June 3, 2015
By Margaret Kimberley
Much of what calls itself "left" in the United States is phony – "left" only in the most relative, but not substantive, sense. It exists only in juxtaposition to the Republican boogieman, and has made no real break with America's horrendous tale of conquest, race-based terrorism and numerous other oppressions.
What is a leftist? This question is always an important one but it looms especially large as another presidential election approaches in 2016. The confusion about this issue is caused by opportunism, wishful thinking, and by the need to feel comfortable within America's narrative of dubious distinction.

In political discussions we often hear about disputes among those who claim to be on the left. Some may favor intervention in Syria or UkraineRead More... (http://mltoday.com/who-is-on-the-left)
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ml2day-recent?d=yIl2AUoC8zA (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ml2day-recent?a=YEFyjme-4R8:C0QaaIQXX7o:yIl2AUoC8zA) http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ml2day-recent?d=qj6IDK7rITs (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ml2day-recent?a=YEFyjme-4R8:C0QaaIQXX7o:qj6IDK7rITs) http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ml2day-recent?i=YEFyjme-4R8:C0QaaIQXX7o:F7zBnMyn0Lo (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ml2day-recent?a=YEFyjme-4R8:C0QaaIQXX7o:F7zBnMyn0Lo) http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ml2day-recent?i=YEFyjme-4R8:C0QaaIQXX7o:gIN9vFwOqvQ (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ml2day-recent?a=YEFyjme-4R8:C0QaaIQXX7o:gIN9vFwOqvQ)
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ml2day-recent/~4/YEFyjme-4R8

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"Anyone who gives the United States government a pass for intervening anywhere in the world is no leftist. It doesn't matter if the intended target is a "dictator" or "tyrant" or "cruel to his own people." These are weasel words used to promote violence and to hide inconvenient truths about America's role in creating its own tyrannies.

The opportunists and even some sincere people will advise supporting the Democratic Party in the November 2016 election. The Republicans' barely concealed racism and blatant misogyny will be held up as boogie men to frighten anyone who begins to think independently. Yet the Democrats can't even provide the low hanging fruit of their past. In 2009 and 2010 the Democrats controlled the White House and both Houses of Congress. If they were interested in raising the minimum wage they had a golden opportunity to do so. That type of treachery must be kept in mind when the "I'm disappointed in the Democrats but still support them" arguments are made.

Self-determination should be the question upper most in every mind. Who will stand independently when mealy mouthed liberals advise standing pat with failure? Who will speak up for Americans who want to free themselves from police violence, gentrification, job loss and surveillance? Who will speak up for people around the world who are subjected to drone strikes, occupations and interventions? The people who are complicit or even just silent will have exposed themselves. When they counsel accommodation and still claim to be on the left they must be called out as liars. There should be little confusion about what it means to be a leftist"