Today in Labor History January 23, 1941: Charles Lindbergh testified before the U.S. Congress, recommending that the U.S. negotiate a neutrality pact with Hitler. Many suspected that Lindbergh was a Nazi sympathizer, based on his speeches and writings on race, religion and eugenics, and his glorification of Hitler’s “methods.” President Roosevelt told Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau, "If I should die tomorrow, I want you to know this, I am absolutely convinced Lindbergh is a Nazi." Elon Musk is not, of course, the first U.S. political figure to give the Nazi salute. In the accompanying photograph, you can see Senator Burton Wheeler making the Nazi salute alongside Charles Lindbergh.

There will always be rats and scabs who side with their oppressors in hopes of winning a few more crumbs, or a few less beatings, than their peers who resist. But the politicians, whether Democrat or Republican, ultimately serve the same interests: the financial elite, not the working class. And no matter how odious they might find Trump’s language, behavior, and actions, in their calculations it better serves their interests to side with him, than it is does to piss him off.

#workingclass #LaborHistory #nazi #nazisalute #charleslindburgh #trump #elonmusk #fascism #democrats #hitler #immigrants #lgbtq #transrightsarehumanrights #media

Today in Labor History January 23, 1941: Charles Lindbergh testified before the U.S. Congress, recommending that the U.S. negotiate a neutrality pact with Hitler. Many suspected that Lindbergh was a Nazi sympathizer, based on his speeches and writings on race, religion and eugenics, and his glorification of Hitler’s “methods.” President Roosevelt told Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau, "If I should die tomorrow, I want you to know this, I am absolutely convinced Lindbergh is a Nazi."

Elon Musk is not, of course, the first U.S. political figure to give the Nazi salute. In the accompanying photograph, you can see Senator Burton Wheeler making the Nazi salute alongside Charles Lindbergh. Meanwhile, the Democrats and the media have been bending over backwards to collaborate with Trump’s fascist agenda. Even the most liberal members of the party have declared how they “look forward” to working with man (e.g., Gavon Newsom, Bernie Sanders. No longer are we hearing the words dictator, fascist, or even demagogue from any of the Democrats, nor the press, let alone any significant opposition to Trump’s repressive agenda. A recent headline in “Politico” read “Time to Admit It: Trump Is a Great President. He’s Still Trying To Be a Good One.” And In reference to Trump’s proclamation of a new “Golden Age” for America, the WaPo declared that “Americans can easily agree with such goals. Over the next four years, we want to move past our differences, build a more perfect country and improve life for everyone. To the extent that Trump can help pull in this direction, he will have widespread support.” Never mind that this “Golden Age” is one filled with misogyny, transphobia, racism, and anti-immigrant hysteria; impoverishment of the working class, acceleration of the destruction of the planet, and a mad rush toward world war.

There will always be rats and scabs who side with their oppressors in hopes of winning a few more crumbs, or a few less beatings, than their peers who resist. But the politicians, whether Democrat or Republican, ultimately serve the same interests: the financial elite, not the working class. And no matter how odious they might find Trump’s language, behavior, and actions, in their calculations it better serves their interests to side with him, than it is does to piss him off.

#workingclass #LaborHistory #nazi #nazisalute #charleslindburgh #trump #elonmusk #fascism #democrats #hitler #immigrants #lgbtq #transrightsarehumanrights #media