Constitution Burning

Bi-lingual ballots is only one thing that is sure to be a controversy with the next elections. Along with this, comes the sacred issue of free speech and protest: flag burning.

First, why is this an issue? It clearly says in the 1st Amendment that we have freedom of speech along with the right to protest. If I feel my country is running a murderous regime in other nations (never!), then I should and will have the right to burn a flag in protest.

Republicans constantly come out against flag burning because it's disgracing our freedoms and those who died for them. So, apparently, we're supposed to honor the freedom they died for by not using it? Mikhail Bakunin, the great anarchist philosopher once said "Restricting freedom for the sole purpose of protecting freedom is a dangerous idea."

Flag burning = freedom of speech. Don't like it? Counter protest. This is America, you fascists.

Freedom of Speak

Sure to be a huge controversy in the next hierchy elections, bilingual ballets are destined to play the hot button role. In fact, last Thursday (June 22), the lovely GOP "revolted" during a vote of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Why? Becuase they see this as the oppurtunity to pick up votes.

If you have Hispanic, Asian, Muslim or any kind of immigrant that does not speak English, there is a chance that they could screw up in the polls and vote Republican (we all know they don't want to). Plus, the Conservatives, the GOP in particular, loves to keep that "We're all white, English speaking American soldiers" guise up.

Why force people to speak English is places that are majorly populated by people who don't speak English?

The Power of the People

In the 1930's, the peasants and working class of Spain had enough. After years of suppression by fascist forces and plutocratic regimes, they revolted. Most were leading an anarchist rebellion, while others tended to fight for more Marxist, socialist, and authoritarian/statist goals. Eventually, the Spanish Revolution would fall to the Fascist forces (who were backed up by Hitler and Mussolini's Reich), but throughout the entire battle (and feats of anarcho-development in the industries, economy and government), the people kept a "Revolutionary fervor." This being proof of the need for the attitude, it can be viewed as an essential part of the people's Revolution in the modern world.

For the people of the working class to ever truly throw off their chains of oppression and capitalist slavery, a Revolution must, of course be brought up. Strikes, riots, activism, and even all out battles will be weathered, all for the greater good of the common person. Trade Unions, leading the revolt, will be ready for the end of it, ready to set up a true Anarcho-Syndicalist world.

Critics of anarchism though, tend to hold a cynical view on what happens after the Revolution. They do this for a good reason. After looking through history at all worker's Revolutions and battles for post-leftism, it would appear that, once anarchy or socialism has been reached, they tend to fall to either other forces (Spain's Fransisco Franco), economic reforms (Soviet Union's "state capitalism") or "broken promises" made by Revolutionary leaders (the American Revolutionary War). These examples, among others that are not listed here, welcome criticism by people who would prefer the current plutocracy, neo-conservatism or liberalism. Critics views and still-rampant McCarthyism are listed as reasons why a Revolution is so halted and cloudy in people's minds.

The solution, however, is Revolutionary fervor.

Revolutionary fervor is the pure passion of the people for their Revolution. Of course, anyone can see how this would aide the masses in overthrowing the state and abolishing capitalism, but how will it work once the Revolution has succeeded and the world is open for a New World Order? Once anarchism has been accomplished and the workers' self-management has become the trend of the economy, who's to stop capitalism and the bourgeoious from re-claiming everything? Who's going to stop a newly formed fascist party from militantly taking over the people? How are you to keep anarchism in working condition?

The solution, again, is Revolutionary fervor.

People are naturally determined. Once they reach their nirvana, they want to stay there and they will do anything to defend that. For example, one can look at a dog who has found a warm bed. If another dog comes up to try and take it, they fight becuase the original dog wants his home to stay his home. Through this muddy analogy, we see a prime example of Revolutionary fervor. The working class, having struggled valiantly for their position of complete freedom and equality, must keep their Revolution alive. If done so, then any invading force will surely be ripped to pieces by the common people. Any bourgeoious capitalist who's greed motivates him to dominate, will be "removed" from his community for doing so.

But, some may ask, why didn't this work in Spain? Why didn't this work in the American Revolution? Why didn't this work in Cuba? There must be no examples of it.

Howerver, there is an example; Kronstadt.

Kronstadt, an almost fortress-like seaport, was the home of an anarchist Revolution. Populated by sailors who Leon Trotsky had called the "pride and glory of the Russian Revolution," Kronstadt, as it would seem, would be place that was the epitomyof the 1917 Russian Revolution. However, in 1921, that wasn't the case. V.I. Lenin's promised libertarian communism had fallen short into a state socialism. The Petrograd sailors were suffering through horrible working conditions. Pulling 10,000 workers together, they fought back against their failed leaders. Crying out for anarchism, food, and freedom, they were met with gunfire from the oppressive regime. However, since Kronstadt was so isolated and tortured during the winter months, they failed to attract widespread support. Still, this can be used to show that as long as the people still hold their militant revolutionary views, they will fight back against oppression from a reformed state. Other examples can be seen, some more successful, such as the Zapatista revolt. They retain their atonomity and their independence in the modern world. This is a prime example that all people can look at.

In the Americas and all over, a Revolution will come. However, it is unknown if the people will keep their dream alive after the battles. Revolutionary feats in industry, enviromentalism and anti-racism/anti-sexism help keep the spirit alive, but that spirit could flal short against fascism or capitalism. Only time will tell. Until then, those who work for a better world will continue spreading the word of truth; Viva la revolucion!