Workers Socialist League

Socialist Press, Trotskyism Today and the Trotskyist International Liaison Committee, 1975–1984

See if the President is senile

Socialist Press no. 203, 18 June 1980 · scan p. 2 · about 353 words

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It was Hollywood 'nice guy' Gary Cooper who once said "From what I hear about communism I don't like it because it isn't on the level"

What is frightening today is that there is a distinct possibility that someone with Cooper's political sophistication' now has every chance of becoming President of the United States.

It is testimony to the depths of degeneration to which the US ruling class has sunk that someone like Ronald Reagan can seriously be contending for office in the White House.

In the last week Reaganwho, it he wins in November, will be the oidest person ever to be sworn in as President promised to have himself watched carefully for signs of senility, and assured the American people that he would give up the Presidency as soon as any such signs appeared!

If this was not enough to sap confidence in someone who at present appears to be the candidate with the most solid popular base, it emerged later in the week that 'Ronnie's' campaign advisers are also US representatives of the interests of the reactionary capitalist enclave of Taiwan.

Great dangers

Reagan himself supports recognition of Taiwan, even if it threatens the USA's relations with China which have developed as a centrepiece to imperialism's world policy.

Reagan clearly represents significant conservative layers in US society, and as such would be useful to the US ruling class, which needs a President who has widespread respect.

Some of his policies, however, together with his obvious ignorance and his age suggest that there. would be great dangers to the ruling class in having such a person in the White House.

Unfortunately for American capitalism the disastrous record and image of Jimmy Carter took another battèring this week when the President visited the mar-eo.rinh. wo.rmomcom scene of the Miami riots and his car had to speed away in a rather undignified manner followed by a hail of rocks and bottles.

The ruling class in the USA have a real crisis on their hands economically and, socially and they can't find a candidate who can begin to answer their problems.

Reagan

← Contents of Socialist Press no. 203, 18 June 1980