As explained in the latest Socialist Appeal editorial, Ruling Class Divisions Deepen, the US government shutdown over parts of the federal budget and Republican opposition to “Obamacare” is in the final analysis, a reflection of the insoluble contradictions of capitalism. Due to our readers’ keen interest in what is happening in the US, we are expanding our explanation and analysis of this ongoing situation.

Editorial for Socialist Appeal 77 – The worldwide crisis of capitalism is leading to a deep questioning of the structures, institutions, politicians, and parties of bourgeois society. From Greece to Italy, Brazil to Turkey, Egypt to Iran, the consciousness of the masses is undergoing a profound transformation. This is not a linear process, and is not automatically and directly reflected in all countries at the same time. But the “mole of history” is busily burrowing beneath the surface, slowly but surely undermining the very ground upon which capitalism exists. The rotten roots of this system, which long ago passed its historically progressive phase, lead inevitably to expressions of decay and disease at the surface: in ideology, politics, culture, and human relations.

The bourgeoisie is not entirely blind. There are layers of the ruling class that can, on occasion, come to similar conclusions as Marxists. The benefit of a birds’ eye view of the capitalist system allows them to potentially have a more expansive view of the system as a whole—its corruption, its inequality, and its senility. This awareness of the growing anger at inequality—much of it simmering beneath the surface—explains why many of the richest individuals in the US are so concerned about ways to redirect this anger.

On July 18, the long–economically depressed city of Detroit officially declared its intention to file for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy is the largest ever for a US city, with $18 to 20 billion in debt. It is also the largest US city to ever go bankrupt, despite the disastrous collapse in the population over the last 30 years. Hurricane Katrina dramatically exposed the terrible “third world” conditions that exist for millions inside the richest country on the planet. Although a natural disaster played a part in bringing things to a head, the tragedy in New Orleans was above all man-made. In the case of Detroit, however, the disaster is entirely manmade.

Editorial for Issue #76 – In one country after another, crisis, protests, war, revolution, and counterrevolution are raging. Here in the United States, however, it may seem to some that “nothing is happening.” But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Slowly but surely—though not linearly—the economic, political, social, and psychological tensions continue to build.

State-funded schooling is seen as a pillar of so-called Western Democracy, educating all children regardless of race or income to create a smarter and stronger society. However, under capitalism, genuine equality in education is impossible, so long as a small minority can accumulate private property while others have to work just to survive. The Founding Fathers envisioned a system of common schooling where all students would learn the same core of reading and writing, as well as how to be good citizens. But the logic of private capital accumulation will never allow this.

When Marie Antoinette heard that the poor of France were rebelling because of lack of access to bread, a subversive newspaper at the time alleged she dismissively said, “Let them eat cake.” There is no solid proof she ever actually said that, but this became a symbol of the ruling class’s disdain for and ignorance of the everyday lives of the masses. Today, while workers are experiencing an obesity epidemic in the rich imperialist countries, workers in the so-called developing world are suffering from lack of access to food and medicine, millions are malnourished, and many are actually starving to death. The demagogic liberal left, whose agribusiness and fast food paymasters have helped to create this inequality of misery, chide workers in countries like the USA for our “indiscretion” and “bad choices” and would like us to take an example from our malnourished comrades. MSNBC, New York Mayor Bloomberg, and many others wag their fingers in disappointment at the unhealthy poor and remind us that “We must all tighten our belts!”

“Billions racked up in public debt to plug budget holes, pay overdue bills, and put money into its mismanaged pension funds… this has resulted in decrepit commuter trains and buses, thousands of unsound bridges, 200 hazardous dams and one of the most inequitable public school systems… Retirees may lose their pensions as the funds dwindle, low-income and disabled people may lose their health care as costs escalate…” Is this Greece? No. The 5th-largest state in the U.S. by both population and GDP is nearely insolvent. The capitalist crisis continues to hit state and local governments the hardest, bringing cuts and austerity in its wake.

Boston, April 17, 2013—Two days later, still stunned by the horrific scene of two bombs scattering the festive crowds cheering runners crossing the finish line of the 117^thrunning of the Boston Marathon, residents of the Boston area are left asking, “Why?”