APRIL 1983 VOL. XL, No. 4 $1
Deficits and Deficient Thinking Carol O'Cleireacain on the Reagan 'Recovery' 3 Democracy in 'Clout City' l John Cameron on the Chicago Primary------J I off ICE SPACE Building Blocks Campaign ooking forward to a year of growth and intense activity the DSA National Executive Committee voted in February to launch a campaign to raise $126,L 000 in 1983 in special matching-fund contributions. Unions and individuals who have supported DSA's work generously in the past are being asked for "challenge" gifts to match contnbutions made by DSA mem Peace 2,500 bers and friends. Over $25,000 such "chal Tour new lenge" gifts have been pledged or received members toward this $63, 000 portion of the campaign. In addition, DSA locals are urged to raise Ehrenreich, Stanley Aronowitz, and Man maximum personal contribution to the $8, 000 for national purposes. ning Marable have spoken before large and "Building Blocks Campaign" but to work to DSA has grown rapidly since the NAM/ enthusiastic audiences in major cities and broaden the organization's base of support. DSOC merger. Over 2, 500 new members small towns. The Youth Section's first West This means recruiting more members, or joined in 1982. At its February meeting the Coast conference attracted double the ex getting friends to contnbute to the campaign National Board chartered five new locals and pected participants. The Youth Section and who haven't yet made up their minds to join. two organizing committees. These are add the Institute for Democratic Socialism have The first campaign appeal will be in your ed to the 87 locals and organizing committees launched Peace Tour '83, which will bring mailbox in a few weeks. and nearly 50 Youth Section chapters. Many visibility to democratic socialism in more Democratic socialism is still a novel idea of the locals and YS chapters have participa than 50 cities. to the vast majority of Americans. 1bat's one ted in electoral campaigns, the most dramat All this costs money-for staff work, reason why its potential is ahnost unlimited. ic one of which, in Chicago, resulted in the mailings, telephones, etc. Most DSA local But we aren't going to "Change the U.S.A." nomination of Harold Washington for mayor. activity is financed locally-but it requires by some magical formula. We must build Others are concentrating on the nuclear national communication and coordination to socialist consciousness and socialist partici freeze, on campaigns against plant closings increase its resonance in the body politic. pation from the ground up-block by block. and for jobs, and the like. DSA leaders such Thus it will be absolutely essential for every Put your blocks where your hopes and your as Mike Harrington, Harry Britt, Barbara DSA member not only to make her or his heart are-today. •
EDITORIAL BoARD Leo Casey Gordon Haskell FitldDWrctor PoliticalDindM Maxine Phillips ~Dindm' F
DEMOCRATIC LEFT 2 APRIL 1983 ECONOMY BLUNDER ON BLUNDER by Carol O'Cleireacain
s Ronald Reagan traveled year = 20 million). ln fact, given that the increasing probability of becoming unem across America in his cam unemployment rate is more than 10 percent, ployed, with an increasing certainty that un paign for the presidency, he the labor force slightly larger than 100 mil employment will last longer and will cost liked to say: "If your neigh lion, and the average duration of unemploy them more financially and personally than it bor loses his job, it's a ment slightly shorter than six months, 25 has before. downturn;A if your friend loses his job, it's a million Americans experiencing unemploy recession; if you lose your JOb, it's a depres ment in this coming year is not far off the Policy Crisis sion." The grain of truth in the story is that, mark. Most of those unemployed workers The second major aspect of the current in human tenns, we judge the economy on will not receive unemployment compensa U.S. crisis is the policy c:nsis. Although the jobs it provides. And a central component tion for all of the time they are unemployed. those within the administration recognize of the present crisis is the lack of jobs. We Today, only about 40 percent of the more that their policies haven't worked, they can have gone through two years of dramatically than 11 ~ million Americans out of work are not admit to having made the biggest blun rising unemployment From an average of receiving benefits. Thus, the labor market ders in economic policy since the 1920s. 7. 6 percent in 1981, rates are now in double crisis facing workers in the U.S. means an They are backing off a bit, but the fundarnen- digits. More important, it is clear that unem ployment rates are not going to come down soon. We are going to see what economic experts will call a "recovery" taJcing place at the same time that unemployment rates rise '~ turnaround in GNP will not lower unemployment. There or remain very high. The focus of the "recov is simply too much excess capacity in the economy to make ery" talk will be on one number: the Gross National Product. It will be up to progres significant inroads into the increased use of labor by a sives, particularly workers, to define "recov smallish rise in output. " ery" to include getting people back to work. A turnaround in GNP will not lower unem ployment. There 1s simply too much excess capacity in the economy to make significant inroads into the increased use of labor by a smallish rise in output. Jobs Crisis According to the Organization for Eco nomic Cooperation and Development (OE CD), 1983 will see a 10~ percent average unemployment rate in the US. We all know by now that unemployment is distributed un evenly among the population, with black teenagers being the hardest hit. But what receives much less publicity and is as sig nificant and as frightening is the lengthening duration of unemployment. When we read that, on average, in 1983, we can expect more than eleven million Americans to be unemployed, that does not mean that only eleven million workers will experience un employment. The true nuffiber will be closer to 25 million. Why? Let's assume a labor force of one hundred million people, an aver age unemployment rate of 10 percent, and an average duration of unemployment of six months. On average, twenty million people could have been unemployed during the year (10 percent x 100 million = 10 million I ~
DEMOCRATIC LEFT 3 APRIL 1983 tal inconsistencies of Reaganomics remain. have been the case if Laffer had been right, the federal government is restored to a rea They have been embedded in our economy but we know he wasn't.) Instead of having a sonable level with a dependable growth rate, and in the federal budget through the policies convergence toward a full-employment ba thus ensuring the potential for elimination of of the administration. These policies were lance, we have a very expansionary budget a considerable amount of the deficit with eco put together by people who said that: we path. This makes monetary policy and high nomic growth, interest rates will not come could cut taxes without increasing the deficit; interest rates the only "brakes" available to down. The huge demand for funds to finance we could reduce inflation without increasing use on the economy. The deficit as a percent the deficit as weU as the knowledge by the unemployment; we could increase defense of national savings or loanable funds is very financial markets that monetary policy is the spending without affecting domestic spend high, which means that those who argue that only available anti-inflationary tool will keep ing; we could increase the deficit without the government will be financing the deficit upward pressure on interest rates. And, raising interest rates. These mconsistencies by taking funds away from private invest without lower interest rates, employment in guarantee that this government cannot pro ment have a point. That would be less of a housing construction, auto, steel, most man duce acceptable levels of unemployment and worry if the government were using the ufacturing, and in state and local govern inflation between now and 1984. funds for public investments-roads, ments will not pick up. In short, there will be bridges, ports, hospitals, schools, training no "job recovery" without a conscious shift in centers for workers, etc. Then all we would federal economic policy--0n both the tax and have would be a substitution of public for spending side of the budget. • '1\ return to sanity must private investment. Instead, the govern ment is taking funds from private investment Carol O'Ckireacain is tM chief ~tfor begin with an increase in for public consumption. Consumption, District Council 37, American Federation of federal taxes. Let Treasury whether it is public guns or private butter, Stat.e, County and Municipal Employus. does not increase the future production (and This arlick is based on a f>nsmta/Wn made at Secretary Regan call it a 'user consumption) possibilities of society. ' IM Winter DSA Youth Confemrce in New fee on income'!" Unless the revenue raising capacity of York City.
What can be done? We must get people CITY POLITICS back to work. This reqwres, first and fore most, a significant change in the mix of mone tary and fiscal policy. Second, it requires a change in the mix of federal spending-a shift Washington Campaign from the enormous increases in military spending to public investment in job creation. Brings Chicago Hope Raise Taxes A return to sanity must begin with an by john Cameron increase in federal taxes. Let Treasury Sec retary Regan call it a "user fee on income!" funny thing happened in Chi black voters spumed Democratic states at Only increased revenues will bring down the cago on February 22. Black torney candidate Edward Hanrahan (the man federal deficit and, with that, interest rates. congressional representa responsible for a 1969 police raid that ended Ronald Reagan's budget strategy was to cut tive Harold Washington's in the murder of two Black Panther leaders), taxes first, thus restricting the amount of surprise victory in the Dem- there have been a series of successful black revenue available for spending. He gave the ocraticA mayoral primary stunned party regu electoral challenges to the regular Dem military the top priority among all claims to lars and upended established political rela ocratic party. Through successive skir those dollars. The size of his tax cut alone tionships in a town famous for its "machine" mishes, black activists had developed an in would have guaranteed a substantial deficit, politics. Democracy had come to Clout City. creasingly sophisticated political capability but the recession, which cut receipts, and Democracy in city elections is some and expanded their power base. the unwillingness of Congress to make ever thing very new for Chicagoans. Until the The victory of Harold Wa~n in larger cuts in social spending or to cut sig death of Mayor Richard J. Daley six years February was the culmination ~{ that pro nificantly the president's defense requests, ago, there were few genuinely contested cess. Recently elected to his second term in have swelled the deficit further. citywide or aldennanic races. The only ex Congress. Washington was reluctant to en To argue that the deficit is important is ceptions were in a handful of predominantly ter the three-way race against incwnbent not to become a conservative. Neither the white and middle-class Lakefront wards. mayor Jane Byrne and states attorney Rich absolute size of the deficit nor its size in Since then, though, there has been a steady ard M. Daley (son of Qie late mayor). How relation to the size of the economy (GNP) is growth of progressive forces in municipal ever, a powerful wave of antimachine senti the problem or crucial issue. The deficit has politics. ment swept through the black community been a bigger share at some other times. The center of this new progressive after a number of deliberately annblack ac Today, it is a large share of GNP by historical movement has not been in the liberal Lake tions by Byrne last summer. Black activists standards and will continue to be, as the front communities. Rather, the movement were able to harvest those feelings with an economy recovers, unless the revenue hem has been spearheaded by the black indepen extremely successful voter registration orrhaging is stopped. The Reagan budgets dent (nonmachine) Democrats based in the drive in the fall Washington. as the city's would produce deficits if the country were at largely blue-collar wards of the south and most widely known and respected black pub high or full employment. (That would not west sides. Since the early seventies, when lic official, was drafted by these independ-
DEMOCRATIC LEFT 4 APRIL 1983 ents as their standard bearer against Byrne. But the Washington victory represents much more than the next step in local black empowerment Despite his roots in the reg ular Democratic organization, Washington is probably the most progressive major office holder in the city. Consistently ranked as one of Illinois' best lawmakers, he has an out standing record of support for minority, fem inist, labor, and' community issues. In Congress for the last two years Washington has concentrated on combating Ronald Reagan's social service cuts and mili tary expenditures. He has played an active role in the Congressional Black Caucus and most recently led the legislative fight for ex tending the Voting Rights Act. Washington has also been very much committed to coalition politics. Throughout his p1imary campaign he championed him~lf as the spokesman for "blacks, Hispanics, progressive and poor whites. " AJthough that multiracial coalition has yet to really materi alize-while wiruting 82 percent of the black vote, he garnered only minor Hispanic sup port and just 6 percent of the white vote Washington is committed to building a broad base of support among the city's diverse constituencies. Perhaps most important, Washington's victory significantly undermines the perva sive racism that has prevented the develop ment of progressive politics in Chicago for so long. For example, the conservative Chicago Federation of Labor, bastion of the nearly all white construction trades, endorsed Wash ington Wlanirnously in the wake of the pri served as liaison with many area progressive systematically squeeze campaign contribu mary. And although the flames of open race groups. Roberta Lynch was precinct coordi tions from businesses contracting with the hatred have flared temporarily in some white nator for the Northside/Lakefront Area of city. As a result. she amassed a whopping communities, the longterm impact of a black the campaign where many DSAers were ac $10 million for her campaign. Daley had been mayor will be to break down many barriers in tive. Other DSA members helped win sup running against Byrne since she attempted this most segregated of ma10r American cit port for Washington in their unions and com to block his bid for the states attorney post in ies. munity groups. 1980. He raised close to $3 million for his Although by no means alone, DSAers mayoral try. By the end, Washmgton's cam DSARole were among the few progressive groupings paign chest was at $1 million. Consequently, The historic significance of the Wash based outside the black community to fully Chicagoans were bombarded with television ington bid led Chicago DSAers to make an support the Washington effort. Even though ads produced by Byrne's slick media con early and total commitment to his campaign. many of their active members worked for sultants and by Daley's rather homier public Washington appeared at the regular meeting Washington, most of the large institutional relations operation. of the local last December, receiving unani ized progressive forces were seriously di Both Byrne and Daley had significant mous enthusiasm from the 165 members vided by the three-way Democratic race. precinct-level operations based on the tradi present. An initial fundraising appeal gener The local chapter of the National Organiza tional patronage/ward boss system. Daley's ated nearly $1, 000 in donations. tion for Women endorsed Byrne (although it strength was concentrated in the city's Local members set up a phone bank to endorsed Washington immediately after the southwest side with a scattering of commit contact everyone in the local to request their primary); many community groups and trade teemen elsewhere. Byrne had most of the active participation in precinct, fundraising, unions split between backing Daley or Wash rest of the party's ward operations, including and election day work. By mid-January, over ington, or remained neutral. Several promi those of major black officeholders. In con 80 DSAers were involved as precinct can nent progressive white politicians endorsed trast, Washington's precinct-level campaign vassers, areas coordinators or staff. By the Daley or ducked the race altogether. was built entirely on volunteers. On election end of the primary campaign, DSA members day he had an estimated 10,000 workers. had contributed $3,000 for Washington. LowonFunC:ls Outspent and outorganized, the Wash Several DSA members played key roles The Washington campaign was also ington campaign's hopes rested largely on in the campaign organization. Milt Cohen co handicapped by its late start and lack of the expected solidarity of the black commu ordinated voter registration activities and funds. Byrne had used her four-year term to nity. An "80/80" strategy projected an 80
DEMOCRATIC LEFT 5 APRIL 1983 percent turnout by black voters, of which 80 ·percent would support Washington. Com bined with some votes by Hispanics and pro gressive whites, this would be enough to defeat a divided machine vote. Several last minute and clumsy racial remarks by key Byrne backer Ed Vrdolyack, chair of the ~lllff'(I~--1t~...... __,,.ftWIP*J.--~ ...... ~ ...... ~ Cook County Democratic party, helped the -- AM C--.o.M...u-ttr -• --hi... Washington scenario come true. $ $ $ When the ballots were counted, it was the tremendous turnout by black Chicagoans $ * $ * $ EUROSOCIALISM that won it for Washington. In the last weeks $ • $ * $ AND AMERICA of the campaign, the Washington effort took $ * ' * • on the characteristics of a "crusade" in the south and west-side neighborhoods. Other For Your Bookshelf support was minor but not insignificant: Washington beat out closest rival Byrne by FROM THE INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM 36,000 votes; the northside/lakefront wards A Movement Strategy to Transform the Democratic Party, Quantity Total gave him 38,000. by Richard A. Cloward and Frances Fox Piven $ .25 Although Washington has still to win the Apartheid & the World Economic Order, by Michael Manley $ .25 mayoral office in the general election (where A Path for America: Proposals from the Democratic Lsft (Dissent Pamphlets 4), by Michael Harrington $ 1.25 racism has inflated the hopes of the Republi The Black Church & Marxism: What Do They Have To Say can and inspired a Byrne write-in effort), To Each Other? by James Cone $ 1.50 attention has already turned to the new agen Democracy and Dictatorship in Latin America, Voices and da for City Hall. A transition team is soliciting opinions of writers from Latin America $ 5.00 Eurosocia/ism and America: Political Economy for the ideas from a wide range of progressive or 1980s, edited by Nancy Lieber, with atticles by Willy ganizations. Brandt, Michael Harrington, Francois Mitterrand, Joop den Uyt, Olof Palme $10.00 High on Ideas Images of Labor, with lntroductioi'l by Irving Howe $10.00 Among the most revolutionary of the Reaganomlcs: Rhetoric vs. Reality, by Frank Ackerman $ 7.50 Socialist Review, No. 61 (Special Issue: Do We Need a . Washington proposals is his pledge to dis Defense Polley?) $ 2.00 mantle city hiring based on political patron Tax Policy & the Economy, a debate between Michael age. Patronage workers, which include Harrington & Jack Kemp $ 1.00 those in a wide range of blue-collar jobs such The Vast Majority: A Journey to the World's Poor, by Mi chael Harrington $ 3.00 as street repair, sewer maintenance, and What Reagan Is Doing To Us, Gartner, Greer, and Riess garbage collecting, have formed the back man, eds. $ 3.50 bone of the regular Democratic organization. Not only would an end to patronage under Make checks payable to IDS. TOTAL mine the power of the ward bosses, but it FROM DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA would open these workers to unionization, with the potential of reviving Chicago's stag DSA Constitution & By-laws, and DSOCINAM Merger $ 1.00 nant labor movement. Agreement Gay and Lesbian Uberation and Socia/Ism $ 2.00 Other priorities of the new administra Health Activists Digest Nursing issue ($1 O for yeaJ1y sub ' tion will be removing the current police chief scription) $ 2.50 and cracking down on police brutality, major Socialist Forum # 1: Electoral Politics and DSA $ 1.00 grievances of the black and Hisparuc com #2: Peace, Electoral Politics $ 2.00 Which Way America? The Political Perspective of the DSA munities. Washington has vowed to continue youth Section $ .30 his fight against Reaganism both at the na Women Organizing: Feminist Perspectives on the Family $ 1.50 tional level as a spokesman for cities and in Why We Are Socialists (The points of political unity between state government by fighting cutbacks in ed the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee and $ 25 ucation and human services spending. the New American Movement) Youth Section Organizing Manual $ 2.00 Much of the Washington program has yet to crystalize. Nevertheless, the sense of Make checks payable to DSA All prices include postage. TOTAL hope generated by his election is widespread Discounts: 5-9 copies of one title, 20%; 10 or more of one among blacks and non-black progressives title, 30%. Send bulk orders to: DSA,-1300 W. Belmont · alike. Although he will have to make signifi Ave., Chicago, IL60657. cant moves to quell fears in a race-divided city, Washington is committed to a course NAME ______that will fundamentally alter the shape of Chi cago politics. For DSA and our progressive ADDRESS ------~ allies, there could be no better news. •
Jolin Cameron was active in the Washington Amount: IDS DSA Tota-1~--- campaign. He is ediJbr of the Chicago Social Mail to Suite 801, 853 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003 ist.
DEMOCRATIC LEFT 6 APRIL 1983 Representative Harold Washington
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·- DEMOCRATIC LEFT 7 APRIL 1983 ELECTORAL STRATEGY ROAD TO NOWHERE by Leo Casey
t is the spring of 1983 and all the pageantry of a presidential campaign has begun: campaign committees are fonned, the official and unofficial statements of candidacy are made, the jockeying for position begins, and the media start their seemingly endless specula tion on the final results. Yet the sense of drama is missing. Not only is there no seri ous contest of political ideas, but it is hard to imagine any of the current front runners - leading the charge on crucial issues. Need Elsewhere in this issue Carol O'Cleirea decline of many of the elements-such as the less to say, the democratic left has not even cain challenges the popular assumption that industrial unions-that comprised the coali entered the lists. we can look forward to economic recovery as tion for that idea. If we are to rebuild a pro As democratic socialists, it is not usual. Indeed, there is mounting evidence gressive political majority, it will be based on enough for us to bemoan this sorry state of that the American economy is being funda a new and more radical program and involve a affairs, but assume that the Democratic can mentally restructured in the course of its new and broader coalition. Among the ele didate will win and that eventually the left will current crisis. The once dominant heavy ments of this coalition will be a revitalized, have more opportunities. We can no longer manufacturing industnes of steel, machin different trade union movement, one with far employ the "pendulum" metaphor to argue ery, and auto are losing their commanding more significant public and service sectors, that American politics may swing to the right position within both the American and inter and one in which women and minorities play a but has to return to the left before coming to national economy, and will only partially re far more important role. rest in the center. Politics is not nature, and cover when the economic situation as a follows no law of gravity. Likewise, we can whole improves. The system of industrial Hearts and Mind not reduce the complexity of the situation to capitalism rooted in these basic industries is This progressive political majority will personal decisions, such as Ted Kennedy's being transformed into a new "computer not be rebuilt in a vacuum. There are con choice not to run. Our difficulties run far age" economic order in which high technol tenders to the right of succession to the New deeper. We must look to the underlying eco ogy capital increasingly asswnes the leading Deal coalition, particularly on the ultra-con nomic and ideological trends that shape role. This transfonnation is so far reaching in servative right, and until now they have held American political culture over the long nm. scope that the only example of a similar scale the upper hand. The Reagan landslide of This is a major project with many aspects; in development in American history would be 1980 should be seen as the first battle in the this short essay I will limit myself to consid the transition to a heavy manufacturing in war to construct a new political bloc. Its eration of two of the more important ques dustrial capitalism in the late 19th century. ultimate success is by no means preor tions. dained, but it certainly cannot be defeated These fundamental changes in the econ without the development of a coherent left omy are having a profound effect on the char alternative. acter of American political culture. The in It is no secret to the readers of DEMO The first task for democratic socialists dustrial unions based in heavy manufacturing CRATIC LEFT that the American economy is seeking to develop a strategy for Reaganism have been the progressive spearhead of the in a full scale crisis after a decade of worsen is to study carefully the basis of its ideological American trade union movement. and a pri ing downturns. Although political analysts appeal. The ideologues of the right have un mary mainstay of the New Deal electoral have paid considerable attention to the short derstood that the economic crisis and grow coalition that has been the predominant force tenn electoral effects of a double digit unem ing disintegration of the New Deal coalition in American politics for the better part of the ployment rate, there has been little discus required an active ideological response. Rea last forty years. As the industries in which sion of the long range political impact of the ganism is an attempt to construct a right these unions are based have declined, the accompanying changes in the structure of the wing political majority arowid a qualitatively power and influence of the unions have de economy. Instead, the prevailing view as new configuration of iclf!ological themes, a cayed, contributing to the already advancing sumes that the current economic troubles new- to use Antonio Gramsci's term disintegration of the New Deal coalition. are not substantially different from the re "common sense" that popularizes a radical cessions of the fifties and sixties. As the The currect lifeless enactment of the economic and social program. Only when we primary industries pick up in time, the econ campaign for the Democratic presidential understand how this new "common sense" omy will be revived and return to its previous nomination i's a product of this decline. We speaks to various popular aspirations will we fonn. According to this perspective, the ba cannot graft a new idea on an old and tired be able to construct a viable alternative. sic shape and character of the economy will, coalition. The crisis of New Deal hberalism is One of the central organizing themes of despite cyclical fluctuations, remain the thus not just the exhaustion of an idea which this new ideology is anti-statism Where the same. has outlived its time; it is also the historical old right was thoroughly committed to state
DEMoc:RA TIC LEFT 8 APRlll 983 interventionism as recently as Nixon's 1971 imposition of wage and price controls, the new Reagan right is WlCOmpromising in its opposition to most forms of state regulation. It attacks the central government bureauc racy as the enemy of initiative and self-reli ance, and defends its dismantling of consum er and worker health and safety and environ mental protection programs as the restora tion of freedom. ·It would be a mistake, how ever, to treat this anti-statist posture as a For almo~t 30 years the quarterly magazine DISSENT crude rationalization for pro-business poli has been the voice of the democrntic left in America-prmting cies. Despite many positive achievements in lively and retlective article~ on a wide range of political. the fields of social welfare and security, the social, and cultural topic~ critical of the 11111111 11110. New Deal liberal state has gradually acquired Edited by Irving Howe and Michael Walter, DISSENT a centralized and bureaucratic character that stands for democratic values. for unyielding opposition to has undermined the possibility of effective authoritarianism in all form,. and for freedom or opinion and democratic control of its decisions. It is not exchange among its contributor~ - including Robert Hcil only giant corporations that have grievances broner. Cynthia Fuchs Epstein, Michael Hanington. Lewis against the liberal state: the very classes of Coser. Gus Tyler, Robert Lekachman. Octavio Paz. Rose citizens who should benefit from the control Laub Coser, Dennis Wrong. and regulation of business also experience the state as an arbitrary and oppressive force • in their lives. Reaganism seizes upon the DISSENT is published by the Foundation for subsequent disenchantment with the inter the Study of Independent Social Ideas. Inc. ventionist state and New Deal liberalism to build a popular consensus for its specific at Single Copy: $3.50 tacks on the more progressive programs of One year subscription: $14 Two year su~ription: $25 the government. Students: $9 per year Institutions (librarie~, etc.): $19/$35 For example, this anti-statist theme has At 11ew.1.1111mi.I or ortl<'r _fi-0111 : a particuJar resonance in a field such as edu DISSENT, 521 5th Avenue, New York, N.Y., 10017 cation. When the major pedagogical and or ganizing decisions are largely usurped by centralized bureaucracies, be they city, state or federal, a considerable amount of resent ment is generated within local communities. When generally progressive decisions are made by these bureaucracies, the right has a Change the USA golden opportunity to connect reactionary opposition to racial integration or sex educa tion with genuine democratic sentiment for community control of education. The task of Join the DSA the democratic left is to pose an ideological alternative that identifies progressive re Members of the Democratic Socialists of America, formerly DSOC/NAM, work in every forms with democratic control over decision day-to-day struggle for social justice. We bring a strategy for bWlding alliances among all the making. movements for social change. And we bring a vision of a society that can satisfy the demands It is not sufficient, therefore, for the left for dignity and justice-a socialist society. to simply pose an alternative economic pro Join the people working to bring together all the movements for social change ... and to gram. Many of the left prefer to avoid the bring together day-to-day battles and long-term strategies and visions. Join DSA. so-called controversial cultural and social questions, especially issues of race and sex. D Send me more infonnation about democratic socialism. This has the effect of ideological capitulation D I'd like to join DSA. Enclosed find my dues ([] $50 sustaining; D $30 regular; D $15 to Reaganism: the right would become the limited income. Dues include $8 for DEMOCRATIC LErr > only political force attempting to articulate O I would like to subsaibe to DEMOCRATIC LEIT: D $15 sustaining; D $8 regular. democratic, anti-statist themes. In the ab D I would like to subscnbe to the discussion bulletin, Socialist Forum, $10. sence of any meaningful ideological opposi tion, their success would be assured. Send to: Democratic Socialists of America, 853 Broadway, Suite 801, New York, N. Y. 10003. Tel.: (212) 260-3270. Reaganism can be defeated, but only if the democratic left deepens its understand ing of and develops its commitment to the Name ~------democratic, anti-statist traditions of the Address communities in which we are rooted. Don't City/State,______.Zip bother to look for that plank in the 1984 Phone. ______Union, School, Other Affiliation ~ Democratic party platform. •
DEMOCRATIC LEFT 9 APRIL 1q33 EUROMISSILES LETTERS Check the Facts
To the Editor: In the February 1983 edition Michael Harrington says that to qualify for Medicaid you either have to sell your house or have a lien put on it. This is untrue: federal law specifically excludes Medicaid from reim bursement. This means that no lien can be put on the house. Further, the house is ex cluded as a resource under the means test, if it is your home. Poor people in this country have enough trouble qualifying for public benefits because of the myths and misinformation perpetrated by those within the welfare bureaucracy who ' ~J want to exclude them from eligil>ility. The myth must not be compounded by the DEMO CRATIC I.EFT, which, if it is serious about being a viable political force, must do its Peace Tour '83 homework. Amre Vau,gltan by Jason Kay Niles Schon Philadelpllia, Pa. he Euromissiles-464 cruise Euromissiles. and 108 Pershing Il missiles Peace Tour '83 is designed to address that the Reagan administra this problem. Among the tour's 16 speakers Survival Years tion wants to deploy in West are leaders from the International Union of ern Europe this year-repre- Socialist Youth from Germany and. England, To the Editor: sentT a new and dangerous escalation of the Joan Ruddock, Chair of Britain's Campaign For a history of the anti-gay aspects of anns race. Spreading the word about that for Nuclear Disannament, Dick Greenwood, the McCarthy period, I would like to hear danger is the goal of Peace Tour '83, which is foreign policy spokesperson for the Machin from gay people who lived through that peri bringing 16 European and American peace ists Union, and DSA leaders Michael Har od. The Survival Yems is a history in prog activists to nearly 50 cities around the coun rington, Bodgan Denitch, Dorothee Soelle, ress that will concentrate on the security try. and Manning Marable. These speakers will programs of the Truman and Eisenhower NATO first announced its intention to be visiting places such as Boise, Idaho and administrations that barred gay people from deploy the Euromissiles in 1979. Soon after Houston, Texas, not just the usual centers of employment, not only in the federal govern wards, the disannament movement in Eu left and liberal politics. Special emphasis is ment, but also from large segments of pri rope began a resurgence that brought the being placed on campus audiences, because vate industry. It will explore the effects on anns race to the center of European politics. the disarmament issue has not mobilized stu and the memories and reactions of the gay In the fall of 1981, a total of 2. 5 million people dents nearly as much as did the antiwar victims and bystanders of the 1950 purges. marched in every major capital in Western movement of the sixties. LmEvans Europe. Since then, the peace movement in Many peace organizations have made 1995 Oak St. 010 Europe has continued to grow, fueled by the the Euromissiles a major priority or their San Francisa>, Calif. 94117 prospect of a nuclear confrontation of the work in 1983. They are planning campaigns superpowers that would leave Europe a that will include both legislative lobbying and Help! wasteland and inevitably engulf the rest of grassroots mobilization. The peace tour is the world. the beginning of DSA's contribution to that the Editor: In the U.S., the peace movement has campaign-a contribution drawing on ties to It is frustrating to be able to read David also grown suddenly and massively. Much of the international socialist movement and a Kotz's article (ITT, March 9-22) on unem that growth has been galvanized by the call national network of conunitted peace activ ployment and it looks like this, but Michael for a nuclear freeze. Unfortunately, the ists. • Harrington's article looks like this. Guess which freeze movement has not led to widespread, writer is giving me a headache. Please u~ active opposition to specific weapons sys Jason Kay is the organizer ofPeace Tour '83. larger print! tems. Indeed, many congressional suppor For a sdwluk of tour apJJearanas, write to JoanSlamt4 ters of the freeze also favor deploying the him at the New York office. Baltimore, Md.
DEMOCRATIC LEFT 10 APRIL 1983 ORGANIZER'S DIARY
Michael Harrington: Problems ofSuccess
Some recent encounters have given me an appreciation of the on their behalf, particularly since they admired his politics? Because, problems of DSA's success: the difficulties of no longer being a smaU I told them. DSA simply doesn't try to "discipline" its members in and comfortable sect but not yet being a large and important mass the unions and even has known its people to be on different sides of movemenL As one who has known both, I must say I prefer the internal union issues. The only union where I have a right to fight on problems of success to the problems of failure. internal issues, I said, was the American Federation of Teachers and if I did I would do it as a member of the union and not as a part of some February 25th. The first West external caucus. I didn't satisfy them, though there was an older STAN FoRD Coast DSA Youth Section con unionist from another union, who had come out of the Communist ference is being held at this party, who knew what I was saying, and obviously approved. university. The tree·lined, elite Palo Alto campus, which looks like a 'That night, the DSA meeting at the University of Washington fine place for lotus eating, sometimes makes one forget that it is the campus was so crowded that the opening had to be delayed to let home of an important radical tradition. This was one of the first people into the auditorium. Someone noted that this was the first places where the sixties began, an important center of the civil rights time in a long time that any left meeting in this area had been and antiwar movements. bothered by that problem. The next morning, at a brunch, there Marjorie Ph}fe, who is in California for Machinists political were forty or fifty DSAers in attendance, many of them trade action work, and I share the platform at the opening plenary. There unionists, many active in the progressive wing of the Democratic are about 200 in attendance, 65 from outside the Bay Area (that last party. From there we went to a fund raiser given by some of the number was to reach about 150 by the end of the conference) and the hberaJ Democratic activists. When I spoke of how none of the spirit is excellent. Marjorie is extremely thoughtful on what it meant presidential candidates really addressed the basic, and radical, is to be in the movement and how it had changed ber own life. From the sues, there was considerable agreement. laughter, I must have come across as a hybrid of myself and Mort From the fund raiser we drove through the Market section of Sahl. I had never thought Reaganomics a hilarious subject, but there Seattle-a skid row of Native Amencans, alcoholics, teen age run you are. The next night, Ron Dellum's speech would draw 300 aways-to a meeting sponsored by the Seattle Council of Churches. people. I talked of the tremendous developments in Europe and Latin Amer The real point is that the Youth Section keeps growing and that on ica that were bringing religious people who had been historically her post-conference tour, Youth Organizer Penny Schantz organ hostile to socialism into the movement. I thought of Noonan 1bom ized. not simply individuals, but entire chapters. The campus is, I as. We used to chat about religion quite a bit because my Jesuit suspect, waiting for a cause. The antinuke raUy of 1979, the antidraft educated background let me understand the concerns that flowed demonstration of 1980 in which many of us playl.'ti a role, the out of his Presbyterian background. mobilization against the cuts in student aid that DSA did so much to From the Council of Churches meeting, a quick drive to the build, the turnout for disarmament in June, are aU anticipations of a airport, a flight to Portland and a DSA outreach meeting of some movement, but not yet a movement. I have been saying that it is 200. "1959" for about three or four years, i.e., that the campus is on the verge of exploding into life. Even though the clock is running much too slowly, I hear it ticking at tlus Stanford conference. February21J, March 1st. I wo~'t list OREGON aU of the speeches and meetings Februa;y 26th. I go straight from the ______ten fonnal talks in two days in five SEATTLE airport to the University of Washington, different cities-but only a few of the highlights. Monday morning. where I speak at an afternoon confer February 28th, I had breakfast with AFL-CIO leaders from the ence sponsored by the Gray Panthers, with the support of the Multinomah County Federation. DSAers play a role in the AFL-CIO AFL-CIO. In the mid-seventies I spoke at one of the Panthers' there and-something I noticed on earlier trips-there is a North national conferences, soon after they were organized. so I was western openness to radical ideas that puts the "sophisticated" prepared for the vitality and militance I discovered in Seattle. But Northeast to shame. These are unionists who had been working on what was particularly impressive was the way in which these men plant dosing legislation and had a real sense of the way in which new and women understood the inter-relating of issues. They were departures were imperative for the labor movement. determined not to be just a special interest lobby for the over-65s At Portland State that afternoon, I spoke to an audience of 150 and they responded with enthusiasm when I told them they h.id to or so sponsored by the local Freeze activists. At the Corvallis enlist in the struggle against the unemployment of younger workers. campus later in the day, there were 200 students. From Corvallis we After the meeting, there was a brief discussion with about a went to Eugene, where despite the fact that I was competing with dozen trade unionists from the area. Several were leaders of a local the final episode of M.A.S.H., at least 200 students turned out. who had won a tough battle as dissidents in the Seattle Machinists These were not fifties meetings. These were "1959" meetings, on union. Why, they wanted to know, didn't DSA intervene with Wimpy the cusp of the sixties. Conlin~ on page 14.
DEMOCRATIC LEFT 11 APRIL 1'83 edged to the writer that Clarke was re city.... Chicago is now the home of a Peace luctant to spell DSA's name out on cam Museum, member Kristen Lems reports in paign literature endorsement lists because a recent issue of Downstate uft. One of the "we and everyone else recognized what few of its kind in the world, it features socialism means in this country, '1 but said graphic, literary, and performing art works that Clarke learned through the campaign inspired by, or dedicated to peace. In Feb by MAXINE PHILLIPS to know and respect members of DSA. ruary its big exhibit was the "Peace Quilt," DSAer Steve Ramirez pointed out that at a collective effort with squares contributed an election night victory party Clarke men by a wide variety of peace and social justice NATIONAL ROUNDUP tioned DSA by its full name in his list of groups. It is located at 364 W. Erie St. and thank you's. The article also focused on is open every afternoon but Monday ... 1be California some of DSA's policy development work. Midwest Regional Conference of DSA was In an "unprecedented" action, East describing a paper on economic develop held in Champaign-Urbana on the weekend Bay DSA voted to make the City Council ment that opposes creation of enterprise of March 19-20 ... Chicago bid farewell to campaign of Cassandra Lopez its top prior zones and proposed cuts in business taxes Chris Riddiough, who has moved to Wash ity until the April election. The local recom as giveaways to business that wouldn't pro ington, D. C. and a job with The National mended that the East Bay DSA PAC en duce new jobs. The paper also proposes Organization for Women. Chris, who will dorse her, which it did. Lopez, a black that tenant serurity deposits be invested in be assistant to DSA member and NOW public school teacher and longtime commu a public fund for construction of low and VP-Action Mary Jecµi Collins, will work on nity activist, is running for the North Oak moderate income housing, rather than in lesbian rights. She was hailed in GayLife as land seat on the Council, an area in which banks that can use the money for condo "one of the most effective leaders in the 100 DSA members live. Jobs, housing, and minium conversion or other investments gay community in Chicago. " crime prevention are key issues in her cam that are against tenant interests. paign. She was asked to run by the Oakland MaiM Progressive Political Alliance in the hope Illinois State Representative Harlan Baker, a that a victory for her and re-election for The annual Thomas-Debs Dinner of DSA member, sponsored a successful res incumbent Wilson Riles, Jr. would form a the Chicago local, which this year honors olution to ratify the proposed constitutional progressive Council bloc that could attract trade unionist Joyce Miller, will feature as amendment to give full voting rights to the votes from moderate Council members. its main speaker Representative Harold District of Colwnbia. This makes Maine The campaign is relying on person-power Washington. DSAers are working to make the 11th state to ratify. 1be amendment for precinct walkers, not "slick mailings or sure that by the time of the dinner on May 7 would give D. C. the right to elect two sena expensive consultants," says the East Bay Washington will be the new mayor of the tors and one representative to Congress. DSA newsletter... The newsletter also re ports that its own direct mail recruitment effort combined with that of the National has increased its membership by 200 in the past six months. San Diego DSA has joined with other community organizations to help the labor movement collect food for the unem ployed. The Solidarity Labor-Community Coalition, which grew out of the 1981 Sol idarity Day demonstration, was coordinat ing a massive food drive for mid-February, with distribution being handled through ex isting agencies.
District ofColumbia A front page story in The Washington Tribune, a free weekly, focused on DSA members in the City Council, Hilda Mason and Frank Smith, and on DSA's work in the Democratic party. Calling DSA "decidedly unstrident," the article pointed out that DSA had the second largest contingent at the city's recent constitutional convention, and had contributed some 40 to 50 volun teers to Democrat David Clarke's success The Boise, Idaho local participated in a coalitional march and rally for ful campaign for chainnan of the City Coun peace and justice, using such props as the sign and apples above to make cil. Clarke's campaign manager acknowl- points about the economy.
DEMOCRATIC LEFT 12 APRIL 1983 Massadt~tts the local watering hole, but this is the first DSA members from the Pioneer Val we've heard of starting out there. MARX CENTENNIAL ley local participated in Democratic party toWn and ward caucuses in early February Ohw The University of Maryland Baltimore m preparation for the party issues conven An extended regional meeting will be County will host a conference on "Marx tioo. Three of the delegates selected were held in Oberlin on April 10. Workshops will ism: One Hundred Years After" April 15- DSA members... The Boston School for focus on DSA local work and political skills. 16. Funded by the Maryland Committee for Democratic Socialism spring brochure fea For information, contact Cleveland DSA, the Humanities, it will assess the philo tures classes on housing and urban policy, P. 0. Box 91093, Cleveland, OH 44101. sophic-humanist tradition of Marx. Addres women and work, and lessons for Ameri ses will be given by David McLellan, Uni can labor from the West European labor Jim Miller imported 100 copies of After versity of Canterbury; Anthony Giddens, movements. Poland, a book published by Spokesman, Kings College, Cambridge; and Michael the publishing house of the Bertrand Rus Lowy, University of Nanterre. Panels will New York sell Institute. It contams the statements of explore "Marxism and Work, Marxism and Bill Nowak tells us that Buffalo DSA the Italian Communist party in reaction to Religion, Marxism and Feminism, and the military coup in Poland and some of the ers were please to see years of work in the Marxism and Black Culture." Write to Pro Peoples Power Coalition pay off with a answering polemics from the Soviets. fessor Norman Levine, Project Director, study submitted to the Common Council These haven't been available in English in Department of History, UMBC, 5401 Wil that calls for municipal takeover of Niagara the U.S. before, Jun tells us. The PCI res kens Ave., Baltimore, Md. 21228. Mohawk Power. In 1976 and 1977 the Co olutions and debates stake out a position We understand that some local resi alition gathered 12, 000 signatures favoring arguing for a "third way," neither Soviet dents have criticized the university's in a study on public ownership of the utilities. style communism nor Western European volvement in this project. The New York In 1978 the Corrunon Council authorized style social democracy. Price is $4 from Times reports that controversy also sur money for the study. The mayor impound Cleveland DSA, c/o Miller, 2061 E. 115th faced in London, where the Labor-con ed the funds. The Coalition and the Council St., Cleveland, OH 44106. trolled city council allocated more than took the mayor to court and funds were $50,000 to be spent on such events as released. The study began in 1981. With Oregon lectures, theater projects, reading lists for public power, the study estimates, savings If you've ever wondered what to do schools, and walking tours of pubs that could approach $215 million in the next ten when you have to plan child care for a meet Marx visited. A Tory council member in years. The study was not so positive about ing or convention, the new pamphlet by the London snorted, "We don't owe anything the possibility of public ownership of gas Portland DSA might prove helpful Al to Marx; we owe more to Harpo and his facilities. Since both Niagara Mohawk and though it only scratches the surface, "Chil brothers than Karl." The British Broad National Fuel Gas refused to provide any dren Are Everybody's Business" gives a casting Corporation aired a six-part series data for the study, the consultants inferred good overview of what to prepare for and on Marx's legacy. David Mclellan, author that National Fuel, which owns all the pipe how to handle logistics. The pamphlet was of 13 books on Marx, served as adviser for lines leadiQg into Buffalo, would refuse to prepared by the local's Socialist Feminist the series, but asked that his name be re supply a municipal utility. Other sources Task Force, which also maintains a list of moved from the credits of the final product are available for electricity, so the city persons available to do child care. The because, "Marx was an intellectual giant in would not be "blockaded" if it municipalized pamphlet is for distnbution to community the study of society and this does not come electric power. The members of the Coali groups. For a sample, send a stamped, over in the scripts. They over-identify tion expect a tough fight When Massena self-addressed envelope to DSA, P.O. Box Marxism with Soviet Communism ... there ~ ew York took over Niagara Mohawk facil 45, Portland, OR 97297. is no sense that there is anything to learn ities in 1981 and lowered rates by 20 per from Marxism or that it has influenced the cent. the utility outspent public power ad West. .. " \·ocates ten to one and tied the issue up in Here at home the only news that the court. Buffalo activists believe they have WOMEN'S MEDIA New York Ti~ saw fit to print on the learned from the Massena experience. The actual anniversary of his death was an es Buffalo DSA local scheduled a February Another conference on that April say about his illegitimate son, accompanied premiere of the Coalition's slide show to weekend (16-17) sponsored by the Wo- by a cartoon of a pregnant Karl The Chi educate the public and will work with the , men's Institute for Freedom of the Press, cago Tribumt published a right-wing attack, Coalition to make public power a reality. will focus on planning a national and interna but most of the media ignored the occasion. tional corrununications system for women. As we go to press, registrations are pour North Carolina A Women's Computer Literacy Course will ing in for the memorial conference in New Every Tuesday from 9:30 p.m. on, follow immediately at a special rate of $185 York City on April 1-2. The opening ses Chapel Hill-Carrboro DSAers gather for for conference participants. For infonna sion will be held in the great hall at Cooper some socialist socializing in a local bar, tion about the media conference, contact Union. Organizers don't expect to match Molly Maguire's. Members and friends, WIFP, 3306 Ross Place, N.W., Washing the crowd of 6, 000 that jammed in for the says the local newsletter, are invited to join ton, D.C. 20008, 202-966-7783. The or first memorial event a hundred years aRo. in for "serious political discussion and light ganization has also published a 1983 ltukx/ but do anticipate large numbers. • conversation." We know it's not uncom Directqry o/Wt:m1m's Media, which is avail Harry Fkischman is on vacatWn and ti/ill mon for many DSA meetings to adjourn to able for $8 from the same address. return next month.
D EM OCRATIC LEFT 13 APRIL 1983 the margin of the society. We are now on the margin of the main Organizer's Diary stream, but only on its margin. We are going to make mistakes, of course, but they are the mistakes of movement and success. We are exploring a terrain no one on the American left has seen in over thirty years. It is scary. It is wonderful. • Continued from page 11.
We drove that night to Salem, the state capital, and I had breakfast the next morning without about fifty lobbyists for most of the good causes in the state. Then I testified before a committee of the legislature. A woman representative, a conservative Democrat, Send Datothy Healey to Washington I was told, stormed out muttering that "Socialism isn't the answer." - FOR GOOD- I was delighted that it was becoming a question. That noon, there was yet another meeting, attended by members of both houses of Thal'• right. After a lifetime of political activism and struggle in Los Angeles, Dorothy Healey has decided the legislature and their staffs. About 150 sat through a serious to carry the good fight to Washington analysis of the American economy and the political scene. That Many at us from across the natoo who haw i-n inspired experience reinforced my sense that politics outside of the over by her owr the years are Pf9l)8lirlQ a tribute and send-Off. organized and over-exposed centers is often more vital, more per P#NM join us. It will benefit the Socialist Community sonal, and more open. School of the Los Angeles local of the Democratic Socialists of America Dorothy is now NallOllal Vtee When you give as many talks as I did during those two days, a Chairperson of O.SA. certain amount of repetition is \lllllvoidable--one can't invent the wheel ten times in 48 hours-and I was as bored by myself as I assumed Bill Thomas and Chris Nielsen, the DSA organizers who DATE: June 5, 1983 guided me aro~d the state, were. So for the last talk at the TIME: 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. University of Portland I recast my basic analysis in a specifically 1(9W - doe-• 12 :io1 Marxist framework and, to my delight, found it well received at this CITY: Las Angeles Catholic university. PLACE: Biltmore Hotel And so home to New York on the red eye via Chicago. TICKETS: each, tiow income) What had I learned? DSA in the Northwest is reaching out to s1s s10 real world politics: to trade unionists, Gray Panthers, Protestant A Joumal of Greetings is bemg prepared We hope you ministers, Democratic party activists, students, and peace activists. will consider publishing a message to Dorothy In it which And that is not a peculiarity of the area. The same thing has been can become part Of the permanent record of this tnbute happening in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Chicago (where I had a to her FM Tlck•t• •nd Joum•I Q,..tl,,.a: Rates will be: terrific meeting a week later, buoyed by the excitement of Harold The Soctalllt Community Schoof Washington's campaign, with sympathizers filling a packed church), S300 - lullPIQO 2936 W 8'11 Stroot $150 - haH- Loo Angeles. C.i '°""8 90005 in Philadelphia and in Albany, New York. We are out of the closet, $75-quanor._ Mak• ch.c-k• JMYabltt to: • SociaJ.sl CommuMy Schoof' out of the tight, comfortable little world of sectarian certitudes. We $40 - eoghth- $10 - " Fnendl" ltsbng Note: Checks fol' U'9 Journal ,,, tN have moved from making hypothetical policy for the nation and the amount ol $40 "'~.,. ,.. dlductblt world to endorsing city council candidates and assessing legislative DEADLINE: ,.,..,. •ntlpur check no'"'"' man Al•.t.~ compromises. -1""· ,,,.... And yet, we have not made the essential breakthrough. Not yet We are, as I told the National Board in February, no longer on CLASSlflED ALTERNATIVE JOB & INTERNSHIP OPPOR MAGAZINE SAMPLES KuSasa is an independent journal of political analy TUNITIES! The envirorunent, foreign affairs, Free listing of over 150 magazines sis and discussion on South Africa by South Afri women's rights, media, health/education, com offering a sample copy - $. 50 a sample cans. Board of Advisors includes Bishop Desmond munity organizing, and more. Send $3.00 for lat Send stamped self-addressed #10 envelope to: Tutu and Dr. Manning Marable. A DSA member is est nationwide listing. COMMUNITY JOBS, Box PUBLISHERS EXCHANGE Editor and foWlder. Costs $4.00 a copy. Write: 607, 1520 16th St, NW, Washington, DC 20036. P.O. Box220, Dept. 261 Corbin Seavers c/oKuSasa, Boone Square Apart Dunellen, NJ 08812 ments, #8, Berea, KY 40403. CALL FOR PAPERS: Union of Radical Political Economics, 1983 Summer Conference, Sand MIDWEST/INDUSTRIAL HEARTLAND DSA FIST-AND-ROSE BUTIONS. Single but wich, Mass., August 24-28, 1983. · LABOR COMMISSION CONFERENCE ton 50¢ postpaid Bulk orders for DSA Locals: 25t Theme: "Restructuring Capital in the 1980s." DSA labor activists are invited to a conference apiece. Send to DSA, 1300 W. Behnont Ave., April 16-17 in Cleveland, Ohio. For more informa Chicago, IL, 60657. tion, contact the DSA Labor Commission, 1300 Send an abstract, proposal or outline to: Tom W. Behnont.. Chicago, IL 60657, 312-871-7700. Mongar, Department of Political Science and Soci ology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, NORMAN THOMAS-EUGENE V. DEBS Florida 32216. Read SOCIALIST STANDARD. Our goal: a dem Annual Dinner ocratic with program, socialist movement a clear May 7, 1983. Chiago, Il. Has your local ordered bundles of DEMOCRATIC based within the Democratic Party and labor Honoring Joyce Miller. Guest speaker, Hon. Har LEFT to distribute at meetings? For H>t a copy movement. Articles by Frank Wallick, Ruth Jor old Washington. Tickets $25. Contact Chicago you can advertise DSA and its work. Minimum dan, local $5 reports on organizing. per year, Box DSA. 1300 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, Il. 60657. order 25 copies. DSA locals only. Send order to 9872, Dept. A. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. DL, 853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003.
DEMOCRATIC LEFT 14 APRIL 1983 THE LAST WORD Labor and Defense Spending
by Gordon Haskell
he AFL-CIO has launched an tive, mobilized forces represented by the as an American buildup; we must not unilat ambitious "Agenda for Re bargainers. erally remove that alternative." covery" with jobs as the cen The AFL-CIO Agenda is vigorous in its Meeting in Bal Harbor, Florida at the terpiece. The agenda advo denunciation of Reagan.ism. But it is strange end of February, the Executive Council of cates public investment to ly devoid of anything resembling a call to the AFL-CIO spelled out a program on mili createT jobs, and monetary, international action, an outline of a campaign to unite labor tary spending that called for a 5 to 7 percent • trade, and anti-inflation policies to achieve with its natural allies on behalf of its program, annual increase (instead of Reagan's 9-10 the same end. In a tabloid insert in the Jan a recognition that the reallocation of re percent) in military spending over the next uary l983AFL..CIO News, the union leader sources implicit in its program could only few years. In reporting the action, the AFL ship subjects the Reagan administration's result from a bitter struggle based on a re CIO News, not noted for highlighting dis programs and the general economic drift of alignment of political and social forces in agreements among the union leadership, in industrialized capitalism to trenchant analy America. cluded the comment that "a number of coun sis and criticism. And it is devoid of something else. cil members have expressed the strong opin Socialists will find much to support in In eight pages its only reference to the ion that the increase should be held to the this program. In fact, much of it sounds famil relation between the military budget and the lower end of this range or below." The pro iar: extending unemployment and health care "Agenda for Recovery" is: "Looking toward gram also contained objections to the pay coverages; increasing the supply of housing the future, the matter of specific price pres freeze on the military., and urged that real for low and middle-income families; renew sures which may be generated by the na increases in military spending be financed ing and rebuilding the nation's infrastructure; tional defense buildup must be accompanied from a special surtax on corporate and indi expanding community services; lowering in by appropriate economic policies. The de vidual incomes. terest rates and channeling credit to job-cre fense sector can drain capital away from civil It would appear there is an lllleaSY ac ating investments, and so forth. Much as we ian industries and away from other govern commodation-or perhaps truce-at the top applaud so many parts of the program, we ment programs. It can bid away key human of the American labor movement concerning cannot help but ask how resources will be resources, such as scientists, engineers and foreign and military policy. Unfortunately, channeled to where they will fuel growth skilled trades workers, as well as scarce this leaves Lane Kirkland, as its chief and while taking care of human need, and who will material away from the civilian economy. A most listened-to spokesperson, pretty free be in charge of the process. The agenda is materials allocation program, for example, to give his own interpretation of what somewhat clearer on the "who" than the would become a necessity if shortages and "American Labor" stands for in this vital "how." bottlenecks should develop." area. It proposes a tripartite National Rein That's it? That's it. Could it be an inad Kirkland's views bar the top leadership dustrialization Board that would "include vertant omission, like forgetting the main of the AFL-CIO from any possibilty of coop representatives of labor, business and the point you meant to make in a debate because eration with the broadest and most active government The Board would develop a you got carried away by fascinating details? political current in American politics today: balanced economic program to insure revital No. It is dehberate. Certainly AFL-CIO the nuclear freeze movement. This is ex ization of the nation's sick industries and President Lane Kirkland's views are nose tremely unfortunate, for it blocks any chance guarantee Joans to finance approved reindus cret. In an address to the National Strategy of mobilizing the politically active middle trialization ventures ... " Infonnation Center on January 25, 1983, class behind the AFL-CIO's economic agen Although this description would appear Kirkland said " ... we consider irrelevant, da. Without a labor-middle-class-minorities to leave out some pretty important consti even if we do not dispute, the argument that alignment, the odds of replacing Reaganism tuencies, the article states that the Board a given expenditure for defense produces with an administration whose social policies would "bring together all of the elements in fewer jobs than the same expenditure in non can turn society around are not good. economic society. It would insure that the defense programs. We haveopposedso-call Other union leaders disagree funda interests of workers, industry, consumers- ed 'transfer amendments' that would trans mentally with Kirkland. They, and the mem all the people-are an integral part of the fer funds from the defense budget to social bers they lead, can play an especially vital economic decision-making process." That programs. Social expenditures should be role in the current lineup of forces. We must would be nice, of course, but bitter experi driven by social needs. Defense spending give them every bit of support. The labor ence teaches that competition for limited re should be driven by the external threat to our movement cannot afford a policy that divides sources and economic goods produces pow security." He quoted approvingly from the them from their natural allies, is counterpro er struggles over their allocation. Experi AFL-CIO Executive Council's resolution last ductive, and can thwart the achievement of ence also teaches that such struggles are year " ... that the Soviet Union will agree to social and economic goals most vital to trade usually determined by the relation of effec- real arms reductions if it sees the alternative unionists. •
DEMOCRATIC LEFT 15 APRIL 1983 JANIE HIGGINS REPORTS
Required reading-In the March 28 New Save the date--August 28, 1983 marks the Republic, Bob Kuttner offers some sound thinking on free trade twentieth anniversary of the March on Washington where Martin fallacies. In clear, concise prose, he takes on the shibboleths about Luther King, Jr., delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. comparative advantage and protectionism and argues convincingly The anniversary will be celebrated by a living tnbute to that dream of that neither free trade nor protectionism is the issue; an industrial equality and a better America; a massive march on Washington for policy, with a high degree of democratic planning, is what's at stake. jobs, peace, and freedom will take place. Coretta Scott King and See the March 31 New York Review ofBooks for Alfred Kazin's other leaders of the black struggle who were close to Martin King witty "Saving the Free World at the Plaza," which provides an initiated the anniversary march; the AFL-CIO has endorsed it; understanding of the neoconservative mindset. Reporting on the DSA' s Youth Section has shifted its annual summer conference from Committee for the Free World's conference at New York's Plaza the Midwest to the Washington area to participate; peace, commun Hotel, Kazin manages to be witty, biting, and fair in his descriptions. ity, feminist, black and Hispanic groups will be participating in An odd mixture of triumphalism and despair, paranoia and chutzpah numbers not seen since Solidarity Day in September 1981. Be pervaded the conference and the neoconservatives' attitudes. Nor there. man Podhoretz could be complaining one minute that "we are sur rounded by lynch mobs," only to conclude that "we were able to A new racism infects the South and theNew Ym* prevail" even if "we have a Jong way to go in the shaping of a national Times has finally discovered it. A February 7 dispatch revealed that consensus." businesses have avoided locating new plants in largely black areas because blacks have a greater propensity to join unions. In a civil suit over damage done by a textile plant to a nearby black community, Spread the word-1983 is the Year of the evidence emerged of a clear pattern. Let the vice president of Bible as officially proclaimed by Ronald Reagan. To help you re Amoco Fabrics Company (a subsidiary of Standard member, some superb people in Georgia have put together an Oil of Indiana) speak not just for that company but for attractive poster with words of God that the president seems to many others: "Our experiences are that the lower have forgotten. Verses such as the following fill the poster: ''1be the concentration of minorities, the better we're able Lord enters into judgment with the elders and princes of the people. to perform and get a plant started up. I'm not sure of 'It is you who have devoured the vineyard, and the spoil of the poor is all the reasons. I just know that by experience we've in your houses. What do you mean by grinding the face of the poor?"' seen that, and we've been very, very happy with the (Isaiah 3:14-15). Copies are available from Seeds, c/o Oakhurst results. " The Tillw did a good job on the story; it Baptist Church. 222 East Lake Drive, Decatur, GA 30030 for $2. 50 could have broken the item sooner if a few union each. organizers had been consulted.
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