[Marxism] "going through the experience" of Obama disillusionment

[Louis Proyect]

>I think the FDR comparison, updated, is a pretty good one. Not because of
>FDR's plans when he ran, nor because of Obama's plans even now, just because
>FDR took office as the United States was drowning in shit, and Obama looks
>like he is about to do the same.
>
>Anthony

There are some huge differences:

1. The level of economic suffering. My mom lived through the 
Depression. She told me once that they ate no meat whatsoever, except 
some chicken once or twice a month. My father joined the army in 1940 
because he couldn't find regular work.

2. The existence of a massive socialist movement. With the CP, you 
had a presence in FDR's administration itself through open members 
and fellow travelers.

3. Corresponding to this, you had a very dynamic trade union movement 
that was willing to fight in the streets.

4. The trade union movement in turn reflected the expansion of 
American industrial capitalism which persisted even in a time of 
massive unemployment. There is nothing that corresponds today to 
Flint, Michigan in 1938 when auto workers sat in at Ford and GM.

5. Most importantly, the existence of the USSR which put tremendous 
pressure on FDR to act as if he had workers' interest at heart.