Do you think a revolution is possible in the United States?

Question

I believe that there will be no end to the injustice perpetrated by our government at home and abroad unless we destroy the state and the system that props it up (capitalism). Do you agree, and if so do you think another revolution will occur within our lifetimes?

Here's the link to the International Socialist Organization's newspaper: http://www.socialistworker.org

If you're fed up, we need to organize. Obviously, I'm pitching the ISO because I'm a member, but I would still be happy if people joined any progressive organization.

Answer 1

I fully agree with you. The corruption is systemic, and it is within our rights, as Thomas Jefferson made clear in our Constitution, to overthrow any government which is destructive to our lives and our liberties. What clearer indication do we need of this Administration's contempt for the Constitution (Executive fiat restricting the First Amendment, and nullifying the Fourth), contempt for democracy (public opinion polls regarding the wide-spread disapproval of current policies and signing statements effectively vetoing Congress), and contempt for the rule of law (only Congress has the right to declare war, and wars of aggression are illegal under both US and International law, as well as the illegal wiretaps, the suspension of haebeus corpus, etc.). But it is not just this Administration. A good case can be made that at least since Truman, every US president is guilty of war crimes under the definitions set down and agreed to at Neuremburg. The structure of capitalism is a direct contradiction to democracy: A corporation, in political terms, is a dictatorship; those below take their orders from those above. This is the exact opposite of the structure of democratic institutions. The systems are fundamentally incompatable. True democracy is not some Constitutional facade, nor is it casting a ballot now and then for this or that member of the elite. True democracy is bottom-up rule. The majority of the people in this country, blinded by the corporate media to the wolf at the door, will never see fascism as long as it is wrapped in the American flag, hides under platitudes to democracy and defense, speaks English, and claims a faith in God. The corporate media has become extremely effective at hiding inconvenient truths and its cynical double-standards from the public, and so long as that continues to be the case, I do not hold out much hope for improvement. It is a sad commentary that in the leading academic journals (Foreign Policy, eg) and Conservative think tanks (Brookings, eg) the intellectuals look to China as the best hope for the future of democracy in the world. When the world grows tired of US belligerence, and they move away from the dollar as the medium of excange for oil, when this country is reduced by forces it can no longer repress to a shadow of its former self, that is when the seeds of the revolution we so desperately need will find fertile soil. We must, however, take the lesson of history to heart, and be careful of what Orwell called the Red Bureaucracy, proclaiming the goals of the revolution while usurping its principles, and using it as a cover to re-install the old order and the old power structures, as was done in the former USSR. Lenin and Stalin were dictators, not socialist, and certainly not Communist, though they were called that in the Western business-dominated mainstream press here to discredit any moves in this or in any other country toward real social reform, moves which threaten and endanger established (but illegitimate) power.
Do not lose heart. You are not alone. If we had a free press in this country, these issues would be front page news. There is nothing benign about the aims of the corporate class. They do not have the people's interest at heart, and they do not care about the State unless it offers them the possibility of socializing their costs, and thus increasing their profits. They are very class-conscious, and very organized. We must be too. Do not look to the corporate media for any encouragment. To quote Ghandi, "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then ...you win." Nothing worth having comes easily, but it is a noble fight, and you are in the company of real heroes. Do not give up. Do not give in. There is no endeavour more worthy of our attention and effort. Organize!

Answer 2

Nope. And Nope.

THe system has problems; but the system works. Compare it to the Chinese government trying to govern a large population, and you'll figure it out.

If you really believe there will be no end to the injustice perpetrated by our government at home and abroad unless we destroy the state and the system that props it up (capitalism) I suggest you find a place where the injustices are more to your liking. Destroying this one is absurd

Answer 3

The people united will never be defeated.

I think the American public is too passive.


There are people all over the world with less financial wealth who are more impoverished then citizens of the US who have joined forces, exercised their right to vote and used their political power to over throw their government elected or otherwise.

I am not sure if the American people have it in them to stage a revolt.

They are too occupied with the weapons of mass distraction , like American Idol, the newest gaming system and the outcome of the final 4 to care about politics.

Such a shame as they are so quick to blame the politicians, when it is in their power to hold their elected officials accountable.

In many countries bush would have been imprisoned and impeached already.

Apathy is an evil and destructive force.

Answer 4

It's hard to say really. The FBI is way more powerful than it should be and that would def. make it hard to do protests and gain supporters without getting snubbed by them. I myself hate how our governement is set up,but I still think it's better than any other government out there. I'd surely love to start one or participate in the starting of one, but despite what the constitution might protect me from, I would still fear as to what our government might do to me to conserve it's power and order, though I'd happily follow someone else. Look at all the 70's protesters like John Lennon or Abbie Hoffman and how tough life was for them just so they could have a voice. In short, yes I believe it's possible if you have the guts and willingness to stand up for what you believe in no matter what, but I don't see anyone doing it anytime soon.

Answer 5

A revolution is occuring now as I write this ... you and I are part of it. No blood or beheadings ... just sore typing fingers on the Blogs, Wiki, discussion forums etc.

There are extremes of both side of the political spectrum to be sure, but be comforted in the fact that the free independent thinkers will prevail over the uninformed and intolerant. Our numbers are increasing dramatically

Answer 6

No way. It takes the media support to bring revolution. In my lifetime the only time the media has ever disagreed with the government was New Orleans. That lasted about two weeks.

Answer 7

This is a possibility, but I suppose people are afraid of being sentenced to death, is some US states-to the gas chamber. So let us pray that a peace lover is elected president in the next elections. Then things can be resolved peacefully.

Answer 8

We are but one country. If you really think this is such a rotten system you should go try living elsewhere for a while. Having lived in at least 12 different countries in my life I can tell you first hand, it don't get any better than this.

Answer 9

No.. Hell NO!!! There are way too many spoiled self centered people in this country that don't care about the real issues.If it doesn't affect there bank accounts they could care less.Too bad we don't have a MLK in this day and age.

Answer 10

Yes, I do believe that will happen. From your statement, you seem to believe capitalism is bad, find a system that offers more freedom to achieve that capitalism, you can't. communism wont cut it, Soviet Union proved that.
Socialism wont cut it, France and Canada are proving that.
So when the bullets start flying, remember your liberals friends that try to take away the handguns and "assault rifles", because we conservatives will still have ours. Good luck.