Posted by Daniel Baron on January 29, 2009 at 14:51:40:
In Reply to: Re: Know Thyself posted by Dan on January 21, 2009 at 07:54:20:
"This is a different definition of working class, which is always portrayed as you say, as a guy or gal who works at some lower level job and isn't able to have a comfortable life."
This is the correct definition of working class. Relating yourself to society by how much money you make is shallow, at best. It says nothing of your relation to commodities, and therefore the rest of society. This merely obscures social relations and class antagonisms.
"Obama promises alot but most of us know he won't achieve half or most of it."
510 promises (250 or so for Clinton, and 170 or so for Bush)? Or something like that. Looking at his transition team and his cabinet (And his young yet absurd death toll) is quite illustrating as to what his administration will resemble (i mean neo-liberal policies, besides keynesianism).
"The problem is, how can we change things and people to get this government and economy you describe?"
The key is organization. Unfortunately, its not so easy to do, so our goal, as of now, should be agitation. We should always attempt to raise the awareness of those around us. Help them to see how domestic and foreign policy is affecting them. This will be the germ and the foundation of organization.
"So, what can we do NOW to get to have this new way? It just seems pointless to even think about it."
A good start would be to lose the defeatist sentiments. Change is possible and highly likely, especially at a time when the capitalist economy flounders in crisis. But it has to come from grassroots democracy, not industrially fuedalistic regimes like Obama's. You'll likely start to see the resentment of the people swell up against the state, especially when the facade of change is lifted from Obama's administration (the higher the hopes, the more disappointing the come-down)