Political Crises in the United States and Britain

The Battle of the New to End the Old

What to make of the news coverage about unfolding events in the United States including attempts to impeach the U.S. president? One important thing to note is the absence of the fact that the working people across the country are dissatisfied with the whole electoral set up and the direction of the country. They increasingly express their opposition to a Congress that is dysfunctional, unable to pass significant legislation, prone to government shutdowns and unwilling to address their most pressing concerns, such as those about ending U.S. wars, inequality, poverty and environmental destruction. While the media promotes every tit for tat tweet among the rulers, voices heard among the people, especially the youth, are ignored. These raise: Why are Trump’s war crimes ignored? Those at the southern border? Why so much concern about the use of blackmail and government funds for self-serving purposes when this is nothing new?

The people are saying: This is not our democracy, it does not serve us. This is seen in many demonstrations, such as at the recent Climate Strike actions of millions standing up for a bright future for the youth, at the united actions both sides of the southern border defending rights, in anti-war actions, in forums, speak outs, petitions and more. In the eyes of the people the elections have long-since lost their integrity and are known for their corruption, manipulation and completely unequal conditions to elect and be elected, including widespread voter suppression. There is a clash between the conditions, which say it is time for the people to be empowered to govern and decide, and the existing authority, represented by the president on down.

A battle of two Americas is intensifying, that of the rich and that of the people proclaiming, No Crimes Against Humanity at home or abroad. It is not the future of our democracy the rulers are striving to protect, but their own war government and war economy. It is their undemocratic, anti-people rule, an alleged democracy that keeps the rich in power and the people out. This is what is at stake. Every effort is being made to line people up behind the vying factions to defend a democratic set-up that does not serve them. The people of the United States however are more and more saying: We are organizing for a democracy of our own making that serves our interests, the interests of the people here and abroad. And the fact is that nothing is diverting the U.S. working people and youth from establishing a new direction. They are stepping up work to speak in their own name on issues of concern, organizing house meetings, speak outs in schools and communities, public forums and other means that contribute to renewing the democracy by empowering the people.

One thing is clear. Impeachment does not change the reality of a state that keeps the rich in power and the people out and of a president, whoever he may be, that can act with impunity with broad police powers under his command. One faction calls on the people to uphold the Constitution while the other does as it pleases. But the Constitution has not stopped the many crimes of either Trump or Obama, Bush, Clinton and Bush Senior who preceded him. The genocide of mass incarceration and police killings, environmental destruction, refusal to provide safe drinking water, brutal attacks on migrants and minorities, on the rights to education, housing and healthcare all take place under the Constitution which provides no means for the people to hold government accountable.

It is the peoples and their struggles for rights and empowerment that are changing the situation.

(With files from Voice of Revolution)

This article was published in:

Renewal Update No. 38, October 18, 2019

Article Link:
Political Crises in the United States and Britain: The Battle of the New to End the Old