Myzwell Getusedtoit

Bronx Talk 1930s

We are in for a season or a year and a half of continuous campaigning for two basically different visions of what our country should look like. Thats what Myzwell ----------------is about. This was how we lived back in the 1930s between the New Deal vision and at the time the right wing “Fascist” vision of our future. It became a permanent struggle between two different views of our future.

Fascism was riding high in Europe. Mussolini and Hitler were solving the financial crisis of capitalism by instituting a State ruled by the military and the newly instituted Fascist Black and Brown shirts. Keep in mind that the Soviet Union was sitting there as an alternative to capitalism. That of course sharpened the struggle. At that time the organized left considered the threat of fascism the greatest danger. Hence a strategy of the United Front Against Fascism.

In the US that meant fully supporting F.D.R. against his right wing opponents some at least had open fascist support. In the 1936 Roosevelt reelection campaign the left vigorously supported the reelection of FDR. Did we think that he was the ideal candidate to ward off the attacks from the far right? Probably not. The issue came down to, how do we stop the far right march to fascism. Lessons for today.

Solving the problems of capitalism on the backs of the poor and the working class. Congressmen Ryan’s GOP plan for the future does precisely that. Hell, he doesn’t even want those millionaire tax cuts to die. These GOP folks do not believe the Government should have any role whatsoever in helping its citizens to lead healthy secure lives. They believe it should be like the old Wild West everybody on their own and with a gun, even in the classroom. It has its resemblance to the 30s by putting the cost of the economic crisis on the backs of those least able to afford it. While the rich get richer all the time.

What’s the lesson here? We need to build all possible support for Obama. Is he the perfect candidate for the fight ahead? Maybe not. We could probably sit around the bar over a few beers and create a dream candidate. FDR for empathy. Teddy Roosevelt for fighting spirit. John F. Kennedy for charm. Abe Lincoln for honesty. Eisenhower to bring along the military. Role em into one and ipso facto you got the perfect candidate. In the meantime back to reality.

What I have observed about Obama is that he does respond when his supporters yell. “for Gods Sake Obama get in there and start fighting” he responds. For instance, I think the militant actions in Madison Wisconsin has strengthened the Presidents resolve. (Pssst, That’s what moved FDR into action.) The Labor movement raising hell about who was going to pay for getting us out of the mess that the banks got us into in the first place. They are getting big fat bonuses while the the unemployed are getting the shaft.

Madison Wisconsin has shown us what needs to be done. The more we are able to do that the easier it will be to support our President. As they said in the Bronx “Myzwellget usedtoit”. We are looking at 18 months of sheeeet in the fan. I do promise to write about other stuff at least once in a while. Just to make sure that everyday life can go on. At least mine.