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Home , Jim Hightower, Leslie Cagan, Morris Hillquit

Vol. XXXI, No. 4 Spring 2004

IN THIS ISSUE

The Southern Grocery Strike Kerry or Nader: Avoiding Left Divisiveness Capturing the Middle Way: A View from Britain plus Remembering Mildred Jeffrey Lesson from a Local • Book Reviews The Southern California Grocery Strike By Herbert Shore

For twenty weeks, from mid-October 2003 to early porations. As the strike March 2004, sixty thousand grocery workers walked wore on, it became picket lines in Southern California. Up for reneweal clear that the chains were the labor contracts between the United Food and were willing to suffer Commercial Workers’ Union (UFCW) and the three large local losses and major supermarket chains,Vons, Ralphs, and Albertsons. endure a long Management demanded large employee contributions strike/lockout. to health care coverage, reduction in pension benefits, At least in San and a two-tiered system in which new employees would Diego, UFCW was very have lower salaries and benefits than existing employ- concerned with not ees.In brief,unionized supermarket clerking would over alienating customers time be converted from a middle class occupation to a and the general public. “working poor” occupation. The union went on strike Picketers were instruct- only at Vons, but immediately management at the two ed to be polite and non- other chains locked out their employees. confrontational. This Since at least 1978,. relations between UFCW,man- concern was strength- PHOTO COURTESY OF UFCW agement and workers had been quite good and salaries ened in late October when disastrous fires throughout and benefits permitted grocery workers some middle Southern California destroyed thousands of homes. In class privileges. However, during the contract negotia- response to this disaster,and also in an attempt to exert tions that led up to the strike, it became clear that the additional pressure on Vons and Albertsons, the union chains did not intend the status quo to remain. called off its picketing at Ralphs. This strategy lost its Management justified their hardened approach by citing effectiveness when Ralphs entered into a possibly ille- the impending entry of Wal-Mart into the California gal profit sharing agreement with the other two chains; retail grocery business. The grocery chain owners the agreement meant that the increased business at claimed that the only way for them to meet the com- picket-free Ralphs benefited all three chains. petitive pressure of Wal-Mart’s low-wage, low-benefits The strike dragged on with the chains losing sev- business model would be to adopt it.Thus, as the nego- eral billion dollars in sales and UFCW running short of tiations deadlocked, it became clear that this labor dis- strike funds. Without the pute had a critical importance well beyond the Wal-Mart factor, the continued on page 6 Southern California region. The strike started out with high worker morale and strong commu- Editorial Committee: Ron Baiman, Jeffrey Gold, Michael Hirsch, nity support. Even in San Diego, Jeremy Miller, Simone Morgen, Bill Mosley, where union penetration is mini- Kathy Quinn, Jason Schulman, Joe Schwartz, mal, most of the stores were nearly John Strauss empty and one could hear the Founding Editor sound of honking cars as drivers passed the picket lines in front of (1928-1989) each store. However, in retrospect, Democratic Socialists of America share a vision of a humane international social order based there are lessons to be learned that on equitable distribution of resources, meaningful work, a healthy environment, sustainable could be applied for future rounds growth, gender and racial equality, and non-oppressive relationships. Equality, solidarity, and democracy can only be achieved through international political and social cooperation in the labor struggle against the aimed at ensuring that economic institutions benefit all people.We are dedicated to build- onslaught of corporate America’s ing truly international social movements – of unionists, environmentalists, feminists, and people of color – which together can elevate global justice over brutalizing global compe- low-wage vision of economic devel- tition. opment. UFCW is a decentralized DSA NATIONAL OFFICE 198 Broadway, Suite 700 union. Each local on strike was , NY 10038 essentially fighting the battle on its 212-727-8610 own, and a large part of its energy http://www.dsausa.org was involved in administering strike Democratic Left (ISSN 1643207) is published quarterly at 198 Broadway, Suite 700, New York, NY 10038. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY (Publication No. 701-960). Subscriptions: $10 regular; $15 institu- benefits to its picketing members. tional. Postmaster: Send address changes to 198 Broadway,Suite 700, New York. NY 10038. Democratic Left The chains, on the other hand, are is published by the Democratic Socialists of America, 198 Broadway, Suite 700, New York, NY 10038. (212) 727-8610. Signed articles express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the organization. subdivisions of large national cor- page 2 • Democratic Left • Spring 2004 OPINION inside The Spanish Elections DL

Conservatives, right-wingers and pro-war pundits have lamented the victory of our sister party the PSOE in the Spanish elections as appease- The Southern ment, capitulation to terrorism and a political tragedy of the first order. California Grocery Several have suggested that the election should not have been held.Others 2 Strike are but a millisecond away from claiming that anything but a Bush land- By Herbert Shore slide in November will be a victory for al-Qaeda. All of this hand wringing stems from the fact that the pre-election Capturing the Middle polls predicted that the conservatives would be reelected. Pundits always 4 Way need to be reminded that polls don’t determine the outcome of elections; By Mark Seddon voters do.Ask Howard Dean! What this is really about is democracy and the fear that it could hap- Kerry or Nader: Does pen here, too.The Spanish government’s support of the War in was It Make Any vastly unpopular with all segments of the electorate, including conserva- 5 Difference? tive voters. The monstrous bombings were carried out by Islamic funda- mentalists, not Basque separatists as the government tried to claim. The By Michael Hirsch government lost the election because it withheld for political purposes information had a right to know and because the people pun- 8 Life After Bush: ished the conservatives for implementing policies they were opposed to. Youth Magnet That is what democracy is all about. By Lucas Shapiro No group of voters suddenly changed their minds because of the 9 bombings. The bombings did motivate some voters opposed to the gov- Focus on Locals: ernment, particularly young people, to vote that had not intended to vote, Sacramento resulting in a very high turnout (something which always makes the polls 10 inaccurate). Civic participation in Spain, the same kind of democratic par- Unsung Heroine: ticipation that brought more than ten million to the streets in demonstra- Millie Jeffrey tions against the terrorist bombing, is to be commended and even emulat- By Harold Meyerson ed, not condemned. Americans need to be concerned about the right’s tendency to dismiss BOOK REVIEWS democratic electoral outcomes that they don’t agree with.The upcoming 12 election may well be the closest in history and closer than the 2000 elec- Talking Points for the tion. If the fabled “October Surprise” is not to their liking, these same pun- Left (Franken, dits might decide that our election should be put off. Having gotten away with stealing one election, is there any doubt that the right would steal Hightower, Ivins & another? Dubose and Moore) The victory of the PSOE is a challenge to every American activist who Reviewed by Bill Mosley says that elections don’t matter. It is a challenge to us to register and moti- 13 vate voters and not give in to political despair. Getting Back on Most of all it is a challenge to turn our protests into effective political Track (James Weinstein) action. By Jason Schulman

Cover photo:“The World Still DSA Midwest Regional Conference Says No To War” march in marking the October 9, 2004 – Minneapolis one-year anniversary of the

The next DSA Regional Conference has been scheduled for October 9, U.S. invasion of Iraq. 2004,in Minneapolis.The conference will include a special session focused Photograph by Michael on foreign policy issues. More details will be available as we get closer to the event; but please save the date. Hirsch.

Democratic Left • Spring 2004 • page 3 Capturing the Middle Way By Mark Seddon

One of Tribune’s more stockpile of between 100 famous editors, George and 500 tons of chemical Orwell, wrote a particularly weapons agent. That is prescient book that is even enough to fill 16,000 bat- more relevant in these dark tlefield rockets”? Well, that times. Nineteen Eighty-Four was Colin Powell.And what depicted a future totalitari- about this one:“This is still an world, where citizens a dangerous world. It’s a were routinely spied on and world of madmen and all dissent was ruthlessly uncertainty and potential suppressed. Britain had mental losses”? You been re-named “Airstrip guessed it! It’s Dubya! One,”and it is from “Airstrip Last year I went to One” – or the “colonies” as Iraq. I went to see Foreign we like to describe it now, Minister Tariq Aziz. There that I come. I wish I could For too long we have allowed was no doubt in my mind bring greetings to the that the regime he repre- Socialist Scholars Confer- the right to march roughshod sented was evil and despot- ence from Tony Blair – but I all over us ic.The question in my mind suspect that he has forgot- was how best to deal with ten what socialism is, if ever it. Military containment had he knew what it was in the worked; the weapons first place. and immoral war on Iraq.The title inspections were working – and There has been much talk post- of this SSC Conference is “The according to Aziz, Iraq “had no 9/11, in Britain at least, of the World is Not For Sale.” Well, last weapons of mass destruction.”“Tell “Special Relationship” between our year in Baghdad, even before the your Mr. Blair,” he said, “he is wel- countries.Those most keen to latch estate agent’s sign went up – or come to send anyone he likes to onto this phrase are in reality refer- more precisely before Hans Blix see if we have WMD.”When I told ring to the political and military and his weapons inspectors could Tony Blair of this at our Labour relationship that has Britain very complete their job – U.S. and Party National Executive much as a junior partner.If truth be British marines went in. Last year’s Committee meeting, I also told him told, the relationship between Tony SSC took place on the brink of the that it was easier to get a cup of tea Blair and George Bush is a dysfunc- war – and there is little point in with the Iraqi Foreign Minister than tional one, an abusive relationship rehearsing all of the arguments it was with him. if you like, and one that neither can made in this hall then, because A former American Secretary of escape from because they know of most of you will remember them State, John Foster Dulles once said nothing better. and just how sadly right many of – and I paraphrase – “In order for a But there is a special relation- our predictions were. However, we people to carry a heavy burden it is ship between the ordinary people shouldn’t allow some people to for- important to create the idea of a of my country and yours.There is a get what they said then as they dis- threat.”This threat now is interna- very special relationship that has semble now. tional terrorism, a threat magnified grown in recent years between Who, for instance, said:“Those by the folly that was the Iraq War. British trade unionists, Tribune and who say we haven’t found the This threat is being used to clamp the left, with the Democratic banned manufacturing devices or down on our civil liberties, restrict Socialists of America, many of your banned weapons – they’re wrong. movement and, most perniciously union locals and all of you here.And We found them!” Well, it was Tony of all, to advance an argument now it is to you we look to begin the Blair, talking about vehicles that familiar to us – that of the need for process of radical change that can turned out to be for the production pre-emptive military action when begin to restore liberty,equality and of hydrogen for weather balloons circumstances dictate. The attacks fraternity in a fractured world. that had been exported by Britain. on the WTC and the bombings in This week marks the anniver- And who said, “Our conserva- sary of the beginning of the illegal tive estimate is that Iraq today has a continued on page 15

page 4 • Democratic Left • Spring 2004 Kerry or Nader: Does It Make Any Difference? Or, It’s the Social Movements, Stupid By Michael Hirsch

Voting is a bitch. third run, the usually measured Of course, some critics of the will get my vote in the November Michael Tomasky, for one, coun- Democratic candidate do offer a elections, and I’ll give it with the seled Democrat candidates to real-world model for Tomasky’s same grudging, wintry discontent “attack Nader right now, and with ravening beasts. John Pilger’s New that I did in the last Statesman screed two presidential (March 4), widely elections, when I clipped and distrib- backed Ralph uted over the Nader. In those Internet and on Web races, I made state- sites including ments. Now I want ZNet, came illustrat- to beat Bush ed in the original But that’s not London version what this piece is with a split screen about. It’s not why a vote for Kerry Lupine ferocity.” He told The of Bush and Kerry melded into one is inevitable in a year when Bush is American Prospect readers how face, sharing a lipless sneer. Same vulnerable. It’s about how liberals Nader was “a megalomaniac whose man and same agenda. and leftists on both sides of the tenuous purchase on present-day Pilger says pointing to differ- Kerry-Nader divide get rabidly exer- reality threatens to cancel out ences between Bush and Kerry is “a cised about other people’s cam- every good thing he’s done in his big lie,” that distinctions between paign choices, when they both life,”which, if true, would be a can- the two do not “go beyond the use know that power does not come cellation on the order of the origi- of euphemisms,” and that the real out of an election booth. It comes nal Star Trek. objection to Bush by Democrats is out of economic and social move- There was more passion on to his outspokenness, to his admin- ments poised to hold officeholders view in Tomasky’s tough love for istration’s “crude honesty,” and not accountable. It’s about never for- Nader than in his eight years of to any policy differences. “The getting that the Left – the only covering Rudy Giuliani, the race- Democratic Party has left a longer hope for humanity (florid, but do I baiting,city-service privatizing,real- trail of blood, theft and subjugation exaggerate?) – isn’t built by elec- estate creature and poster boy for than the Republicans [which] is toral struggle but by building the megalomania whom he character- heresy to the liberal crusaders, social movements, before, during ized in New York magazine as whose murderous history always and after elections. It is the weak- someone who ran for office “to the requires, it seems, a noble mantle. ness of the social movements that right of how he ruled.” What reader of Democratic Left forces such unappetizing choices Making the case for Kerry is no doubts that the trail was blazed in a on us. slam-dunk. Problems with the fit of bipartisanship, along with Beyond the facility of corpo- Washington fixture are palpable opposition throughout ever sector rate Democrats to co-opt move- and can be lined up and bowled of society, including the two par- ment leaders into precinct captains over like candlepins. But even if ties? or the fecklessness of radicals to Kerry were the political bastard his What does any of Pilger’s bil- form lasting electoral alternatives, a leftist detractors say he is, he is – as iousness tell us about politics and corporate Democrat is sadly our FDR said of the senior Somoza – political choices? Or even about last best shot for ending the White our bastard, at least until Nov. 4. Kerry, who was a genuine antiwar House occupation because no Until then, the anti-Bush effort is hero back in the day? Nothing. It’s social movements are strong well worth building in its own catharsis. Much of the same runs in enough to move the country left- right, if only as realpolitik. It Counterpunch, where Alex ward. needn’t be dressed up by pounding Cockburn and friends equate Kerry That hasn’t stopped sides from the iron necessity of beating Bush bashing with political comment, or forming up for color war, with the into a tin-plated virtue. We don’t in one small left-wing paper that loudest drumming from the pundit- have to say the ridiculous or the ry. When Nader announced his indefensible on Kerry’s behalf. continued on page 7

Democratic Left • Spring 2004 • page 5 day of the strike, instead of the Southern California Grocery Strike slowly escalating involvement that continued from page 2 actually occurred.The time to start educating the public about Safeway chains’ bargaining position made The fact that the UFCW members and Kroger is now,months before a no sense economically; the income stuck it out and didn’t cross their strike begins. move- lost would take years to make up own lines to return to work is itself ment should be lobbying national even if the union gave in. Steven a victory and a testament to the religious and political leaders to Burd, the head of Safeway, was enduring strength of the U.S. labor support a boycott of the stores reported to have said he would movement. The union sur- take the stores into bankruptcy vived and is here to fight rather than renew the previous another day. But the trade contract. By mid-December, the union movement is not yet importance of this conflict for the strong enough to turn back entire U.S. labor movement the Walmartization of the became clear to all. In San Diego, working class. the Central Labor Council took on The most important les- the task of involving other unions son we can learn from this and the community in strike sup- strike may be that we have to port. The Teamsters refused to take the threat of Wal-Mart as deliver merchandise to the stores; seriously as do the grocery unions and community organiza- chains. The ultimate defense tions would “adopt”a store by join- of the living standards of the ing the picket lines and providing grocery clerks requires the food and drinks for picketers. The unionization of Wal-Mart Labor Council organized a number workers. That would have a of large rallies to keep the strike in domino effect on the entire front of the public’s mind and to U.S. low-wage economy. A keep up the morale of the grocery campaign to unionize Wal- workers. San Diego DSA played a Mart would require coopera- significant role in organizing com- tion between the progressive munity participation on the picket public and the labor move- lines and rallies. In the latter stages ment on the scale of the of the strike, the AFL-CIO played an United Farm Workers grape PHOTO COURTESY OF UFCW increasing role and organized a boycott.That would mean the Rally in Washington, DC, to support the national boycott of Safeway stores. revitalization of a broad pro- striking grocery workers in Southern Through our web site, DSA spread gressive coalition that sees California the word about the boycott and the rights of working people urged our members and support- as playing a central role in the fight should a strike occur. Given the ers to participate. for social justice. Can such a cam- national character of the chains and An agreement to end the paign be organized? That is the their newfound intransigence, it strike/lockout was reached in early challenge that DSA and the broad seems clear that the key to achiev- March 2004. The proposed con- labor-left must take on. ing real success is to nationalize the tract was ratified by about eighty More immediately, more gro- struggle from the beginning. per cent of UFCW members. The cery contracts around the country The Southern California gro- workers would no longer get a fully will expire in the coming year. It is cery strike demonstrates that, even paid health plan, but the employee important that the terms of the in conservative San Diego, public contribution would not kick in for Southern California settlement not opinion will side with union mem- two years and would be less than be regarded as the pattern to be fol- bers in a labor struggle if the issues management’s original demand. lowed for the others. Instead, the are clearly explained.With that sup- But the unions did accede to the experience here should be regard- port we can be optimistic that grocery chains’ desire to imple- ed as the first battle in a long strug- there will be victories to come. ment a two-tiered wage and benefit gle. Future battles do not have to system, leaving future unionized follow the pattern of the one just grocery workers without the mid- past. The entire U.S. labor move- Herb Shore is a member of DSA’s dle-strata level of wages and bene- ment should join in and make the National Political Committee who fits achieved by prior generations. strike a national issue from the first lives in San Diego, CA. page 6 • Democratic Left • Spring 2004 that spotlights big business domi- ning as “a voice for the internation- Kerry or Nader nation of political and economic al working class in the 2004 US continued from page 5 life, don’t assume he will target the elections.”Even bullfrogs don’t puff real dissatisfaction voters have with themselves up that much. urges readers to “get off the the Iraq occupation, even its corpo- Differences like these won’t Democratic Party train now,” in rate analog, or offer voters an alter- get resolved by talking or fighting order to “fight for a new political native. from now until November. Instead party,” presumably one devoid of Everything Nader says will res- of an arctic night of long knives, I’d those pesky misleaders who seem onate as a critique of a bought-and- rather DSA activists work our own to muck things up. This without paid-for two party system, not a sides of the street.That could mean explaining how a second Bush bash at Bush or even a synthetic stumping for Kerry,or insisting – as administration could DSA does – that the possibly bring that social movements goal of better trains have an independ- and better leaders Everything Nader says will resonate ent voice and face in nearer. the campaign and At least the as a critique of a bought-and-paid-for room to grow. It Greens bring some could mean running humor to the table, two party system, not a bash at Bush the ground war in as when St. Louis markets where the Green Party organiz- emphasis by the er Don Fitz turns the party pros will be on question around, asking, “Should look at what got bought. If he were television saturation in the 17 bat- the Democrats Run a Candidate for instead to frame Bush as an tleground states. It could mean President in 2004?” and says, with acknowledged corporate tool, he’d focusing on local races, where a some justification, “If the play a hero’s role in bringing Bush few hardcore campaigners can Democrats were against the Bush down. But that would detract from make a difference in swinging con- program, why would they wait for building a third party, his acknowl- trol of state houses or Congress. In the election to fight it?” edged goal. Now, I want a left-of- New York City, for example, that Let’s shovel away the accumu- center political party, too, one that means working in the long-shot lated sludge. Nader’s take on corpo- can harness and represent working Frank Barbaro campaign in rate power is terrific, as far at it class politics in a way the -Staten Island against a goes. Crashing the Party, his Democratic Party in its big tent, hard-core right-winger who holds account of the 2000 race, is a good corporate-dominated incarnation office in a district that boasts the statement of first principles as well cannot. Or one that doesn’t shy highest union-household density in as a fair treatment of how hard it is away from social issues, something . Or it could mean back- to raise political issues in a national Nader’s past campaigns were noto- ing independent candidates with a campaign,especially absent a social rious for doing. But the time and chance of winning and who movement running interference for place to build that party or that deserve to win, such as Matt you. Nader also has every right to coalition isn’t eight months from Gonzalez in San Francisco last year run for president, and leftists who November and on the national After November, leftists are know that defeating Bush is all- level, especially when you don’t going to need each other, un- important have every right to make have 50-state ballot access or even maimed. If nothing else, we can at a compelling political argument a skeletal Green Party apparatus to least dial it down and get to work. that concludes with “Ralph, Don’t run with. Run (Please).”But we have no right If the pro-Kerry folk tend to be to chant “unclean, unclean” or vilify unreflective or even somnolent Michael Hirsch is a member of his supporters about how bad the situation is – DSA’s National Political Com- The problem I have with that in 2004, amid war, joblessness mittee and an editor of New Nader’s run is not bad faith on his and poverty, we soldier on and Politics and Democratic Left. He part or assuming he believes in the hopefully elect another centrist ran as a delegate worse, the better. Such people Democrat – then the self-styled rev- in the March primary, outpolling exist,but they aren’t Ralph.It’s how olutionary Left’s sin is to act like the congressman in New his brand of anti-corporatism won’t lemmings, as though the sea were York’s 14th C.D. by some 200 mesh with a political campaign. not instant death and Bush or Kerry votes. “Dennis ran on my coat- While he can be expected to run a do not matter.The candidate of one tails,”Hirsch says. brilliant position-paper operation socialist groupuscule says he is run-

Democratic Left • Spring 2004 • page 7 Life After Bush: Youth Magnet By Lucas Shapiro

“Life After Bush:Youth Activism the topic of the opening plenary, then contrasted how the Right in & the Fight for Our Future,” the with CUNY professor and DSA the U.S. had largely succeeded in recent YDS national conference at Honorary Chair , propagating a clear anti-govern- New York’s City University, attract- Temple professor and DSA Steering ment,unifying vision – bridging the ed over 300 young activists from Committee Chair Joseph Schwartz, values of cultural conservatives and across the country. Participants along with United for Peace and the economic elite. He said what came from as far away as California, Justice National Coordinator Leslie remains of the Left lacks a coherent Arizona, and Minnesota, with Cagan. They commented on vari- set of ideals and programmatic a hefty showing from the north- ous facets of the Bush administra- alternatives of its own.For Max,and east.Turnout far exceeded expecta- tion’s regressive “achievements,” many other speakers throughout tions, and feedback from the deficits in the Democratic Party the weekend, democratic socialism diverse crowd of high school, col- “opposition,”and the need to build provided such an alternative. lege, and graduate students was a broad base of social forces capa- Bertha Lewis addressed the large overwhelmingly positive. ble of ensuring regime change in crowd by regaling them with her November and channeling anti- experiences as a grassroots organ- Learning Bush crusades into an increasingly izer working on day-to-day strug- “Life After Bush” addressed the influential leftist national presence. gles and winnable electoral battles. challenges of the 2004 elections, “The Future of Radical Cornel West told us of the intellec- prospects for building the youth Democracy,” brought together tual, ethical, and humanistic requi- and student wing of the Dump Steve Max of the Midwest sites for a life-long commitment to Bush movement, and long-term Academy, Princeton professor and social change. strategies for progressive change. DSA Honorary Chair Cornel West, Eighteen workshops and major ple- and Bertha Lewis, Executive Plugging In nary sessions covered a wide range Director of New York ACORN and “Life After Bush” also provided of pressing economic, social and co-chair of the Working Families an excellent opportunity for young ideological matters together with Party. Max opened with a humor- foreign and public policy options. ous tale of past ultra-leftist follies, continued on page 11 Rutgers professor Stephen Eric Bronner led a well-received presen- tation on democratic socialism. Patterson University professor and London Tribune columnist John Mason offered alternatives to the U.S.-led occupation, observing that the “bring the troops home now” slogan is insufficient,given the dan- gers of civil war, Islamic fundamen- talism and pervasive insecurity in Iraq. A series of well-attended workshops, led by veteran cam- paigners from trade unions and the NY DSA-affiliated Working Families Party, detailed the nuts-and-bolts of electoral activism. Other topics included gay marriage and LGBTQ rights, student-labor solidarity, civil liberties, the global justice move- ment, campus anti-war activism, high school organizing, and a slideshow presentation on the The National Youth & Student Peace Coalition, of which YDS is a mem- economy. ber, marching in the protests in New York marking the one-year anniver- “Beating the Bush Agenda,”was sary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. page 8 • Democratic Left • Spring 2004 Focus on Locals: Sacramento “Sunday Voter Matinee”

Since 1994, Sacramento DSA has fought against 65.9% against,and the Schwarzenegger propositions 57 negative, race-based propositions on the California bal- and 58 passed by 63% and 71% respectively. Students lot and for some positive propositions (see soon after organized a walkout in protest of their sky- www.dsausa.org/antiracism).The focus on ballot ques- rocketing tuition fees.) tions allows us to participate in the electoral arena Sacramento DSA PAC got involved in organizing without being tied to Democratic Party candidates. the event with two goals; helping to organize for cam- This year, the local cosponsored a Sunday Voter paign work (specifically for Dennis Kucinich); and Matinee on February 22, at California State building cadre for DSA. When planning for the event University–Sacramento. Edward Asner hosted the event began, the cosponsors agreed that one facet of the and proudly identified himself as a DSA member. The meeting would be to do some organizing for the event drew some 120 people and received regional Kucinich campaign. However, after the candidate media coverage. announced that he could not attend,that focus “evolved The opening presentation by Jim Shoch, former out” of the program (in spite of the fact that campaign national director of DSA, was a tour de force on George representatives volunteered to fill in). For that reason, Bush and the dangers of a consolidated Bush regime. both the local DSA PAC and the Kucinich campaign felt There was unanimity among the speakers about the that the event was less successful than it could have need to defeat Bush in November. been. Presentations dealt with the major controversial In reviewing the event, Sacramento DSA has con- propositions on California’s March ballot: Prop. 55 cluded it should go into planning programs with clear (school bonds); Prop. 56 (the labor-supported Budget goals and reflect on those goals throughout the process Accountability Act); and Props. 57 and 58 to make sure to address them. Similarly,when working (Schwarzenegger’s bond issues). The speakers almost in coalitions, we need to insist on our agenda as pro- unanimously supported Prop. 56. Governor grams develop and change. Schwarzenegger’s current budget disaster and his While it is good to have events with an education- Props. 57 and 58 were examined from several view- al focus, they also need to recruit new people to politi- points cal activism and participation in campaigns. And we The Matinee also featured a panel of candidates need to recruit new people to DSA locals. from a hotly contested Assembly district race, including —Duane Campbell that race’s labor-backed victor. Sacramento DSA Student speaker John Kincaid described how severe were the cuts to public higher education in the Schwarzenegger proposals. The dramatic decline in the last decade of California’s once- respected system of pub- lic higher education illus- trates the extent of the problem and the short- comings of the Republican anti-tax approach. (In the subsequent March 2 primary, the bal- loting was the reverse of the opinions of our audi- ence: Prop. 55 barely PHOTO BY DUANE CAMPBELL, SACRAMENTO DSA passed with 50.6% Sacramento DSA members took part in this student rally at the California state statewide, Labor’s propo- capitol protesting budget cuts that denied 10,000 students admission to commu- sition 56 failed with nity colleges. Here State Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñoz addresses the crowd.

Democratic Left • Spring 2004 • page 9 Unsung Heroine: Millie Jeffrey By Harold Meyerson PHOTO BY LISA SPINDLER, DETROIT

Behind every successful man, the old saying used to When Millie died last week, both Michigan Gov. go, stands a supportive woman. No one has come Jennifer Granholm and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D- up with an adage identifying who, exactly, stands Mich.) told the media that they would not be in their behind a successful woman, so let me make a mod- current positions without the decades of work that est suggestion: Millie Jeffrey. Millie had put in on behalf of equal opportunities for women. That work began in the 1930s, when Millie, Mildred McWilliams Jeffrey, who died last week at a a fiery young socialist, organized clothing workers in Detroit nursing home at age 93, was – among many the South. In 1944, she became the first director of other things – the great, behind-the-scenes strategist of the UAW’s Women’s Bureau, working to secure child modern American feminism. In the early ‘70s, during care and transportation for the quarter-million Riveting her final years on the staff of the United Auto Rosies who had swelled the UAW’s ranks – and Workers, she helped found the National Women’s teaching the women the parliamentary and bureau- Political Caucus and launched a decade-long cam- cratic skills they needed to have a role in their union. paign to have Democratic National Convention dele- gate slots divided equally between men and women. By the end of World War II, Millie had become one As Millie saw it, equal division wasn’t just, or even of a number of extraordinarily talented staffers whom primarily, an end in itself, recalls Joan McClain, a pol- Walter Reuther hired to help him mold the auto work- itics professor at Ohio Wesleyan, who made a doc- ers into the greatest force for that umentary film on Jeffrey’s life. “If the convention was America has ever known. Under Reuther, the UAW divided 50-50,” McClain recalls Jeffrey arguing, became the anchor tenant in the house of postwar lib- “that would percolate down to having more experi- eralism. Its contracts, and those of the steelworkers, enced women ready to run for office.” set the standard for the entire manufacturing sector, and for the three decades after World War II, work- From her perch on several Democratic Party commis- ing-class living standards in the United States rose just sions, and using the contacts she’d acquired in 40 as steeply as upper-middle class living standards – an years of liberal activism, Millie built enough support equality of economic opportunity that America has for this wild-eyed notion that it was adopted by the experienced only during this period of union strength. 1980 convention. Millie then became “the unelected leader,” in the words of her co-conspirator Joanne More than that, though, the Reutherites saw it as their Howes, of a committee of seven Democratic women duty to bolster newer movements for social equality. promoting the idea of a female vice presidential can- They provided political and material assistance to the didate on the 1984 ticket. “By the fall of 1983,” civil rights movement (it was the UAW that paid for recalls Howes, “we came to the conclusion that the the signs and sound system at the great 1963 March right person was Gerry Ferraro” – then an obscure on Washington), for Cesar Chavez’s farm workers, member of Congress from Queens. That required for the campus left in the early ‘60s, for start-up femi- augmenting Ferraro’s visibility and bona fides, and as nist organizations and the first Earth Day. a result of “Millie’s strategic thinking,” says Howes, the group successfully pressured the party and Walter And for several decades, Walter Reuther’s emissary to Mondale to make Ferraro chair of the convention plat- these groups was Millie Jeffrey. form committee. The rest is herstory.

page 10 • Democratic Left • Spring 2004 Life After Bush And so it was that Millie trained activists continued from page 8 from the National Council of Churches to lobby for civil rights, introduced the people to plug into various activist campaigns and mobiliza- young Jack Kennedy to NAACP leaders, tions, including the “Books Not Bombs” day of action spear- secured UAW support for inner-city com- headed by the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition (YDS munity organizing, and obtained the is an active member), where high school and college-aged UAW’s campground at Port Huron for the activists across the country rallied against the domestic effects founding meeting of Students for a of Bushism: massive tuition increases, an expansion of working- Democratic Society. In the years before class targeted military recruitment,curtailment of civil liberties, the New Left descended to ultra-left wack- fewer prospects for securing meaningful employment, and the iness, there was no better emissary continued collusion between some university departments, the between the generations of ‘30s and Pentagon and private weapon manufacturers. ‘60s leftists. In the ‘70s, when many Several other mass mobilizations were highlighted over the New Leftists began to re-engage reality, course of the weekend. Leslie Cagan encouraged attendees to organize “The World Still Says No to War” international day of Millie was there to ease their reentry. “It action marking the one-year anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion was typical of Millie to bring skills from of Iraq. Workshop presenter Zenaida Mendez, the National one movement to the next,” McClain Organization of Women’s (NOW) Director of Racial Diversity says. Programs, and tablers from Planned Parenthood promoted the “March for Women’s Lives” demonstration in Washington, DC. Her energy was the stuff of legend. Representatives from the grassroots organizations FURY,Still We Determined to attend the inauguration of Rise, Racial Justice 9-11 and NYC Summer detailed plans for the Madeleine Kunin as governor of Republican National Convention protests taking place in New Vermont, which occurred in the middle of York City from late August to early September. the 1981 air traffic controllers’ strike, the then 70-year-old Millie traveled from Planning ahead The success of “Life After Bush”is one manifestation of the Detroit to Montpelier by bus. Two years widespread desire among young activists to meet the chal- ago, at age 91, she bused down from lenges of this critical election year.With the stakes set tremen- Detroit to Cleveland to witness Joan dously high, there is a real sense that our collective efforts may Campbell’s swearing in as mayor. Not indeed change the course of history and send Dubya packing to without some misgivings, McClain Crawford,Texas. dropped her at the Cleveland bus station The goal of the Young Democratic Socialists in these com- for the return trip. “I’ll be fine,” Millie ing months is to help organize this anti-Bush current into vari- said. “See ya.” ous grassroots initiatives around the country,registering voters, doing issue education on campuses and in local communities, “I’ll retire when I die,” Millie frequently articulating our approach to electoral politics, and making the case that regime change in Washington is only the first step in a said. Somehow, I don’t entirely believe sustained effort to radically improve America in the interests of that. peace, democracy and social justice. To this end,YDS is organizing a Summer Activist Institute in NYC this summer for students and youth who want to plug into Harold Meyerson is The American the extensive ongoing mobilizations,as well as spend time with Prospect’s editor-at-large. This column other democratic socialists to design campaigns, discuss theo- originally appeared in The Washington ry/practice and have a great time. Post. We welcome your ideas and support in developing this ini- tiative. YDS organizers are also visiting campuses, speaking at Copyright © 2004 by The American teach-ins on the Dump Bush movement and the 2004 elections. Prospect, Inc. Preferred Citation: Harold Please contact me to arrange a visit in your area. Meyerson, “Unsung Heroine”, The American Prospect Online, Apr 2, 2004. Lucas Shapiro, the National Organizer of Young Democratic Socialists, DSA’s Youth Section, can be reached at lucas@ dsausa.org or (212) 727-8610 ext. 24.

Democratic Left • Spring 2004 • page 11 Talking Points for the Left By Bill Mosley

Al Franken. Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them:A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right. Dutton. 377 pp. $24.95. Jim Hightower. Thieves in High Places:They’ve Stolen Our Country and It’s Time to Take It Back. Viking. 270 pp. $24.95. Molly Ivins and Lou Dubose. Bushwhacked: Life in George W.Bush’s America. Random House. 308 pp. $24.95 . Dude, Where’s My Country? Warner Books. 217 pages. $24.95.

It feels as though commercial These books answer in media have been dominated forev- kind by taking strong er by voices of the Right – Rush points of view and stating Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Matt them in plain, direct lan- Drudge, Sean Hannity and Bill guage. One will find no O’Reilly – while progressive voices academese in these books. are banished to a few small inde- And since the authors pendent media. According to The come from different (but all American Prospect, the 44 highest- satirical) backgrounds, all rated stations carry 312 four books employ humor hours of conservative programs in different ways, breaking compared to only five hours from out of the tendency of left- the liberal-left. leaning literature to be all While there’s no sign of a grim earnestness. wholesale progressive takeover of Of the four books, the media, liberal-left voices have Hightower’s contains the lately been more successful in find- most focused, sustained cri- ing mass audiences. Air America tique of what’s wrong with Radio,the nation’s only commercial America and what to do talk radio network with a liberal- about it. Hightower shows the people will have to do it them- progressive slant, debuts this how America has become a “klep- selves. Fortunately, the grassroots spring. In addition, books with left- tocrat nation”– a government ruled revolution is already underway, of-center slants lately have been by corporate thieves and the gov- mostly in small ways – but, as sprouting like mushrooms – and ernment that they have come to Hightower reminds us, “even the some have been finding a wide dominate through campaign contri- smallest dog can lift its leg on the readership. The books reviewed butions and the government-indus- tallest building.” He writes of citi- here are only a sampling of left-lib- try revolving door. Nevertheless, he zens of Stevens County, eral offerings in bookstores. remains optimistic over the Washington, rallying to save their The new offerings by Al prospect of a turnaround in public libraries; Glendale, Arizona, Franken, Jim Hightower, Molly American politics, for he sees most telling Wal-Mart to get lost (and not- Ivins/Lou Dubose and Michael Americans as fundamentally pro- ing that 170 American towns and Moore all can be viewed as provid- gressive. Yet the change will come cities “have beaten a big-box store ing ammunition to the Left to fight not from establishment politicians at least once”); and the visionary back against the Bush administration but from campuses, churches, Los Angeles garment shot “TeamX” and its toadies at Fox News, MSNBC union halls and kitchens. He holds that is unionized, worker-owned, and the conservative journals. no faith in Democratic officehold- operated on a “solidarity ratio” (no What kind of “talking points” ers,calling them “Wobblycrats”who executive can earn more than eight do these books offer us? caved in to Bush on the PATRIOT times the salary of a production One refreshing feature of these Act, homeland security pro-corpo- worker) – and profitable. books is their directness, plain-spo- rate globalization initiatives such as Hightower ends his book with an kenness and lack of equivocation. NAFTA – noting that the Bush tax eight-page listing of progressive One strength of right-wing com- cuts wouldn’t have passed without organizations readers can contact mentators is that they portray 12 turncoat Democratic senators. everything as black and white. No, if America is to be reclaimed, continued on page 14 page 12 • Democratic Left • Spring 2004 Getting Back on Track By Jason Schulman James Weinstein. The Long Detour: The History and Future of the .Westview Press, 2003. 286 pp. $26.00

James Weinstein has not given offered in the party’s program up on American socialism. His eventually became part of main- admitted “pathological optimism” stream political discourse, even as appears to have little diminished the party itself declined. Also from the days twenty-eight years notable is the struggle of the SP to past when he founded the still-run- distinguish itself from Progressive ning biweekly newsmagazine In Era reformers without marginaliz- These Times, or even from thirty- ing itself. five years ago when he founded the In his chapters on the Russian journal Socialist Revolution (later Revolution and its aftermath, Socialist Review, and today, Weinstein again revisits a well-doc- Radical Society). He still sees our umented history, one that veteran country as “tending inexorably, if leftist readers probably already – single-issue movements. He fitfully, towards a more inclusive know and which newcomers may makes a fair point.And he is not far democracy.”And, just as he angered not find particularly relevant or off when he discusses how, in the some on the Left when he 1970s, the post-New Left’s confirmed that Julius “attacks on traditional Rosenberg did in fact pass institutions – grossly exag- on information to the It is refreshing to read an author gerated by right-wing ,he will doubt- who understands that humanity’s media – helped create a less anger yet more with large working-class con- his strategic advice. long-run alternatives are, indeed, stituency of ‘Reagan Demo- Much of the history crats.’” that Weinstein covers in socialism or barbarism Weinstein goes awry, The Long Detour will be however, in his criticism of familiar territory to many mandatory busing to DSA members. Here again is the even interesting. But even today it’s achieve school integration of black story of the rise and fall of the worthwhile to explode Stalinism’s and white children. He claims it Socialist Party of Eugene Debs, socialist pretensions, and perhaps accomplished nothing except seg- Morris Hillquit, Victor Berger and nothing does it better than regation within schools in the Big , and its forerun- Weinstein’s example of how the place of segregation between ners in utopian colonies and the Russian city of Magnitogorsk – in them. This may be, in fact, what Socialist Labor Party. Not much is the 1930s the very model of a happened, but his discussion fails new here – though Weinstein’s re- “socialist” city – was modeled after to engage with the history of the presentation of Marx’s critique of Gary, Indiana’s giant US Steel plant. Black Freedom Movement around for its denigration of The USSR was, in Weinstein’s public education, particularly in workers’“spontaneous”fight for the words, “an amalgam of the worst Boston, where it was determined right to vote and to organize unions aspects of feudalism, the harshest that the School Committee is appreciated, as is his point that practices of capitalism, and social engaged in intentional segregation “when the left fails to create viable protections associated with social- and hence desegregation was nec- movements that offer a place in ism” – and indeed, it “put the finish- essary.Weinstein makes it sound as which to act on the left’s own ing touches on the American left” if busing was an arbitrary decision behalf, anarchist ideas and groups by distorting socialism’s very mean- made in the 1970s; he fails to men- have had a lingering appeal, espe- ing, even as the Communist Party tion that black parents were effec- cially to newly radicalized young USA became a real presence in tively agitating for it as early as people.” (Contemporary radicalism American life. He critiques the 1950.That is, as Ruth Batson said at offers proof positive of this state- CPUSA for, ironically, bequeathing the time, black parents simply ment.) Weinstein’s main aim in an “aversion to universal princi- wanted to get their children “to telling the story of the SP once ples” to the New Left via its opera- more is to stress that the reforms tion through – and submersion into continued on page 15

Democratic Left • Spring 2004 • page 13 contradictions, he scores big. Two ing point. And through it all, Ivins Talking Points entire chapters catalogue Ann and Dubose employ enough sar- continued from page 12 Coulter’s lies, distortions and just casm and folksy turns of phrase to plain nuttiness, including her false make Hightower proud – such as to get involved. claim that Newsweek’s Evan “Heckfire and brimpebbles were Moore’s book dwells heavily Thomas is a son of Norman the best GeeBubya could manage on the post-9/11/01 obsession with Thomas. He spares no ammunition as he wagged his fingers a Wall security and the destruction this against right-wing Fox News, Street’s corporate criminals,” and has wrought on America’s civic life which he depicts as an expensive noting that Texas is “the state that and civil liberties.“They call it a war tool for owner Rupert Murdoch to gave you tort reform, H. Ross Perot on ‘terror.’ How do you conduct promote his financial interests. and penis-enlargement options on war on a noun?”Moore asks rhetor- Oddly enough for a comedian, he’s executive health plans.” Ivins and ically. The Bush administra- Dubose’s policy solutions – tion has exploited terrorism public campaign financing, to advance its pre-9/11 goal Engage in political struggle as increasing voter turnout, of world domination, he cracking down on corporate argues; the Bushites “know if you expect to win. And never, criminals – are sensible but that real Americans are not seemingly insufficient after into dominating anyone, so never lose your sense of humor the litany of abuse they cata- they have to sell it to us in logue. Revolution would be fancy packaging – and that more like it. package is FEAR.” He draws a link less effective when trying to be So, how can this new crop of between the war on terror and cor- funny than when spewing right- books help the Left organize? porate America’s war on most eous anger.And,in sharp contrast to Collectively, they contain sage Americans: while the nation is dis- Hightower, he willingly mounts the advice: Speak the language of the tracted by real or imagined terror Democratic donkey. To him, Bill people. Take no prisoners when threats, “American businesses . . . Clinton could do no wrong, espe- attacking the lies and distortions of have wrecked our economy.” He cially in fighting terrorism: he touts the Right. Don’t forget that most takes on the “talking points” issue “Clinton’s far-reaching plan to elim- Americans agree with us on most directly in a chapter entitled “How inate al Qaeda,”his thwarting of var- things. Engage in political struggle to Talk to Your Conservative ious domestic terror plots, and so as if you expect to win.And never, Brother-in-Law,” in which he lays on. No doubt when John Kerry never lose your sense of humor. out the argument that progressive (portrayed heroically in We could do worse. policy – providing universal health “Chickenhawk”) becomes presi- insurance, cleaning the air and dent,Franken will become a fixture water, improving public schools – at White House dinners. Bill Mosley is a member of the DL will actually put money in the Ivins and Dubose, in a series of editorial committee. Contact him pocket of said relative. It’s a good essays featuring strong reportage, at [email protected]. effort, but it won’t convince my put a human face on the abuses brother-in-law. and failings of the Bush administra- While the better part of tion. They show how corporate Franken’s book is a liberal’s coun- greed and the policies of Dubya – Democratic Left wel- terattack against the right-wing himself a practitioner of corporate comes letters from its media, the volume also meanders shenanigans in his days at Harken readers. To have the through the eclectic garden of Energy – have given big business a best chance of being Franken’s obsessions. He and his free hand in its war against average published in full, let- son visit Bob Jones University, the Americans. Story after story show ters should kept to a latter in the guise of prospective parents desperately seeking work maximum of 150 enrollee – a stunt that would have while facing expiration of their made a great bit for Moore’s late unemployment benefits, neighbor- words. program TV Nation but that falls a hoods suffering from toxic pol- Send your letters to bit flat for Franken – as does his luters, and workers suffering repet- 198 Broadway, Suite reprise of Big Fat Idiot’s itive-motion injuries – all while cor- 700, New York, NY “Operation Chickenhawk.” porate fat cats take their tax cuts to 10038, or email them But when Franken sticks to the bank. As the pages turn, the to [email protected]. rubbing the right-wing media’s col- accumulated rage – both the lective nose in its own biases and authors’ and reader’s – hits the boil- page 14 • Democratic Left • Spring 2004 Middle Way Getting on Track continued on page 4 continued from page 13

Madrid and elsewhere mean that schools where there were the best many contemporary leftists. The the threat in Dulles’ words is not resources for education growth.” problem, however, is that there has being “created.” But here in New Premonitions of Weinstein’s yet to be a credible third-party strat- York and back home in London final chapter, where he discusses egy for overcoming the barriers and across the globe, people are What Is To Be Done, appear in his that our non-parliamentary, single- well aware of the bigger threats discussions of populist and socialist member-district, gerrymandered that face us.Poverty,HIV-AIDS Aids, Democrats such as , electoral system. Furthermore, global warming and coming Floyd Olson and Huey Long, and given the complete absence of resource wars are much more seri- particularly in his discussion of the party discipline in the Democratic ous than the random, if highly Non-Partisan League of North and Republican parties, it makes lit- destructive, bombings of groups Dakota. Throughout the 1910s, the tle sense to denounce leftists who that could be isolated if we took a Socialist Party tried to organize run (or even, heaven forefend, get holistic attitude to the Middle East. farmers across North Dakota, and elected) on those ballot lines as Perhaps it is time after all to bor- failed. In 1915, the same year that corporate sellouts. row something from the political North Dakota switched to an open That said, Weinstein runs the wasteland of Tony Blair’s Britain. primary, Socialist organizer A.C. risk of becoming the mirror image Let’s capture the Middle Way – a Townley founded the NPL. Since of his third-party critics.Was Bernie Middle Way between the extremes the Democratic Party was a nonen- Sanders wrong in running for of the market fundamentalists of the tity, the NPL ran candidates as Congress as an independent? Is the West and the religious fundamental- Republicans. But NPL candidates Vermont Progressive Party wrong ists of the Middle East. That Middle didn’t join the GOP or become a not to be a Democratic caucus? I’d Way is our democratic socialism – part of the party structure. In 1916, hardly say so. It would seem to be surely the best antidote to the arid it swept its way into office, taking best for leftists to reject an either-or uncertainties of the new world control of the North Dakota House approach to electoral coalition order. And let’s go on the offensive of Representatives and elected a building, focused solely on building again. For too long we have allowed governor. By 1918, it completely a new party or on realignment the right to march roughshod all controlled the government of within the Democratic Party.Where over us, compromising, retreating North Dakota, an accomplishment third party candidates are able to and then surrendering. Our demo- that far surpassed the Socialist mobilize progressive coalitions of a cratic socialism must encompass the Party’s electoral fortunes – and yet significant size, there is no good liberal values of tolerance and the SP and the NPL had the very reason to not support them. respect. We have to reinvent social- same platform. The Long Detour may not be ism for the common good.And let’s It isn’t surprising, then, that essential reading for long-time left- be populist too – the right is all of Weinstein argues against efforts to ists. But it is essential reading for the time. “Jobs not bombs,” “free build an independent leftist party those new to the Left;I can think of healthcare for all,” “free education in the US and is in favor of running no other book in recent memory for all,”“peace not war,”– all of these leftists in Democratic Party primar- that packs so much history and slogans carry real meaning for peo- ies,of doing to the Democrats what analysis into so few pages.And it is ple all over the world who now see the Christian Coalition did to the refreshing to read an author with a nothing but insecurity and the Republicans. Of course, he is argu- sense of realpolitik who neverthe- prospect of poverty and war. ing for more than just electoralism; less understands that humanity’s Let’s get out of the bunker – rightly, he says we should emulate long-run alternatives are, indeed, and fight for regime change here the New Right in “establishing insti- socialism or barbarism. and abroad. In the next few tutions devoted to winning the bat- months - in the run-up to the pres- tle of ideas by relating to our natu- idential elections – you will have to ral bases among the American peo- Jason Schulman is active in the show us the way. ple in terms that they understand NYC local of DSA and is a doctor- and around issues that most con- al candidate in the political sci- cern wider constituencies at any ence program at the City Mark Seddon is editor of Tribune, given period.” But his critique of University of New York Graduate a progressive UK journal, and a ’s run for president in Center. He has written for New member of the UK Labour Party’s 2000 and Green Party strategy in Politics, Science & Society, Logos, National Executive Committee. general will not endear him to and Radical Society.

Democratic Left • Spring 2004 • page 15 DSA has Moved! Cache of DSA T-shirts Discovered

DSA has moved to a new location.The national office is now located at 198 Broadway, Suite 700, New York, N.Y. 10038.The telephone number remains the same 212-727-8610; however, we have a new fax line, 212-806-6955. The web address remains the same, www.dsausa.org.

The office is located one block from the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan (Broadway between Fulton and John Streets) and is readily accessible by public transit.

First class mail is being forwarded from our old address, so the business reply envelopes with the old address will continue to be valid for contributions and renewals for the rest of this year.

Please enter our new address in your records promptly. In sending mail to the new address it is very important that the suite number (700) be included in the address. The post office is implementing a system where all mail is sorted by computer and distributed to drop-off points along the route for the carrier to deliver.The carrier will no longer be in a position to catch incomplete addresses and deliver them anyway. Mail can be addressed to our major programs – Democratic Left,YDS, DSA Fund, the Activist, and Socialist Forum – at the Broadway address, but it must have the suite number (700).

We would be foolish not to expect some errors. If by chance mail is returned to you from either the old address or the new one, please resend it (making sure Suite 700 is in the address) so we can bring it to the attention of the post office.

We have signed a five and one-half year lease; however, there is a possibility that we will have to move again before the lease is up because of the Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Plan. In the course of packing we discov- ered (after ten years some things do get lost) a small quantity of medium size (38-40) 100% cotton DSA T-shirts with the fist and rose logo.They are available on a first-come-first-served basis for $9 each, 2 for $15 plus $3 postage and handling.Additionally there is a small quantity of a 9 x12 DSA black canvas, zippered document bags available for $10 plus $3 postage and handling.To order either item write the DSA office (at the new address). Payment must accompany your order. No phone, fax, or email orders will be accepted.

❏ Yes, I want to join the Democratic Socialists of America. Enclosed are my dues My special interests are: (includes a subscription to Democratic Left) of: ❏ Labor ❏ $50 Sustainer ❏ $35 Regular ❏ $15 Low-Income/Student ❏ Religion ❏ Yes, I want to renew my membership in DSA. Enclosed are my renewal dues of: ❏ Youth ❏ ❏ ❏ $60 Sustainer $45 Regular $20 Low-Income/Student ❏ Anti-Racism ❏ Enclosed is an extra contribution of: ❏ $50 ❏ $100 ❏ $25 to help DSA in its work. ❏ Feminism ❏ Gay and Lesbian Rights ❏ Please send me more information about DSA and democratic socialism. Name ______Year of Birth ______Address ______City / State / Zip______Return to: Telephone______E-Mail______Union Affiliation______Democratic Socialists of America School______198 Broadway, Suite 700 New York, NY 10038 ❏ Bill my credit card: Circle one: MC Visa No. ______/______/______/______212-727-8610 [email protected] Expriation Date _____/_____ Signature______www.dsausa.org month year