Eric Draitser joins us to define and discuss austerity, what austerity looks like in the US, the fact that austerity is the consensus of both parties, why an anti-austerity movement is essential in the US, and helps us connect what’s happening here to Greece, Italy, and Spain. Mr. Draitser talks about the deception of Obama on austerity-selling out his base and all progressives, Romney & Ryan as the bringers of death for many, possible solutions-including his recent activities organizing an anti-austerity movement in New York City, and more!

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Here is our guest Eric Draitser unplugged!

Eric Draitser is an independent geopolitical analyst based in New York City. He is a partner producer at Boiling Frogs Post, and the editor and host of StopImperialism.com and the Stop Imperialism podcast. He has provided analysis for Russia Today, Dr. Webster Tarpley’s World Crisis Radio and other programs.

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In anti-austerity protests around the world, over the past several years, we often hear of ‘riots’ breaking out, when bank windows are smashed or rocks are thrown at cops. The violence exists, but the imagery of a ‘riot’ evokes the notion of drunk youths mindlessly causing havoc and setting things on fire and looting shops. This is not the nature of violence in the battle against austerity. Rather, invoking a term used by Stokely Carmichael when he was describing the urban ghetto riots in the United States in the 1960s, we need to be referring to these incidents as “urban rebllions.” As the urban rebellions are taking place all over the world, we are also seeing something new developing in Spain. In the northern mining towns in the regions of Asturia and Leon, the coalminers have gone on strike against the government’s plan to cut their subsidy by 63% this year alone. They began blockading streets and railways, and were met by the Guardia Civil (riot police) who brought tear gas and rubber bullets to the mining communities and rural areas. There, the miners have taken to defending themselves with sling-shots and homemade rocket launchers.

We are witnessing a new phase in the anti-austerity rebellion in Europe, and emerging from the very same region and communities in which we witnessed the beginning of the Spanish Civil War back in 1934, where the miners were subsequently crushed by Francisco Franco. History is in the making in Spain, the question is: will we pay any attention?

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Scorned by some, embraced by others, the Occupy movement is not going away

Originally inspired in part by the “Arab Spring,� this movement has drawn strength from popular anger against economic conditions, and more fundamentally, concern that the playing field is stacked against the little guy.  Like the Tea Party before it, the early success has attracted powerful special interest groups hoping to capitalize.  Time will tell if corrupting forces like this end up undermining the Occupy impact.

Here is a question for anyone trying to grapple with the fundamental roots of the movement — are they after capitalism, per se, or crony capitalism specifically?  Certainly, special interest groups like unions as well as bona fide socialists are trying to inculcate themselves in the movement, and exercise their vocal cords to latch onto the underlying concerns.  “Jobs, not Profits,â€� read some of the signs.  “No More Corporate Money in Politics,â€� read some of the others.  It is hard to see many signs yet saying things like “No More Union Money in Politics,â€� or “Union Money Married Wall Street Money to Elect Obama, and Lead the Bailouts.â€�

From those on the right, there has been a mixed, largely scornful reaction.   You hear things like “they need to take a bath, and look for a job.�  But there have been some more thoughtful communications too.  Recently, asked about his take on the movement, Rep. Ron Paul (TX) summarized “I think it’s a very healthy movement.�  Paul identified common concerns he and others concerned about the responsibility of government, not just “capitalism,� had for our current economic state of affairs.

Yesterday’s Occupiers – the “Bonus Army�

Today’s “Occupy� movement has some very interesting historical precedent.   Back in 1932, as the early stages of the Great Depression gathered steam, industrial production fell dramatically while joblessness soared.   A group of jobless, hungry World War I veterans calling themselves the Bonus Expeditionary Force (shortened to the Bonus Army) organized themselves and their families, and developed a demand that the government accelerate a bonus payment they had been promised, but not to be paid until 1945.

Then, they marched on Washington.   Over 40,000 people camped out near the U.S. Capitol, pitched tents, and didn’t leave.  During the day, they would mass in front of the capitol, and occupied much of the space on the stairs going up to the doors.

How did D.C. respond?  They didn’t have pepper spray back then, but they did have tear gas, as well as other tools.

A sympathetic superintendent of police and war veteran, Pelham Glassford, actually tried to maintain a supportive environment for awhile.  But as legislative efforts to accommodate their demands stalled, and as the Bonus Army continued to occupy the area, they wore out their welcome.  Troops, not police, would end up dealing with this situation.  Read more È