[Marxism] 81 percent of USA dissatisfied

[Haines Brown]

> The 81% figure is frightening, since it obviously must include a
> rather large number of rightist 'extremists' -- and that could be
> the basis for the appearance of an actual fascist
> _movement_. (Blather the last 8 years about the neocons & Bushies as
> fascist was nonsense.)

Carrol, what a discouraging prospect :-(. Let me see if I can give it a
more positive twist if I can.

Discontent, of course, is the result of deepening capitalist
contradictions. I assume that revolution arises from a combination
of discontent and unactualized real potentials. So discontent can
contribute to a rightist movement as well as to the left (or to
polarization). 

So our focus then is on which way it will go or which way we can
encourage it to go. Since (I'm not sure you are speaking specifically
of the US, but will assume so) there's no question that there are
enormous resources that are not being used to address our real needs,
I'd argue that ultimately the potential for a left movement is far
greater than that of the right. 

That is, the right seems intent on a) putting these resources into its
own pocket, b) funding foreign adventure, c) or simply cutting back on
the public sector in order to support a) or b). The left, on the other
hand, gains by whatever strengthens the working class and encourages
their democratic power, and so the existing resources would end
contributing to the power of the people. In systems terms, the Left
gains from a positive feedback; the Right is caught up in a negative
feedback that is ultimately self-defeating.

Just a superficial thought to put a little sugar on your dire
observation.

Haines Brown