El Salvador - Whither the FMLN?

[MarxSchmarx]

The former leftist guerrillas of El Salvador, now organized as the FMLN party, has been on a bit of an electoral roll:

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=com.ubuntu:en-US:unofficial&hs=CeL&q=FMLN&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn

However, their main candidate for the presidency, this Funes, has every indication of being as disappointing as Ortega.

What do comrades think should be done to ensure El Salvador doesn't become a real disappointment like Nicaragua? Should civic institutions like the unions and women's groups continue backing the FMLN, and if not, what are their alternatives?

[Yazman]

It is sad to see such previously innovative organisations like the Sandinistas reduced to reformist capitalists. The FMLN would be very similar in power in the bourgeois government.

[Davie zepeda]

Hold hold on we can't say that automatic but any ways they need to reform the election process and help construct housing. I Seen El Salvador and it's harder then you think there's way worst conditions. They need to solve these problems now most likely they take a leftist platform but will not lead a revolutionary road, but then again the people of Salvador are awaiting change and not for obama change more like chavez change from what ive seen.

[cyu]

Should civic institutions like the unions and women's groups continue backing the FMLN, and if not, what are their alternatives?

Don't back organizations or politicians, back policies. If there's a policy you agree with, then support it. If there's one you disagree with, then oppose it. Don't be a rubber stamp for everything they do - on the other hand, if you oppose most of their tactics, that doesn't mean you have to reject everything they do either.

[Paradox]

Don't back organizations or politicians, back policies. If there's a policy you agree with, then support it. If there's one you disagree with, then oppose it. Don't be a rubber stamp for everything they do - on the other hand, if you oppose most of their tactics, that doesn't mean you have to reject everything they do either.

Indeed.

There's an amusing video on the FMLN website where Funes draws parallels between his candidacy and drive for change and that of Barack Obama. He says a lot of basic, nice sounding things like "increase food production," and "make basic/necessary goods less expensive," but as has been pointed out, one shouldn't hold his or her breath. I don't know too much about Funes, but he's apparently a moderate and wasn't involved with the FMLN back during its guerilla campaign. Regardless of all that, I think cyu's point is the most sensible approach.

[Davie zepeda]

From what i heard from the platform of the fmln was state control more community programs and domestic product increase. But like i explain before there are many internal problems for El Salvador the masses are dying and can only think of survival let them get feed and healthy let them learn to read and write and let them see what revolution can give them.

[BIG BROTHER]

Well I'm not an expert of FMLN but I have read in some news articles that they are not attempting to build socialism or another Cuba in El Salvador.

So yea, I don't really expect much from them. Although of course, within the party I'm sure there are more revolutionary tendencies, and it is their responsibility to lead the FMLN to a revolutionary position since its the FMLN the party the workers look for.