The Democratic Party and Company Unions
** This article appeared in Counterpunch July 24, 2015 ** In this election season, confusion and subterfuge are the order of the day. Candidates and parties vie for our attention, each claiming to be uniquely qualified to represent the interests of the majority. We know they’re lying but, as when observing any skilled illusionist, it can be difficult to spot the sleight of hand. One trick they rely on is getting us to focus on individual personalities rather than the social forces they represent. If a candidate is intelligent, articulate, personable and skilled at using populist rhetoric, we are meant to be dazzled and distracted. We are taught to ignore the organization and class forces that stand behind a candidate. Once you agree to view things in this way, it becomes impossible to keep your eye on the ball. Once we accept that the individual is what counts most, our manipulation is a foregone conclusion. Many sense that our electoral system is broken; that