Working for the state/politics -- your thoughts?

[ComingUpForAir]

Is it a waste of time and energy to go work on capitol hill for a progressive or for someone like Bernie Sanders? Is it worthwhile to go work for a progressive think tank or other progressive organization? I have been debating moving to D.C. to get involved, but as a Marxist I am aware that the system is basically run by lobbying money -- I don't believe the system should be reformed.. I know it needs to be changed.. so as a result I am apprehensive about committing to this time of work. Has anyone else had this dilemma? Is it better to agitate from the outside like Occupy? Is it worth working for the state, say the Labor department, etc.? What is the Marxist line on 'reforming the system from within'?

[Ocean Seal]

If you can find work there, then there is no reason why shouldn't do it. Just don't be upset if you don't find anything. For what its worth I assume its more pleasant than standard wage slave stuff, so happy hunting brother.

[Lowtech]

ultimately you decide, although there's also no reason you couldn't also support the Occupy movement.

many people have had their chance to speak in front of congress regarding various issues, but it seems to fall on deaf ears.

[Prometeo liberado]

Feed yourself and not the the cop mentality machine if you so get there. I lived in D.C. it blows.

[ComingUpForAir]

Yeah I was there for a visit and found it very establishment friendly..what was your experience? I've been considering a move to try working at organizations like The Democracy Collaborative, which is founded by Richard Wolff.. I think it's bizarre that post-occupy anyone could still really hold the same kind of viewpoint as before. It was Occupy and Professor Wolff's lectures on youtube that eventually led me to Marxism.. I feel like how an atheist must have felt decades ago when it was very taboo to be one.. Liberals say more regulation (will be repealed or lobbied against even if enacted), conservatives hate the government... nobody is bothering with a structural analysis.. nobody is saying 'change the system'.. its the system that's the problem!

[Red Banana]

^ Conservatives love the government. They only spout that anti government rhetoric when they want to cut social spending or when the president is black.

[Green Girl]

Is it a waste of time and energy to go work on capitol hill for a progressive or for someone like Bernie Sanders? Is it worthwhile to go work for a progressive think tank or other progressive organization? I have been debating moving to D.C. to get involved, but as a Marxist I am aware that the system is basically run by lobbying money -- I don't believe the system should be reformed.. I know it needs to be changed.. so as a result I am apprehensive about committing to this time of work. Has anyone else had this dilemma? Is it better to agitate from the outside like Occupy? Is it worth working for the state, say the Labor department, etc.? What is the Marxist line on 'reforming the system from within'?

I would go if you can. Bernie Sanders is perhaps the only worker's representative in Congress, he won as an Independent but is a Socialist. I have seen some of his speeches on C-Span and I'm impressed. Some of them are on YouTube.

[ed miliband]

Yeah I was there for a visit and found it very establishment friendly..what was your experience? I've been considering a move to try working at organizations like The Democracy Collaborative, which is founded by Richard Wolff.. I think it's bizarre that post-occupy anyone could still really hold the same kind of viewpoint as before. It was Occupy and Professor Wolff's lectures on youtube that eventually led me to Marxism.. I feel like how an atheist must have felt decades ago when it was very taboo to be one.. Liberals say more regulation (will be repealed or lobbied against even if enacted), conservatives hate the government... nobody is bothering with a structural analysis.. nobody is saying 'change the system'.. its the system that's the problem!

so, uh, wait. you want to "change the system" by entering the system? how exactly do you think you'll go about that?

it really is a waste of time, i'm sorry. maybe if you can make some good money out of it it's worth doing for that reason alone, but you'll probably end up on a pittance doing very little - or rather, nothing - to "change the system".

[ed miliband]

and bernie sanders isn't a socialist, but even if he was what good would his position in congress do?

[l'Enfermé]

If you go and join a "progressive" organization in Washington, they'll kick you out as soon as they find out that you are a real Marxist.

[BOZG]

If you can find work there, then there is no reason why shouldn't do it. Just don't be upset if you don't find anything. For what its worth I assume its more pleasant than standard wage slave stuff, so happy hunting brother.

I don't think it's necessarily as straight forward as that. That environment can have an enormous impact on people, even people who are quite conscious of how useless it is reality. This is danger for members of revolutionary parties who are in elected positions and it's a far bigger danger for those who don't necessarily have something else to balance out - a party, organisation, network etc.

[Manic Impressive]

communists should oppose all parties which are not in the interests of the working class. As capitalism cannot work in the interests of the working class we must oppose all parties which wish to run capitalism. Whatever colour flag they wave.

[helot]

I personally wouldn't bother as it's not conducive to my overall aim in life of building independent working class strength and i'd probably sell out.

[ComingUpForAir]

Yes but Richard Wolff and Gar Alperovitz are themselves Marxists -- I mean is there really a better way to go about this? Is protest the answer? Surely there is at least some energy being put into the process by someone being a progressive -- I'm aware that it's basically run by lobbying money -- but there must be many marxists or people who operate at least with a marxist framework who work in D.C. -- they are just afraid to admit it, it would seem to me. How is it possible that the progressives in D.C. are not marxists or at least familiar with Marxism? I've seen members of The Nation Magazine -- a 'progressive' magazine, give lectures on site like wearemany.org.. John Nichols is one such person.

[Ele'ill]

It's not just that it's gonna maybe make you want to sell out (it shouldn't if you're radical) but it's going to require you to sell out and if you don't you won't have work anymore. Also, 'sell out' is kind of an inadequately light way of putting it.

[helot]

It's not just that it's gonna maybe make you want to sell out (it shouldn't if you're radical) but it's going to require you to sell out and if you don't you won't have work anymore. Also, 'sell out' is kind of an inadequately light way of putting it.

Yup, you're right on all accounts.

[hetz]

If you can get a job in state administration go for it. The pay is not bad and comes in regularly. :)

[Luís Henrique]

so, uh, wait. you want to "change the system" by entering the system?

As if anyone was out of it first place,,,

Luís Henrique

[bad ideas actualised by alcohol]

and bernie sanders isn't a socialist, but even if he was what good would his position in congress do?

Implying he would get a position in congress if he actually was a socialist.