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OpEdNews Op Eds    H2'ed 10/25/24

"Which Side are You On?"


Steven Jonas
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"Either this nation shall kill racism, or racism shall kill this nation." (S. Jonas, August, 2018)

"A Vote for 'ABBH' (Any Body But Harris) is a Vote for Trump and Republo-Fascism" (S. Jonas, March, 2024)

I've used this one, from an anti-Trump demo. in London, before. It's still good.
I've used this one, from an anti-Trump demo. in London, before. It's still good.
(Image by Wikipedia (commons.wikimedia.org), Author: Alisdare Hickson from Canterbury, United Kingdom)
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Introduction: In July, 2005, for a weekly on-line political commentary called The Political Junkies, I published a column entitled "Which Side are you On?" That web-magazine is long gone, literally as well as figuratively. But since that column had much in it that is still relevant to the political/historical potential-disaster that our nation is in, I decided to re-run it here in my space on OpEdNews.com, with some updating. And so here 'tis (with certain names of certain persons removed, because I have not been in touch with them for a very long time, and thus I have no idea what their political positions might be at present).

It is important to note that I introduced that column, written in 2005, with the words: "we must recognize that we are in a war with the Republican Religious Right over Constitutional democracy." Of course, that war rages on, and has gotten steadily more intense. It hasn't reached the violent stage yet, but hey, you never know. Of course, as is well known, the leader of the Republican Religious Right (who happens to be one of the least personally religious persons ever to occupy the Presidency [and yes, he did occupy the position rather than carry out its Constitutionlally-described duties --- see Article II]) wants to get it back. And he is increasingly desperate to do so, for if he doesn't, he eventually will either be in prison or out of the country.

My editor at the time provided the following Introduction for the column:

"Dr. Steven Jonas authors an article today that puts the problem that threatens the vitality and reemergence of the Democratic Party. Dr. Jonas frames the issues with simple perfection: 'Do we want to win? Do we really want to restore and preserve our precious constitutional democracy and above it, the Rule of Law? [If we do], the first thing we have to do is recognize that there are sides in this battle and then recognize who is on which side.' [In his column] Dr. Jonas draws the sides and provides some critical [recommendations] for Democrats."

And here 'tis:

Over the years, this battle has raged back and forth, and of course, Democrats have held the Presidency for a significant amount of time during it. We have thought, at one time or another, that we as a nation were at a crisis point. So far, it is has never come to that --- until now. Trump and his allies have made it very clear what they intend to do with the Presidency if they manage to claw it back. As I have written, the installation of the doctrines of "Project2025" would actually very significantly amend the Constitution, almost out of recognition, without the benefit of a Constitutional Convention, but rather by decree. Trump, getting completely out-of-control, even for him, talks about "going after" (without defining how he would actually do that) the "Enemy Within," such as, in his words, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and present Congressman Adam Schiff. It is now well-known that two former generals who formerly served in his administration have described him as a "fascist." (I have not seen the definition of the term either of them were using. Mine, familiar to readers of my columns, appears in an appendix below.)

As we come into the election of 2024, of course there are only two major parties contesting it. But as is well, known, in certain states that are critical to the outcome because of the very-well-known-legacy-of-slavery, the Electoral College, "third party" votes could be critical to the outcome, even in a case in which Vice-President Harris would win the popular vote (just as the fact that Democrats in several recent elections have won the popular vote, with the Presidency going to the Republican, due to the existence of the Electoral College). And of course, as most readers who have gotten this far will know, we are talking about Dr. Jill Stein. (In common with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. when he was still running on his own, before switching over to supporting Trump, one or more family members have unsuccessfully asked her to drop out.) Since I have dealt with her politics and her candidacy in earlier columns, I will not go back to that subject here.

BUT, in this election there are only two sides. I don't like the "Israel/Gaza/Palestinians" policy of the Biden Administration any more than she does (or do many leftists who writings I read do, for that matter). In fact, I have been writing on it for over ten years now, with good summaries of my position appearing here and here. I have looked for an alternative policy that that Biden Administration could adopt before the election, given that the Democratic Party is dependent on both the votes and the money of many U.S. Jews who support the Israeli government to a greater or lesser extent. I have not been able to find one.

As we come down to the most critical election in U.S. history since that of 1860 (with the potential for the destruction of people and property on a scale so much larger now than it was back then than anyone could imagine), if one cares about the future of Constitutional Democracy in the United Sates, in the service of a capitalist system and its accompanying capitalists to be sure, but one that maintains the separation of governmental powers and preserves certain individual liberties, there are only two sides, not three. If one wants to maintain Constitutional Democracy, again capitalist to be sure, as we know it, rather than substituting TrumpRepubloFascistP2025 for it, one must vote Democratic in any state in which the electoral votes are up for grabs.

To summarize the choice we as a nation and as people face, let me share with you the lyrics of a song, which often bring tears to my eyes when I think of them, and do now as I write this. Will we need to have a book entitled Cry the Beloved Country written about our glorious land too? For me, these words just resonate so well down to our own time, sadly on so much larger a scale. This song was written in 1931 by Florence Reese, the wife of a union organizer for the coal miners who worked (literally) in the belly of the beast, the coal-mining company owned by one J.H. Blair.

"They say in Harlan County there are no neutrals there

You'll either be a union man or a thug for J.H. Blair.

"Chorus:

Which side are you on?

Which side are you on?

"My daddy was miner and I'm a miner's son

And I'll stick with the union 'til every battle's done.

Come all you good workers, I have good news for you

I'll tell of how our union has come in here to dwell.

"Chorus:

Which side are you on?

Which side are you on?"

"Oh workers can you stand it?

Oh tell me how you can;

Will you be a lousy scab or will you be a man?

Don't scab for the bosses, don't listen to their lies

Us poor folks haven't got a chance unless we organize.

"Chorus:

Which side are you on?

Which side are you on?"

In defense of the Constitution, flawed as it is, there are only two sides. Just as on the slavery question, there is no middle ground. You are either for it, or agin' it, as they would say in the hills of Kentucky, and North Carolina too, for that matter. The only question now is: is our side going to organize for its defense and protection before it is destroyed by the Republican Religious Right, led by the TrumpFascists, and win the battle through electoral politics? Or will we have to fight --- and I mean fight --- for its Restoration after they have completed the campaign of total destruction leading to theocratic fascism they are currently engaged in?

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Appendix I: Fascism - a definition

There is a single, all-powerful executive branch of government, in service of a capitalist ruling class that controls, for the most part, the basic functions of any economy: production, distribution, finance, and exchange, of goods and services. In the fascist government there is no separation of the principal powers of any government: executive, legislative, and judicial. There are no independent media. There is a single national ideology, based on some combination of racism, misogyny, religious bigotry and authoritarianism, homophobia, and xenophobia. There is a single political party supporting the movement, and there are no others. There is a state propaganda machine using the big and little lie techniques. There may be a full-blown dictatorship, a charismatic leader, engagement in foreign wars, and the use of the mob/private armies to enforce governmental control."

Steven Jonas, MD, MPH, https://www.stevenjonaspolitics.com/; Oct. 13, 2022

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P.S.: If you want to see how far back I go, writing on this subject, and had the then-oncoming Republo-"Christian"-fascists nailed (with Democrats of the era enabling them), see my 1996 book, The 15% Solution: A Political History of American Fascism, 2001-2022, as projected from 1996. Purportedly published in 2048, by Jonathan Westminster, recently republished on Amazon Kindle, with a print version coming on shortly.

(Article changed on Oct 25, 2024 at 1:01 PM EDT)

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Steven Jonas, MD, MPH, MS is a Professor Emeritus of Preventive Medicine at StonyBrookMedicine (NY). As well as having been a regular political columnist on several national websites for over 20 years, he is the author/co-author/editor/co-editor of 37 books Currently, on the columns side, in addition to his position on OpEdNews as a Trusted Author, he is a regular contributor to From The G-Man.  In the past he has been a contributor to, among other publications, The Greanville PostThe Planetary Movement, and Buzzflash.com.  He was also a triathlete for 37 seasons, doing over 250 multi-sport races.  Among his 37 books (from the late 1970s, mainly in the health, sports, and health care organization fields) are, on politics: The 15% Solution: How the Republican Religious Right Took Control of the U.S., 1981-2022; A Futuristic Novel (originally published 1996; the 3rd version was published by Trepper & Katz Impact Books, Punto Press Publishing, 2013, Brewster, NY, sadly beginning to come true, advertised on OpEdNews and available on  (more...)
 

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2 people are discussing this page, with 6 comments


Blair Gelbond

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Steven,

When thinking about the question, "What side are you on?" I see two levels - the relative and the absolute."

At the relative level there are massive and consequential differences between actions and thoughtforms that are quasi- (or actually) fascist - and those which lead to democracy. This, of course, is where we must do the work at a political level. And every drop of effort, every action we take, counts.

At the absolute level there is no difference, there are no "sides." There are no sides because every particle (and wave) of our world is a manifestation of One Consciousness. When we ignore (as in ignore-ance) this ontological fact, we continue to create the very issues (beginning with the 'us vs. them mind') that are at the root of all problems we are already facing.

So, the imperative is to work upon ourselves to hold both. (We might refer to this an "inner work"). To hold unity and separateness, the infinite and the finite simultaneously and in one embrace - at each moment.

That is, we learn to do this (experientially, not merely on an intellectual level) - or we condemn ourselves to the same-old-same-old, the 'round and round we go' scenario - endlessly,

**

Hi Steve,

Some time ago I requested that you leave a comment on my article - "Power Matters-Domination. "I don't know if you did so, but today will ask for your comment as well on "The Partnership Way." I'm interested in what you think. Thanks.

Submitted on Sunday, Oct 27, 2024 at 1:33:53 PM

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Steven Jonas

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Reply to Blair Gelbond:   New Content

Hi Blair. On the "sides" question, sorry, but we hold completely opposite views. In present-day U.S. there are two sides (as just noted in my reply just posted), Constitutional Democracy or fascism. In my view, one cannot hold those two positions simultaneously. Best wishes, Steve

Submitted on Thursday, Oct 31, 2024 at 9:19:05 AM

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I believe that our true enemy is the question, "What Side Are You On?"

While it is an important question - if it is not qualified - it serves to divide, and then to conquer us.

And, it is always easier to ignore the issues involved, rather than engage in dialogue about them.

Submitted on Thursday, Oct 31, 2024 at 1:57:19 AM

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Reply to Blair Gelbond:   New Content

Hi Blair. Well, I guess that we are going to have to disagree on this one. Listening to the major candidates, there are clearly two sides coming up in the upcoming Presidential election. One is the continuation of the system of Constitutional Democracy which we presently have. The other is a Trumpian/P2025 form of fascism, on which I have written in this space frequently, see: click here.

With best wishes, Steve

Submitted on Thursday, Oct 31, 2024 at 9:14:33 AM

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C'mon, Steve!

You know very well that "what we presently have" is a form of fascism.

But that's not the main point. The point is that you are missing the deeper level - the level at which all sides are a manifestation of the One Consciousness.

This ignoring - this "ignore-ance" - is the essence of what is wrong at the most profound level.

Submitted on Thursday, Oct 31, 2024 at 12:20:28 PM

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Reply to Steven Jonas:   New Content

As I asked, please share your comments on the two articles in the series "Power Matters." The second is "The Partnership Way" on this page. The first is - "Domination." If need be, you can probably Google it under my name.

Together, these can provide a different angle on our current system.

Submitted on Thursday, Oct 31, 2024 at 12:27:54 PM

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