numbers

Simple questions by the numbers.. the majority in the United States: revolutionary or not?

(leadinglightcommunist.org)

The median annual household income for 2006 was $48,201 (USD) according to the United States Census Bureau. (1) Per household member (including all working and non-working members above the age of 14) it was $26,036 (USD). (2)

What is a median? A median is found by arranging all incomes from poorest to wealthiest and, then, picking the income in the middle, the income that separates the poorest half from the wealthiest half. Half of all households in the United States make more than $48,201 (USD). Per household member, half make more than $26,036 (USD).

Okay. Let’s convert these numbers using current exchange rates as of February 28, 2008. Let’s ask some questions:

Is someone in Myanmar that makes 26,778,000 Kyats per year part of the proletariat? Is a person in the United States that has access to 26,778,000 Kyats in income or capital a year part of the proletariat?

Is a Filipino that makes 1,054,000 Philippine pesos (PHP) per year part of the proletariat? Is a person in the United States that has access to 1,054,000 Philippine pesos (PHP) in income or capital a year part of the proletariat?

Is an Indian that makes 1,038,000 Indian Rupees (INR) per year part of the proletariat? Is a person in the United States that has access to 1,038,000 Indian Rupees (INR) in income or capital a year part of the proletariat?

Is a Nepalese that makes 1,690,000 Nepalese Rupee (NPR) per year part of the proletariat? Is a person in the United States that has access to 1,690,000 Nepalese Rupee (NPR) in income or capital a year part of the proletariat?

Is a Mexican that makes 278,000 Mexican Pesos (MXN) per year part of the proletariat? Is a person in the United States that has access to 278,000 Mexican Pesos (MXN) in income or capital a year part of the proletariat?

Is a Sri Lankan that makes 2,812,000 Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) per year part of the proletariat? Is a person in the United States that has access to 2,812,000 Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) in income or capital a year part of the proletariat?

Is a Peruvian that makes 76,065 Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN) per year part of the proletariat? Is a person in the United States that has access to 76,065 Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN) in income or capital a year part of the proletariat?

If you answered “yes” to the above questions, then you are very deluded. You think people with household incomes of $100,000 (USD), 4,049,000 Philippine Pesos (PHP), 3,985,000 Indian Rupees (INP), 6,493,000 Nepalese Rupees (NPR), 1,070,000 Mexican Pesos (MXN), 10,800,000 Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR), 292,000 Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN), are  part of the revolutionary forces in the United States. (3)

If you answered “no” to the above questions, then you are more scientifically inclined or, maybe, you just have a knack for seeing the obvious fact that there is no broad social base for revolution in the United States. You to ought take up Leading Light Communism.

If you refuse to answer these questions publicly, even though you know the correct answers are “no,” then you should consider yourself a coward and a fence-sitter. You should not consider yourself a Marxist. Revolutionary scientists are not afraid to speak the truth.

Who are our friends? Who are our enemies? This is a question of first importance. These are the opening words of Mao’s Selected Works. Those who cannot distinguish friends from enemies globally are not scientific communists. Without revolutionary science, carrying out communist revolution is impossible in the long term.  The main dynamic that shapes our world is the Bourgeois World as a whole oppresses and exploits the Proletarian  World as a whole. Those who can’t see this obvious fact are not communists.

Notes.

1. http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032007/hhinc/new04_001.htm
2. http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032007/hhinc/new02_001.htm
3. http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/histinc/h01ar.html (using a rough estimate slightly over the bottom of the fourth quintile)