My problem with Platner's rhetoric and others like him, they oppose imperialism only on the grounds that its a waste of money, and that money should be spent domestically. This can be commonly seen in the statement "why are we spending money to bomb children in Gaza, instead of on education/healthcare/infrastructure". While this sentiment can be one important part of agitprop against imperialism, it is troubling that Platner's disgust with Blackwater and the MIC is founded in the corruption aspect, and not the unimaginable harm it causes to the global south.

People are acting like he is part of the DSA wave, a so called "Maine Zohran". But he isn't in the DSA, he is just an independent. Being in the DSA would mean(at least in theory) abiding by their strict Anti-Zionist resolution and more generally holding a genuine Marxist anti imperialist position.

Because Bernie endorses him, I think that he is meant to just be the Bernie for a new generation. A way to sheepdog progressives back into the democratic party while not posing any serious threat to imperialism. Sure he is against the Gaza genocide now, but he is not necessarily even anti Zionist. Because he has no consistent anti imperialist position, he will probably support future imperialist actions, the same way that Bernie supported NATO actions in Kosovo

[–] blobjim@hexbear.net 10 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

they oppose imperialism only on the grounds that its a waste of money

Which is also stupid because of how wrong it is. Not only does imperialism benefit the US (obviously, that's the whole point!), but tax money doesn't pay for stuff. The US has always increased its deficit, it doesn't matter, because the US prints its own money!!!

People act like its a good way of framing it to people, but it isn't. Not only does it reinforce this US-supremacist ""taxpayer""-centric worldview of selfishness, but it doesn't teach people how imperialism works and doesn't condition people to have empathy or solidarity with anyone else.

Part of just how bleak this world is comes from how everything is framed in terms of money. I still see most people describe things as being wasteful or expensive because of how much money they cost instead of the actual waste of labor and knowledge.

[–] sewer_rat_420@hexbear.net 9 points 5 months ago

And it doesn't apply to conflicts that are a "good" use of those resources. I'm guessing that Platner mostly supports or supported arming Ukraine and arming Europe in general against the "Russian threat". Same probably goes for Asia, considering he has expressed support for a "free Tibet" in the past