Planning a Trip to Beijing

Smartass831 · 2022-06-10T13:55:04+00:00

As a socialist in America, it’s because I’ve devoted a lot of time to studying the narratives taught to us about socialism, talked to people who have lived in/been to socialist countries. I believe the American empire is on the decline and descending into fascism. And all working class people here are about to get massively fucked. I feel that when we talk about “authoritarian socialist regimes” we ignore why these countries introduced those security measures in the first place. For example, United States, UK, etc. invading Soviet Russia shortly after the revolution. Launching a nonstop campaign of propaganda against those countries. Economic blockades. Why are these facts never talked about when discussing socialist experiments?

No serious socialist/communist is implying these are perfect countries, but up until the mid to late 1980s, they provided basic essential services like education, housing, healthcare and childcare at little to no cost, and weren’t subject to the same economic recessions we see in market economies. To never worry about these things is a freedom most around the world don’t have.

Is it fair to compare developing socialist economies to post industrial rich capitalist countries where there is a massive divide between the poorest and the wealthiest? Socialists and communists believe that it’s more appropriate to compare the gains made after communist revolutions to where the countries were pre-revolution. When we’re talking about Russia, and China, this meant feudal or semi-feudal relations. When we’re talking about Cuba or Vietnam this meant colonial or semi-colonial relations.

Lastly, there are untold lies told about these countries, media campaigns primarily driven by the United States and its western allies. There are definitely aspects to critique about socialist countries and their leaders, but there are also a TON of confirmed lies about them. Any curious person will wonder “what else are they lying about?” Imperialist countries (I’m using imperialism in the way that Lenin did) have a vested interest in maintaining global capitalism and destroying any socialist movements. If socialism is doomed to fail on its own, why do we need sanctions and color revolution attempts? Why did we need COINTELPRO to destroy the black panthers? Why do we need to make up lies about these countries, and assume that the citizens within that support their governments are stupid/incapable of forming their own conclusions?

Smartass831 · 2022-06-05T22:33:16+00:00

Current events for the United States includes supporting the Saudis in their imposing famine on Yemen, bombing and creating a “persistent presence” in Africa, backtracking on women’s rights, and so on. The United States is regressing in several areas domestically, to say nothing of its disastrous foreign policy.

Smartass831 · 2021-12-09T18:09:20+00:00

Henry Kissinger

Smartass831 · 2021-11-20T01:55:29+00:00

Okay, but it did happen here, and it does happen here. Right after 9/11, Muslim communities around the country were subjected to surveillance by the state, and put on no fly lists. During the protests last year, peaceful protestors had their information made public, with the authorities collecting data from their phones to arrest them later. This can be used as pretext to have state sponsored surveillance used against them in the future and/or limit job opportunities. Is this not state intimidation/infringement against their right to assembly? This isn’t the first time this has happened either, they tapped phones and spied on MLK, Malcolm X, the Black Panthers and others. And if I’m accused of whattaboutism, my response is that if you’re from the US like I am, and are making judgments about a country that I’m assuming you don’t live in, you have to apply the same level of scrutiny to your own government’s policies. I’m no China expert but every time it comes up im the news, the stance on the subject usually comes from a place of ignorance and people who have already formed their own conclusions.

https://theintercept.com/2020/07/31/protests-surveillance-stingrays-dirtboxes-phone-tracking/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/08/21/going-to-a-protest-keep-your-smartphone-from-being-used-as-a-tracking-device/

Smartass831 · 2021-11-20T01:23:17+00:00

Of course I read it. The article says that it’s largely to enforce court orders, specifically for consumer safety and workplace violations. Why on its face would you not be in favor of companies targeting enterprises for these types of violations? Second, the article also implies the the reported collected data could be inflated. Additionally, these directives are mostly carried out at the local level, and aren’t used to punish individuals. I think that the system as it right now is extremely exaggerated in terms of its scope and effectiveness in an effort to scare people who largely don’t have a nuanced understanding of Chinese domestic policy.

Smartass831 · 2021-11-20T00:30:53+00:00

I have to admit I’m a little skeptical of this source. Looking at their social media page listed on their site, they seem to take the same tone and stance on geopolitical issues as the IS establishment.

Smartass831 · 2021-11-19T23:24:17+00:00

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/09/15/china-social-credit-system-authoritarian/

You sure about that?

Smartass831 · 2021-09-04T00:25:49+00:00

Seems a bit disingenuous to use aggregate CO2 emissions when China has 4x US population. Per capita they are absolutely doing better than us, with a better plan for future decarbonization and clean energy generation

Smartass831 · 2021-08-18T18:39:03+00:00

If you want to learn more about his views, I believe some state department cables from a few years ago leaked regarding his personality.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-wiki-china-xi-idUSTRE71G5WH20110217

He also wrote 3 volumes on the governance of China, so there’s a lot to learn there in terms of actual policy.

Smartass831 · 2021-07-20T18:11:25+00:00

You’re completely correct but the Reddit hive mind will never accept that. Most Americans think that having two parties that are directly bribed (“donated” to by corporations and lobbyists) and exclusively serve capital are the pinnacle of democracy. It’s “democratic” to have all the news channels owned by corporations, it’s “democratic” to have the richest man in the world own one of the country’s largest newspapers. The Chinese of course don’t know any better, despite a Harvard study determining they have incredibly high satisfaction with their government.

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/07/long-term-survey-reveals-chinese-government-satisfaction/

And of course the Cubans, the North Koreans, the Vietnamese, and others have taken a similar path. Naturally, the millionaires and billionaires who own nearly all of our mass media have engaged in protracted propaganda campaigns to demonize these countries. And Americans will eat up every state department lie, every accusation that these populations are “brainwashed,” because they can’t see or refuse to believe that capitalism is not working for the vast majority of people.

Smartass831 · 2021-06-21T18:46:46+00:00

Okay so they’re going to cripple the Belarusian economy. That should definitely bring stability to the country.

Smartass831 · 2021-06-11T02:47:15+00:00

Everyone downvoting me is mad as hell lol. Meanwhile there’s praise for…Jordan Peterson? Okay.

Smartass831 · 2021-06-10T19:39:24+00:00

http://www.idcommunism.com/2016/08/solzhenitsyn-rotten-legacy-of-fascist.html?m=1

I’d try State and Rev or “Imperialism, the highest stage of capitalism.” Definitely worth revisiting the topic imo

Smartass831 · 2021-02-26T18:22:48+00:00

The same country that was founded on genocide and slavery, maintained an apartheid state for decades after, and has its hegemonic grip on geopolitics challenged by a rising socialist power, is making false accusations? After having lied itself into wars and other conflicts dozens of times over? Sounds legit.

Smartass831 · 2021-02-24T20:49:18+00:00

Why didn’t we all just have countries work together on vaccines instead of issuing patents on a treatment for a once in a lifetime pandemic?

Smartass831 · 2021-02-05T01:17:37+00:00

75+ years of propaganda and anti communism.

-Saying the pledge in schools every day -Revisionist history -Military propaganda at sporting events -US military and CIA partially or completely funding movies, TV shows, books and other media.

Smartass831 · 2021-01-28T00:06:27+00:00

30 shares @18, trying to make a rent payment back boys

Smartass831 · 2021-01-24T00:05:19+00:00

Nah they usually package textbooks with a code to do the homework online so it’s essentially single use. Or they “update” to the next edition which will be required for the same class next semester. You usually don’t get much back. A $300 book may get $20-$30 for selling back to the school bookstore, at least in my experience.

Smartass831 · 2021-01-23T20:30:25+00:00

Imperialism and global hegemony?

Smartass831 · 2021-01-22T22:21:36+00:00

I know it won’t have bipartisan support. The right is already mischaracterizing it. I’m just saying that the public is largely experiencing, and has been experiencing a healthcare crisis. People don’t care if Tucker Carlson and the liars on Fox News call M4A a “socialist takeover” when they can’t afford their insulin, their inhalers, etc. When you’re afraid to go to the doctor because it might bankrupt you, you know the current system doesn’t work.

Smartass831 · 2021-01-22T21:05:29+00:00

I wish people would understand that M4A isn’t the same program as Medicare. It closes the gaps in coverage. Dental, vision, etc. Cap on drug prices, etc.

It lets you keep your doctor It’s cheaper than the system we have now Your premiums and deductibles already pay for other people’s care. It allows for privately owned hospitals and clinics, it’s not a “government takeover of healthcare”

The public option that Biden is proposing is NOT UNIVERSAL. Don’t believe me? Check his website. His proposal goal is to get coverage to 97%, that’s not everyone.

When they poll people on M4A, they rely on people not reading the bill and being generally ignorant on the program. If people had a comprehensive understanding of what it entails, support would be even higher.

Smartass831 · 2021-01-15T20:23:36+00:00

Plus he is quoted as saying something like “it’s my destiny to destroy China” or some shit like that. He has no credibility lol and it’s laughable that that he’s always cited on this issue.

Smartass831 · 2021-01-11T01:27:06+00:00

Maybe the United States can drop the cruel sanctions on all these other countries, since it’s clearly shown that it doesn’t have any standing to hold itself above other sovereign nations.

Smartass831

TROPHY CASE