Written by derek monroe   

I have recently seen a film “Bananas” about blatant exploitation of workers in Nicaragua by Dole Foods Company and the never ending task of getting justice for ones who were wronged. The company used pesticides banned in the US and it actually pressured reluctant manufacturer to sell them chemicals knowing well that they will cause harm as they were cheap and convenient to use on bananas destined for export. What makes this film so special is the smoking gun quality that is almost unheard of in the stories such as these. There is a trail of documents, clearly stating intent and internal politics associated with pesticides’ purchase and use, but the kicker is that the head of Nicaraguan operations that was directly involved and whose signature is on the key documents is now the head of Dole Foods. The company responded by going directly after the plaintiff’s lawyer and documentary filmmaker in aggressive move to squash the film and punish the “troublemakers.”

After getting emails from Moveon for over 10 years and attending several screening film parties hosting films of such as “Sicko” or “Walmart: High cost of low price,” I approached the organization about possibility of doing just that on national scale. As “Bananas” got a first prize in San Francisco Film Festival and because of its content, I thought the message of what we are putting on our tables and at what cost would be a welcome one. As it turned out, nothing could be further from the truth. Instead of welcoming, I have gotten a front row seat to show featuring petty fight for influence and access by half of dozen staffers from the organization. After my calls or emails were not returned I finally got the message that “it is not you, it’s me,” resulting in some long overdue soul searching.

The real tragedy of the American Left is not that it is constantly disorganized, unfocused and underfunded but that it is kept this way by design. The new political dynamics are unprecedented as they are driving the country in one and only direction. The Republican Party has left the reservation in search of mythical Holy Grail of conservatism while riding the horses of manufactured populism (Tea Party) and illiterate pseudo-Christianity. The trip is sponsored and brought to you by multinational special interests that are the biggest beneficiary of continued race to economic and environmental oblivion. Democratic Party is now the new and improved center right that is also paid for from the same sources as the opposite side plus delusional unions and progressive organizations that still cling to definitions of old political order. Thus despite “yes, we can” and “change” sloganeering that swept Barack Obama to power in 2008, there was a de-facto not only a continuation of politics of previous administration on economic, social and war fronts but its escalation (Libya war, deportations). The only viable alternative such left-center Green Party is effectively barred from any meaningful participation in moneyed politics thus there is no counterweight that could make the system work for American working people. In this context, Moveon is a very good example of “progressive” industrial complex that works very well for very narrowly defined agendas that serve parochial needs of politically-connected thus is effectively supporting “change without change” phenomenon . At stake here are good paying jobs of its hierarchy and the ability to deliver votes as block to Democratic Party. Naturally there is always a need for volunteer staff that is driven by idealism or conviction and who feel they can do something about deteriorating state of our country. There is always need for those “always available” to be used and exploited when the “big thing and big ideas” leadership finally makes the decision that it is perceived to be in equal interest of all, some being more equal than others. Thus the Moveon’s phenomenon of all fundraising, all politics, all spin all the time creates the perfect world where the democracy of idealism is de-graded to the lowest denominator of a product. The wholesale buyer, the Democratic Party, tends to spin the wheels faster or slower depending on how it feels it needs to react to the poll thermometer. Having progressive electorate that is naïve and short on choices helps the show to go on and judging the current social temperature, the business is good. However, when the contradictions tend to occur from time to time such as less than friendly relationship to Progressive Democrats of America or spinning the truth, Moveon is always happy to move on to the next big thing without a blink as long as dollars keep pouring in from distracted and duped public. Nothing illustrates this issue better than first for and then against “vote of confidence and money for Blanche Lincoln, in 2008 race in Arkansas. The Moveon was very happy to raise money for Ms Lincoln but as soon as the “democrat” became a “blue dog” unleashed from Democratic big picture agenda, it was betting against her while ones who contributed $5 or $10 a pop, would see their money going in the opposite direction. Regardless of political labeling or stands which those in political circles often tend to see as cost of doing business, the fact that Ms Lincoln was a staunch supporter of public option in ongoing healthcare saga was of no consequence. The marching orders were in so off they went. Another Moveon’s hallmark is to make itself indispensible as fixer of thought from the disgruntled and disunited masses to the great chief sitting in the White House. In the “brilliant” strategy of uniting people into working groups nationally to come up with grass root idea of priority for saving the “American Dream,” it thought it could kill two birds in one throw. It could achieve appearance of direct action while making itself look indispensible to people who are gullible enough to believe that the “message” matters and that Moveon is the politically powerful middle man worth supporting. First, I think it is truly amazing that many adults could go along with idea of taking a time travel to a kindergarten class assignment that produces a phrase that “everybody” likes. Second, the idea of having an “American Dream” experience requires the people to be asleep first as whatever the message Moveon produces as justification of its grass roots “action” is not what Obama administration’s political fire brigade looses any sleep over. It has far more important issues to deal with that amounts to electoral forest fire instead of worrying about individual rose bush. What is not explained by the overseers that no matter what happens before Nov 2012, the Moveon will use its tired logic of lesser evil to deliver the votes to Democratic Party in fill in the blanks, style. Thus if Moveon.Org is truly interested in helping people act out their progressive notions, I suggest it opens a medical services chapter where its meetings can serve as useful and licensed venue for group therapy instead of selling the unsellable. And those who still believe that their $5 can make a difference, I suggest they go to a local grocery store and buy lottery tickets. The odds are better there.

Derek Monroe is a writer and activist based in IL. He worked and lived on 4 continents and he can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it