Tuesday, 24 November 2009 - Press Release by Brian Moore
Socialist activist Brian Moore warned a group of mostly public school teachers, college professors and attorneys, in the small audience, of the dangers of nations not prepared for severe economic crises causing governmental collapse. The speaker further warned that such a state of affairs could bring on unwanted social and political conditions resulting in countries being controlled by dictators, without the rule of law, and the loss of basic freedoms.
The former presidential candidate for the Socialist Party USA, was the invited speaker before a Tampa, Florida group of "Center For Inquiry (CFI)" members, 15 participants in all, last Saturday morning, November 21st, at the Bridgeport Office Center-5201 W Kennedy Blvd., in Tampa, Florida.
The Florida resident and civic activist, in his remarks, addressed the advantages of socialism and the growing failures of capitalism. He included the history of how American socialism developed from the late 19th century to its present day 21st century operations, and how "legitimate radical thought in America has suffered the consequences."
Moore also was very critical of the two major political parties in the United States, especially their dependence on corporate and special interest power and money. Many in the audience, who were Democrats, challenged the speaker on the importance of "working within the system, as a Democrat," and not being "such a romantic by tilting at unrealistic and unreachable windmills." These same Democrats expressed fear of a socialist society "being run by tea-party people."
Moore not only criticized the American political system but also the fourth estate as well, and its allegiance to the status quo. He blamed the media and the press for embracing traditional institutions, and for unfairly protecting the two major parties by labeling minor and independent political parties as irrelevant based on their lack of access to money, few resources, along with advocating untraditional or radical ideas. Moore listed all the social advances the Socialist Party advocated starting right before the beginning of the 20th century that were eventually embraced by both the Democrats and the Republicans (an 8-hour work day, a 6-day work week, child labor laws, woman's suffrage, unemployment insurance, workers compensation, social security, etc.).
The antiwar activist and national health advocate also integrated into his presentation the analogy of the Spanish Civil War, 1936 to 1939, as to the dangers of relying on a government in a weak economic situation. Once the Spanish economy collapsed, forces from those in power lost credibility, thereby enabling an opposing power to emerge in a struggle.
The newly established leftist government at the time, was dependent on leftist power groups, such as radical unions, socialist and communist political parties, and peasant workers from the farms and countryside of a large agrarian society. However, when the weakened national economy collapsed, the rightwing, made up of the more traditional landowners, the military, fascist political parties and the Catholic Church made a grab for control as the vacuum of power increased. After three years of bloodshed and anarchy, and the loss of democratic rule, the rightwing ultimately won the day. The victor's leader turned out to be a rightwing military dictator by the name of General Francisco Franco, who aligned himself with Adolf Hitler of Germany and Mussolini of Italy. Even the United States aligned with Franco's side, at the time, out of fear of the left.
Moore's point was that for a society to rely on the status quo, no matter how poor the economic condition (i.e. its reliance on capitalism), and its efforts to work within the traditional system, did not prevail. The Spanish nation did move to a more radical economic and political change, albeit late, in order to prevent the national economy to collapse. However, the opposing traditional economic forces interceded, thus causing chaos, civil war, and the ultimate loss of democratic rights and freedoms.
Moore says, he "fears the same situation could occur in America, if we are not prepared!"
Moore spoke of both the "Red Terror," and the "White Terror," that occurred during those three bloody civil war years in Spain. Both sides, the left and the right, where guilty of atrocities and massacres and justified the loss of basic freedoms. The Hernando County resident said that each side justified its dictatorial behavior based on the rights of power, and not on principle, or fairness or even truth.
Former candidate Moore warned his audience that this same fate could await the United States of America. "A watershed is about to occur from a Great Depression or deep recession," he stated. The traditional forces are "still relying on an outmoded 16th century economic system," Moore exclaimed, that puts its faith in a "free market" philosophy that is "not based on logic," but on illogical risk, and opportunities for the privileged few, at the expense of the many.
Moore said to the thoroughly engaged audience that now is the "crucial moment" for American society to develop alternative plans, to "embrace more radical ideas," with new economic and political systems, that are based on more sound socialists' principles and a non-profit economic system based on social services, communal responsibility and control over the means of the right kind of production.
The "hate for Bush was no longer there," said Jerry Cox, 52, an antiwar protester from spring Hill, and, he added, "more people seemed to be in opposition" to the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Cox referenced the fact that two drivers stopped their cars on the side of the road, in front of the protesters, to lend their verbal support and encouragement. He felt that was "quite significant and a new change." 