Frighteningly familiar

[HomerRamone]

http://truth-out.org/news/item/23828-fewer-fewer-fewer-a-step-too-far-for-the-ultra-right-in-the-netherlands

the strategies behind the rise of the far-right in the Netherlands follow a pattern occurring across Europe, in some cases being adopted by other far-right parties, such as in France (see sidebar). The lessons learned in one context can help those fighting similar struggles elsewhere. The left needs to wage a stronger fight against austerity and demand that more government resources flow to the poor and working-class families in disadvantaged neighborhoods, to bring down rates of unemployment and poverty, and to create decent, meaningful jobs in these communities. But it also needs to combine the fight against austerity with a strong campaign against racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia. This can be in the form of government policy (anti-discrimination policies in labor, housing, and credit markets), education (anti-racism and multicultural awareness in schools), community organizing (holding the media and police accountable for racial stereotyping and profiling), stronger hate-crime legislation, support for migrants and asylum seekers, and stronger campaign-finance disclosure laws. By focusing on the values of sharing and solidarity, working-class communities should be brought together to oppose the crisis of capitalism that is tearing apart the social fabric. Unfortunately, the left in the Netherlands and across Europe appears to have failed on this so far. The acceptance of austerity by most political parties and the general drift to the right has produced fertile ground for far right-parties to take root, and raised the danger of a far-right resurgence.