Nationalism and Religion: A useful tool they use to weaken and divide workers

There are many ways to stifle debate or to thwart democracy.  In the Union and at work, the issue for me was to describe it as being an"atmosphere" as opposed to a set of democratic rules and rights.  We have to fight for an atmosphere that allows a minority position not only to be heard, but for those expressing it to feel comfortable, secure; that it is perfectly OK for them to campaign to make their views the majority.  It is also important that a minority should not be able to hold a majority hostage. It's not that written rules or rights aren't important, but the bosses don't refrain from attacking us or violating a contract because they will violate a clause.  They refrain from attacking us because of the consequences that might arise from doing so, the potential of the force behind the contract. They always take in to account the mood of the workers, our organization, and how they can weaken that unity, race, religion, sexism etc.

They're pretty confident attacking the organized working class at the moment because the heads of organized Labor are no obstacle and in the case of the top leadership, they are openly collaborating with them.

But what made me think of this was I was watching the Giants/Phillies game and they stopped in the seventh I think it was so some singer could perform god bless America.  The public announcer first asked people to stand up and remove their caps.

Now what sort of pressure is this?  In fact, pressure is too mild, this is out and out coercion.  Firstly, I don't believe in gods and I'm sure I wouldn't be the only atheist in the stadium were I there, so why would I be interested in singing god bless America?    Secondly, even if I did believe in god, let's say I was a Christian which is the faith I was brought up in before I saw the light, why would I ask god to only bless America?  Wouldn't I ask god to bless everyone, even Donald Rumsfeld?  Er, maybe not Donald Rumsfeld.

I do not recall from the days when I read the bible it being said that Jesus only talked about helping or blessing people within the borders of a nation state, or warning us there will be a nation called America and it will be his "blessed" place and people.

When they used to salute the flag at some Union meetings I never put my hand over my heart or removed my cap or any of that stuff.  I usually stood up but not always.  For me, the issue was how workers saw things and not the pope, the preachers or the Union officials.Class solidarity is what matters.  I have more in common with a worker from another country than an American like Donald Trump who is my class enemy.

I would say that asking god to bless America is totally un-Christian.  Atheists are definitely a persecuted minority in the USA.  You can pretty much be anything to run for office in the US, dope dealer, mass murderer, thug, but an atheist---no way.

As if that wasn't bad enough (apart from all the political ads that I want to comment on when I get time) they shoot to an ad.  For a moment I relish in the beautiful sound of Howlin' Wolf singing Smokestack Lightin', aah, that is some good stuff and reminds me of my youth.  But what's it for?  Erectile dysfunction.  Howlin' Wolf's voice alongside someone telling me what I should do if the pill they want me to take gives me an erection lasting longer than 4 hours.

And Francis Fukayama said that this was the apex of civilization.

Science and the united international working class help us