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THE
SENATOR JEFFORDS SWITCH
By now you have undoubtedly read and
heard a good deal about why Senator Jeffords switched from the Republican
party to independent and thereby put the Democrats in control of the U.S.
Senate. Many reasons have been offered as to why.
For instance he said he could not
represent the interests of the State of Vermont under the Republican
Party. That is not difficult to understand considering that the Republican
Party doesn't represent the interests of anyone in any State except the
rich. In that case many more honest Republicans should follow his example.
But what is most important about
Jeffords move is that it exposes a political crisis in the ruling circles
of power. It is a crisis arising out of the worldwide opposition to
globalization. Globalization is in danger of floundering. It is also
likely to slip its tracks because the Bush program is recklessly exposing
what globalization means at home: lower living standards all around, loss
of jobs, busting unions, hailing corporate greed, trampling on
civil and human rights, loss of religious freedom, encouraging corporate
greed, and telling the rest of the world to shove it, etc., you name it.
What Jeffords and his supporters is
saying is, globalization cannot succeed unless some concessions are made
to soften the opposition. His move, if successful will see the U.S. Senate
passing mild forms of social legislation such as guaranteeing Social
Security, Medicare, anti-poverty programs, stronger education support, HMO
regulation, prescription drug regulation, a change in foreign policy
toward international cooperation, especially on globalization, and, if
corporate power isn't too powerful, energy regulation for the benefit of
consumers. You could add to the list.
History repeats itself! You may recall
that President Roosevelt, in the 30s, did the same thing to blunt what was
becoming a popular revolt in the Great Depression. His New Deal was
intended to save the capitalist system. It didn't quite work. It took WWII
to finish the job. The question today is," What will save the system
now?"
President James Spinosa of our union,
ILWU, said at the recent Peace Arch demonstration against NAFTA
"And lastly we need to articulate
an alternative economic vision of the world, one where we work and trade
in ways that bring prosperity to people, in ways that promote
cross-cultural understanding and peace."
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