September 29: Day of Action or General Strike?
The financial crisis of 2008-2009 has resulted in the most sweeping austerity measures in recent European memory. These budget cuts, which are crippling everything from Romanian hospitals to English schools, have come amid a trillion-euro public bail-out for crooked financial services companies and banks. The Great Recession – now the longest in post-war history – has destabilized whole nations from Iceland to Greece. In Spain, the austerity measures imposed by the EU and IMF amount to $16 billion, and in Greece it is nearly double that figure at $30 billion. For the United Kingdom, the new Tory-Liberal Democrat government will push through even more draconian measures, to the tune of $91 billion. (EUobserver, 14 Jun 2010)
In response to the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) organized a series of “Action Days” throughout Europe from 14 – 16 May 2010. These “Action Days” are not calls for a general strike, but very mild suggestions to demonstrate. This is the show of resistance which is being organized at the very top level of European trade unionism. This spring ETUC Action Days have mustered hundreds of thousands of its members to various rallies in Brussels and around Europe.
What is missing from this equation is news from workers’ organizations from below. Despite the anemic demonstrations organized by the Brussels labor bureaucracy, workers in France, just as one example, have mobilized between one and three million-worker general strikes all over the country, closing public transit, schools and airports in January and March of this year. The streets of Athens, Madrid, Barcelona, Strasbourg and Seville have all been enveloped by millions of working people, unemployed, underemployed, pensioners and students alike.
All of this work from below caused the secretary-general of the ETUC to gain unusual confidence when he called for the EU to be “ambitious” and adopt “a new social deal” at the 7 May social affairs summit held in Prague.
Nothing happened. In fact, the austerity measures have already been passed into law, and in some countries have begun the evisceration of workers’ pensioners’ and students’ lives.
Now, nearly four months after the ETUC promised a “new social deal”, the situation has deteriorated for the swelling ranks of unemployed, underemployed and underpaid workers throughout Europe. This ineptitude and timidity reflects exactly the same program of defeatism that we suffer here in the United States and across the globe when it comes to big labor and political organizations. In response to calls by the Spanish unions for a general strike on the day of the next EU Finance Ministers’ meeting on 29 September, ETUC’s secretary-general said: “We can’t call Europe's unions out on strike - this has to be done at the national level and different people will react in different ways. Some countries have traditions of general strikes and some don't. They don’t like the idea, especially the Nordics, Germany, UK, the Netherlands and Eastern Europe. Half of the EU countries would not go for it.” Clearly, with this kind of leadership from the only pan-European union confederation, most workers in Europe won’t be involved in taking back their destinies if that task is left up to ETUC.
In spite of the reformist attitude of the ETUC, 29 September is becoming a rally cry for building an independent movement of working people in Europe. The anarcho-syndicalist CGT and CNT general strike in Spain is meant to explicitly oppose capitalism, the national-political economy, and the EU. On 14 August the CGT already began a 1700 km march from Zaragoza, Spain to Brussels. This action is not supported by ETUC, but the marchers are of course going to the Brussels Day of Action to bring their message. The aims of the march are to expose the “the exploitation of the working class, and the destruction and privatization of the public commons of all Europe.” (Confederación Nacional de Trabajo, 14 Aug 2010)
This march has arrived in France - The Red and Black marchers were greeted at the French border on Sunday, 22 August by more militants of the French CNT. The New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA) of France announced that it will be sending a contingent to join the marchers. Many socialists, anarchists and communists of various stripes are working together in a collective show of force and determination. For the first time in a very long time, the various ideological and political rays of the socialist spectrum are uniting and bringing meaning to the slogans that will be chanted in Brussels.
This movement was not begun by ETUC - it runs parallel to it. We can all support the manifesto of the Day of Action, but as socialists, we can and should show the world that the Socialist Party USA supports these workers in their march, and in their struggle against the state, capitalism and the corrupt trade union confederations which might stand in the way.
Of particular interest, daily reports come in indicating that the march and the general strike are snowballing in critical ways. The CGT of Spain has called for extending the general strike beyond the one day called for by the mainstream unions. Although a one-day general strike would be a huge step forward here in the US, in parts of Europe it has become an accepted tactic ignored by the government. In far-away South Africa, workers have called an indefinite general strike of public sector workers. In this spirit of continuing development, it should be stressed that the Spanish unions consider move forward with a weeklong general strike that will really challenged the system.
Together with the Red and Black marchers now on their way to Brussels, American working people must reject the latest onslaught of neoliberal attacks on students’ and workers’ rights, working conditions, social services for our youth, the elderly, and people living with disabilities. We in the US must call on labor unions, community organizations and working people, to stop hindering international solidarity and show common cause with European workers by striking and demonstrating on 29 September. Although there is not much time to organize, we can make a difference. Inasmuch as we call on the US and European governments to immediately halt austerity plans that are killing our people, we also remind our sisters and brothers in the movement that we cannot settle for reforms – we must reject capitalism as a whole. Just as globalization has opened borders to exploitation, we must stand united for the transformation of our interdependent societies from the rule of the wealthy few to the radically democratic governance of the many.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Free Troy Davis! Stop the Prison Industrial Complex!
by Billy Wharton, co-chair Socialist Party USA & Erik Toren, convener, People of Color Commission Socialist Party USA
Saving the life of Troy Davis has become a rallying point for anti-death penalty activists. Rallies, teach-ins and petitions have been organized throughout the US to stop the state of Georgia from carrying out the death penalty. Despite this grassroots campaign, a Federal judge recently rejected Davis’ petition for a new trial dealing a severe blow to efforts to secure his freedom.
Davis has been on Georgia’s death row since being convicted of murder in 1991. There was no physical evidence in his case. His conviction rested entirely on the testimony of nine witnesses. In the time since the trial, seven of the nine have reversed or contradicted their court testimony, claiming that the police coerced them or used poor investigative techniques. The petition rejection will prevent these witnesses from speaking the truth in court and will put Davis back on road to execution.
A broad movement has developed around Davis’ case. It has brought together big-name politicians, religious figures and human rights organizations. More importantly, thousands of young African-Americans have organized and participated in demonstrations. Many have put on t-shirts with the poignant message, “I am Troy Davis.”
Davis’ case is about more than the death penalty. It’s about a criminal justice system designed to criminalize and warehouse poor and working class people. African-Americans face heavy discrimination in all parts of this system – from street level policing to the prison cells of death row. While African Americans comprise 13% of the US population and 14% of monthly drug users, they are 37% of the people arrested for drug offenses. On average, African-Americans face sentences that are 10% longer than whites. And, most gruesome of all, the chance of a black male born in 2001 of going to jail is 32% or 1 in three.
Capitalism needs this racial oppression to maintain a system based on the exploitation of the labor of millions and to protect the wealth and privileges of the elite. As a result, every day, people in our communities are denied the right to necessary things such as a good job that would allow them to be productive members of society. Some are forced into the low-wage service sector while others face a prison cell where they will likely work a sub-minimum-wage prison job.
As socialists, we support abolishing the death penalty. We also believe that the unjust persecution of Troy Davis calls for more than this. We join with other groups in the prison abolition movement such as Critical Resistance, in calling for an immediate end to the expansion of the prison industrial complex. Criminalizing and caging human beings will not make our communities safer or improve our quality of life. We believe that a democratic socialist society that guarantees people the right to work, to housing, to healthcare and to full civil rights is a viable alternative to the incarceration methods of late capitalism.
Troy Davis has languished for nearly two decades in Georgia jails. Now is the time to join with others to demand his freedom. And, in doing so, we call for the freedom of all the unjustly imprisoned and for a society that recognizes the humanity of all in order to improve the lives of all. We call this idea socialism.
Free Troy Davis!
Abolish the Prison Industrial Complex!
End the Racist Death Penalty!
Check out the People of Color Commission:
http://pocc-socialistparty.blogspot.com/
Read more about the Socialist Party USA’s position on the criminal justice system:
http://socialistparty-usa.org/platform/civilrights.html
Saving the life of Troy Davis has become a rallying point for anti-death penalty activists. Rallies, teach-ins and petitions have been organized throughout the US to stop the state of Georgia from carrying out the death penalty. Despite this grassroots campaign, a Federal judge recently rejected Davis’ petition for a new trial dealing a severe blow to efforts to secure his freedom.
Davis has been on Georgia’s death row since being convicted of murder in 1991. There was no physical evidence in his case. His conviction rested entirely on the testimony of nine witnesses. In the time since the trial, seven of the nine have reversed or contradicted their court testimony, claiming that the police coerced them or used poor investigative techniques. The petition rejection will prevent these witnesses from speaking the truth in court and will put Davis back on road to execution.
A broad movement has developed around Davis’ case. It has brought together big-name politicians, religious figures and human rights organizations. More importantly, thousands of young African-Americans have organized and participated in demonstrations. Many have put on t-shirts with the poignant message, “I am Troy Davis.”
Davis’ case is about more than the death penalty. It’s about a criminal justice system designed to criminalize and warehouse poor and working class people. African-Americans face heavy discrimination in all parts of this system – from street level policing to the prison cells of death row. While African Americans comprise 13% of the US population and 14% of monthly drug users, they are 37% of the people arrested for drug offenses. On average, African-Americans face sentences that are 10% longer than whites. And, most gruesome of all, the chance of a black male born in 2001 of going to jail is 32% or 1 in three.
Capitalism needs this racial oppression to maintain a system based on the exploitation of the labor of millions and to protect the wealth and privileges of the elite. As a result, every day, people in our communities are denied the right to necessary things such as a good job that would allow them to be productive members of society. Some are forced into the low-wage service sector while others face a prison cell where they will likely work a sub-minimum-wage prison job.
As socialists, we support abolishing the death penalty. We also believe that the unjust persecution of Troy Davis calls for more than this. We join with other groups in the prison abolition movement such as Critical Resistance, in calling for an immediate end to the expansion of the prison industrial complex. Criminalizing and caging human beings will not make our communities safer or improve our quality of life. We believe that a democratic socialist society that guarantees people the right to work, to housing, to healthcare and to full civil rights is a viable alternative to the incarceration methods of late capitalism.
Troy Davis has languished for nearly two decades in Georgia jails. Now is the time to join with others to demand his freedom. And, in doing so, we call for the freedom of all the unjustly imprisoned and for a society that recognizes the humanity of all in order to improve the lives of all. We call this idea socialism.
Free Troy Davis!
Abolish the Prison Industrial Complex!
End the Racist Death Penalty!
Check out the People of Color Commission:
http://pocc-socialistparty.blogspot.com/
Read more about the Socialist Party USA’s position on the criminal justice system:
http://socialistparty-usa.org/platform/civilrights.html
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Millionaire Lawmakers Get Richer as Economy Tanks
Would this be a democracy, a republic, or just plain old aristocracy of the corporate type?
Please stop voting for Democrats and Republicans. I mean, seriously. Please.
www.votevachon.com for U.S. Senate in CT
Chris Hutchinson is on the Ballot for U.S. Congress in District 1, CT
We're not billionaires. We're not millionaires. We're not even thousandaires!
But we are working class Americans who stand up for working-class issues. Big Business already has 500+ representatives.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richest lawmakers grew wealthier as economy faltered
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100901/pl_yblog_upshot/richest-lawmakers-grew-wealthier-last-year-as-economy-faltered
The rest of the country is still struggling with high unemployment amid a sluggish-at-best economic recovery -- but the wealthiest members of Congress are in high cotton. Indeed, the top 50 wealthiest lawmakers saw their combined net worths increase last year, according to the Hill's annual analysis of financial disclosure documents.
Combined, the 50 lawmakers were worth $1.4 billion in 2009 -- an $85.1 million increase over their 2008 total -- the Hill reports. The members' total combined assets depreciated by nearly $36 million last year -- but Congress' well-to-do set also reduced their debts by a combined $120 million.
The list of 50 lawmakers spans both parties (27 Democrats and 23 Republicans) and both chambers of Congress (30 House members, 20 senators), the Hill reports.
Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts topped the list for the second year in a row; Republican Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas made his debut in the top 10.
Here are profiles for the 10 most flush Hill power-and-money brokers:
1. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.): $188.6 million. Kerry's worth, which grew by $20 million in 2009, stems from his wife's assets. Teresa Heinz Kerry, of the Heinz ketchup family, inherited hundreds of millions upon the death of her previous husband, Sen. John Heinz.
2. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.): $160.1 million. Issa actually saw his minimum net worth drop by $4 million, partly due to the poor performance of a single investment fund. Issa's fortune stems from investments he and his wife made in the electronics market. Their company eventually became the largest producer of car anti-theft devices in the country. They sold the business in 2000.
3. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.): $152.3 million. Harman is married to audio-equipment mogul Sidney Harman; stock holdings from his company, Harman International Industries, helped Harman's net worth grow by $40 million last year. Sidney Harman is in the process of purchasing Newsweek; the magazine's massive debts will presumably drag down Harman's 2010 disclosure numbers a bit.
4. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WVa.): $83.7 million. No surprise here: The Rockefeller family name has for generations been a byword for fabulous riches. (Rockefeller's great-grandfather John Rockefeller was an oil magnate; inflation-adjusted figures still peg the founder of the Rockefeller fortune as the wealthiest man in history.) But the senator's uptick in personal wealth last year came mainly from his wife's investments.
5. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas): $73.8 million. McCaul saw his net worth double last year, mostly owing to stocks held by his wife. McCaul's father-in-law founded the radio empire Clear Channel Communications.
6. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.): $70.2 million. Warner made millions through investments in the cell phone industry, including the Nextel company.
7. Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.): $56.5 million. Before his 2008 election to Congress, Polis made a fortune in online enterprises, transforming his family's greeting card company into BlueMountain.com and founding ProFlowers.com.
8. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.): $53.5 million. Buchanan grew wealthy as the owner of multiple auto dealerships in Florida.
9. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.): $49.7 million. Lautenberg co-founded a payroll services company in the 1950s that became one of the industry's global leaders.
10. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.): $46.1 million. Most of the California lawmaker's wealth comes from real-estate holdings and investments made by her husband.
Please stop voting for Democrats and Republicans. I mean, seriously. Please.
www.votevachon.com for U.S. Senate in CT
Chris Hutchinson is on the Ballot for U.S. Congress in District 1, CT
We're not billionaires. We're not millionaires. We're not even thousandaires!
But we are working class Americans who stand up for working-class issues. Big Business already has 500+ representatives.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richest lawmakers grew wealthier as economy faltered
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100901/pl_yblog_upshot/richest-lawmakers-grew-wealthier-last-year-as-economy-faltered
The rest of the country is still struggling with high unemployment amid a sluggish-at-best economic recovery -- but the wealthiest members of Congress are in high cotton. Indeed, the top 50 wealthiest lawmakers saw their combined net worths increase last year, according to the Hill's annual analysis of financial disclosure documents.
Combined, the 50 lawmakers were worth $1.4 billion in 2009 -- an $85.1 million increase over their 2008 total -- the Hill reports. The members' total combined assets depreciated by nearly $36 million last year -- but Congress' well-to-do set also reduced their debts by a combined $120 million.
The list of 50 lawmakers spans both parties (27 Democrats and 23 Republicans) and both chambers of Congress (30 House members, 20 senators), the Hill reports.
Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts topped the list for the second year in a row; Republican Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas made his debut in the top 10.
Here are profiles for the 10 most flush Hill power-and-money brokers:
1. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.): $188.6 million. Kerry's worth, which grew by $20 million in 2009, stems from his wife's assets. Teresa Heinz Kerry, of the Heinz ketchup family, inherited hundreds of millions upon the death of her previous husband, Sen. John Heinz.
2. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.): $160.1 million. Issa actually saw his minimum net worth drop by $4 million, partly due to the poor performance of a single investment fund. Issa's fortune stems from investments he and his wife made in the electronics market. Their company eventually became the largest producer of car anti-theft devices in the country. They sold the business in 2000.
3. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.): $152.3 million. Harman is married to audio-equipment mogul Sidney Harman; stock holdings from his company, Harman International Industries, helped Harman's net worth grow by $40 million last year. Sidney Harman is in the process of purchasing Newsweek; the magazine's massive debts will presumably drag down Harman's 2010 disclosure numbers a bit.
4. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WVa.): $83.7 million. No surprise here: The Rockefeller family name has for generations been a byword for fabulous riches. (Rockefeller's great-grandfather John Rockefeller was an oil magnate; inflation-adjusted figures still peg the founder of the Rockefeller fortune as the wealthiest man in history.) But the senator's uptick in personal wealth last year came mainly from his wife's investments.
5. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas): $73.8 million. McCaul saw his net worth double last year, mostly owing to stocks held by his wife. McCaul's father-in-law founded the radio empire Clear Channel Communications.
6. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.): $70.2 million. Warner made millions through investments in the cell phone industry, including the Nextel company.
7. Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.): $56.5 million. Before his 2008 election to Congress, Polis made a fortune in online enterprises, transforming his family's greeting card company into BlueMountain.com and founding ProFlowers.com.
8. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.): $53.5 million. Buchanan grew wealthy as the owner of multiple auto dealerships in Florida.
9. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.): $49.7 million. Lautenberg co-founded a payroll services company in the 1950s that became one of the industry's global leaders.
10. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.): $46.1 million. Most of the California lawmaker's wealth comes from real-estate holdings and investments made by her husband.
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