Here's what I wrote:
Hey guys. Not sure if you've heard of or know about Richard Wolff, but he's a Harvard professor economist who is also a Marxist. He's been pretty influential over the last few decades especially. I remember listening to interviews of him on KQED back when I lived in[redacted] and worked at the [redacted] shop in the mid-late 00's, (I think even "Guns and Butter" interviewed him a few times) and it was partially what led me to realizing I was (and am) indeed a communist. And no offense, but he's very "boomer-friendly," considering he is one. I've thought about sending you some of his stuff a number of times, but I always feel weird about "pushing" my views. So if you think I'm doing that, feel free to ignore. But if not, I was just watching one of his weekly updates and he talked a fair amount about the SNAP (food stamp) situation and how the Biden administration just cut a minimum of $95 per month per person from the program now that Covid is "over." (The fact that Covid is not at all over is a whole other topic). This directly effects me and we've talked about it a little bit at least. Since it's specifically personal to me, I thought it might be a good video to send as something of an intro.
He also has a ton of excellent lectures (at various universities, "Google talks," etc.) that I can recommend if you like what he has to say. He has a very good grasp of what was going on during the Great Depression and how FDR's New Deal served as a release valve for capitalist contradictions and even the USSR's role in providing an example internationally of giving power to workers, forcing capitalist states to make concessions to the working class to avoid revolutions similar to the October Revolution from happening in their own countries.
So yeah, anyway, this isn't some great speech or anything, it's not even one of his better talks, it's just something that he put up yesterday on an update and discusses something having to do with my situation personally regarding me having enough aid to get food. I have my criticisms of Wolff, plenty of them, but on the whole, I think he is an awesome dude and is spot-on right about most of the things he talks about. Curious if you agree. Anyway...
"Economic Update: When We Put People First in US Politics" ^^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu7pAsInjd8
They may just roll their eyes at me or maybe their boomer brains will latch on to a fellow boomer (Wolff) and start to move beyond libdom. I'll probably regret sending that but oh well.
Not sure why I'm posting this, but why not? Right?
More power to you! I’ve gotten a boomer in my life to watch Richard Wolff and they’re now one of the few “news” sources we can both enjoy lol. In addition to Democracy Now and Majority Report.
Even if there are disagreements among us and these sources, the ultimate goal (imo) is to get more people to realise that capitalism is just fundamentally broken and only hurts the vast majority of people. Not “crony” capitalism, or “monopoly” capitalism or anything. Just capitalism.
From then on, we can slowly talk about socialism and begin that journey.
At least that’s what’s worked for me.
:soviet-heart:
That's awesome and thanks for the encouragement. Strangely, I think both the people I sent this to know that capitalistm is fendamentally broken, but are still of the mindset that "well, it's the best there is." They both despised Bush and the Iraq war, they both realized Obama wasn't the great leader he was made out to be as he bombed kids at weddings with drones, but they still thought that Trump was a degradation of the American way, and that at it's heart, America is "good." I don't know if I'll ever shake them of that belief, but if I can make it more flimsy, I'll consider that a win. Like you said, I want them to recognize that capitalism is the problem itself, inherently. And I'd like to think that might be possible.
:stalin-heart: