make a great fortune. They succeeded, beyond their wildest dreams!

In the process of investing their money, the name ‘’burgher’’ became transformed to ‘’bourgeois’’. At the same time, their money, or wealth in any other form, became known as ‘’capital’’. For that reason, the bourgeois also became known as ‘’capitalists’’, a name they generally hate, for some reason. They prefer to refer to themselves as ‘’entrepreneurs’’.

On the one hand, these freshly minted capitalists invested their money in building factories, mills, mines and such. This is now referred to as the ‘’point of production’’. They also invested in railroads and shipping lines, or the ‘’means of transportation’’. And of course, there were the banks, or ‘’financial institutions’’, possibly the most profitable of all investments. 

But then, as no class can live in isolation, a second class of people was created. This class, which has nothing to sell but their labour power, is referred to as the ‘’antipode’’ to the capitalist class. They are referred to as the working class, or ‘’proletariat’’. A second revolutionary class! And in fact, the only class that is consistently revolutionary!

The capitalists who are now referred to as the ‘’ultra rich’’, or ‘’monopoly capitalists’’, those with at least tens of billions, or even hundreds of billions, are now referred to as the ‘’bourgeoisie’’. 

By contrast, those with a paltry few million, or even a ‘’mere’’ billion or two, are referred to as ‘’middle class’’ or ‘’petty bourgeois’’. As the monopolies become ever stronger, ever more complete, the middle class is gradually being wiped out. Those few survivors, of the middle class, are now ‘’living on borrowed time’’. 

There is a reason that I mention this. It is important for the working people to learn certain technical terms. If we are not aware of this, then the capitalists will use our lack of knowledge against us.

It should be noted that the newly created, revolutionary capitalist class, turned into its opposite, completely ‘’reactionary’’, at the point when capitalism reached the stage of monopoly. This happened at about the beginning of twentieth century. This monopoly capitalism, the ‘’highest stage of capitalism’’, is technically referred to as ‘’imperialism’’. 

Even the highly respected, self proclaimed ‘’Independent Socialist’’, Senator Sanders, is now issuing warnings against the ‘’American oligarchy’’, rather than against the American bourgeoisie. Yet to refer to them as an ‘’oligarchy’’, is an improvement over the term which was common place during the Occupy Movement, of recent memory. At that time, they were referred to as the ‘’one percent’’. If nothing else, the word ‘’oligarchy’’ is a bit more accurate. A step in the right direction!

It is significant that President Biden does not write his own speeches. Instead, he has a professional writer compose his speeches. Biden merely recites those speeches, reading from a tele prompter. As he is very likely suffering from dementia, that is probably the best he can manage.

From the text, it is clear that the ‘’handlers’’ of Biden are concerned with the fact that the ‘’oligarchs’’ are about to seize power. This shows a certain democratic sense, on their part. They are concerned that the ”American Empire” is about to collapse. Their concerns are well grounded!

This fear is quite wide spread, among middle class intellectual narrators. Indeed, some are comparing this to the situation within the Roman Empire, at the time when Rome ceased to be a Republic, and instead, became a Dictatorship. It was the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire. 

It is reasonable to expect a certain number of these middle class, somewhat progressive intellectuals, to see the ‘’writing on the wall’’, and to ‘’jump ship’’. It is clear that monopoly capitalism has ‘’had its day’’. There is no point in even attempting to ‘’patch it up’’, as Biden suggested. It is beyond repair.

In the Communist Manifesto, Marx and Engels foretold this:

‘’Finally, in times when the class struggle nears the decisive hour, the process of dissolution going on within the ruling class, in fact within the whole range of old society, assumes such a violent, glaring character, that a small section of the ruling class cuts itself adrift, and joins the revolutionary class, the class that holds the future in its hands. Just as, therefore, at an earlier period, a section of the nobility went over to the bourgeoisie, so now a portion of the bourgeoisie goes over to the proletariat, and in particular, a portion of the bourgeois ideologists, who have raised themselves to the level of comprehending theoretically the historical movement as a whole.

‘’Of all the classes that stand face to face with the bourgeoisie today, the proletariat alone is a really revolutionary class. The other classes decay and finally disappear in the face of modern industry; the proletariat is its special and essential product’’.

Without doubt, the ‘’class struggle’’ is now near the ‘’decisive hour’’. The suffering of the working class is at appalling levels. Countless people are homeless, the more ‘’fortunate’’ living in cars. Drug overdoses are widespread. Gang violence has led to mass shootings, almost on a daily basis. The police have been reduced to documenting the slaughter. Unemployment is epidemic, as there are simply no jobs. A sense of despair is the rule, not the exception. And the wealth of the multi billionaires, the bourgeoisie, is sky rocketing!

That is the very definition of a revolutionary situation! Now we can expect a ‘’small section of the ruling class to cut itself adrift, and join the revolutionary class, the class that holds the future in its hands’’. 

It is only reasonable to expect that this ‘’small section’’, will be among the most intelligent of the intellectuals. As the bourgeoisie is determined to wipe out the middle class, they have no future under capitalism. On the other hand, they have a bright future under Scientific Socialism, in the form of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. Their skills in organization and administration will be in high demand. They will be paid accordingly.

To those middle class, somewhat progressive, more intelligent intellectuals, I have a little word of unsolicited advice. Act now! Do not wait for the ‘’axe to fall’’! Trump and his ‘’buddies’’ -the three richest men in the country!- are determined to ‘’force the issue’’! To provoke an uprising! Revolution!

Among other things, they plan to deport all illegal immigrants, along with their children, including those who were born in America! Even though such children are American citizens by birth, according to the Constitution, that makes no difference. As far as Trump and his ‘’ultra rich buddies’’ are concerned, the Constitution is a mere scrap of paper!

Further bear in mind that Trump recently told his supporters to vote for him, one last time! As soon as he is sworn into office, he fully intends to set himself up as ‘’President For Life’’! Dictator!

It has been suggested that Trump was ‘’merely joking’’. True, the man does have a sense of humour. His idea of being ‘’funny’’, involves mocking those who are physically or mentally handicapped! Take him at his word! He means what he says!

The collapse of the ‘’American Empire’’, is the least of your worries! That is a given! Of far more concern, is the attack on the democratic rights of all Americans!

Trump thinks that he can do whatever he wants, and get away with it. After all, he has been doing precisely that, all his life. Thirty four felony convictions, and no penalty! Who can blame him for thinking that way?

Yet Trump is about to receive a ‘’rude awakening’’! Americans are prepared to take only so much! They have a proud history of revolution! In fact, their country was founded on revolution! They call it the Revolutionary War! A Second Revolutionary War is about to take place! Donald Trump is about to learn, that which King George learned, many years ago!

At that time, the American Revolutionaries treated the ‘’Loyalists’’, those who supported King George, to the rather uncivilized practice of ‘’tar and feathers’’. This public humiliation, of those referred to as ‘’Tories’’, served to break the power, the ‘’spiritual bonds’’, of those people. It is entirely possible that such techniques will be used, once again, in the forth coming revolution. 

Time is not on our side! Trump and his ‘’ultra rich buddies’’, seem determined to ‘’force the issue’’! So be it! Embrace the revolutionary theories of Marx and Lenin! Bring this awareness to the working class! Take part in Councils! Train, arm and equip the members of those Councils! Be active! Do not wait for the multi billionaires to drive you into bankruptcy, and the ranks of the proletariat!

As well, do not neglect your intellectual friends. Encourage them to also become active. Challenge the 2024 ‘’Presidential Election’’, on Constitutional grounds. Fight the bourgeoisie on various ‘’fronts’’. Give them no peace!

Your correspondence should also contain certain expressions, which may become slogans:

Prepare For Insurrection!

Scientific Socialism!

Dictatorship of the Proletariat!

Revolution! 

Fourteenth Amendment Versus the Twelfth Amendment

Gerald Mcisaac

As stated in my previous article, the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution is being used, in an attempt to stop Trump from being sworn in as President, on January 20, of this year. In particular, Section 3 of that Amendment is being cited. 

That begs the question: Why is the Twelfth Amendment not being used? In contrast to Section 3 of the ‘’Fourteenth’’, which is open to interpretation, the ‘’Twelfth’’ leaves no room for any misunderstanding. I have chosen to copy it here:

‘’Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution

‘’The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and all persons voted for as Vice-President and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;

‘’The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;

‘’The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.

‘’The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.’’

In a previous article, I have documented the fact that the ‘’Twelfth’’ lays out the procedure to be followed, in all federal elections. Of course, that procedure is not being followed, which means that those federal elections are fraudulent. Perhaps a brief summary of that article is in order:  

There is no ‘’Presidential Election’’, so that the ‘’November Vote’’ has no legal standing; American citizens have no voice in the Federal Election; There is no ‘’Running Mate’’; There is no ‘’President Elect’’; There is no mention of any political party; It is the duty of the Electors vote for the individual of their choice, for both the offices of President and Vice President; These Electors are appointed by the states only; The states have no right to meddle in a Federal Election; All state laws which require an Elector to vote for the candidates of a particular political party, are Unconstitutional.

It may be objected, that this is hardly ‘’democratic’’. To this, I can only respond that you are mistaken. Contrary to popular belief, democracy is not ‘’majority rule’’. It is a method of class rule! Under the American democratic republic, it is the method by which the ruling class of multi billionaire capitalists, technically referred to as the bourgeoisie, have chosen to conduct their rule. 

At least, that was their method of class rule! But then, shortly after the Civil War of 1861-1865, they decided to change their method of rule. This involved setting up a ‘’Two Party System’’, in which the American citizens are allowed to choose between the candidates, of one of those Parties, for federal office. The fact that this violates their own laws, is of absolutely no concern to the capitalists!

Indeed, this ‘’Two Party System’’ has served them well, for a century and a half. They are loathe to part with it!

This brings us to the current ‘’fly in the ointment’’, that of ‘’President Elect’’ Donald Trump. His latest ‘’ravings’’, has raised concerns, within even the most die hard supporters of the capitalists. While much of his babbling is incoherent -What do windmills have to do with whales?- that which can be comprehended, can best be politely described as insane. These include going to war with the country of Panama, in order to seize control of the Panama Canal; Going to war with Denmark, an American ally, a member of NATO, in order to take control of Greenland; Annexing Canada, as the ‘’Fifty First State’’, while appointing Prime Minister Trudeau as the ‘’Governor’’. 

In an attempt to stop the ‘’Coronation’’ of Trump, as President -for life?- many members of the ‘’Opposition’’, have chosen to pursue the ‘’legal avenue’’ of Section 3 of the ‘’Fourteenth’’, which is somewhat ambiguous. As opposed to the ‘’Twelfth’’, which leaves no room for any misunderstanding! 

There is a reason for this. They are trying to ‘’play it safe’’. They are attempting to stop Trump, while at the same time, trying not to antagonize the ruling class of monopoly capitalists, the multi billionaires. That is the reason they are not using the ‘’Twelfth’’!

From their viewpoint, the use of the ‘’Twelfth’’ is the military equivalent of the ‘’nuclear option’’! To be used only as an absolute last resort! Reality check! This is time for the ‘’last resort’’! The ‘’nuclear option’’!

If the 2024 ‘’Presidential Election’’ of Trump was to be challenged, on the basis of the ‘’Twelfth’’, it is very likely that the Supreme Court would be forced to rule that it was indeed fraudulent. They would certainly be hard pressed to ‘’pass the buck’’, as they did on the challenge based on Section 3 of the  ‘’Fourteenth’’. Then again, it is possible that they would ‘’rise to the occasion’’, and once again, find some way to weasel out of performing their duty! 

But assuming the ‘’worst case scenario’’- from the view point of the capitalists!-, and the Supreme Court was to rule that the 2024 ‘’Presidential Election’’ was indeed fraudulent, then it follows that all Presidential Elections, since the days of the Civil War, have been fraudulent! That is not what the multi billionaires want to hear! 

Further assuming that all state laws, which require the Electors to vote for the candidates of one of the two mainstream political parties, were to be struck down as Unconstitutional, which is very likely, then that would mean the end of the ‘’Two Party System’’. The monopoly capitalists would then be forced to change their method of rule! The last thing they want to do!

As a result of this, the more progressive members of the middle class, are attempting to ‘’walk a fine line’’. Trying to stop the inauguration of Trump, without antagonizing the multi billionaires. That is the reason they are going with Section 3 of the ‘’Fourteenth’’, rather than with the ‘’Twelfth’’!

This attempt to ‘’play it safe’’, will very likely come to naught. The Supreme Court has just ‘’passed the buck’’ to Congress, and those elected officials know how to stall. Besides, the Congress is controlled by the Republicans.

Incidentally as I write this, within the city of Los Angeles, numerous fires are raging, out of control. Absolute infernos. There is little the fire fighters can do. Whole communities are going up in flames. 

The response of Donald Trump? He sees this as an ‘’opportunity’’, a chance to score some political points. He is blaming this on the governor of California!

I mention this in order to drive home the point that Trump is a menace, completely self centred, focused only on himself. Completely indifferent to the suffering of others. He must be stopped.

Now is not the time for diplomacy! ‘’Half measures’’ get us nowhere! The democratic republic must be defended! Now is the time to hit Trump, and the monopoly capitalists who defend him, with everything in our arsenal! That includes the Twelfth Amendment!

May I suggest, to my progressive middle class comrades, that you unite and challenge the election of Trump, in the courts, on the grounds that it violated the Constitution, for the previously mentioned reasons. 

As for those who are reluctant to ‘’take such a plunge’’, may I suggest that you have nothing to lose. The multi billionaires have already determined to wipe out your class, the middle class, as well as the democratic republic. You have no future under capitalism. 

By contrast, you have a bright future under Scientific Socialism. After the revolution, after the existing state apparatus is destroyed, and replaced with a different state apparatus, in the form of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat, your skills will be required. A new society will have to be created, and that calls for highly trained professionals. You will be rewarded accordingly. 

Now is not the time to be shy! There is no need to wait for the  ‘’axe to fall’’! Feel free to ‘’go on the offensive’’! Encourage your friends, especially those who are attorneys, experts on Constitutional law, to challenge this election, in a court of law. Join the various organizations, which are fighting for their democratic rights. Become a member of a Council, and train people, in preparation for the approaching Insurrection. 

If nothing else, at the time of the Insurrection, you will not be a target of the Revolution. The same cannot be said of those who ‘’straddle the fence’’, attempting to ‘’remain neutral’’. As we live in a class society, neutrality is not an option! Either you are with the revolutionary proletariat, or you are with the bourgeoisie! There is no middle ground! Choose wisely!

Time is not on our side. One way or another, with or without Trump as President, the multi billionaires seem determined to force a showdown. This is almost certain to provoke an Insurrection. The success -or failure!- if that Insurrection, depends largely upon the actions we take now. The better prepared we are, the better the chances of success. 

A Revolution is similar to a force of nature, a hurricane. It does not wait for people to be prepared. It just happens. The best thing we can do, is prepare. 

With that in mind, may I suggest that all of our correspondence contain the following slogans:

Prepare For Insurrection!

Prepare For Dictatorship of the Proletariat!

Prepare for Revolution!

Civil War In Syria

Gerald Mcisaac

For fifty three years, the Assad family has ruled Syria, with an ‘’iron hand’’. Absolutely no dissent was  allowed. Yet on December 8, 2024, the Assad rule came to an ‘’abrupt end’’. This after a mere one week rebellion!

It is no exaggeration to say that the ‘’world is in shock’’. The mainstream journalists are completely amazed! To think that such a revolution could be so successful, so quickly! 

Clearly, those same journalists have no idea of the power of a ‘’popular uprising’’. Or at the very least, they pretend to be unaware!

This is not too surprising, as all mainstream journalists are in the service of the monopoly capitalists, the multi billionaires, the bourgeoisie. For that reason, it is in their best interest to promote that which best serves their ‘’Lords and Masters’’. 

They are careful to avoid any mention of the word ‘’revolution’’! Those taking part in this revolution, are being referred to as ‘’rebels’’. They are not rebels! They are revolutionaries! They are fighting for national liberation! What is more, they are succeeding!

These revolutionaries consist of a broad assortment of people, from different ethnic groups, minorities and religions. In the interest of the revolution, they have agreed to put aside their differences and unite, with the goal of overthrowing the hated Assad regime. 

It is significant that a major mainstream news outlet, sat down ‘’for an exclusive interview’’, with the ‘’main rebel leader, Abu Muhammad Al Valani’’. 

The person conducting the interview, asked a good question: ‘’In a matter of days, you have managed to take large cities. What has changed? How were you able to do this now?’’ 

According to the translator, the reply was: ‘’In recent years, there has been a unification of internal opinions, and the establishment of institutional structures, within the liberated areas of Syria. This institutionalization included the restructuring within military factions. They entered unified training camps, and developed a sense of discipline. This discipline allowed them ….to engage in a battle in an organized manner. The progress and execution of plans have been swift, with clear communication and and adherence to commands. They stop where they should stop, and withdraw where they should withdraw. The revolution has transitioned from chaos and randomness, to a state of order, both in civil and institutional matters, and in military operations alike.’’ (My italics)

I have chosen to include his complete response, as it is so important. The key details I have placed in italics. 

The ‘’unification of internal opinions’’, is a reference to the fact that a successful revolution, ‘’cannot be made by an individual’’, so to speak. It must have ‘’broad based support’’. The vast majority of common people, workers, farmers and small business owners, must be prepared to set aside their differences, and unite in the common cause, that of overthrowing the existing state apparatus. 

He also mentioned ‘’unified training camps’’, in which those same revolutionaries developed a ‘’sense of discipline, which enabled them to engage in battle in an organized manner’’. 

Anyone who doubts the importance of discipline, is free to consider the results of the numerous incidents, through out history, of a group of farmers, armed with pitch forks, attacking a well disciplined army of soldiers. All such outcomes, while predictable, were never pretty. The farmers were cut to pieces.

This brings us to ‘’clear communication and adherence to command’’. The leaders of the revolution must be well respected. Their orders must be ‘’sharp and clear’’. In response, all ‘’enlisted personnel’’ must be prepared to obey those orders, even if they do not agree with them. These orders may include that of ‘’withdraw’’. 

It is in this way, and only in this way, that the ‘’revolution’’ can transition from ‘’chaos and randomness, to a state of order’’.

This brings me to a passage, written by Lenin, in Left Wing Communism, An Infantile Disorder. It is supremely relevant:

‘’The fundamental law of revolution, which has been confirmed by all revolutions, and especially by all three Russian revolutions in the twentieth century, is as follows: 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. This truth can be expressed in other words: revolution is impossible without a nation wide crisis (affecting both the exploited and the exploiters). It follows that, for a revolution to take place, it is essential, first, that a majority of the workers (or at least a majority of the class conscious, thinking and politically active workers) should realize that revolution is necessary, and that they should be prepared to die for it; second, that the ruling classes should be going through a governmental crisis, which draws even the most backward masses into politics (symptomatic of every genuine revolution is a rapid, tenfold and even hundred fold increase in the size of the working and oppressed masses – hitherto apathetic – who are capable of waging the political struggle), weakens the government, and makes it possible for the revolutionaries to rapidly overthrow it.’’ (italics by Lenin)

The current situation in Syria, certainly fits the ‘’fundamental law of revolution’’! The ‘’exploited and oppressed masses’’, the common people, the workers and family farmers, can ‘’no longer live in the old way’’, and are ‘’demanding change’’. At the same time, the ‘’exploiters’’, in this case the Assad regime, can no longer  ‘’rule in the old way’’. Revolutionary!

Syria is in a position where it has been crushed and exploited by the Assad family, for many years. At the same time, the competing imperialist powers are anxious to ‘’exert their influence’’ over the country. 

As Lenin explained quite well, in Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism, the whole world has long since been divided up, between the so called ‘’Great Powers’’, which is to say the imperialist powers. As he phrased it, ‘’The characteristic feature of this period is the final partition of the globe – not in the sense that a new partition is impossible – on the contrary, new partitions are inevitable – but in the sense that the colonial policy of the capitalist countries has completed the seizure of the unoccupied territories on our planet’’. (italics by Lenin)

The two great imperialist powers, the United States and Russia, are fighting over Syria, as two dogs fight over a bone. Both are determined to crush and exploit the country, preferably with the help of neighbouring countries.

The current situation in Syria can perhaps best be compared to the situation in Russia, immediately after the Great October Socialist Revolution of 1917. At that time, the country was in ruins, after three years of war. The infrastructure of the country was badly damaged. The common people were calling for ‘’peace, land and bread’’. Many of the factories were shut down. The trains were barely running, if at all. The Russian army was in no position to fight. The situation was desperate, and desperate times call for desperate measures.

Lenin responded to this seemingly hopeless situation, by enacting a series of compromises. He persuaded the Russian Communist Party to sign the Treaty of Brest Litovsk. Even though it meant losing a third of the population, half of their industry, and ninety percent of their coal mines, as well as having to pay a huge sum in ‘’indemnities’’, it was better than complete defeat. 

He also made certain concessions to other political parties, within the new government. Bear in mind that none of these concessions violated principle.

As a result of these compromises, the Russian Soviet Republic was able to weather the following three year civil war, as numerous foreign powers tried to wipe out the upstart Socialist republic.

Of course, the current situation in Syria is not that desperate. Yet it is safe to say that the country has been severely damaged, after fifty years of Assad rule. No doubt, the infrastructure needs repair, various factories have been shut down, and countless people are in desperate need of the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter and medical assistance.

As well, according to the internet, over five million Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries. They are currently living in shelters, composed of tents. It is only proper to bring them home, to rebuild their houses, to offer them at least the basic necessities, so that they can live a life of dignity. 

That is going to take a certain amount of time and effort. Yet the result will be a new, improved, strong Syria, so that it is well worth it. 

In the mean time, may I suggest tolerating the presence of Russian and American military bases, within Syria, as well as the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights. 

Even though the Syrian army was able to overthrow the Assad regime, very quickly, it is as yet, too weak to challenge the military power of those countries. 

This may be a ‘’bitter pill to swallow’’, but makes more sense than fighting a battle that cannot be won. At least, not yet! After the country is rebuilt, the infrastructure repaired, the refugees returned, factories working, trains running, farmers growing their crops, and the new Syrian Army is properly trained and equipped, then it will be a different matter. 

That was precisely the policy of the newly created Russian  Soviet Republic, immediately after their revolution. It served them supremely well, at least until the capitalists were able to return to power, after the death of Stalin.

The current situation in Syria is not as desperate, as was that of Soviet Russia, immediately after their revolution. Yet as the Russian Soviets were able to recover, so too, the revolutionary Syrians can also recover. As long as they do not ‘’bite off more than they can chew’’. 

Now is the time to consolidate. May I suggest a slogan of ‘’Return, Repair, Rebuild’’. The refugees can be encouraged to return, to help repair and rebuild the country of Syria. I am sure that the vast majority are quite anxious to do just that! That is the policy which provides the Syrian Revolution, with the best chance of continued success. 

Israel and American Imperialism Under Attack

Gerald Mcisaac

The mainstream press is reporting deep concern, over the possibility of the current ‘’conflict’’ in the Middle East, expanding into a ‘’Regional War’’. Their fears are well grounded! 

The ‘’conflict’’, to which they are referring, is nothing other than a series of wars, which are raging in the Middle East, against the state of Israel. 

For over a year, within the tiny Gaza Strip, an area occupied by Israel, the Israeli Defence Force, IDF, has been trying to wipe out the political party known as Hamas. Unsuccessfully, I might add, as the resistance continues, with over forty thousand residents killed, most of whom are civilians. These people are referred to as Palestinians.

To the north of Israel, in Lebanon, the group known as Hezbollah, has been firing rockets, missiles and drones into Israel. The IDF has responded by sending in jet aircraft, bombing suspected Hezbollah sites. As well, they recently sent troops into Lebanon.

Yet another group, known as Houtis, based in Yemen, has been active mainly in the Red Sea, firing missiles at cargo ships, disrupting the shipping in that vital Sea. There have also been reports of missiles being fired at American warships. The Americans have responded by bombing suspected Houti camps, in Yemen.

These groups, or ‘’Islamic Resistance Parties’’, are considered to be ‘’proxies’’ of Iran. They are thought to be armed and equipped by Iran, and supposedly operate on behalf of the Iranian government. 

Then on October 1, the Iranian military confirmed the worst fears, of western analysts. The country launched nearly two hundred ballistic missiles, at Israel. Many of these missiles ‘’pierced’’ the Iron Dome defence system, causing considerable damage to military installations, airfields, radar sites and intelligence centres. 

Without doubt, Iran has spent many years developing a most impressive arsenal of ‘’projectiles’’, drones and missiles of various sorts. Some of these drones may even have adapted ‘’stealth technology’’, in that they may be ‘’invisible’’ to enemy radar. Many of them have managed to fly into Israeli airspace, undetected. 

The American military has responded to this, by sending in their own missile defence system. This is referred to as ‘’Terminal High Altitude Area Defence’’, THAAD, complete with American personnel, to man the system.

This is referred to as having ‘’boots on the ground’’. American boots, on Israeli ground, subject to attack by ‘’enemy combatants’’, which is a reference to Iran, or any one of their ‘’proxies’’. Truly, this could well lead to Regional War!

The question that naturally comes to mind, is just why America is so determined to defend Israel. In order to properly answer that question, we must first face the fact that capitalism, which came into existence with the birth of the industrial revolution, was at first competitive, and possessed certain progressive characteristics. As I have covered this in earlier articles, there is no need to repeat it here.

That changed, and changed quite dramatically, at the time that capitalism reached the stage of monopoly, around the beginning of the twentieth century. The bourgeois economists of the day, knew that something had changed, that it was no longer the old time competitive capitalism, which they had learned to know and love. This ‘’new capitalism’’ was referred to as ‘’imperialism’’, otherwise known as ‘’monopoly capitalism’’.

The task fell to Lenin, to examine this new stage of capitalism, and explain its features. This he did in 1916, and wrote a masterpiece, titled Imperialism, the Highest State of Capitalism. 

There is one passage, which I have chosen to quote, as it is of particular significance. It explains the behaviour of the warring imperialist parties. In reference to the colonial policy of the capitalist countries:

‘’As there are no unoccupied territories – that is, territories that do not belong to any state….we must say that the characteristic feature of this period is the final partition of the globe – not in the sense that a new partition is impossible – on the contrary, new partitions are possible and inevitable – but in the sense that the colonial policy of the capitalist countries has completed the seizure of the unoccupied territories on our planet. For the first time the world is completely shared out, so that in the future only re-division is possible; territories can only pass from one ‘owner’ to another, instead of passing as unowned territory to an ‘owner’’’. (italics by Lenin)

The United States, America, claims the Middle East as ‘’their own’’. The country of Israel is nothing other than their ‘’proxy’’. They use Israel to ‘’exert their influence’’, throughout the Region. 

Now the people of Palestine are in revolt, demanding national independence. Their friends and allies, in neighbouring countries, are offering their assistance. All are determined to wipe out the illegal state of Israel, as well as driving out the American imperialists. 

The country of Iran has distinguished itself, as one of the few countries in the Middle East, to stand up to American imperialism. It has further distinguished itself, in the tactics it is using. The missile attack it launched, against Israel, focused on military and intelligence targets, rather than civilians. This is to their credit. Way to go, Iran!

There is a strong possibility that this war will escalate, to a ‘’Regional War’’, involving all of the Middle East. As there are United Nations troops in Lebanon, American troops could find themselves fighting UN troops! As well, several North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries, NATO, have openly sided with Iran. This could lead to Americans fighting the very organization they founded!

Now the various countries within the Middle East, many of which are feudal monarchies, are ‘’considering their options’’. They very likely see the ‘’writing on the wall’’, that Iran is about to drive out the Americans, and that it is ‘’prudent’’ to ‘’jump ship’’, to ‘’throw in their lot’’, with the Iranians. Hence the diplomatic maneuvering. 

Now it is up to American citizens, common people, both middle class and working class, to ‘’do their part’’, and not just as a show of support for the people of Palestine. After all, those ‘’local wars’’ could soon become a ‘’Regional War’’, with American troops and ships attacked. It is also entirely possible that nuclear weapons could be used. 

At the risk of being accused of being a ‘’panic monger’’, bear in mind that the Korean Peninsula could also break out into open warfare, at any time. The tensions are reported to be ‘’extremely high’’, with the military forces on ‘’high alert’’. There are thousands of American troops in South Korea.

That brings us to the ‘’self proclaimed’’ island ‘’country’’, of Taiwan. China maintains that Taiwan is nothing other than a part of China, and fully intends to ‘’bring it back into the fold’’. The Americans are equally determined to keep it separate from China. The American fleet is stationed close by, in case of a ‘’Chinese invasion’’. This could happen at any time.

It is entirely possible that Americans could soon find themselves fighting a war, on three fronts! All in the interests of securing the profits of the multi billionaires, the bourgeoisie. American working people are expected go to war with people they do not even know, with whom they have no quarrel, just so that the country can control those colonies!

This is to stress the sense of urgency in the current situation. As I have documented in previous articles, there are various ways that people can become active.

Among other things, these include becoming involved in Councils, or Soviets, assisting, arming and training working people, in preparation for the insurrection. The ‘’presidential election’’ should be challenged, on Constitutional grounds. Join the two mainstream political parties, as card carrying members, and run for office. Celebrities can publish videos, calling for Scientific Socialism. Take part in the creation of a true American Communist Party, Dictatorship of the Proletariat.

As I have gone into this, in more detail, in other writings, there is no need to repeat it here. Suffice it to say that the imperialists have to be defeated, before they drag the country into a devastating war, one that could bring America to ruin.

Now that the capitalists have blessed us with the internet, and the subsequent ‘’social media’’, it is only proper that we should express our gratitude, by using this new technology, against them. We no longer have to rely on pamphlets, posters and banners, to get our message to the public. We can use emails and videos, which tend to be far more entertaining. May I suggest flooding social media with calls for:

Dictatorship of the Proletariat!

Workers of the World, Unite!

Scientific Socialism!

Prepare For Insurrection!