Changing Labels

Posted April 27, 2015 at 10:22 am

Rhetoric versus action

Part II

It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government, except all those others that have been tried.” Winston Churchill.

After the fall of the Soviet Union Fidel Castro could no longer support revolutions around the continent and the guerrilla movements lost ground. But Hugo Chavez, who worshipped at Castro’s feet, came to the aid of Fidel and the guerrillas that had been at the edge of extinction. Venezuelan oil gave him plenty of money to share with the Cuban dictator and to promote rebels around the continent, giving them weapons, intelligence and sometimes shelter. The poor of Venezuela supported his corrupt regime, and even after his death Venezuela is still a communist dictatorship under Nicolas Maduro, Hugo’s heir. A bad idea was given new life, and a new face. That is how we got demagoguery mixed with abysmal ignorance.

Now for the good news: Socialism, with some aspects borrowed from free market economies, thrives in Europe and has produced periods of prosperity in Brazil and Chile. But those countries owe more to diligent politicos who have no time for the empty rhetoric that was fed to the masses in the past. Nobody outside North Korea will tolerate 3 hour speeches to sing the glories of the leader. Our time is done with the ideas of the past, and the only form of government that provides opportunities for all is the free market economy.

The battle now is to make corporations listen to the people, and become more conscious of the environment and more responsible for helping to shape solutions to poverty, illness, and illiteracy. New companies like Google, Apple, and Starbucks are more socially aware and are helping to institute real change implementing novel ideas. Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates is changing the world with his foundation. More recently the CEO of Gravity Payments, a Seattle, Washington company, decided to change the lives of 120 employees by making 70,000 the minimum yearly salary. He took a huge pay cut reducing his 1 million dollar salary. That is a conscience seeking equality without the bombastic rhetoric of Fidel Castro. Actions speak louder than words. That is the future.

Fernando Mendez

Changing Labels

Posted April 17, 2015 at 4:01 am

How Communists became Socialists and then Progressives. Part 1.

Por Fernando Mendez

This essay could be called a brief history of change in two parts. It is difficult to destroy an idea, even a bad one. We know that the Marxists of old became “socialists,” and now they have decided to call themselves “progressives,” in order make it easier to label any opposition as lacking in foresight, as being opposed to ideas that promote the advancement of society—a very clever manipulation of labels. It was necessary to change names to make an old and terrible idea become more palatable.

But bad ideas with a new coat of paint are still bad ideas. Marxist ideas gave Bolsheviks a foundation that created one of the most oppressive regimes in history. Their philosophy of government was sold to gullible throngs eager to get rid of monarchs and oligarchs. Communism would flatten the playing field and everybody would be the same, no elites, no casts–all your basic needs would be met. The state would control everything and provide for all. For Latin America, Cuba was set up as an example of the economies of the future. They offered free education and free healthcare. The properties of the rich were taken over by the state and there was no private property because the state owned everything. Fidel Castro allowed only the promotion and discussion of revolutionary ideals, stating publicly that he would not tolerate dissent. His motto: “For the revolution, everything, against the revolution, nothing.”

Castro was supported by the Soviet Union and used to promote Marxism throughout the continent. In exchange for selling his soul to the communists, Castro received subsidies that propped up his regime. He was helped by an ill-advised U.S. blockade that gave him a ready-made excuse for his failure to have a sound economy.

After 75 years the Soviet system imploded with some help from outside. In the wake of the fall there were no communists left anywhere. Like the Nazi followers that suddenly evaporated after the war, there were no followers of Lenin after the Berlin Wall came down. They had discovered that Socialism had a kinder sound and it could be more easily sold to the masses—like snake oil in a nice wine bottle.

Next: Rhetoric versus action

Inmigrantes de todas partes atentos a la contienda para alcalde

Posted April 13, 2015 at 5:44 pm

Por Pedro Rodríguez

En lo que se convirtió en historia para la Ciudad de Filadelfia, cientos de inmigrantes en conjunto se dieron cita en la sede de la Sociedad Alemana en la Calle Spring Garden para pasar mas de 2 horas escuchando las respuestas de los candidatos para Alcalde de esta ciudad. Las preguntas pre-diseñadas por los varios sectores que componen esta gran urbe en donde el mayor registro de aumento de población se debe a la gran masa de inmigrantes procedentes del Caribe, América Central y América del Sur, Asia, Africa y el Medio Oriente – buscaban oír de los labios de los cinco políticos que acudieron: Jim Kenney, Doug Oliver, Milton Street, Sen. Anthony Williams y Lynne Abraham – no tan solo las ideas pero también cual abiertos están para abrazar de lleno las contribuciones que estas comunidades están haciendo y pueden hacer para el progreso de Filadelfia.

A pesar de la exactitud de varias de las preguntas, el político es político y lo específico brilló por su escasez. Sin embargo, el hecho de que este evento sucedió, eso ya constituye un enorme paso hacia el reconocimiento de que Filadelfia es una ciudad multi-cultural y políglota. Los organizadores del evento proveyeron traducción instantánea en varios idiomas asiáticos como también en español. El ZolPhilly 1340 transmitió en vivo, con comentarios de este servidor y los colegas del Ritmo de la Comunidad – otra vez haciendo historia como la primera vez que tal evento se lleva al aire en español.

Es decir, estamos aquí para quedarnos.

Y políticamente, estamos haciendo las alianzas necesarias con los grupos marginados hasta ahora para salir del hoyo y ser vistos, oídos, entendidos y respetados con acción consecuente en esta ciudad. Para los políticos electos ya no hay excusas de que como inmigrantes somos invisibles.

Vale la pena destacar que todos los candidatos para alcalde presentes indicaron su repudio a la colaboración de la Policía de Filadelfia con Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) – una cooperación que hasta el momento ha sido un cuchillo en el cuello de este pueblo. Lástima que el actual fiscal, Seth Williams, casi nunca acude a estos eventos para escuchar al pueblo.

Andy Toy, organizador del evento del sábado 11 dice que este es el comienzo de una unidad mas orgánica entre las varias comunidades–en buena hora!

Category Archives: Uncategorized

Por Pedro Rodríguez