July, 2005

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Editorial: Democracy Under Attack

During the 1930s, brutal fascist dictatorships arose, consolidated control and began their military aggression against the peoples of the earth. It was a process that could have been halted as it developed but pro fascist political leaders assured the people that "it's an Asian problem -- "it's a European problem" or "it can't happen here." After ten years of war, death and destruction the fascist forces were defeated. The people, those who suffered the most, declared that this must not happen again.

As the world emerged from the horror of war, the people were urged to let the "leaders" handle the social and political problems. Involved in their individual problems, the people soon forgot what they paid so dearly to learn -- there is no such thing as a local crushing of democracy and if it can happen "there," it can happen anywhere.

Again, economically powerful forces are moving to not only dominate the government, but to become the government. That is the foundation of American fascism. They see the little democracy that still remains in our country as an obstacle to their rule. They are determined to destroy it before the deteriorating economic conditions kick the people awake. Herein lies the importance of the struggle developing in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Fascism, like democracy, does not consolidate from the top, from the big "important " struggles. It consolidates down below -- by gaining victory after small victory until it has the base for the "important" struggles. This is why it is so important that the revolutionary and democratic forces learn to confront fascist, corporate power at every turn.

From time to time an attack against democracy is so blatant that it symbolizes the entire process. This is the importance of Benton Harbor. The once stable working class community of Benton Harbor has been devastated by globalization. The industrial work force has become the new class of marginally or permanently unemployed. The governing bodies that once controlled by buying up the people's leaders now turn to intimidation and brute force. This is the classical process and shows what is in store for all the workers of Michigan and finally for the entire country. The American people must take a stand before it is too late, Let's make a stand at Benton Harbor!