(This just appeared on Marxmail.)
Dear Friends,
We have been following the debates on your list re the US elections and especially what stance to take towards the Nader and Camejo campaign. Not having a preferential voting-style electoral system does pose a major dilemma for the left in the US and Britain. In countries such as Australia, while the debates over lesser-evilism continue, the partial preferential voting system makes it somewhat easier on left alternatives to put their case in the electoral arena.
We agree with putting the stress on the strategic questions here: the need to build a strong mass movement and a left alternative to the two-party system. This, also includes electoral tactics, especially because of the level of illusions in the parliamentary system. A left alternative needs to have an electoral expression as well.
Unfortunately some of the arguments of those progressives calling for a vote for Kerry could lead to the conclusion that the left does not participate as an independent force in electoral politics, period, because there is always a danger that it will aid the Republicans (or the Conservatives).
This is the danger in confining your framework to the lesser-evil in electoral politics.
And, of course, that Kerry is a lesser-evil is even questionable from the point-of-view of the war in Iraq, a decisive question in world politics, and the economic policies of the US ruling class, especially in relation to the third world.
Kerry's pro-war line is clearly exposed to the international movement. Here in the Philippines movement everyone acknowledges there is no difference between the Bush and Kerry policies. In fact after the release of the latest al Qaida video Kerry's line has been so chillingly pro-war: "They are barbarians. I will stop at absolutely nothing to hunt down, capture or kill the terrorists wherever they are, whatever it takes." (Philippines Daily Inquirer)
These statements aren't "abstract" to us either. This is not just against bin Laden. This is against so-called "terrorist" movements and peoples of the Third World, such as the movement here in the Philippines.
If I was voting in the US I would vote for Nader and Camejo (I think Camejo's statements have been excellent) and simultaneously campaign for a big anti-war action when the next president is inaugurated. The Nader/Camejo campaign too needs to think about life after the elections and its role in building a militant mass movement because that's where its future lies: in the mass movement and not electoral politics.
Reihana & Sonny Philippines
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