by Solomon Comissiong
“Many who voted for Hillary Clinton, and who are now protesting, would have never protested her actual imperialist legacy, had she been elected.” The same goes for Obama supporters. Democrats and Republicans are joined in their subservience to corporate masters, and to imperialist wars. “It is imperative that the connections between Democrats and Republicans be made, especially regarding foreign policy.
Obama & Trump/Democrats & Republicans: Exposing the Similarities to Break Dependence on the Corporate Political Parties
by Solomon Comissiong
“It should have been just as important for these same masses to protest Barack Obama's bombings on Muslim countries.”
The Donald Trump administration has wasted little time in rolling out its signature version of fascist, racist and xenophobic polices. His administration is hell-bent on making sure their right-wing policies are recognized (and felt) by all. This current administration may be particularly open in regard to their disdain for humanity, however this is far from the first US presidential administration with reprehensible policies. The protests against the Trump administration are justified, just as those who spoke out against the Obama administration's imperialist crimes. The two are not mutually exclusive in that the Democratic and Republican Parties are riddled with stone cold imperialists who have little regard for human life and sovereign nations. However, for some reason, there are many who are currently protesting against DonaldTrump, but deep down inside they know they would have never protested, en masse, against Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. This selectivity predicated on political parties will only do one thing for sure: it will keep the untenable status quo going strong. This is a bad thing.
“There are many who are currently protesting against DonaldTrump, but deep down inside they know they would have never protested, en masse, against Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.”
Regardless of their political "colors," a great many US presidents have ushered in social and political polices that have had devastating impacts on humanity. Again, this has been a fact regardless of whether the president was a Republican or a Democrat. Unfortunately, far too many Americans, especially those that historically vote Democrat, are willfully oblivious to this cold fact. Yes, it is true that former Republican administrations, such as that of George W. Bush, have instituted death and destruction by way of illegal wars and invasions. However there were many Democrats who voted for the invasion and bombing of Iraq. George W. Bush also ushered in the right-wing Patriot Act; however, few understand that it was former Vice President Joe Biden who wrote much of the Patriot Act's content.
Democrats and Republicans have a particularly cozy relationship when it comes to imperialist wars. Despite many delusional liberal voters believing that Republicans are the party of war, it could not be further from the truth. Both Democrat and Republican presidents have long, blood-drenched histories of wars and destructive military campaigns. We need to look no further than Barack Obama, who was engaged in war every day of his presidency. And if you think he merely inherited these wars and that he was tirelessly trying to end war, you may want to think again. Barack Obama bombed seven countries during his 8-year term. And yes, these countries were inhabited with mostly Muslim people. And most of the Muslim people who lost their lives during these bombing campaigns were innocent civilians. Despite this bloody fact, there was no national outrage, with mass protest taking place in multiple cities. Those who protested these wars, including this author, were in a distinct minority. We were usually labeled "haters," simply because we wanted the Obama administration to stop murdering people. It is so very important for the hoi polloi to protest Donald Trump's xenophobic policies aimed at Muslims around the world. However, it should have been just as important (if not more) for these same masses to protest Barack Obama's bombings on Muslim countries. Unfortunately, many people allow their voting affiliation to prevent them from doing the right thing: unconditionally fighting against imperialism.
“Barack Obama, who was engaged in war every day of his presidency.”
If not stopped, the Trump administration may deport a great many immigrants from the United States. However, it is important to understand that president Obama deported more immigrants than any president in US history. He also helped bring about the rise of the detention industry complex when many of these immigrants were held indefinitely in detention centers built by the likes of the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA). Families were broken up for extended periods of time as they awaited expulsion from the United States. Again, there was no mass protest against the Obama administration's reprehensible record on deportations.
Mindless allegiance to the two corporate political parties continues to have a destructive impact on humanity. Americans have been systematically programmed and socially engineered to support, and believe in, a number of odious things. One of those things is the US political system, a system that is the antithesis of democratic. The two-party dictatorship, and their corporate handlers, prevent any semblance of competition. This is a major factor that prevents alternative parties from mounting a legitimate contest for major political offices, including that of the presidency. These entities have spent a great deal of time programming voters to believe that they represent their best interest. As a result, US voters routinely vote against their own interests. This happens with those who vote Democrat, as well as Republican. However, in regard to the most recent presidential election, many who voted for Hillary Clinton, and who are now protesting, would have never protested her actual imperialist legacy, had she been elected. Obama supporters are no different. They are rightfully justified in protesting and resisting Trump, however they long turned blind "eyes" to Barack Obama's destructive legacy. This has to change.
“The two-party dictatorship, and their corporate handlers, prevent any semblance of competition.”
Humanity simply deserves better. In order for a brighter future to be forged American voters will need to break away from their obsequious dependence on the two-party dictatorship and the methodically rigged electoral system. This information may be hard for many to accept, however a great many Americans need to reconcile some hard truths regarding their complicity with this vastly flawed political system. It is imperative that the connections between Democrats and Republicans be made, especially regarding foreign policy. If these connections are not made the US populace will continue to vote for war -- and against peace. Those who have rejected the two-party dictatorship must continue to remain vocal and consistent with our collective resistance. These simple actions can, and will, play a significant role in building the resistance. Humanity will ultimately depend on this!
Solomon Comissiong (www.solomoncomissiong.com) is an educator, community activist, author, and Founder of the Your World News Media Collective (www.yourworldnews.org). Mr. Comissiong is also a founding member of the Pan-African collective for Advocacy & Action. Solomon is the author of A Hip Hop Activist Speaks Out on Social Issues. Solomon is also the writer and producer of the documentary, Hip Hop, White Supremacy & Capitalism: Why Corporations Infiltrated RAP Music. He can be reached at: [email protected]
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