A Step Toward Communism Is a Step in the Right Direction
“In 2016, people would ask me if I had voted,” Roxie said. “When I responded ‘no, I don’t believe in voting,’ people would get so angry and say, ‘You millennials are the problem. You aren’t voting and there will never be real change.’
“We live in a capitalist country where the poor working class will always remain that and the rich will remain rich,” Roxie continued. “Whatever political party wins, as long as we live in a capitalist country, there will never be any change. I’m not sure what government system would work best, but I would like to learn more about communism.”
Today, both major US political parties warn that the election is compromised and that “the future of democracy is at stake.” We’ve heard calls about the need to vote before, but there’s a qualitative change in the rhetoric—and maybe in the situation. For the first time in over 150 years, the declared loser might not concede defeat.
Corrupt and disputed elections are, of course, not uncommon. Often, US imperialism has been responsible. We’re seeing them today in Belarus and Mali. But the myth of American exceptionalism may soon be in tatters.
Red Flag readers and most of our friends hate racist Trump. We see that he’s an open fascist. But many hate Democrats Biden and Harris, too, or at least their politics. Both have histories of being “tough on crime” (racist) and “moderate” (pro-capitalist). Biden has a 40+ year record of supporting US imperialism.
So, should eligible voters cast their ballots for Biden? Or not vote and keep fighting for reforms? Or is it necessary and realistic for all of us to do what we can to mobilize masses for communist revolution?
Biden/Harris: NOT a “Step in the Right Direction”
Communists don’t believe in the cynical idea of “the worse, the better.” Worsening conditions for the masses are never “better.”
Things would surely continue to worsen for us if Trump wins. But they would get worse under Biden/Harris, too. The racism, the economic crisis, the environmental crisis, increasing global tensions… all come from the capitalist system, whoever sits in the White House. Attacks on immigrants increased under Obama/Biden. And racist police murders. And the power of the executive branch.
“But Trump is a fascist!” many will respond. “It will become even harder to organize and protest!” But would it be easier under Biden? There was a huge US anti-war movement under Bush. It virtually disappeared once Obama and Biden were sworn in, because the movement was folded into the Democratic Party.
Biden/Harris are uniting “against fascism” with conservative anti-Trump Republicans. And that is what Democrats are begging the angry anti-racists in the streets – especially millennials – to join. That’s the essence of the increasingly shrill calls to vote, to get out the vote, and maybe even to get out of the streets. The result could be an even more dangerous fascism.
“We need to march on them ballot boxes,” Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore told an anti-racist, anti-police crowd in Kenosha. “Democrats close to Joe Biden increasingly fear the looting and violence in cities could help President Trump,” reported Axios (Aug 29).
Roxie and others like her can expect to feel even more pressure this fall. Don’t cave! But don’t be passive, either!
Don’t Vote—Mobilize Masses for Communism
“I’ll vote for local things, but I won’t vote for president. Or if I do, I’ll probably vote third party,” said a young organizer. “A lot of people, unenthusiastically, will vote Biden. But some people don’t think it matters anyway, since we live in California. And then some people just don’t think it matters.”
California and about 12 other states are solid Democratic. About 21 states are solid Republican. Most people in these states know that it doesn’t much matter if or how they vote. But how would the organizer’s friends vote (or not) if they lived in a contested state?
Don’t believe the lie that “your vote is your voice.” Some want to have it both ways: voting in capitalist elections while marching against racist capitalism. But it’s a contradiction.
Jump off the fence and onto the side of communist workers’ power! Learn more about communism, and use your voice to convince others! Simply “not voting” (or 3rd-party voting) is not a step in the right direction, either. Joining the ICWP is.
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