the work of Russian or Israeli puppeteers, which can be summarized in the chauvinist belief that American politicians would only ever engage in such “excursions” if beholden to foreign interests; or
a mere distraction from the Epstein affair.

Both views arise from an understanding of history and politics that is far too personalistic and ignores the underlying material conditions that make capitalism imperialist in nature. Hammering the Epstein issue, despite the effect it might have, leads political discourse away from the root issue.

[–] Beat_da_Rich@lemmygrad.ml 11 points 14 hours ago (2 children)

I personally still think there is utility to referring to this as a war led by "the Epstein class." I know there are communists that roll their eyes at that term, but Epstein really is one of the few factors that has actually damaged Trump's standing with his base I''m not talking about his die-hard cultists, but the other parts of his working class base. The challenge is to define the Epstein class as the capitalists, not just Trump.

[–] o_d@lemmygrad.ml 8 points 12 hours ago

I agree and want to add that Epstein's reach was transnational making the Epstein class one that transcends the boundaries of the USA. It's good agitprop for showing that those who run the Anglo-American empire, although there is significant crossover, aren't the US political class, but the capitalist oligarchy.

[–] davel@lemmygrad.ml 6 points 12 hours ago

I try to link it back lest people think the Epstein affair (or Trump) was/is an exception rather than the rule.

Previously:

Everyone involved should get investigated and tried for any and all crimes.

Indeed they should, but they won’t, because they’re above the law. They shouldn’t be above the law, but they objectively are. What you’re seeing isn’t some rare exception, it’s a peek behind the curtain of how the United States is actually run, and it’s nothing like how it’s supposed to work on paper.

Previously:

This is what’s so great about Trump: instead of quietly putting coercive pressure on media outlets from behind the scenes, like any normal Republican or Democrat, he shouts it on Trump Social. He doesn’t care that he’s not supposed to show us how the sausage is made.