By Peter Molenaar
Amid the raging turbulence of the early 1970s, the dropped-out guru peddled his book: BE HERE NOW. The ancient mysticism did so readily combine with the chemistry of the period. We were happy to inhale the tear gas. However, this reliance upon sensory inputs proved to be inadequate.
Luckily, as was later discovered, everything exists in motion owing to the interpenetration of opposing forces. To know the essence of a thing, one must reveal by analysis the main contradiction within it. Yes, APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING, especially the appearance of permanence.
One example:
The main contradiction within the capitalist order is between the highly social mode of production and the private appropriation of the products of labor, i.e., the contradiction between labor and capital.
In his State of the Union Address, President Obama, in essence, proposed to extend the life of capitalism by reforming it. He indicated, for starters, that it would be prudent to save the planet. He appears to be veering onto the path of peace. He would uphold the employment of our people via a program to rebuild the nation”'s infrastructure. And, oh my goodness, he would close the achievement gap with a national early childhood intervention program!
But, who are “the American people” who, once again they tell us, we dare not tax lest they (once again) refrain from creating jobs for us? Â These would be the “patriots” who presently hoard gold and guns as an expression of “the true faith”.
So then, did the people of this community act with intelligence and wisdom when they cast their votes for Obama? True enough, no politician can save capitalism indefinitely. But it is also true that we are not in a revolutionary situation, i.e., the present ruling class  is not yet in a deep crisis. Smile, please. The struggle continues.
