By Walter Smolarek |沃爾特斯莫拉雷克|

As the seemingly endless period of political campaigning in the United States will soon draw to a close, we on the left must access the damage; but more importantly, we must understand the means by which the damage was dealt; the “representative democratic” system.正如似乎無休止的政治運動在美國很快將提請結束時，我們就必須進入左邊的損失，但更重要的是，我們必須理解的手段損害處理;的“代表的民主制度” 。 In this execution of bourgeois democracy there were two lines of direct benefit: one to the ruling class as a whole by (falsely) reaffirming its political legitimacy and another to the corporate media, into which the tremendous fiscal reserves gathered by the Obama and McCain campaigns are deposited.在此執行資產階級民主有兩條線直接受益：一個統治階級作為一個整體的（虛假）重申其政治上的合法性，另一個是企業媒體，將其巨大的財政儲備所收集的奧巴馬和麥凱恩運動存放。 Hopped up on the new opiate of the masses (a Harvard millionaire’s take on “change”), voter turnout is bound to be high while ratings skyrocket and ad revenues explode.跳頻了新的鴉片群眾（哈佛大學百萬富翁的採取“變” ） ，選民投票率必然要高，而收視率暴漲和廣告收入的爆炸。 All the while this political-media reciprocation makes it clear that by way of an election-industrial complex the ruling class finally found a way to make this pesky habit of voting carry its financial weight.所有這些雖然這一政治媒體往復清楚地表明，由一個選舉的工業園區統治階級終於發現了一種方法，使這個討厭的習慣進行表決的財政體重。

Political Entrenchment 政治壕溝

Before we delve into the (relatively new) economic benefits to certain sectors (obviously not the economy as a whole), we need to review what makes bourgeois parliamentarianism so necessary to the maintenance of capitalism.在我們深入探討的（相對較新的）經濟利益的某些部門（顯然不是經濟作為一個整體） ，我們需要審查什麼使資產階級議會制非常必要的維護資本主義。 Going back in history to the transition from feudal to bourgeois rule, it would be a tough sell for the budding capitalist class to mirror the absolutism of the landed gentry.回首歷史上的封建主義過渡到資產階級的統治，這將是一場艱苦的售價為萌芽資產階級鏡像絕對的士紳降落。 On the one hand, some concessions had to be made, but on the other the dictatorship of a minority class still had to be enforced.一方面，一些讓步必須作出，但其他的獨裁統治階級的少數仍然沒有得到執行。 A system dependent on corporate cash, electoral ostracism, and (as will be focused on later) media hegemony had to be forged, dressed in sparkling rhetoric to entrap progressive forces and dupe the vast majority.系統依賴於公司的現金，選舉排斥，以及（如將集中在後）媒體霸權已是偽造，穿著閃閃發光的言論，以坑害進步力量和欺騙的絕大多數。 The established media, as an institution dependent on the capitalist system, will naturally play a leading role in presenting this illusion of choice.既定的媒體，作為一個機構依賴於資本主義制度，自然會發揮主導作用，提出這一幻想的選擇。

Before we can understand just how warped the version of the election the corporate media gives, we have to get the real picture.在我們可以理解是多麼扭曲的版本選舉公司媒體可以給，我們必須得到真實的景象。 We have John McCain, a millionaire from a military family who famously owns seven houses, and opposing him is Barrack Obama, a Harvard-educated millionaire lawyer.我們有參議員麥凱恩，百萬富翁從一個軍人家庭誰擁有七個著名的房屋，並反對他是巴拉克奧巴馬，美國哈佛大學教育百萬富翁律師。 As for the current financial crisis, we know where both of their interests lie.至於目前的金融危機，我們都知道他們的利益所在。 As of late September Obama’s number one截至9月底奧巴馬的頭號 contributor貢獻者 is Goldman Sachs, closely followed by Citigroup at number three while 35% of Obama’s top 20 donors are connected to big banks.是高盛，緊隨其後的花旗集團在3號，而35 ％的奧巴馬的前20名捐助者都連接到大銀行。 At the same time, the five largest donors to the McCain campaign are major banks, with Merrill Lynch taking the top spot, kept company by the 60% of his top 20 contributors who are major players in the banking industry.與此同時， 5個最大的捐助者對麥凱恩競選的主要銀行，美林採取榜首，保持了公司60 ％的排名前20位捐助者誰是主要角色的銀行業。

Both candidates are ardent imperialists; they just differ on their preferred target.兩位候選人都熱切帝國主義，只是不同的他們的首選目標。 McCain, as architect of the surge, has made it clear that he’d like to continue the occupation of Iraq indefinitely.麥凱恩，因為建築師的激增，已明確表示，他希望能夠繼續對伊拉克的佔領下去。 Obama is widely seen as the peace candidate, although he has used phrases like “奧巴馬被廣泛認為是和平的候選人，儘管他使用的詞語，如“ residual forces剩餘部隊 ” in order to mask the fact that he plans on leaving behind tens of thousands of soldiers to deny the Iraqi people sovereignty. “為了掩蓋事實，即他的計劃留下數以萬計的士兵否認伊拉克人民的主權。 However, he has, quite openly, called for an escalation in Afghanistan.然而，他已經很公開，要求在阿富汗的升級。 Apparently moving mass-slaughter east a few hundred miles is change we can believe in. On Iran, McCain and Obama keep referring to the government as a sponsor of terrorism (read: not subservient to the West), and both back sanctions that, as the tragedy in Iraq during the later half of the 1990s has shown, are just as devastating as weapons of mass destruction.顯然移動大規模屠宰東部幾個100英里是改變我們可以相信在伊朗問題上，麥凱恩和奧巴馬繼續提到政府的支持恐怖主義（改為：沒有屈從於西方國家） ，並同時返回的制裁，作為這一悲劇在伊拉克下半年20世紀90年代已經表明，同樣毀滅性的大規模殺傷性武器。 Obama might carry a bigger carrot and McCain a bigger stick, but every action they’ll take towards the Third World will advance the same arrogant imperialist system.奧巴馬可能會進行更大的胡蘿蔔和麥凱恩更大的堅持，但每一個行動，他們要實現的第三次世界將推進同傲慢的帝國主義制度。

A race between almost identical candidates presents a twofold problem to the media and the bourgeoisie.阿之間的比賽幾乎相同的候選人提出了雙重的問題向媒體和資產階級。 First, something this inconsequential doesn’t sell advertising time.首先，這個無關緊要的東西不出售廣告時間。 Second, not only will people be bored, but, infinitely worse, they’ll be angry.第二，不僅是無聊的人，但無限更糟的是，他們將憤怒。 God help the capitalists if people vote for a progressive like上帝幫助資本家，如果人們投票逐步像 Cynthia McKinney辛西婭麥金尼 or a revolutionary like或是像革命 Gloria LaRiva凱萊德拉里瓦 . 。 Collectively and in a decentralized fashion driven by a common goal, a script rivaling the latest Hollywood blockbuster was put together.集體的和分散的方式推動一個共同的目標，一個腳本媲美最新的好萊塢大片組合起來。

The country is in crisis, an unpopular president has led an unpopular war and the economy is on the verge of collapse.我國正處於危機之中，一個不受歡迎的總統領導了一個不受歡迎的戰爭和經濟正處於崩潰的邊緣。 Who appears to rescue the ignorant masses?似乎誰拯救無知的群眾？ Barrack Obama!巴拉克奧巴馬！ He looks different than those who proceeded him, his name sounds different (his bank account looks the same); he has to represent change, right?他看起來不同於誰接著他，他的名字不同的聲音（他的銀行帳戶期待同） ;他代表改變，對不對？ But this untested man might not be up for the task; who could challenge this newcomer in the tradition of the hard-line heroes of yesteryear we once trusted with our safety (and the rest of the world burned in effigy)?但是，這考驗的人可能不是最多的任務，誰能夠挑戰這個新人在傳統的強硬路線的英雄的歲月，我們曾經與我們值得信賴的安全性（及世界其他地區的焚燒肖像） ？ A maverick, a war hero (don’t let the burnt flesh of innocent Vietnamese men, women, and children lead you to call him something else), John McCain.阿特立獨行，一個戰爭英雄（不要讓肉燒無辜越南籍男子，婦女和兒童引導你叫他別的） ，參議員麥凱恩。 And the best part is that you get to “decide”!和最好的部分是，你去“決定” ！ * Not applicable to undocumented workers or felons *不適用無證工人或重罪

Economic Perks 經濟佩克斯

Beyond the theoretical consequences that overt tyranny (or, more accurately, what would very soon replace it) would have on the financial situation of the corporate media, there is a direct business opportunity that presents itself to motivate not only the executives at the top but the rank-and-file reporters for almost impeccable collusion with the greater capitalist superstructure.除了理論的後果，公開的暴政（或更準確的說，什麼很快取代它）可能對財務狀況的媒體，有一個直接的商業機會，提出自己激勵不僅是高級管理人員在頂端，但在普通的記者幾乎無可挑剔勾結更大的資本主義上層建築。 Tremendous yields are derived from the spectacle of the bourgeois elections, demonstrably so with the television news networks.巨大的收益來自壯觀的資產階級選舉，顯然這樣的電視新聞網絡。

CNN, one of the giants of cable news, attracted roughly 2 million viewers in February of 2008, when the primary elections were heating up.有線電視新聞網，一個巨人的有線新聞，吸引了大約200萬觀眾在2008年2月，當時的主要選舉升溫。 Between 2004 and 2008 (when coverage of the 04 presidential election, mid-term election, and 08 presidential election flowed together almost without a pause), CNN doubled its 2004年至2008年（當時報導4月的總統選舉，中期選舉和總統選舉08一起流出幾乎沒有停頓） ，美國有線新聞網一倍 profits利潤 , making an extra $200,000,000. ，使額外的$ 200,000,000 。 Media behemoth News Corp. (owner of Fox News)媒體巨頭新聞集團（老闆福克斯新聞） reported報告 (also in February 2008) a 9.5% increase in revenue and a $10,000,000 increase in net income, greasing the wheels of Murdoch’s acquisition of Dow Jones. （也於2008年2月）增加9.5 ％的收入和$ 10000000增加純收入， greasing車輪默多克收購道瓊斯。 NBC (owner of MSNBC) saw a huge全國廣播公司（ MSNBC的老闆）看到一個巨大的 increase增加 in revenue as the primaries began, 8% ($33,000,000) and a 10% increase in profits.在收入的初選開始， 8 ％ （三千三百點○萬美元） ，並增加了10 ％的利潤。

Beyond increases in ad revenue for the television stations, print, radio, even non-media sectors (signs have to be made, venues rented, etc.) benefited.除了增加廣告收入的電視台，報刊，電台，甚至非媒體部門（標誌必須作出，場地租用等）從中受益。 To understand the magnitude of this, we have to look at the enormous sums of cash raised by the campaigns.要了解的程度，我們必須看看巨額現金所提出的運動。 Cumulatively, the Obama campaign and the Democratic Party have gathered $511,040,553.日積月累，在奧巴馬競選和民主黨聚集五一一○四○五五三美元。 Their Republican counterparts have together raised $415,950,247; meaning that the twin parties of war and capitalism have, together, nearly共和黨同行共同提出四一五九五○二四七美元;也就是說，這兩個政黨的戰爭和資本主義有，加上近 one billion dollars 10億美元 to funnel to their close friends, the bourgeois captains of industry.以漏斗他們親密的朋友，資產階級船長產業。 Coupled with increases in profit for local news outlets as well as international ones, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that American “Democracy” is a multi-billion dollar industry.加上增加的利潤為當地的新聞媒體以及國際的，它不會是一個延伸地說，美國的“民主”是一個價值數十億美元的產業。

Our Democracy 我們的民主

When speaking of building a society based on the participation of the masses of society, they have failed (as I hope I’ve just made obvious), we will succeed.在談到建立一個基礎的社會群眾參加的社會，他們失敗（我希望我剛剛取得了明顯） ，我們將取得成功。 What will our democracy look like?是什麼將我們的民主呢？ Sparing the details of how this new apparatus of government will be established or what exactly the institutions by which the will of the people is executed will look like, there are several principles we must adhere to.保留的細節，如何這一新儀器的政府將建立或什麼機構，其中人民的意志被執行的樣子，有幾個原則必須堅持。 First of all, for the people to truly be masters of their collective destiny, civic institutions must be participatory.首先，為人民真正當家作主的集體命運，民間機構必須是參與性。 At all levels, the representatives must be constantly in touch with constituents.在各級，代表必須經常聯繫選民。 Of course, different institutions of state power will carry this out as appropriate; municipal officials may rely on community meetings while national delegates may hear the voice of the people via mass organizations (trade unions, cooperative federations, etc.).當然，不同機構的國家權力將攜帶這一點，適當;市政官員可以依靠社區會議，而國家的代表會聽到人民的聲音通過群眾組織（工會，合作社聯合會等） 。 All elected officials must be subject to swift recall at any time and, most importantly, they must be of the same stock as the vast majority of society; they must be working class people themselves.所有當選的官員必須服從迅速召回在任何時候和最重要的是，它們必須是相同的股票絕大多數的社會;他們必須工人階級人民自己。

The above, however, is secondary.上述情況，但是，是次要的。 Civic institutions are set up to meet the needs of those who hold material power, the ruling class.民間機構的設立，以滿足那些誰擁有的物質力量，統治階級。 So what institutions of economic participation can assure that the people rule?因此，機構參與經濟活動可以保證人民的規則？ First, democracy must begin at the workplace level.首先，民主必須首先在工作場所的水平。 The day to day administration of the means of production, whether it’sa fast food restaurant or a major auto plant, must be left to the workers and their democratically elected workplace leaders.日常管理的生產資料，無論是快餐店或大型汽車廠，必須由工人和他們的民主選舉工作的領導人。 In facilitating this democratic process, trade unions or other independent, revolutionary mass organizations could play a very helpful role.在推動這一民主進程，工會或其他獨立的，革命的群眾組織可以發揮非常有益的作用。 In order to eliminate the anarchy in production, and inequality and stratification amongst the working class itself as well as defend this new society, a planned economy is an absolute must.為了消除在生產的無政府狀態，以及不平等和階層之間的工人階級本身以及捍衛這種新的社會，計劃經濟是一個絕對的必須。 This, by necessity, will be done at a broad, national level.這必然將做廣泛，國家一級。 However, the process by which these plans are made must be based primarily on consultations with all sectors of society so that it truly represents the needs and wants of the vast majority and prevents bureaucratic corruption.然而，這一進程的這些計劃作出的基礎必須是主要的協商與社會各階層，使之真正代表需求和慾望的絕大多數，並防止官僚腐敗。

The radical left must organize the fight for a new society, but do so tactically.激進的左必須組織鬥爭的一個新的社會，但這樣做的戰術。 Does this mean voting for the lesser of two evils?這是否意味著投票較小的兩個弊端？ Certainly not; in fact, Obama’s “Hope” will do nothing but pump life into the dieing capitalist system.當然不是，事實上，奧巴馬的“希望”將什麼也不做，但泵的生命瀕臨死亡的資本主義制度。 Does this mean running tactically in the elections?這是否意味著在戰術上運行的選舉？ Certainly; if possible, we should use bourgeois institutions as a platform to spread the message that there is an alternative to this wretched system.當然，如果可能的話，我們應該利用資產階級的機構作為平台，以傳播信息，即有一個替代這種可憐的系統。 We must expose the hypocrisy of the bourgeois show elections, in large part by pointing out the profiteers and their role in shaping public opinion.我們必須揭露虛偽的資產階級表明選舉，這在很大程度上是由指出奸商的作用，以及在塑造公眾輿論。 As neo-liberalism begins to collapse, let’s use the 2008 elections as both a starting point for a mass movement and an example of the fact that capitalism and democracy are antithetical.由於新自由主義開始崩潰，讓我們使用2008年大選作為一個起點群眾運動和一個例子，一個事實，即資本主義和民主是對立的。