the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
Feb 17, 2003
More than 65 cities and counties across the country have adopted resolutions opposing a war against Iraq. These include some major cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Seattle, Cleveland, Milwaukee, San Francisco and Oakland, California. And at least 70 other local governments–even New York and Los Angeles–have taken up such measures.
What’s the meaning of this? Have these local politicians decided to rebel against the Bush administration? Hardly! Politicians know, of course, that such resolutions are symbolic and don’t prevent Bush from going to war. And many of the resolutions, while appearing to oppose the war, do so only because the U.N. hasn’t yet given its blessing. Many of these same politicians, once the war starts, will pass resolutions backing it, in the name of "supporting our troops."
Nonetheless, we can ask, why are so many politicians eager to appear to be jumping on the anti-war bandwagon?
There is only one logical explanation: they are looking over their shoulders at the widespread anti-war sentiment which exists in the population.
Newspapers and TV channels keep publishing polls which supposedly show that the majority of the American people are in favor of a war on Iraq. This wave of anti-war resolutions reflects what the real sentiment is.