I think your analysis of the Venezuelan situation is simplistic. Remember that Fidel did not declare the socialist nature of the Cuban Revolution until two years after the triumph. Under the present juncture of imperialist hegemony in the world, it might take Venezuela longer to introduce radical changes. Why are you so hard on the Venezuelan leadership, while you praise the South African leadership, which is not about to build socialism in the near future either?

You run the risk of missing the boat the same way the old Cuban Communist Party almost did, when in the 1950s it used to consider Fidel a wild card and a bourgeois nationalist.

Pablo Fernández
Atlanta, Georgia
 
 
Related articles:
What is nature of regime in Venezuela?
Venezuela regime moves to bring unions to heel
Leon Trotsky on trade unions and the state
 
 
Gets the truth out
I have just recently subscribed to the Militant and took advantage of the special offer on the pamphlet, The Working Class and the Transformation of Learning by Jack Barnes.

I find the Militant's coverage on world events to be well reported, especially on Yugoslavia, Palestine, coal miners' strikes, and the environment. Unlike the capitalists' daily newspapers, the Militant gets the truth out about world events, and workers' struggles.

I found the educational pamphlet to be of great value in its explanation of what the government would like workers to believe. After reading the pamphlet, it gave me a greater understanding of the government's educational program, and of the real truth. I would gladly recommend the Militant and pamphlet to anyone. The following paragraph by Barnes sums up the pamphlet very well:

"I've been convinced for a long time that explaining the communist approach to education is part of preparing the working class for the greatest of all battles in the years ahead--the battle to throw off the self-image the rulers teach us, and to recognize that we are capable of taking power and organizing society, as we collectively educate ourselves and learn the exploiters in the process."

I think it's true to say that the biggest battle for us is throwing off the ideas about ourselves that the bosses make us believe.

L.K.
London, United Kingdom  
 
Flu vaccine shortage
The lives of many senior citizens and others at risk from the flu are jeopardized by the nationwide shortage of the flu vaccine. The vaccine is being bought up in large quantities by corporate giants concerned about labor productivity.

Meanwhile, many nursing homes and clinics that attend to seniors are unable to get any. My mother, age 76, has been trying for weeks to find a clinic or doctor with a vaccine.

Meanwhile my employer is offering them free--to employees only.

Mindy Brudno
Troy, New York

The letters column is an open forum for all viewpoints on subjects of interest to working people.  
 
 
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