R BO OMN LA IA VINCIT

Published by the Socialist Labor Party Established in l89l VOL.112 NO. 3 JUNE 2002 50 CENTS IN THIS ISSUE Unemployment Grows As

At Large — The Turmoil in Central Asia Welfare Limits Approach Page 2 he “economic recovery” that was supposed to bring some relief to T the American working class ap- Class Struggle Remains parently has taken a detour. World’s Deadliest Conflict The official unemployment rate rose Page 3 to 6 percent in April, following a three- month period in which “1,669 mass layoff actions...resulted in the separa- The Clean Air Act— tion of 301,181 workers from their jobs Another Failed Reform for more than 30 days,” according to a U.S. Labor Department report re- Page 4 leased on May 16. The same report said that lagging AFL-CIO Still Fronting for “demand for employers’ products and U.S. Imperialist Interests services...was the major reason cited for layoffs in the first quarter,” and Page 8 that 20 percent of all “mass layoffs” resulted from “permanent closure of Carol*Simpson worksites,” caused primarily by “bank- ruptcy, business ownership change, The bill, H.R. 4737, called the ty is broken,” implying that the 1996 SLP EMERGENCY FUND— financial difficulty, and reorganization.” Personal Responsibility, Work, and “Welfare Watershed” had not increased The net result, according to the Family Promotion Act, is now under poverty as many who opposed the 1996 department’s report on the employ- consideration in the Senate. It would act had expected. The Final Push ment situation for April, was that “the reauthorize and “improve” the dra- It is true that by official measure— The national office of the Socialist Labor number of unemployed persons rose conian 1996 Personal Responsibility often criticized for seriously underesti- Party has received many contributions, by 483,000 to 8.6 million,” and the and Work Opportunity Reconciliation mating real poverty levels—poverty large and small, from readers of The People number of workers “unemployed for Act, which provided a lifetime five- decreased from 13.7 percent in 1996 to and other supporters of the party since 27 weeks and over rose by 161,000....” year limit for assistance under the fed- 11.3 percent in 2000. However, even announcing the financial emergency con- With warehouses swollen by unsold eral Temporary Assistance for Needy official figures also suggest this de- fronting the SLP last October. We have also goods, the prospects for any improve- Families (TANF) program. crease had much more to do with tem- received numerous letters expressing the ment in the employment situation It would do so despite a dearth of porary gains in employment and slight hope that the SLP Emergency Fund drive is during the second quarter appear to evidence that the 1996 act “succeed- real wage gains made by the working successful. Unfortunately we cannot print be dismal. ed” in any way but reducing federal class as a whole during the closing all of those letters, but the following from a In the meantime, hundreds of thou- welfare expenditures by throwing years of the now-dead economic expan- supporter in New Jersey is typical of many: sands of welfare recipients are slated millions off the welfare rolls. Most sion of the 1990s than to putting wel- “Please find enclosed $100 for the SLP to receive their last welfare check landed in low-paying jobs that at best fare recipients to work. Emergency Fund. I sincerely hope that your under current law. Last month, the did little to move them out of poverty As a report in September 2001 by financial problem is resolved. I have read House of Representatives passed a bill and at worst made them even poorer. the Center on Budget and Policy and enjoyed The People for nearly 20 years that would, if enacted, compound the That mouthpiece of plutocratic capi- Priorities (CBPP) put it, the census now. I find it enlightening and the only true problem and further deepen the pover- tal, The Wall Street Journal, recently data also show that, “The average poor voice of the working class of America. I will ty of millions. wrote that, “The vicious circle of pover- (Continued on page 6) send more money as I can afford to do so.” Others simply sent their contributions without comment, marked for the Emergency or some other SLP fund, and let it go at that. Workplace Stress Takes Toll It is not always possible to respond, but occa- sionally the opportunity presents itself. One By Carl C. Miller Jr. was that of Darwin Baggett, an Illi- compensation. such reply by the national secretary to a sup- Stress in the workplace, already a nois teacher who suffered a heart at- Mr. Baggett and Mr. Mottram are porter who has sent multiple contributions for common condition under the capital- tack as a result of the stress he en- only two examples of a much wider the Emergency Fund went like this: ist mode of production, became even dured at his high school. In a court and worsening problem. “Nearly half “I’m plumb out of new ways to say thank more severe after Sept. 11, according battle over his eligibility for workers’ of Americans grappled with stress you for the level of generous support you to an article in USA Today on May 16. compensation benefits, the lawyer after Sept. 11, according to a study by have displayed toward the SLP, particularly The increase cannot be attributed representing the Baggett family the nonprofit research group, Rand,” during the past few months. The amount to the attacks alone, but also to the argued that Mr. Baggett’s ailment USA Today reported. But the Sept. 11 you sent on April 4, besides everything else, economic downturn that was wors- was triggered by workplace stress. attacks are not the only source of the moves you beyond the little plot of vocabu- ened as a result of the tragedy. The The Illinois Supreme Court found in problem. One obvious contributing lary I have managed to stake out for myself attacks, as well as the sour economic Mr. Baggett’s favor. “People are becom- factor is the prevailing economic situ- since the SLP decided to plop me down and situation since then, have produced ing more aware of what can happen ation and its effects on workers. glue me to the chair in front of this comput- an increase in the number of workers with stress,” said Robert Howerton, Worries about job security and the er so many years ago. Thank you very, very seeking workers’ compensation bene- the lawyer who represented the Bag- increase in workloads since Sept. 11 much, seems to be my limit. It doesn’t sound fits because of job-related stress. gett family. Baggett himself has since are also to blame. To put it bluntly, like much, I know, but please believe me USA Today reported that nearly passed away, no doubt as a result of capitalism is the problem. when I say that it is as sincere a thank you one-third of 6,000 workers’ compensa- his stress-induced illness. In spite of hard evidence, many as I have ever sent to anyone.” tion claims filed in New York after the In Virginia, paramedic Randall capitalist apologists refuse to see the The generous supporter who received this World Trade Center attacks were Mottram’s job was so stressful that rapidly growing problem and deny letter showed her generosity in another way stress related or involved some com- doctors said he was suffering from that workers who suffer from stress- when she wrote the following in return: ponent of stress-related ailments. post-traumatic stress disorder. This is related ailments should receive any “I like to know my contributions have been This is not surprising given that the the same malady that usually strikes kind of workers’ compensation bene- received, but Thank You would be more attacks took place so close to where combat veterans as a result of the fits. They claim that stress doesn’t appropriate coming from us to all of you. No the affected workers live and work horrors they face on the battlefield. meet the criteria of an occupational need to waste your valuable time. We’re hop- and the resulting economic after- Mottram’s eligibility was also de- injury and that employers will be hit ing we can do more. And when you acknowl- shocks. What may seem surprising is cided in a legal battle in which Vir- with multitudes of bogus claims. edge them I will get out your letter and read that the upsurge in stress-related ginia’s Supreme Court found that be- “‘There may be a lot of tension in the it again. Now it’s my turn—Thank you all so claims is not confined to New York cause of the high levels of stress he world, but that doesn’t mean it’s very, very much.” City. The upward trend exists across dealt with on the job, and the medical caused by the workplace,’ said Joe On another occasion, in reply to an SLP the country. condition developed as a result of that Fleming, a labor and employment veteran, the national secretary wrote: One of example cited by USA Today stress, he too was eligible for workers’ (Continued on page 3) “Thank you very much for your generous (Continued on page 6) Visit our Web site at www.slp.org 2 THE PEOPLE JUNE 2002

wealthy, corrupt minority class, are at large breeding even greater social discontent.” Jihad’s value lies in the depth of detail and knowledge of the characters, personalities and a measure of historical background that Rashid brings to his The Turmoil in Central Asia subject. Its shortcomings lie in its limit- ed perspective of the formative period of By B.B. but that has done little to bring econom- Soviet rule. One is left wondering about JIHAD: THE RISE OF MILITANT IS- ic improvements into the region and the decades of Soviet misrule that con- LAM IN CENTRAL ASIA, By Ah- absolutely nothing to defuse the higher tributed to the current state. med Rashid. Yale University Press, expectations Gorbachev stirred up dur- Specifically, a reading of Lenin’s “On publisher, 2002; 269 pages. Please ing the waning days of the former the National and Colonial Question” order from bookseller or publisher. U.S.S.R. deals, albeit briefly, with the Bolshevik With the exception of those of Kyrgyz- attitude toward Central Asia. For hmed Rashid, whose book Tali- stan, the Communist Party bureaucrats example, Lenin stated: ban was reviewed in these pages of Central Asia had supported the ab- “With regard to the more backward one year ago, now offers a paral- ortive coup of August 1991, which aimed A states and nations, in which feudal or lel book that attempts to outline the to save the Soviet Union by deposing patriarchal and patriarchal-peasant emerging crisis in Central Asia. Gorbachev, and they were left in a bind relations predominate it is particularly As a Pakistani journalist who writes when the coup failed. After the collapse important to bear in mind: for The Daily Telegraph and The Inde- they each concentrated on consolidat- “First, that all Communist parties must pendent in London, Rashid has acquired ing their power. assist the bourgeois-democratic libera- over the years an extensive familiarity Now the Central Asian states are be- tion movements in these countries.... with the entire region, as well as with set with insurgencies that hope to capi- “Second, the need to struggle against the personalities and material interests talize on the poverty and oppression that the clergy and other influential reac- that underlie the turbulence. has fed growing resentments against the tionary and medieval elements in back- Rashid’s thesis is that the Muslim bureaucratic holdovers from the Soviet ward countries; fundamentalism threatening Central era. Rashid documents the origins and “Third, the need to combat Pan-Islam- Asia with political and social upheavals activities of these Islamic-inspired reb- ism and similar trends which strive to is a result of widespread poverty and •Turkmenistan—Saparmurad Niyazov, els now being supplied and financed combine the liberation movement against the oppressive character of at least four president since 1991, runs another dicta- with Saudi money. European and American imperialism of the five Central Asian dictatorships. torial regime and presides over 106 bil- They are insurgent theocrats who with an attempt to strengthen the posi- Those dictatorships have smothered dis- lion cubic feet of natural gas and an esti- want to establish a new caliphate led by tions of the khans, landlords, mullahs, etc.” content and taken punitive actions mated reserve of 6 billion barrels of oil. a monarch who will rule, they imagine, The last statement is particularly against dissenters. Such dissent, Rashid •Tajikistan—Emomali Rahmonov like the Ottoman sultans of old. revealing. It sheds a far more penetrat- contends, has taken the form of radical has been president since 1994 and was The insurgency centers largely around ing view of the current insurgencies Islam of both a pacifist and armed reelected in 1999 for another seven-year Hizb-i-Islami, or IMU, a Turkestani- throughout not only Central Asia but in guerrilla character. term. Tajikistan was wracked by six years based guerrilla movement headed by the Mideast itself. Rashid further contends that the of devastating civil war, has suffered the Juma Namangani, an Uzbek and former Devoid of any working-class move- West can change all of that by investing loss of subsidies from Russia and has Soviet paratrooper veteran of the Soviet ment in these regions, the Islamists in the region through pipeline construc- emerged as the most impoverished of Afghan debacle. Aside from a personal tion, and by promoting representative the Central Asian countries where 80 vendetta against Uzbekistan’s dictator have opportunistically seized upon the democratic government. Both are neces- percent of the population lives in crush- Karimov, Namangani’s vision is to bring obvious. Their opposition to imperialist sary to remove Central Asia from the ing poverty. Islamic rule to all of Central Asia. Saudi exploitation is to supplant that with a current cycle of violence and warfare, in Central Asia’s historic ties to Russia money and support, drug transportation harsh theocratic anachronism that Rashid’s view. and the former Soviet Union explain to Russia and Europe, and a “farm” in favors homegrown exploiters, feudalists, If the past is any indication of the much about the political landscape of which he trains, indoctrinates and capitalists and landowners. The bottom future when it comes to benevolent cap- the region today. Stalin-era machina- equips insurgents are all ingredients of line for them is maintaining class rule italist investment, a contradiction in tions compounded ethnic animosities by his operations. Curiously enough, he has under a quasi-religious cloak. terms, Mr. Rashid is whistling into the the arbitrary division of primarily tribal in the past been given protective trans- wind. Indeed, in the closing paragraphs and nomadic areas into what are now portation to various destinations by the of his book he gives us a glimpse of the five republics. These political subdi- Russian military despite the insurgency Do You Belong? what might be expected. visions made the area easier to control in Chechnya. Do you know what the SLP stands for? Rashid noted that, “Western policy- by pitting ethnic groups against each The 19th-century struggle for control of Do you understand the class struggle and makers have largely concentrated on other while extracting wealth from the Central Asia between Russia and British why the SLP calls for an end of capitalism two elements that they hoped would five Soviet republics created. Cotton, min- colonialism was called the “Great Game.” and of its system of wage labor? Do you shore up stability in the region to the erals, fertilizers, salt, agricultural prod- The “new Great Game” in Central Asia, understand why the SLP does not advocate exclusion of other important factors: the ucts, oil, natural gas and numerous as analysts call it, is a muddled one. reforms of capitalism, and why it calls upon building up of Central Asian armies to other products were drained from the Given the complex topography, political workers to organize Socialist Industrial help them fight insurgency and the economies of Central Asia, often creat- boundaries, ethnic mix and animosities it Unions? exploitation of energy resources....” The ing monstrous environmental damage may also prove to be a very dangerous compulsions that shape policy are not along with health problems and impov- one. The danger is compounded by the If you have been reading The People only the military-industrial complex and erishment. The degradation of the Aral 21st-century ruling-class rivalries now steadily for a year or more, if you have read their profit objectives, but the competi- Sea is largely a result of diverting water being played out, with the United States the literature recommended for beginning tive advantages sought by Russia and for the production of cotton in Kazak- in the lead. Socialists, and if you agree with the SLP’s China. Such is capitalism’s future: ever hstan. The pollution of the Caspian Sea “The most corrupt regimes in the call for the political and economic unity of a spiraling descent into conflict and war. came as a result of placing callous bureau- region—those of Azerbaijan, Kazakh- the working class, you may qualify for The cast of former Soviet apparat- cratic profitmaking ahead of human need stan and Turkmenistan—belong to the membership in the SLP. And if you qualify chiks now running things in Central and safety of the natural environment. oil-rich nations,” Rashid wrote. “ The to be a member you probably should be a Asia is largely blamed for the increasing Rashid argues that Soviet leader leaders of these countries received fat member. threat of militant Islam. Rashid outlines Mikhail Gorbachev’s liberalizing policies bonuses from U.S. oil companies, as well For information on what membership them by country: of glasnost and perestroika aroused wide- as trips abroad and expensive gifts....” entails, and how to apply for it, write to: SLP, •Kyrgyzstan–Askar Akayev has been spread expectations among the Central “In fact,” he adds, “Western oil company P.O. Box 218, Mountain View, CA 94042- president since 1991 and has the repu- Asian masses of a less oppressive and investments, by creating an extremely 0218. Ask for the SLP Membership Packet. tation of being the least corrupt. He was more prosperous future. Those expecta- the only one of the five former S.S.R. tions largely dissolved with the collapse presidents who condemned the abortive of the U.S.S.R. and by an agreement among coup against Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991 some of the former Soviet republics, under and was the only one who was not a for- the tutelage of Russian President Boris mer party apparatchik. Kyrgyzstan Yeltsin, to form a new “Commonwealth remains the poorest of the five states. of Independent States” that excluded the •Kazakhstan—Nursultan Nazarba- five Central Asian states. All five not only yev has been president since 1991. His is had come to lean heavily on Soviet an authoritarian, repressive regime that Russia for economic and military sup- curries favors from both Russia and the port, they were utterly dependent upon United States. Chevron has developed a it. Gorbachev had opened a “Pandora’s cozy relationship with Nazarbayev and Box” of expectations that neither he nor his cronies. A U.S. congressman has the Soviet Union were any longer around the People P.O. Box 218, Mountain View, CA 94042-0218 noted that “Kazakhstan is the crown to fulfill. Russia and its newly organized ❑ $2 for a 6-month subscription; ❑ $5 for a 1-year sub jewel of the region and is thus another “commonwealth” had arbitrarily cut the ❑ $11 for a 1-year sub by first-class mail likely target of Islamic extremist groups.” economic umbilical cord that tied Central NAME PHONE •Uzbekistan—Islam Karimov has Asia to Russia, and the five Central Asia been president since 1990 when he was states were left high and dry to deal with ADDRESS APT. elected by the Supreme Soviet. He now an insurmountable array of problems. CITY STATE ZIP runs the most repressive of the regimes Ultimately, Russia and the other CIS Make check/money order payable to The People. Allow 4–6 weeks for delivery. and presides over an annual production states reconsidered their original deci- of 1.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. sion to keep out the Central Asian states, JUNE 2002 THE PEOPLE 3

his ILO “conventions.” Yet, problems still abound in that part of the world. Class Struggle Remains Those problems stem not only from direct physical hazards, Dr. Takala said, but also from increased mental pres- World’s Deadliest Conflict sures associated with the modern work- place. A recent trend that has gained r. Jukka Takala is director of the notice is the increase in job stress due to International Labor Organiza- the pressure of intensified exploitation D tion’s SafeWork program. During (euphemistically called “increased pro- a recent interview in Labor Education, ductivity”) brought on by globalization an ILO publication, Takala estimated that and increased competition. This malady more than 2 million workers die on the is worsened by other stress-inducing con- job every year. cerns, such as the ongoing introduction of Commenting on that statistic, The new labor-displacing technology, down- Guardian, a British newspaper, said: sizing, job insecurity and worsening “The total is now three times the annual working conditions. number of deaths in wars every year The increased stress and high-pres- (650,000), or the equivalent of a Sept. 11 sure work environment are leading to tragedy every day. It also exceeds deaths more workplace violence, and Dr. Takala from alcohol and drug use combined.” linked racial and sexual harassment to In short—and while neither Dr. problems faced by workers in the mod- Takala nor The Guardian would put it ern, high-stress working environment. this way—the irrepressible class strug- One hundred years ago, when expos- gle remains as the deadliest conflict of ing the “labor leader” as the sycophant of all. However, it may be even deadlier The People capitalism in Two Pages From Roman than The Guardian reported. For, as Dr. short or longer period, the whole fami- by pesticides and other agro-chemicals. History, Daniel De Leon said: Takala conceded in his interview in ly...will suffer,” he said. “And there are That situation led the ILO to adopt a “It is not merely by the process of Labor Education, “these are only conser- 410 million such cases annually.” new convention on health and safety in sponging up the wealth produced by the vative estimates...based on information Dr. Takala said that most workplace agriculture last year. Mining, which is working class that the capitalist class collected 10 years ago...the actual num- casualties occur in “the South,” mean- now less of a problem in industrialized undermines the health and life of the ber of people dying at work could be dou- ing that part of the world that is south countries, remains highly dangerous in workingman. The capitalist class is not ble this figure—so, well over 2 million.” of the industrially advanced countries the developing world. Mines in Asia or constructively or inferentially only a We say “conceded” because neither of North America and Western Europe. Africa are still very labor intensive, they cannibal class. The roots of capitalism Dr. Takala nor the institution he heads “The rate of fatal accidents in develop- do not use new machinery or equipment are literally watered with the blood of opposes the capitalist cause of the may- ing Asia is four times higher than that and many people still die in mining both the proletariat. The fields of produc- hem. This was underscored by the of industrialized countries,” he said. “In from diseases and accidents.” tion—mills, shops, railroad beds, yards argument he offered on why remedial sub-Saharan Africa alone, we estimate Dr. Takala laments that most coun- —are strewn with the limbs and fallen action should be taken to reduce the that 125,000 work-related fatalities oc- tries reject ILO labor conventions that bodies of workingmen. Capitalist ‘pro- slaughter—it would cost less. cur per year.” recommend health and safety standards. gress’ is built upon the skulls and cross- “The cost of doing nothing is actually Generalizing on the reason for the Indeed, he as good as confessed that the bones of its working-class victims. much higher,” he said. “We calculate that disparity between the capitalistically ILO has failed in stemming the tide Obviously, in the interest of the working expenditure related to accidents and dis- developed North and the capitalistically when he said: class is the tearing of the veil of eases represents the equivalent of 4 per- developing South, Dr. Takala said that “A key problem is that safety and hypocrisy with which the capitalist class cent of the combined gross national prod- “one of the trends is that industrialized health is not given a high priority in the seeks to conceal these deeds of mayhem uct of all countries on this planet, or the countries are exporting their hazards to international and national agenda....If and murder, and the giving to them the equivalent of the total GNP of Africa, the developing countries,” leaving “dirty and people are left to die [or] to get disabled greatest publicity possible. What does Middle East (including oil-rich countries) difficult jobs...to the South.” at work, where is the sense in the core the labor leader do? He aids in the act of and South Asia put together. So address- Casualties are higher in some indus- labor standards?” concealment, and thereby lends direct ing the issues of health and safety at tries than others, Dr. Takala said, and That’s a good question, and one that support to the capitalist’s reckless disre- work could save a lot of resources and is the worst appear to be agriculture, min- not Takala, the ILO or the labor exploit- gard for the safety of the workingman’s in the interests of governments, compa- ing and construction. ing ruling classes of the “global econo- limb and life.” nies and workers alike. It is in the inter- “ Today, agriculture is one of the three my” want to answer because the answer That much, at least, has not changed. ests of society as a whole.” most hazardous industries, together is that there is no sense to them at all. For its part, the ILO was created in Apart from 2–4 million work-related with mining and construction, in both Indeed, while most workplace deaths, 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles, the fatalities, however, Dr. Takala also esti- developing and industrialized coun- injuries and illnesses today occur in the same treaty that formalized the end of mates that 410 million workers are tries,” he said. “We estimate that out of capitalistically developing “South,” Dr. World War I and established the League either injured or come down with work- a total of 350,000 fatal workplace acci- Takala also conceded that workers in the of Nations, the predecessor of the United related ailments every year. He added dents [in these industries] worldwide, industrialized “North” still face serious Nations. Today the ILO describes itself that only 10 percent of these working- some 170,000 casualties are among agri- workplace dangers. There is no shortage as a “U.N. specialized agency which class casualties of the class struggle in cultural workers every year. Many of the of “labor standards” or governments will- seeks the promotion of social justice and capitalistically developing countries are world’s 1.3 billion agricultural workers ing to enact them in those countries, internationally recognized human and eligible “for compensation in case of occu- are seriously injured in workplace acci- which provide the very model that Dr. labor rights.” pational diseases or accidents,” and he dents involving machinery, or poisoned Takala wants “the South” to follow with In truth, however, the League of suggested that this does much to explain Nations, the ILO and the U.N. were cre- the prevalence of child labor in the devel- ated to save international capitalism oping world. from itself. The League of Nations failed “The reasoning is simple: if the . . . Workplace Stress when, despite its best efforts, capitalism breadwinner dies[,] or is disabled for a made one of its better known attempts (Continued from page 1) ety—and the sooner the better. Socialist at suicide, recorded by history as World lawyer in Miami,” USA Today reported. society will make the workplace as War II. International capitalism sur-

BOR OMN LA IA VINCIT Many experts believe that workloads, stress-free as humanly possible. Work vived the attempt and created the U.N. as well as stress loads, will remain heavy. will become a more pleasant and reward- Founded April 5, 1891 to replace the League of Nations. The same article reported Meridian Re- ing experience, and everything produced The ILO also survived its parent and sources, a career staffing firm, as estimat- will go toward meeting the needs of soci- was adopted by its offspring, the U.N. The People (ISSN-0199-350X), continuing ing “that only 21 percent of companies ety. Unemployment and poverty will be- the Weekly People, is published monthly by While the U.N.’s generalized concern is the Socialist Labor Party of America, 661 plan to add employees this year, and 20 come merely words in dictionaries and keeping the world’s ruling classes from Kings Row, San Jose, CA 95112-2724. percent expect to make more cuts.” history books conjuring bad memories of ripping each other to shreds as they Periodicals postage paid at San Jose, CA As long as the profit system is at soci- the dark days when profit was the high- compete for markets, sources of raw 95101-7024. Postmaster: Send all address ety’s helm, stress and a laundry list of est priority. materials and spheres of influence, the changes to The People, P.O. Box 218, Mountain other ills will be the order of the day. It Study the program and principles of ILO’s “specialized” concern is keeping View, CA 94042-0218. Communications: the Socialist Labor Party; if you agree, Business and editorial matters should be doesn’t have to be this way; there is an the world’s ruling classes from destroy- addressed to The People, P.O. Box 218, alternative. The working class must join us and help us build a better, ing the working-class goose that lays Mountain View, CA 94042-0218. Phone: begin a socialist reconstruction of soci- brighter tomorrow. the golden egg of profits. From what Dr. (408) 280-7266. Fax: (408) 280-6964. Takala had to say on that subject, how- Production Staff: Donna Bills, Ken Boettcher, ever, the globalized slaughter of work- Robert Bills, acting editor. Socialist Reconstruction of Society ers is on the rise. Access The People online at http://www.slp.org. Send e-mail to: [email protected]. A speech delivered by Daniel De Leon in 1905 after the founding conven- The Socialist Labor Party has proven tion of the Industrial Workers of the World. This classic explains why work- repeatedly that the only logical solution Rates: (domestic and foreign): Single copy, 50 cents. Subscriptions: $5 for one year; $8 ers must organize politically and industrially to abolish the capitalist system is to rid ourselves of a system that puts for two years; $10 for three years. By first- of wage exploitation and establish a socialist society. profits ahead of the safety and welfare class mail, add $6 per year. Bundle orders: 5- of human beings, and replace it with a 100 copies, $8 per 100; 101-500 copies, $7 80 pp.—$1.50 postpaid socialist society where the health and per 100; 501-1,000 copies, $6 per 100; 1,001 or more copies, $5 per 100. Foreign subscrip- New York Labor News well-being of its people will be the pri- tions: Payment by international money order P.O. Box 218 ority. Join the SLP and help us build a in U.S. dollars. Mountain View, CA 94042-0218 sane society. (Carl Miller contributed to this article.) 4 THE PEOPLE JUNE 2002 A De Leon Editorial

BOR OMN LA IA VINCIT On Dispensing

Published by the Socialist Labor Party Established in l89l National Secretary: Robert Bills ‘Justice’ VOL. 112 NO. 3 JUNE 2002 Small interests, as well as large, often explain the “course of justice” in capitalist society, as attested to by so many recently overturned criminal convictions. tions in the machinery of the state’s Another Failed Reform The Struggle for Existence criminal procedure, the grand jury, was The Bush administration has come apart from Southern, have joined this (Daily People, July 30, 1901) willing to “give them a chance.” A crime under fire because of its so-called Clear energy company onslaught against the What the struggle for existence has was committed in the Fosburgh man- Skies proposal, which aims at elimi- Clean Air Act. come to in this “best of social systems” sion; burglars had invaded the house, nating the “new source review” (NSR) The Environmental Protection Agency and “happiest of countries” was exem- been discovered and had fled after fir- provisions of the Clean Air Act of 1990. is more vigorous in enforcing the Clean plified in the recent Fosburgh trial in ing a shot that had killed a daughter of The NSR provisions were designed to Air Act than the Energy Department and Pittsfield, Mass. the house. The sleepy police, active and force companies operating older coal- seems to oppose that department and the A man was dragged before a jury on swaggering when the work is to crack fired power plants, oil refineries and White House itself on this issue. an indictment of having murdered his the heads of workingmen on strike, felt certain factories to comply with pollu- President Bush’s new Clear Skies sister. The trial brought forth not even their jobs endangered if the criminal or tion standards set by the Clean Air Act proposal, which he claims will reduce a semblance of a hook on which to hang criminal escaped; too unfit for their of 1970. These older plants—some of air pollution, is currently at odds with the charge that the accused was guilty. work, which they use only as a means which have been operating since the the stricter alternatives drawn up by From beginning to end, the testimony to a living without any sense of its re- 1940s and 1950s—were exempted from his own EPA. was an insult to the understanding: it sponsibility, the culprits slipped through compliance under the 1970 law, osten- Study documents show that the EPA’s was contradictory, it was flimsy, it was their fingers; unable to find the real sibly on the theory that they would proposal would have been far more irrelevant. So preposterous was the criminal, they were willing to substi- eventually be replaced by new plants effective and prompter in reducing air case presented by the prosecution, tute an innocent man; and pounced subject to the stricter standards. pollution than President Bush’s more that it did not reach the jury, but was upon the murdered girl’s brother. The Whatever the theory, the immediate capitalist-friendly Clear Skies proposal. contumeliously thrown out by the prosecuting attorney, partaking their practical effect of the 1970 Clean Air The EPA wanted the total sulfur di- trial judge. fears in his own behalf, joined hands Act was zilch, zero and nothing besides. oxide emitted nationally restricted to 2 Did the police that “worked up the with the police. And thus the Fosburgh It was supposed to be an improvement million tons annually by the year 2010. case” not know what sort of a case they case was cooked up: a desperate at- over the first air pollution law adopted Sulfur dioxide causes acid rain and had? Did the grand jury that found the tempt to immolate an innocent man on in the 1950s and the Clean Air Act of other damage to the environment. Pres- “true bill” not realize that, upon such the altar of official pap-holderism. 1963. However, any improvement in it ident Bush rejected that EPA proposal evidence, almost anyone of themselves It is not many years ago when a sim- was limited to the composition of its and instead offered a level of 3 million could be hauled up as the slayer of the ilar scheme was successfully put legalese and the industrial-sized loop- tons by year 2018. girl? Finally, did the prosecuting attor- through in this city. A streetwalker was holes it contained. Every major indus- There is an obvious struggle going on ney have no appreciation of the worth- found cut to pieces; the appearance of trial source of air pollution in operation between the EPAand the Energy Depart- lessness of the testimony he was to the corpse called to mind the feats of present? Only upon the theory that, the mysterious and at that time active was automatically exempt. Any benefit ment, with the president favoring the from the first to the last, every one of “Jack the Ripper” in London. Inspector that might come from the new law lay views of the latter and wanting more these is an idiot, can the hollowness of of Police Byrnes, then under a cloud far in the future. lenient treatment of the energy compa- the Fosburgh case have escaped them. and since dropped from the force with Environmentalists complained for nies, undoubtedly as a reward for their How, then, came they to handle it, disgrace, instantly pounced upon a cer- years afterward that power companies more than generous monetary contribu- pushing it until it was thrown out? tain miserable waif as the murderer, in particular flagrantly violated the 1970 tions to the Republican Party. Was it an instance of personal malice? and the fellow though innocent was rail- law’s exemption provisions by expand- The Bush Clear Skies plan would set There is no evidence of that. Was it an roaded to the penitentiary for 15 years. ing and upgrading older plants under the certain limits for sulfur dioxide, mer- instance of unqualified perseverance? His conviction was necessary to Byrnes guise of “routine maintenance.” Those cury and nitrogen dioxide and then let Yet again, no. It was a manifestation of and his adjutants, it gave them a glam- complaints led eventually to the NSR energy plants with high emissions lev- the struggle for existence, of the lengths our of “effectiveness,” and under that amendments signed into law in 1990 by els either introduce controls to reduce to which a social system will drive men they sailed along for a little while longer. the outgoing president George H.W. those emissions or else buy credits from when the lash of want or the fear of The Fosburgh case carries the evi- Bush. They also led to a number of law- plants that had lower emissions. This want amidst plenty is the spur for dence, of what the struggle for exis- suits by the Clinton administration queer arrangement would just let the human exertion. tence is leading to, to the highest pitch aimed at forcing the owners of surrepti- dirty plants remain dirty. The police have to live; the prosecut- yet attained in point of deliberate, tiously and illegally upgraded older The EPA’s documentary study of its ing attorney has to live; their ramifica- extensive and criminal planning. plants to comply with the stricter emis- proposal to reduce pollution, which the sions rules. Last year, however, the new current President Bush rejected out-of- Bush administration ordered a “reeval- hand, showed that the program in re- uation” of NSR provisions of the law by ducing pollution “would prevent at least what is socialism? the Environmental Protection Agency 19,000 premature deaths, 12,000 new (EPA) and directed the Justice Depart- cases of chronic bronchitis and 17,000 Socialism is the collective ownership by all the people of the factories, mills, ment not to pursue the pending law- hospitalizations and would save about mines, railroads, land and all other instruments of production. Socialism means suits or to start new ones. $154 billion in annual health care costs production to satisfy human needs, not, as under capitalism, for sale and profit. Socialism means direct control and management of the industries and social ser- During the year 2000 presidential by 2020.” (The New York Times, April 28) vices by the workers through a democratic government based on their nationwide campaign, some of America’s largest By contrast, there is no comparable economic organization. energy companies developed a program study for President Bush’s Clear Skies Under socialism, all authority will originate from the workers, integrally united for priorities if the election should give proposal, no analysis of death or dis- in Socialist Industrial Unions. In each workplace, the rank and file will elect what- them a friendly Republican president. ease reduction, no detailed analysis of ever committees or representatives are needed to facilitate production. Within each Their chief goal was to weaken the air air quality under this plan. shop or office division of a plant, the rank and file will participate directly in for- pollution rule that had cost their compa- The Clean Air Act has been in effect mulating and implementing all plans necessary for efficient operations. nies billions of dollars in either compli- for 30 years and might have been more Besides electing all necessary shop officers, the workers will also elect represen- ance or litigation. effective if strictly enforced and complied tatives to a local and national council of their industry or service—and to a central President Bush’s election as president with by reluctant energy companies. But congress representing all the industries and services. This all-industrial congress has loosed the intensive lobbying of in many respects it has been a dismal will plan and coordinate production in all areas of the economy. All persons elected these companies to undercut NSR inves- failure, and Bush’s Clear Skies proposal to any post in the socialist government, from the lowest to the highest level, will be directly accountable to the rank and file. They will be subject to removal at any time tigations and enforcement. This lobby- only underscores that failure. As Bradley that a majority of those who elected them decide it is necessary. ing is led by Southern Co., the nation’s M. Campbell, commissioner of the New Such a system would make possible the fullest democracy and freedom. It would second-largest utility operator and a Jersey Department of Environmental be a society based on the most primary freedom—economic freedom. leading coal burner, and is supported by Protection, put it: “Whether it’s a matter For individuals, socialism means an end to economic insecurity and exploitation. It other energy companies that also are of intention or effect, this is a huge gift to means workers cease to be commodities bought and sold on the labor market and being sued by the government to clean the electric generating industry.” Last forced to work as appendages to tools owned by someone else. It means a chance to up their plants and refineries. December, the state’s attorney general, develop all individual capacities and potentials within a free community of free These energy lobbyists are making a Richard Blumenthal, said: “ These laws individuals. strong impact on the Bush administra- have been on the books for more than 30 Socialism does not mean government or state ownership. It does not mean a state tion, which has a number of former oil years, and the power companies have bureaucracy as in the former Soviet Union or China, with the working class men running the U.S. government. been violating them brazenly and bla- oppressed by a new bureaucratic class. It does not mean a closed party-run system Chief lobbyist for the Southern Co. is tantly, purposely and continuously.” without democratic rights. It does not mean “nationalization,” or “labor-manage- ment boards,” or state capitalism of any kind. It means a complete end to all cap- Haley Barbour, former chairman of the Some argue that things could be much italist social relations. Republican Party. Marc Racicot, its cur- worse without the Clean Air Act. When To win the struggle for socialist freedom requires enormous efforts of organiza- rent chairman, is another Southern lob- you consider that we have “progressed” tional and educational work. It requires building a political party of socialism to byist. C. Boyden Gray, former counsel to from an air pollution problem to the contest the power of the capitalist class on the political field and to educate the the first President Bush, is also a lobby- threat of global warming, however, it is majority of workers about the need for socialism. It requires building Socialist ist. All three have met frequently with hard to escape the conclusion that the Industrial Union organizations to unite all workers in a classconscious industrial administration officials urging less Clean Air Act is anything more than force and to prepare them to take, hold and operate the tools of production. enforcement of the air pollution rule. another failed reform. You are needed in the ranks of Socialists fighting for a better world. Find out A great number of energy producers, —B.G. more about the program and work of the Socialist Labor Party and join us to help make the promise of socialism a reality. JUNE 2002 THE PEOPLE 5

A PAGE FROM WORKING-CLASS HISTORY his meeting but the SLP men were held for trial and were later found guilty of “obstructing the street” (sic!) and sen- tence was suspended. Permits will now The Paterson Silk Workers’ be granted at the discretion of the chief of police, John Bimson. In reply to a set of resolutions adopt- ed at a protest meeting held by the Strikes of 1911–1912 IWW and sent to him, Gov. Wilson says The following article from the Industrial Union News of July 1912 is the Katz took the stand in his own that he will look into the condition into fifth in a series of reports on the Paterson silk workers’ strikes of 1911–1912. behalf, saying that he had not exceeded which the lower courts of this city have The Industrial Union News was the official monthly newspaper of the the rights which the law allows in the fallen and endeavor to straighten things “Detroit IWW.” Its reports from the scene were written by Russell H. Palmer. matter of picketing and maintaining out. He states that he has already An introduction giving background to the strikes and their causes appeared that his arrest had been purely to sat- instructed the prosecutor of the pleas of in our February issue. The series will conclude with an epilogue on the sig- isfy the Siff & Cohen Co., and that if Passaic Country to conduct an investi- nificance of the strikes and the organization that conducted them. the court convicted him it would be gation. To date, however, nothing has —Editor turning itself into a strike-breaking been heard of it. It appears that Gov. agency at the behest of the bosses. Wilson has been receiving letters of pro- The officer who arrested Katz testi- test from all over the country. Joseph F. FROM THE NEW______JERSEY STRIKE ZONE fied that Katz was not blocking the Darling, of New York, a lawyer and sin- WORKERS’ POLITICAL RIGHTS VIOLATED—DENIED RIGHT TO PICKET—DENIED walk or impeding traffic. Besides the gle tax advocate, sent an open letter to RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH AND PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY testimony of the scab who was once the governor in which he denounced the ______Katz’s friend and that of the officer who Paterson authorities for smashing pick- RECORDER CARROLL, THE ‘MAN FRIDAY’ OF THE SIFF AND COHEN CO., SEN- made the arrest a certain female scab, eting and denying the right of free TENCES GEB MEMBER RUDOLPH KATZ TO SIX MONTHS JAIL FOR PICKETING—GOV. not noted for her chastity, testified that speech and public assembly. WILSON GETS MANY LETTERS OF PROTEST. PROMISES INVESTIGATION Katz has been nominated for Con- ______she was afraid of bodily harm when she saw Katz picketing. All who know Katz gress from the Seventh New Jersey dis- AFL Loomfixers and Twisters continue to scab on the IWW— know that he is a man who would not trict by the Socialist Labor Party. H. Richter, Gen. Sec’y-Treasurer IWW, in Paterson start a physical encounter with any- The national secretary of the IWW, Paterson, N.J., June 14—The notori- unstruck shops and shook hands with body, let alone a woman, even if the Herman Richter, is in the city now, ous police judge James F. Carroll, of some of them. Presently, a man whom principles of his organization did not familiarizing himself with the situation. this city, whose highhanded stretchings Katz has known for some time but has deter him. The “I’m-a-Bummery” is spreading of the law have come to be the talk of not seen lately, came up and shook It was on such testimony, after refus- all kinds of rumors and misrepresenta- the country, put the finishing touch to hands with the organizer. Katz asked ing a postponement of trial to allow tions over the town, but is meeting with his career as strike breaker for the silk him where he was working and he regular counsel to be present, and addi- very little success in befogging the capitalists on May 31, when he sen- replied, “In Siff and Cohen’s.” He was tional witnesses to be secured, that workers’ minds. tenced Rudolph Katz, organizer of the told it was a struck shop and was asked “Judge” Carroll sentenced Rudolph Katz One conference has been held be- Industrial Workers of the World, to jail to quit work but he refused to do so, and to the Passaic County jail for six months. tween a committee from the strikers for six months for the heinous crime of passed into the mill. Immediately, Mr. What a commentary upon our judicial and representatives of the silk capital- picketing a struck shop. The arrest was Siff, who was standing in the door, system which allows ignorant politi- ists. The bosses declared that they made at Siff and Cohen’s mill on Clay yelled out for the policeman to arrest cians to be placed over intelligent and would settle on no other grounds than a Street and at the direct instigation of Katz. Obeying, like dogs, the officers honest men, with almost arbitrary power three-loom system. The committee Mr. Siff, a member of the firm. The took Katz into custody. He was taken to to take away their liberties as citizens. laughed at them and the strikers gave police had been carrying on a most the police station where he was placed And in this state of New Jersey after all those terms the cold and stony stare. abominable and unwarranted cam- in a cell until the recorder’s court con- the “progressive legislation of Gov. Resolutions adopted at a mass meet- paign against the pickets at that mill, vened. He was then called to the bar and Wilson”! Katz is now in jail with Frank ing of the IWW on May 24, calling upon with the aforementioned Siff goading was represented by David Smith, an Young and they are busy reading scien- the AFL Loomfixers’ and Twisters’ them on, and Katz decided to go on the intelligent young lawyer, but without tific books and worthwhile fiction. Association to withdraw its men from picket line there and see just how far the experience of Ward and McGinnis, The powers that be have gone even the struck shops, were sent to that un- the police were going. He did not have regular counsel for the union. Accord- farther than railroading peaceful pick- ion. So far, there has been no compli- long to wait. The patrol wagon was at ingly, Mr. Smith asked for postpone- ets to jail. They unqualifiedly stopped ance with the request. It will be remem- the mill before the pickets went on ment on the grounds that regular coun- all open air meetings of the IWW, but bered that this is the “union” which duty, the police being there evidently sel could not be present. This “His for a time allowed political meetings to scabbed on the Doherty strikers a few with the intention of making arrests Honor” refused, saying, in his own pret- be held. After a while, though, they months ago. whether the peace was violated or not. ty (?) way that Katz was no better than arrested speakers of the Socialist Labor A call has come from the strikers in Katz spoke to several workers who anybody else and the trial would go on Party and the Socialist Party. The SP Perth Amboy, N.J., to the IWW to take passed along the walk to their work in then and there. speaker was allowed to go and finish charge of things there. Caleb Harrison has been sent. The strike in Perth Am- boy is assuming the dimensions of a gen- eral strike. About 3,000 workers are out, 255075100 years ago 1,500 of whom are women. The Amer- ican Smelting Co., the Atlantic Terra a political attempt to embarrass Gen. ern capitalism as practiced by Great Cotta Co., Pardee Tile Works, Barber Strike Silences Vocal Teachers! Eisenhower [president of Columbia Britain. Henceforth their medieval insti- Asphalt Co., are some of the places (Weekly People, June 14, 1952) University] and that susceptible young tutions will be impregnated with mod- struck. A larger number of women tobac- co workers are out also. Columbia University broke the strike men should be careful to look below the ern capitalist principles. Their church, Several men have been killed and of its cafeteria workers on May 2. surface of these things.” state, government, thought will undergo many wounded by hired deputies since On May 27, Murray Kempton of the One thing “below the surface,” but so the revolution which modern capitalist the strike began. The companies are New York Post conducted a telephone far that Commager couldn’t see it, was conditions have long demanded of them. howling for the militia but the authori- poll of Columbia professors on their uni- that Columbia’s cafeteria workers were Their mines, with their advanced capi- ties refuse to ask the governor to send versity’s strikebreaking. and are badly exploited, even by capital- talist development, will more likely dom- troops as the fault lies with the compa- Prof. George S. Counts, past president ist standards. Married men with fami- inate their fields, with their medieval nies’ thugs. of the AFL teachers’ union, said: “I’ve lies get take-home pay of $33 a week. agriculture. R.H.P. just been so busy I haven’t done any- The “objective” Prof. Commager evident- ***** thing to find out about it.” ly believes that the workers should keep This triumph of modern capitalism Prof. Paul Brissenden, author of The silent about their exploitation in order to was easily foreseen. Small nations, 100th Anniversary: 1902–2002 IWW—A Study of American Syndical- avoid hurting Eisenhower’s chance for medieval in their structure and life, can ism, said: “I wasn’t close enough to it the presidency of the United States. no more resist the power of large An analysis of the so-called la- [the strike] to be entitled to an opinion.” nations, capitalist in their organization bor leader, or Prof. Bernhard Stern, who has fre- The End of the Boer War and purpose, than can petty industries, “labor lieuten- quently fronted for the Stalinists, said: (Weekly People, June 14, 1902) medieval in character, survive the com- ant of the capi- “Offhand, I have no comment.” Once more is modern capitalism tri- petition of large industries that are mod- talist class,” and Prof. Henry Steel Commager, the his- umphant. Once more has huge colonial ern in form and ramifications. a comparison torian, said: “I haven’t any opinion I’d concentration superseded petty national The tendency of the age is toward with the ancient care to publish.” isolation. The Boers, having collected combination and concentration, econom- Roman plebs The trained observers and analysts of the “price that staggered humanity,” ically and politically. It is inevitable, leader. A mas- Columbia were less than observant and have accepted Britain’s terms and prac- much as we may regret its harsh fea- terpiece of so- cial portraiture analytical when a strike occurred under tically consented to absorption and anni- tures. There is but one thing to do in the and a study in revolutionary strat- their very noses. hilation. Unable to withstand the mili- premises and that is to conform our- egy and tactics. Contains also the An exception may be noted. Prof. tary power of the forces that, economi- selves to this tendency. It will lead to famous “Ten Canons of the Pro- Commager’s quoted statement did not cally, have been sapping the integrity of socialism, nationally and international- letarian Revolution.” express his full views. Mr. Kempton their republics for years, the Boers have ly; and in this, not in the attempted frus- wrote: “I feel impelled to abandon ethics concluded peace on such terms as their tration of this tendency, lies the hope of 120 pp. — $3.50 postpaid for the moment and present a rough, conquerors saw fit to offer. the race. New York Labor News unauthorized summary of his private Henceforth the medieval republics of Thus, in the long run, every triumph P.O. Box 218 views of the Columbia strike. Prof. the Boers will be part of a South African of capitalism of this character becomes a Mountain View, CA 94042-0218 Commager believes that the strike was empire dominated and directed by mod- triumph for socialism. 6 THE PEOPLE JUNE 2002 activities . . . Welfare Limits Approach Activities notices must be re- OREGON ceived by the Friday preced- Portland (Continued from page 1) efit limits for at least 30 states are spending. ing the third Wednesday of Discussion Meetings — Section person fell further below the pover- thus only this year coming into Clearly, the “success” of welfare the month. Portland holds discussion meet- ty line in 1999 and 2000 than in effect. reform for the political henchmen ings every second Saturday of any other year on record; these In California, for example, ac- of the capitalist class in Washing- CALIFORNIA the month. Meetings are usually data are available back to 1979.” cording to a Department of Social ton consists first and foremost in Oakland held at the Central Library, but the Measurements of the “poverty Services count cited by the San the number of welfare caseloads Discussion Meeting — Section exact time varies. For more infor- gap,” which the CBPP report de- Jose Mercury News, “more than San Francisco Bay Area will hold mation please call Sid at 503- dropped and the total expense a discussion meeting on fines as “the amount by which the 114,000 adults” will receive their 226-2881 or visit our Web site at saved by the capitalist class that Saturday, June 1, 4–6 p.m., at incomes of all [officially] poor peo- last welfare assistance check by http://slp.pdx.home.mindspring.c pays for the political state. While the Rockridge Branch Library, om. The general public is invited. ple fall below the poverty line,” Dec. 31, when they will be perma- they still mouth platitudes about 5366 College Ave., (corner of reinforce the view that the 1996 nently dropped from the rolls. College & Manila streets), bolstering personal responsibility TEXAS act deepened the poverty and mis- More than half are employed, but and pride and reducing poverty, Oakland. Moderator: Frank Houston ery of the poorest members of the make so little that they qualify for their actions speak louder than Prince. Title: “What Price Discussion Meetings — Section working class. “The poverty gap in welfare assistance. California, un- their words. Terrorism ’Til the End of Capitalism?” Houston holds discussion 2000 was only one percent smaller like many other states, will contin- These partisans are instinctive- than the $67.1 billion poverty gap meetings the last Saturday of ue assistance to children of these ly if not cognitively aware that in 1995, despite the fact that the adults “until they are 18 or grad- OHIO the month at the Houston welfare was never intended to do Public Library, Franklin Branch, number of people in poverty was uate from high school, whichever North Royalton anything more than to manage 6440 W. Bellfort, southwest 13 percent lower in 2000 than in comes later”—but the cuts will Discussion & Social—Section poverty in the interests of bolster- Houston. The time of the meet- 1995,” said the report. drop family income by an average Cleveland will hold a discussion ing capitalist rule. Franklin Roose- ings varies. Those interested The total effect of kicking mil- of $130 a month. “To parents al- and social on Sunday, June 30, velt, with the deepening Great please call 713-721-9296, e- lions off the welfare rolls and leav- ready making choices between food 1:30 p.m., at the Burns resi- Depression producing massive un- dence, 9626 York Rd., N. mail [email protected] or ing them at the mercy of capital- and rent, the cuts will have an im- employment and social unrest Royalton. For more information visit the section’s Web site at ism’s wildly fluctuating labor mar- pact,” observes the Mercury News. that threatened the very existence call 440-237-7933. http://houstonslp.tripod.com. ket—a market that is ever dimin- That impact will come at a time of capitalism as a backdrop, de- ishing in size relative to the total when the working class generally clared the welfare reforms that population—may not become clear is experiencing worsening hard- established the basis of the present until later this year. ship, with the official unemploy- welfare system to be, not efforts to Under the present provisions of ment rate expected to rise to at reduce poverty, but to “save our Steps You Can Take... TANF, as another CBPP report ob- least 6.2 percent in 2002. You can help provide for the long-term financial security of The People by serves, “half of the families receiv- It is at this grim juncture that system, the capitalist system.” Today’s backdrop of a disorga- including a properly worded provision in your Will or by making some ing assistance...must be engaged in Congress and the Bush adminis- other financial arrangement through your bank. Write to the Socialist some kind of work-related activity tration are bending every effort to nized working class that has failed Labor Party, publisher of The People, for a free copy of the booklet, Steps for at least 30 hours per week.” further stiffen the requirements so far to formulate any collective You Can Take. Use this coupon. Moreover, it notes, “the general for TANF aid. H.R. 4737 would in- response to their increasing hard- rule is that no family may receive crease the required share of wel- ship under capitalism provides lit- Socialist Labor Party • P.O. Box 218 • Mountain View, CA 94042-0218 federally funded assistance for fare recipients who work to 70 per- tle impetus for Rooseveltian re- Please send a free copy of Steps You Can Take to: longer than five years.” Hundreds cent in 2007, and raise the work forms, which threw the working YOUR NAME of thousands, if not millions, of requirement itself to a full 40 class a few more bones to keep ADDRESS APT. recipients are therefore only now hours per week, with no more than them quiet. The political parti- CITY STATE ZIP reaching their fifth and final year of 16 hours a week spent in a reha- sans of capitalism recognize this, “benefits.” bilitation or educational program. and are pushing for even smaller “States are allowed to use... Those unable to meet these new expenses on welfare while the TANF dollars to extend time lim- requirements would be tossed off pushing is good. its, but only so long as no more the rolls, left to compete with a The “economic recovery” that than 20 percent of the caseload growing army of far more skilled was supposed to bring some relief has exhausted the five-year limit,” workers recently laid off as a result to the American working class not the CBPP report says. According of the economic recession. The bill only appears to have taken a to the CBPP report, “about 20” would also grant the executive detour, but may soon have its place states established lifetime benefit branch “superwaiver” authority to taken by yet another of capital- limits of less than five years. allow governors of some states the ism’s recurring economic crises. Many extended those limits. Ben- “flexibility” to cut state assistance —K.B. Please send me free . . . SLP Emergency Fund information on socialism. (Continued from page 1) with the same selfless generosity ly equal to the party’s entire in- contribution of $500.00 for the SLP that you have we would scale the come from all sources last year. NAME Emergency Fund. I know that a top in no time at all. Let’s hope that If the members and supporters receipt has already been sent, but I many more friends and supporters of the SLP continue to respond to ADDRESS APT. wanted to add a personal word of of the SLP will soon step forward to the Emergency Fund appeal as CITY STATE ZIP thanks in response to your gen- emulate your example. I am confi- they have until now we should soon erosity and the concern it reflects dent that they will.” see some light coming from the Socialist Labor Party, P.O. Box 218, Mountain View, CA 94042-0218 06/02 for the SLP and its future. We still And they have... end of the dark tunnel we have have a mountain to climb, as the Since the Emergency Fund was been traveling through. saying goes, but we are slowly started last October, the SLP has Now is the time to dig in for the making our way upward. If every received over $90,400, nearly final push. Help Break Our Chains! member and supporter of the SLP $54,500 of which came as direct Please use the coupon printed in responded to the Emergency Fund contributions to SLP funds—near- this issue.

Paul Putz, Margaret Kay, Robb Angelo, Press Security Fund Support the Rosemary & John Gale, J. Blessington, $100 each Harvey K. Fuller, Alan Funds Joseph T. Longo; Marshall G. Soura $24; Taylor, David Wurdeman “In memory Socialist (April 12–May 17) $20 each Irwin Hunsher, Juliette of Etta Wurdeman”; Michael Preston SLP Emergency Fund Jackson “In memory of Faye Banks,” $25; $10 each Charles Wolfsfeld, Dora Labor Section San Francisco Bay Area Marvin Ronis, Tom Dooley, Daniel Ruggiero, Edward L. Kochian; James ($1,738): Jennie Seekford $1,000; sec- Goodsaid, Richard Vobornik, Robert R. Dyer $5. Varone; $10 each Richard F. Mack, tion treasury $300; $100 each Dale Bi- Total: $360.00 Party rum, Bruce Cozzini “In memory of Louis Frank Rudolph, Diane Lorraine Poole, Fisher”; Steve Littleton $75; Louis Lipcon David Brian Lazarus; David P. Mohle $9; Leaflet Fund Emergency Fund! “In honor of Jennie Seekford” $50; $25 David Melamed “In memory of Gen- Joseph J. Frank $10; John S. Gale each Marty Radov, Jill Campbell, evieve Gunderson” $8; Paul Putz $6.50; $8; $1 each Heidi Hoyt, Walter K. SLP • P.O. BOX 218 • MTN. VIEW, CA 94042-0218 Robert & Donna Bills; William Kelley Alex Iwasa $5.60; Karl Piepenburg $5 Bagnick. $20; Katy Bills $10; Diane Secor $5; Don Patrick $4; Craig L. Kysar $1. Total: $20.00 This is my contribution of $ for the SLP Emergency Frank & Mary Prince $3. Total: $7,158.42 Fund. (Make checks/money orders payable to SLP.) Joan M. Davis $1,200; $1,000 each SLP Sustainer Fund Christmas Box I pledge $ . I will pay this pledge by (date). Joseph McCabe, Irene Schelin; Anon- Michael Preston $600; Robert P. Marshall G. Soura $12. (Total) ymous $500; $200 each Gerald M. Lucas, Burns $150; Section Wayne County, Joseph Bregni, Chris Dobreff; Thomas Socialist Labor Party NAME Mich. ($105): section $100, A. Sim $5; Klepper $112; Anonymous $104; Jack Financial Summary ADDRESS APT. Platt $100; Section Cook County, Ill., $100 each Chris Dobreff, Bernard (April 2002) $85.32; Bill Conklin $55; $50 each Frank Bortnick, Karl Heck; Carl C. Miller Jr. Expenses ...... $ 13,288.15 CITY STATE ZIP W. Bell, Robert Ormsby, Tony Marsella; $70; Frank & Margaret Roemhild $25; Income ...... 23,571.70 Acknowledgments will be made in The People. Please indicate if a receipt is desired: ❑ Yes ❑ No. (Political contributions are not tax deductible.) Jim Plant $40; R.E. Langh $30; George George E. Gray $20; Chris Faatz $10. April Surplus...... 10,283.55 E. Gray $26; $25 each John Hagerty, Total: $1,280.00 2002 Surplus ...... 9,487.70 JUNE 2002 THE PEOPLE 7 directory USA MINNEAPOLIS SEABROOK, N.H. Religious Group Bilks NATIONAL OFFICE Karl Heck, 5414 Williams Richard H. Cassin, Ave., White Bear Lake, SLP, PO Box 218, Mtn. P.O. Box 2538, Sea- View, CA 94042-0218; MN 55110-2367. Calll brook, NH 03874. (408) 280-7266; fax (651) 429-7279. E-mail: (408) 280-6964; e-mail: [email protected]. ST. PETERSBURG, Millions From Its Faithful [email protected]; FLA. Since the following article was writ- the ways of the world knows that if a tried to warn Andersen about the Web site: www.slp.org. MILWAUKEE Call (727) 321-0999. SLP, 1563 W. Rogers St., ten, the trial on which it reports came proposition looks and sounds too good questionable activity of the Baptist ALBANY, N.Y. Milwaukee, WI 53204- S.W. VIRGINIA to an unexpected early end when, on to be true, it is too good to be true. Let Foundation. In February 1997, Karen SLP, P.O. Box 105, 3721. Call (414) 672-2185. Thad Harris, P.O. Box May 6, the Andersen ac-counting firm the buyer beware! Paetz, a former foundation accoun- Sloansville, NY 12160- E-mail: milwaukeeslp @ 1068, St. Paul, VA agreed to pay $217 million in dam- Unfortunately, most of the invest- tant, warned the manager of Ander- 0105. webtv.net. 24283-0997. Call (540) ages. A large portion of that—$41 mil- ors were trusting souls who placed sen who had been designated to over- 328-5531. Fax (540) lion—is scheduled to go to lawyers utter confidence in anything that was see the BFA audits that the founda- CHICAGO NEW LONDON, CT 328-4059. SLP, P.O. Box 642, SLP, 3 Jodry St., and $176 million to defrauded in- churchly, without a thought that reli- tion’s books “were cooked,” or fraudu- Skokie, IL 60076-0642. Quaker Hill, CT 06375. * vestors, most of whom are elderly. The gious organizations are sometimes lent. Andersen did nothing. Call (203) 447-9897. Baptist Foundation’s law firm had run by incompetents and scoundrels. In 1998, Deeann Griebel, who was CLEVELAND already agreed to pay $21 million, of Many of the investors seemed to know a financial planner and a certified Robert Burns, 9626 York NEW YORK CITY AUSTRALIA Brian Blanchard, 58 which $18 million is supposed to go to that the Baptist Foundation of Ari- public accountant in Mesa, Ariz., had Rd., N. Royalton, OH Call (516) 829-5325. E- Forest Rd., Trevallyn, 44133. Call (440) 237- mail: [email protected]. the defrauded investors. If all the pay- zona was an investment organization investigated BFA’s financial status at 7933. E-mail: j.oneil@ Web: http://hometown.aol. Launceston, Tasmania ments are made, which is far from cer- that was not federally insured, but the request of a client. She found that worldnet.att.net. com/hunterslp/index. 7250, Australia. Call or tain considering the perilous financial were lulled by the organization’s on- one of the Baptist Foundation’s affili- fax 0363-341952. html. situation of the Andersen firm, the going claim: “We are Godly insured.” ates had a huge negative net worth of CORPUS CHRISTI, sum will amount to only a portion of The truth is that the Baptist more than $100 million. Griebel then TEX. PALMDALE, CALIF. CANADA what was owed to each investor when Foundation of Arizona was what is notified both Andersen’s Phoenix Call (512) 991-0287. E-mail: [email protected] NATIONAL OFFICE the Arizona attorney general’s office known as a Ponzi scheme—that is, an office and its Chicago headquarters DALLAS SLP, 1550 Laperriere PHILADELPHIA Ave., Ottawa, Ont., K1Z closed the foundation down in 1999. “investment” organization without that the foundation was out of funds, Call Bernie at (972) 458- SLP, P.O. Box 28732, 7T2. Call Doug Irving at As the trial got under way in late solid, ongoing financial backing, but bankrupt, and that Ander-sen should 2253. Philadelphia, PA 19151. (613) 728-5877 (hdqtrs.); April, The Wall Street Journal report- one that will use income from later withdraw its favorable accounting Call (215) 234-4724. E- (613) 226-6682 (home); ed that, “For the plaintiffs, who lost investors to pay off earlier investors opinion. DULUTH mail: [email protected] For information, call Rudy or (613) 725-1949 (fax). hundreds of millions of dollars they and that will use all sorts of devious Andersen did nothing of the sort Gustafson at (218) 728- PITTSBURGH VANCOUVER invested in the Baptist Foundation, financial finagling to stay afloat until and never even bothered to return 3110. Call (412) 751-2613. SLP, Suite 141, 6200 there is substantial doubt that they the house of cards finally comes crash- Griebel’s telephone calls. McKay Ave., Box 824, EASTERN MASS. will be able to collect much money ing down. Not only is Andersen claiming that PONTIAC, MICH. Burnaby, BC, V5H 4M9. Call (781) 444-3576. even if they do obtain a large verdict.” The BFA used money from in- it, too, was fooled by the foundation’s Call (810) 731-6756. On May 6, the Arthur Andersen firm vestors to invest in real estate, executives, many of whom have HOUSTON PORTLAND, ORE. PUERTO RICO paid $11.2 million, according to a promising high profits. With the already pleaded guilty to fraud or Call (713) 721-9296. SLP, P.O. Box 4951, SLP Group of Puerto report in The New York Times, and decline of Arizona’s real estate mar- racketeering or are presently await- Web site: http://hous- Portland, OR 97208. Rico, Calle 415, NA-28, tonslp.tripod.com. E- monthly payments of $10 million ket, the BFA management found a ing trial, but is looking around for oth- Call (503) 226-2881. 4ta Ext., Country Club, mail:houstonSLP@ through October are supposed to fol- way around that unpleasant fact by ers to blame, such as the Arizona Web: http://slp.pdx. Carolina PR 00982. Call ev1.net. low. With what the Baptist Foun- establishing shell corporations to pur- attorney general’s office and state reg- home.mindspring.com (787) 757-5951. dation’s law firm previously agreed to chase real estate from the Baptist ulators, that had received consumer HUNTER COLLEGE, E-mail: slp.pdx pay—and, again, assuming it is Foundation at greatly exaggerated complaints about BFA but did nothing NYC @mindspring.com. UKRAINE [email protected] NATIONAL OFFICE paid—the payments “would cover prices. The foundation itself lent the at the time. These Arizona agencies, SACRAMENTO, CA Sergiy Skubenko, 42, more than half the estimated $350 money to these fraudulent corpora- in turn, excuse themselves by saying SLP, P.O. Box 221663, LONG ISLAND, N.Y. 10/1 Pryvokzalna Str., million lost by investors....” tions to make the purchases. It all that those complaints at the time Sacramento, CA 95822- LongIslandSLP@ya- 04116 Kiev, Ukraine By B.G. amounted to an elaborate shell game, were not factual enough. hoo.com. 8663. SS. E-mail: escort A sordid bankruptcy trial in which eventually was bound to So far, none of these incompetent [email protected]. MIDDLETOWN, CT S.F. BAY AREA Arizona pits the Baptist Foundation implode. entities has sought to blame God for SLP, 506 Hunting Hill SLP, P.O. Box 70034, MYKOLAYIV of Arizona (BFA) against its account- When the Baptist Foundation the disaster. Ave., Middletown, CT Sunnyvale, CA 94086- 28, 7 Shapayeva Str., ing firm, with each accusing the other came crashing down in 1999, it was The Arizona state attorney general 06457. Call (860) 347- 0034. E-mail: slpsfba@ Mykolayiv, Ukraine. of fraud. $570 million in debt to 11,000 mostly is now jumping into action—better 4003. netscape.net. Telephone 23 35 22. In November of 1999, the bank- elderly investors. late than never—and has a separate ruptcy filing of the Baptist Foun- Guess who was the auditor for the lawsuit against Andersen to collect dation of Arizona revealed that capi- Baptist Foundation of Arizona? None money for investors and to revoke talist greed had infected not only such other than Arthur Andersen LLP. Andersen’s state license. Question scandal-ridden organizations as En- Now the Baptist Foundation’s liqui- What better example is there that ron and the Arthur Andersen account- dation trust is suing the Andersen capitalism corrupts all that it touch- ing firm, but also some religious orga- auditing company. John P. Coffey, the es? Supposedly reputable or-ganiza- Period nizations not shy about wading lead attorney for the liquidation trust, tions can be caught up in the rush to through the same moral morass as claims that it is Andersen that is at wealth and, in their intense desire to Did Marx say the socialist rev- bined labor on a large scale their secular counterparts. Now that fault because it went “from being a succeed, can be drawn willingly into olution would come first in an under capitalist employers— the case is under way, the truth is negligent auditor to being complicit in the worst aspects of capitalism, re- economically advanced country? has invaded practically the coming out in all its venal details. the fraud.” Andersen’s lead lawyer, sorting to fraud and deviousness to What was his reasoning? whole of production. It is the This Baptist foundation was a get- Don Martin, disagrees and says that prop up a bubble institution whose Marx did, indeed, state that only country where the great rich-quick scheme that enticed inno- it is unfair that Andersen is being downfall brings misery to the many the socialist revolution would majority of the population con- cent investors, many of them elderly sued because his company was also a whose trust has been betrayed. The come first in an industrialized sists of wage laborers. It is the and retired, to entrust their life sav- victim of the fraud. crime in this instance was theft, con- nation. He based his reasoning only country where the class ings to the organization, which Both incompetent organizations temptible theft under the guise of on the fact that socialized pro- struggle and the organization of promised interest rates up to 15 per- are pointing fingers at each other. godly benevolence. Unfortunately, duction—i.e., production that is the working class through the cent. Any sophisticated person wise to For years, certain insiders had just another capitalist scandal! highly organized and in which trade unions has acquired a there is a high degree of divi- certain degree of maturity and socialized. The workers of brain and attributed revolutions to the ill-will of these contradictions will culminate in sion of labor—is a prerequisite universality. As a result of its brawn are the overwhelming majority. a few agitators have long passed away. breakdown and crisis. Thus historic for socialism. Marx regarded it dominating position in the Clearly, of all the countries of the Everyone knows nowadays that forces will themselves supply one of as the historic task of capital- world market, it is the only world today, it is in the United States wherever there is a revolutionary con- the essential ingredients of funda- ism to transform scattered, country where every revolution that these conditions are most highly vulsion, there must be some social mental social change—an all-embrac- individual production into in its economic conditions must developed. The house of socialism is want in the background, which is pre- ing crisis that will jar the working large-scale capitalist produc- react directly on the entire all built in America. All that is needed vented, by outworn institutions, from class out of its apathy. tion, and scattered, individual world. If this country is the is for the working class to wake up satisfying itself.” In this connection it may be well to property into large aggregates classic seat of landlordism and and move in. Moreover, revolutionary crises recall that a revolutionary situation of capitalist property. Only capitalism, by virtue of that fact How will the socialist revolution develop spontaneously, often taking was developing in the United States when social production had it is also here that the material come about in America? by surprise the revolutionists them- in 1933, but the crisis was prevented reached this higher stage would conditions of their destruction No one can predict the way the rev- selves. Lenin attested to this in a from coming to a head by the swift it be possible and practicable are most highly developed.... olution will develop in the United speech on Aug. 23, 1918, saying: and aggressive actions of the incom- for the workers to take it over “The English have all the States or anywhere else except in the “...revolution moves unconditionally ing Roosevelt administration. In and manage it. material requisites necessary most general way. However, logic and and irresistibly. But only a fool can describing these measures, Raymond Marx set forth his postula- for the social revolution.” experience teach us that two factors ask for the precise moment at which Molely, head of the New Deal “brain tion in a resolution dated Jan. The perceptive reader will, of are absolutely indispensable to a fun- revolution will blaze in the West. It is trust,” said: “Capitalism was saved in 1, 1870, that he drafted for the course, apply Marx’s reasoning damental social change. One is a impossible to calculate or predict a eight days.” (Saturday Evening Post, General Council of the Inter- to the present. The expectation socioeconomic crisis culminating in a revolution; it comes out all by itself. It July 29, 1939) national Workingmen’s Asso- that the “revolutionary initia- revolutionary situation that awakens is maturing now and must break However, while historic forces and ciation, which was addressed to tive will probably come from and sets into motion the mass of forth. Did anyone think, a week inherent capitalist contradictions the Federal Council of Ro- France,” was correct in 1870 workers. The other is that the class before the March revolution [1917] may be depended upon to produce the mance in Switzerland, saying: (the Paris Commune came in whose interests are incarnate in revo- that it was ready to blaze forth? Did apathy-destroying conditions for rev- “Although the revolutionary 1871), but would obviously be lution—which, in the case of the anyone think, at the moment when olution, its successful consummation initiative will probably come incorrect today. But all that socialist revolution, means the work- the insane monk led the people to the will depend wholly on the degree in from France, England alone England was to the world of ing class—understands where it is czar’s palace, that this was the begin- which the workers understand their can serve as the lever of a seri- 1870, the United States is to the going and how it is to act, and that it ning of the revolution of 1905? But class mission and are organized to ous economic revolution. It is world of today. The only excep- be organized accordingly. revolution grows slowly and must carry it out. And this, in turn, will the only country where there tion is that it is not the “classic Contrary to the reiterated charges inevitably make itself felt.” depend on how well the revolutionary are no more peasants and seat of landlordism” in the sense of ruling classes, agitators do not Capitalism today presents the illu- political organization (the Socialist where property in land is con- that England was. But land as “make” revolutions. As Frederick En- sion of a relatively stable system. Labor Party) has done its work of agi- centrated in a few hands. It is well as capital in the United gels put it in an article in the New Actually, it is a system built on a foun- tation and education. This is why the only country where the cap- States is concentrated in owner- York Tribune, Oct. 25, 1851: “The dation of dry rot, and one torn by SLP “party building” is the order of italist form—that is to say, com- ship. Production is thoroughly times of that superstition which inner contradictions. Sooner or later the day. BOR OMN LA IA VINCIT

JUNE 2002 VENEZUELA— After the CIA’s ties to these outfits were exposed, the U.S. ruling class and government set up the largely federally funded but private NED organization. AFL-CIO Still Fronting During the Reagan administration it funneled aid to like-minded political, cul- tural and union organizations abroad— For U.S. Imperialist Interests including the federation’s Free Trade Union Institute, which was involved in By Ken Boettcher “projects” in Chile, Brazil, Peru, Poland, ould the bad old days be returning “ Portugal and several other countries. to the AFL-CIO’s operations in In 1995, when John Sweeney was other countries?” asked an article C elected president of the AFL-CIO, he in the May issue of Labor Notes. The and his underlings in the labor federa- article wonders out loud if they are, cit- tion promised to turn over a new leaf. ing evidence from reports surrounding By that they did not mean that they the April coup attempt in Venezuela. wished to change the essential charac- The evidence actually suggests the ter of the AFL-CIO as a federation of “bad old days” of federation involve- procapitalist unions dedicated to prop- ment with right-wing movements and ping up the system of wage slavery at dictators never really left. home and abroad and to feathering the “Fear that in Venezuela the AFL-CIO nests of union bureaucrats in the process. was supporting both a right-wing union What they really wanted, and what federation and a U.S.-backed coup led the federation continues to want under some [U.S.] solidarity activists to mount Sweeney’s leadership, is to bolster the a picket line at AFL-CIO headquarters appearance that the existing unions in February,” Labor Notes reported. serve the interests of the U.S. working In fact, the AFL-CIO did sponsor, “with class—and that their reflections over- the National Endowment for Democracy seas do the same for workers of every [NED], a closed forum featuring repre- country. Their object is to attract more sentatives of the CTV [Venezuelan Labor workers to its fold, halt the AFL-CIO’s Federation].” As Labor Notes observed, membership decline and thereby bol- “The forum was part of a tour funded by ster their own positions of power and NED, and included meetings with sev- privilege. eral AFL-CIO leaders.” One union mem- U.S. State Department The “new leaf” that was to be turned ber who participated in the meetings said talists, that is] called a strike, sending ing the Free Trade Area of the Americas included, among other things, promises “the CTV representatives noted they were millions of workers home, to protest the and calling for an end to the Cuban that the federation would press for more here to discuss the chances for a coup.” Chavez government,” Labor Notes writer embargo.” The coup attempt failed with- “militant” organizing efforts at home The NED was set up in 1983 to pro- Katherine Hoyt said. “The invitation to in two days. Where Chavez and his in- and more “militant” demands in what mote capitalism and counter Soviet and a forum sent out by the AFL-CIO and choate Peronista-like movement are head- the existing unions call “collective bar- other influences around the world. It is NED proudly stated that the CTV ed vìs-a-vìs the material and strategic gaining.” Collective bargaining is the described as a “private, nonprofit organi- played ‘a key role in the national strike interests of U.S. and Venezuelan capi- process by which union bureaucrats lend zation,” but it receives an annual appro- on Dec. 10’ and joined with business and talism remains to be seen. There is little the color of labor to contracts that invari- priation from Congress. NED doles out other groups in ‘a massive demonstra- evidence to assume they will produce ably bind the hands of workers and sell these funds to what it decides are “pro- tion against government on Jan. 23.’” anything but a bourgeois state headed their class interests down the river—while democracy groups” in foreign countries. In short, the strike was not a simple by nationalist radical petty bourgeois often doing less than keeping wages apace In short, NED was set up to finance manifestation of the class struggle. It had elements or another variant of bureau- with inflation. It is a process diametri- opposition parties and groups in target- nothing whatever to do with the struggle cratic state despotism under which the cally opposed to real militancy in defense ed countries—a practice with character- between capital and labor, or between class interests of workers and peasants of workers’ interests. istics similar in intent to what the labor and Venezuela’s state-run branch are subjugated by a new elite. Many who fell for that line also United States ostensibly frowns on when of the country’s oil-producing industry, It isn’t the first time that the AFL-CIO expected that the federation would halt foreign capitalists seek to influence the and it was not a direct outgrowth of and agents of the U.S. political state its long-standing support for reactionary Democratic and Republican parties with either the state-run or capitalist-owned have been involved in such goings-on. regimes around the world with the aid of their campaign contributions. The AFL- oil companies’ exploitation of oil workers. The AFL-CIO served U.S. imperialist the CIA or other political, military or CIO’s role in these quarrels among fac- It was, rather, a political strike, orga- interests by collaborating with the CIA economic arms of U.S. capital—whose tions of foreign ruling classes struggling nized and staged by one arm of the to destabilize and overthrow the popu- material interests these regimes served. for authority and power within their Venezuelan ruling class against another larly elected Allende government in Chile By now it is clear that any “militancy” own countries has nothing to do with the with the physical backing of the CTV. —revelations that came to light in the the AFL-CIO leadership brokered in the interests of workers and everything to Venezuela’s president, the democrati- 1970s. For decades, and in country after existing unions has been completely do with the interests of the U.S. ruling cally elected militarist and demagogue country, the AFL-CIO has used CIA unable to stem the tide of declining class. The fiasco it tied itself to in Hugo Chavez, had angered U.S. capital funds to set up labor unions in its own membership. The Bureau of Labor Venezuela is typical of similar services by pushing for greater national control mold—unions that collaborated with Statistics reported earlier this year that performed for capital in the past. of Venezuelan oil, “criticizing the Bush repressive regimes catering to U.S. cap- union membership in 2001 had dropped “In December business owners [capi- administration’s war on terrorism, oppos- italist interests. to 13.5 percent of the “labor force” (as the BLS designates workers in the labor the idea of Marxism-De Leonism. We market), compared to 14.9 percent in party news are planning to continue our Marxist-De 1995 when Sweeney and his associates Leonist propaganda in the universities turned over their new leaf. Little won- and enterprises, both in Kiev and in der, since any “militancy” that has as its New Section in Texas SLPU comrades to all American SLP other regions where the prospects for basis acceptance of the very economic system responsible for driving down Five members of the SLP met in comrades! such work are quite good. workers’ real wages and cutting or ter- Houston on March 23 to organize a new Socialist Labor Party of Ukraine Fraternally yours, minating pensions, other retirement and section of the party. The members elect- (SLPU) successfully intervened in May Sergiy Skubenko health benefits is doomed from the start. Day rally and meeting in Kiev. The rally National Secretary, SLPU ed temporary officers and signed an Workers clearly remain largely uncon- was from Slavy Square to Evropeyskaya application for a charter that was sub- vinced that such unions significantly Square, where the meeting was. About mitted to the party’s National Executive De Leon examines serve their own interests. 4,500 persons participated in these events. Committee. The NEC unanimously ap- every major argu- It is also clear, with the revelations proved the charter in April and the new The main slogans of the action were ment—pro and con surrounding the recent coup attempt in —on the union ques- section is expected to complete its orga- “Smash bourgeois system!” “Workers of Venezuela, that the federation’s long- tion, traces confusion nization by electing permanent officers all lands, unite!” “Long live the proletar- standing service abroad to U.S. imperial- and committees in June. The temporary ian revolution!” Our banner was “For on what unions can and cannot accom- ism continues. As Labor Notes observed, officers elected in March were Carl C. Marxism-De Leonism!” plish to its source in “the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center re- Miller Jr. as organizer and Judy Scypion We succeeded in buying a computer the American Feder- ceives much of its funding from NED.” as financial secretary. Section Houston is and printer with the help of US-SLP ation of Labor, and This is all quite natural. Before the the first SLP section organized in Texas comrades, so this time we succeeded in outlines the general “new leaf” turned and after, the procap- since 1922. printing and distributing many more principles on which italist AFL-CIO openly collaborated at leaflets than usual—about 130 copies. genuine and effective working-class unions can be built. One of De Leon’s best. home with the capitalist exploiters and May Day in Kiev In this leaflet we explained our posi- betrayed workers’ interests. Abroad, Under date of May 3, the NEC tions, who we (the SLPU) are, and what 48 pages—$1.25 postpaid before and now, it collaborates in defend- received the following communication the US-SLP and Marxism-De Leonism ing the global interests of U.S. imperi- from Sergiy Skubenko, national secre- are. As a result we won some new con- NEW YORK LABOR NEWS alism. Nowhere does it challenge the tary of the SLP of Ukraine. tacts among workers, students and left P.O. Box 218 system of exploitation that is creating Dear Comrades, activists. We may estimate the action as Mountain View, CA 94042-0218 growing hardship for workers around Congratulations on May Day from all a successful one of SLPU for promoting the world.