2002 50 CENTS in THIS ISSUE War on Terrorism Can’T Private Capital Eyes Workers’ Social Security Bring Lasting Peace Page 2 Ept

Published by the Socialist Labor Party Established in l89l VOL.111 NO. 10 JANUARY 2002 50 CENTS IN THIS ISSUE War on Terrorism Can’t Private Capital Eyes Workers’ Social Security Bring Lasting Peace Page 2 ept. 11 has been described as a turning point in the history of Sthe world. We are not the same Health Care Benefits today as we were before the terrible Louis Fisher Pounded by Layoffs events of that day. 1913–2001 Page 3 No doubt the perception most work- Louis Fisher, presidential candidate ing-class Americans have of the world of the Socialist Labor Party in 1972, has undergone dramatic changes Editorial — died on Nov. 28 following a lengthy ill- since Sept. 11. The ancient concept of ness. Military Tribunals a “fortress America” impregnably shel- Fisher was born in Baltimore, Md., in Page 4 tered behind the breadth of oceans 1913. His parents moved to Chicago finally went the way of its former jus- while he was still a child, but stayed tification. However, no great grasp of only a few years before moving on to A Picture of history or of modern technology is Chicago, where he graduated from Socialist Government needed to understand why the mate- Riverside High School in 1931. He joined Section Milwaukee in 1935 when Page 8 rial foundation that once propped up he was 22. that idea had dissolved decades ago. Fisher was the SLP candidate for governor of Wisconsin in 1940. Soon Now we know that Sept. 11 was thereafter, however, he moved to Chicago and transferred to Section episodic rather than epochal. It did Cook Co. He was Illinois state secretary for many years and a frequent not mark a seminal departure from candidate for state and local office in Illinois. He was the SLP candidate the course of history. It did not signi- for U.S. senator from Illinois in 1970. SLP Launches fy a turning point in the history of In 1972, the party’s 28th National Convention nominated Fisher as Western, or capitalist, relations with the SLP’s candidate for president of the United States. His running mate the East. The call for a “holy war” was Genevieve Gunderson of Minneapolis. The Fisher-Gunderson ticket Emergency Fund against the invasion of Western “val- appeared on the ballot in 12 states and was credited with 53,821 votes, ues,” raised or echoed by Osama bin The SLP is confronted by a financial crisis the largest vote ever received by a national ticket of the SLP. Laden and others with a similar bent After retiring from the cleaning and dying industry, Fisher and his wife that may not be easily overcome. of mind, has, for the most part, been Friends of The People who have kept Ruth moved to Arizona in 1979, where he was instrumental in organizing ignored. The reason is simple: official Section Maricopa Co. in 1982. The couple returned to Chicago in 1998. abreast of the problem have been respond- Islam, like Christianity before it, ing to appeals for contributions printed in Fisher is survived by his wife, two brothers, a son, three daughters, 12 caved in to capitalism long ago. The grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. A notice in the Chicago Tribune recent issues. Their responses have been ground has been cut out from under sufficient to stop, at least temporarily, the of Nov. 29 suggests that contributions in his memory be sent to The People. it. It has adapted. The cheap com- monthly deficits that had reduced the cash modities that Marx described as the reserves of the SLP to a dangerous level—so cannon that would knock down all plete, the decisive moment that made that followed underscore and confirm it. dangerous that the party’s ability to maintain Chinese Walls of resistance in capi- the result all but inevitable occurred The videotape that, for many, con- its national headquarters and continue publi- talism’s march toward creating a 100 or 150 years ago. firmed that Osama bin Laden was the cation of The People were—and still are—in world after its own image found no In short, not much has changed perverted mastermind who hatched doubt. great obstacle to overcome in Islam. since Sept. 11. Indeed, the war that the diabolical plot that brought Sept. As can be seen from a financial report That, too, was accomplished long ago, the United States unleashed on Af- 11 about provides nothing more than printed elsewhere in this issue, income from and if the transformation is incom- ghanistan in the weeks and months (Continued on page 6) all sources for November was $16,761. Most of that income—about $11,250—came from contributions to several party funds. Combined with contributions received during the pre- Antiterrorist Effort Gives ceding two months, nearly $31,000 in contributions have been received since our first appeal was printed in the October issue. It Big Breaks to Capitalists is our aim to raise a minimum of $125,000 in contributions by Aug. 31. By Carl Miller Jr. turing jobs disappeared between companies would probably make Why Aug. 31, and why $125,000? There During capitalism’s past wars, the March 2000 and September 2001. anyway. It would also make it easier are two primary reasons. government pursued policies designed There is little doubt that the attacks for them to shelter their ill-gotten First: Aug. 31 is the date on which the to hide the causes of war and protect made a bad situation worse. gains in offshore tax havens and lease on the party’s national headquarters the interests of those who stood to The airlines were the first to bene- offer billions in refunds to profitable will expire. Long before then, a decision must gain the most from such internation- fit from wartime corporate welfare. corporations. It is not only the com- be made on trying to negotiate an extension al conflicts. Among these policies were Shortly after the attacks, Congress panies who benefit from this pack- on the current lease or on locating new facil- so-called excess profits taxes on busi- passed a $15 billion bailout to shore age, but the wealthy who own them. ities that the party can afford. However, if the nesses so that people didn’t get the im- up the sagging industry. Even now Another part of this bill acceler- party’s cash reserves are insufficient to enter pression that capitalists were “profi- an economic “stimulus” package is ates tax cuts for the richest taxpay- into a new lease it will be necessary to close teering” from the war effort. It did being debated in Congress to put ers, bringing their effective date for- the headquarters and to discontinue The this to shore up (or whip up) support more money into the pockets of big ward from 2006 to 2002. According People. for the war effort and to keep the business in hopes of getting the econ- to estimates by Citizens for Tax Second: It will be impossible to keep our working class from resisting the omy moving again. It is a sure bet Justice, the majority of the tax tiny staff on the payroll. They will be forced enforced spilling of its blood on far- that very little in the way of assis- breaks would go to the richest one to look for other work. If that is allowed to away battlefields. tance will find its way down to those percent of taxpayers and almost 75 happen it would also become necessary to Now that we face a “war on terror- who need it most, the workers who percent would go to the top 10 per- shut the headquarters down. ism” and a sagging economy, the gov- lost their jobs because of a recession, cent. The rationale used by the Bush The $125,000 in contributions we hope to ernment seems intent on reversing the impact of which has been exacer- administration to justify this pro- raise would bring the party’s cash reserves the old pattern by giving tax breaks bated by the attacks of Sept. 11. gram is that it would encourage com- back to where they were on Jan. 1, 2001. We and benefits to the capitalist class. The 100,000 or so airline workers panies to invest, expand their opera- believe that would be sufficient to see The The economy showed signs of who have lost their jobs provide one tions and hire more workers, hope- People, the headquarters and the staff downturn long before the terrorist example. Congress failed to appro- fully with the result of ending the through for one more year. attacks of Sept. 11. Some economists priate as much as a dime to help present recession. However, there is To repeat, that amount is the absolute say the country has been in a reces- them get back on their feet. no evidence that corporate breaks of minimum needed to see the headquarters sion since last March. Job growth In October, the House passed a this sort ever had the desired effect. through for one year beyond the end of the had stalled and manufacturing had $100 billion corporate assistance Such programs show whose inter- current lease. As indicated, however, certain been in a downward spiral for over a package that would allow huge tax ests are important under the system decisions must be made long before Aug. 31. year. More than 1 million manufac- deductions for investments that big (Continued on page 7) We must have reason to feel confident that (Continued on page 7) Visit our Web site at www.slp.org 2 THE PEOPLE JANUARY 2002

up dizzying prices on stocks, many of which represented companies that had Private Capital Eyes Workers’ little or no earnings, such as the dot-com technology companies, and some, like the energy company Enron, that were engag- Social Security Funds ed in questionable fiduciary practices. Today, the stock market is in the By B.G. sewer, dragging many investors down hen Social Security, the national with it; and some economists are even retirement program, was institut- bold enough to say that the United Wed in the 1930s Republicans in States is presently in a recession. Congress were overwhelmingly opposed, What would happen to the poor work- not because of the inadequacies of the er-investor if he or she had to go through system but because of their opposition to such a stock market roller coaster during government involvement in social pro- or just on the verge of retirement? What grams, which were conceived by them to happens when the commercial investments be the realm solely of religious organiza- in a person’s pension fund shrivel up? tions and private charities. Not only is the average worker not Times have not changed much. The sophisticated in investment matters, ultraconservative Republicans who now many of the superrich, who supposedly predominate in Congress and the White should know all about it, are also inno- House are still trying to dismantle Social cents at the game. Take the Belfer fami- Security and turn at least a portion of it ly of New York City, for instance. Robert over to capitalistic enterprise. During his A. and Renée Belfer, owners of a family campaign for the presidency, George W. oil dynasty and noted philanthropists, Bush continually advocated giving work- had invested nearly $2 billion (yes, bil- ers the right to invest 2 percent of their lion) in Enron. Enron’s bubble suddenly personal Social Security deductions in Carol*Simpson burst and its stock is now not only worth the stock market, which supposedly next to nothing, but the company is wal- would pay higher returns than the U.S. Option two would permit workers to companies are financially sound, which lowing in bankruptcy. The Belfers aren’t government bonds in which Social invest up to 4 percent of their Social are weak, which companies are run by exactly going to the poorhouse as a Security deposits are now invested. The Security payroll deductions up to a maxi- scoundrels, which will have catastrophic result, but they are a lot lighter in the stated reason was to give retirees a more mum of $1,000 a year. This plan would losses somewhere down the road? The wallet. lucrative income. The real reason was to reduce substantially a person’s retirement average worker does not know a stock But what about a few thousand (or ease these funds away from a govern- benefits by calculating them, not accord- from a bond, or cannot sort out the numer- million) humble workers who would ment program and to enrich the finan- ing to annual wage growth as is currently ous varieties of federal government bonds, have had a substantial portion of their cial industry, which has been a source of done, but by price inflation, which is gen- notes, bills, Ginnie Maes, Fannie Maes, retirement funds invested in a suppos- huge campaign contributions to candi- erally lower. Supposedly, this plan would etc., municipal bonds or commercial edly unsinkable company like Enron? dates for public office. improve retirement benefits for the poor. bonds, does not know what a callable Perhaps they could all say, “Gee, thanks, President Bush’s Social Security Com- Option three would work something bond is, does not know a put from a call, President Bush!” mission, set up to examine ways to pri- like the present 401(k) program. Workers does not know what short selling is, does vatize Social Security, has now issued would contribute up to one percentage not realize how much of a stock broker’s three proposals that would permit, but point in earnings beyond current payroll or bond broker’s commission comes out of not require, workers to invest part of deductions, and this would then be the worker’s investment. Will the work- Do You Belong? their Social Security deductions in stocks matched by 2.5 percentage points of their er-investor be alert enough or knowl- or bonds and, as a result, relinquish payroll deductions, to $1,000 maximum. edgeable enough to know when a broker Do you know what the SLP stands for? some of their retirement benefits. This plan would supposedly increase ben- is churning his or her account to increase Do you understand the class struggle and Option one would permit workers to efits for the poor. broker commissions? why the SLP calls for an end of capitalism invest up to 2 percent of their 6.2 percent If this all sounds confusing in print, Capitalist economy goes through boom- and of its system of wage labor? Do you Social Security payroll deduction in the just wait until the poor workers are and-bust periods. When Republicans in understand why the SLP does not advocate stock market. These persons would then thrown upon their own trying to invest a the year 2000 began advocating the pri- reforms of capitalism, and why it calls upon have their current scheduled benefit portion of their payroll deductions in the vatization of Social Security, the stock workers to organize Socialist Industrial reduced. stock market. How do they tell which market was in the stratosphere, puffing Unions? If you have been reading The People steadily for a year or more, if you have read the literature recommended for beginning Recession Fallout: Mexico’s Socialists, and if you agree with the SLP’s call for the political and economic unity of the working class, you may qualify for Border Workers Rebel membership in the SLP. And if you qualify to be a member you probably should be a By David Bacon nomic downturn, the omnipresent signs allow voting by secret ballot. member. ©Pacific News Service soliciting workers on factory gates in Fox’s promise was put to the test this For information on what membership MONTERREY, NUEVO LEON— border industrial parks have disap- spring at the Duro Bag plant in Rio entails, and how to apply for it, write to: SLP, The U.S. recession is wreaking havoc in peared. And greater competition among Bravo, just across the river from Texas. P.O. Box 218, Mountain View, CA 94042- Mexico, especially along the border, workers for the available jobs is pushing Workers trying to form an independent 0218. Ask for the SLP Membership Packet. where the struggle for survival in the wages down. labor union there were forced to vote face of job loss and low wages may be Economists estimate half a million openly, in front of plant managers and fueling a labor war. workers have been laid off since Mexican officials of the company-favored union. Front-line staff at humanitarian, reli- President Vicente Fox took office. The Before voting took place, employees Blizzards? gious and labor organizations has seen workplace rules and regulations of reported seeing guns being brought into If you find yourself tramping through renewed protest among men and women NAFTA are providing no safety net for the plant in an apparent attempt at rain, sleet and snow to get your copy of who work long hours for little money in the workers, as some hoped they would. intimidation. One whole shift of workers The People: Wouldn’t it be easier to enter maquiladoras, assembly plants run by The pressures have fueled a wave of was held captive in the factory and kept a subscription? And one for a friend? Use U.S. and global companies. industrial unrest this year in factories (Continued on page 7) the subscription coupon below. The economic situation has chal- all along the border, from Matamoros on lenged many Mexican families. A survey the Gulf of Mexico to La Paz at the tip of this spring by SEDEPAC, a barrio orga- the Baja California peninsula. nization in Torreon and Ciudad Acuña, Border workers have tried to organize found it takes $150 a week to provide independent unions, free of control by a food, housing and transportation for a government that seeks to use their low family of four. A typical maquiladora wages to attract foreign investors. Many worker makes just $32 to $35 a week. hoped Fox would support that right. “We asked people, ‘How do you sur- “To win votes, [Fox] made the famous vive when there’s such a huge gap?’” ‘20 commitments,’ which included union says organizer Betty Robles. “Many told democracy,” says Hector de la Cueva, us that two and three families share a who directs Mexico City’s Center for couple of rooms, pooling income to cover Labor Research. rent and basic needs. One of Fox’s promises was to allow the People P.O. Box 218, Mountain View, CA 94042-0218 “In our communities, the whole family workers to vote by secret ballot in union ❑ $2 for a 6-month subscription; ❑ $5 for a 1-year sub works,” Robles says. “You see kids 9 or 10 elections. Traditionally, public voting has ❑ $11 for a 1-year sub by first-class mail years old bagging groceries in supermar- enabled the older, official unions favored NAME PHONE kets or washing cars on the corners. The by maquiladora owners to identify sup- daughter of one of our activists was 13 porters of the newer unions. Following a ADDRESS APT. when she went to work in the factory.” string of incidents in which independent CITY STATE ZIP America is the market for most of the union supporters in Tijuana and Mexico Make check/money order payable to The People. Allow 4–6 weeks for delivery. clothing, electronics and other products City were threatened, fired and even of maquiladoras. Since the U.S. eco- beaten for their choices, Mexico agreed to JANUARY 2002 THE PEOPLE 3

ployed workers to cover the costs of health insurance for a nominal sum. Workers’ Health Care Benefits For one worker, a woman who the Times said has a history of breast cancer, nominal means $173 monthly. For another Pounded by Mounting Layoffs woman, whom the Times described as a single mom, the $153 weekly unemploy- By B.B. ment check makes carrying health n article printed in The New York insurance a luxury. For millions of work- Times in November reported that ers employed in small businesses of 20 A nearly two-thirds of all “Ameri- or less, they aren’t even eligible. For cans under 65 get insurance through workers eking out a living on unem- their employer, meaning that the loss of ployment the costs can amount to one- a full-time job can quickly translate half to two-thirds of their incomes. into the loss of health benefits.” (Nov. Ron Pollack of Families USA sum- 12) Consequently, as layoffs sweep the marized the worth of the palliative. economy, more workers are succumb- “Cobra provides a very crucial right for ing to the unsettling condition of hav- recently laid off people,” he said, “but it ing no coverage at all. is unaffordable for the intended benefi- A 1986 federal law allows workers to ciaries to exercise that right.” Pollack continue the coverage they had with may not have realized it as he spoke, their former employers, provided they but a right that cannot be exercised is can pay for the premiums. However, no right at all. the costs—“as much as $500 to $600 a While academics speculate, politi- month for coverage of a family, accord- cians maneuver and health insurers ing to the Kaiser Family Foundation”— Carol*Simpson jockey for advantage, millions of work- can be prohibitive when there is no explains why the “issue” has gotten wealthy constituents. Republicans, ing-class families are suddenly cast income to draw on. tangled up with the economic stimulus notorious for doling out welfare to into destitution, unable to obtain the In addition, an already sagging package currently before the Senate. needy capitalists and tottering corpora- most basic health care services because Medicaid program is facing collapse. Democrats want $9 billion to cover tions, fear that once launched such a the capitalist system has again pro- “Declining tax revenues because of the 75 percent of the premiums of workers program would ossify into a permanent duced so much that it impoverishes the economy,” the Times cited “authorities” laid off since Sept. 11 who want to stick fixture and, as such, could become a vast majority! as saying, “rising health care costs and with their former employers’ insurance visible symbol of Democratic accom- The working class must ultimately an expected jump in the Medicaid case- programs, but there no mention of how plishment and thus not augur well for recognize this absurd contradiction for load because of layoffs all make for a the workers covered would pay for the contesting future elections. This coin- what it is: a war between the despotic dangerous combination.” other 25 percent. Furthermore, work- cides nicely with their panacea, which private ownership of the industries as Hence, the usual political quibbles ers who lost their jobs before Sept. 11 is to pass the buck to the states in the opposed to the cooperative social basis have broken out between Democratic are completely ignored. form of $3 billion to use as they may. upon which they are founded. That and Republican members of Congress Republicans have countered with the Meanwhile, there is a thing with the realization is the first step toward seeking (each party in its own way) to assertion that such a program would be acronym of “Cobra,” or innocuously resolving all the horrors that are a part protect their wealthy constituents’ too costly and that it is “not focused Consolidated Omnibus Budget Recon- of capitalism and erecting a rational mountains of profit against possible enough on the neediest,” by whom it ciliation Act of 1986. This piece of legis- society based upon cooperation, peace inroads by the “great unwashed.” That can be assumed they mean their lation was supposed to enable unem- and abundance for all.

COLOMBIA– Colombian Coke plants. In 1994, two other union activists, José David and Luis Granado, were also murdered in Carepa, Murders at Coca-Cola Plant and paramilitaries demanded that workers quit the union. In 1989, José Avelino Spark New Labor Strategy Chicano was killed in the Pasto plant. This year a union leader at the Bucara-manga By David Bacon companies in Colombia that has lasted happened to Gil—they would be killed,” plant, Oscar Dario Soto Polo, was murdered. ©Pacific News Service over a decade. recalls Paez. When the union denounced the killings, the After their union leader was gunned The Colombian union, SINAL- Rafael Fernandez, a spokesperson for plant’s chief of security, José Alejo Aponte, down at the gates of the factory where TRAINAL, together with the United Steel Coca-Cola, says the company’s code of charged its leaders with terrorism. Five they worked, Edgar Paez and his Workers of America and the International conduct requires respect for human were jailed for six months. At the Bar-ran- coworkers at the Coca-Cola bottling Labor Rights Fund, has filed in Florida rights. Coke’s Colombia spokesperson, cabermeja plant someone scrawled on the plant in Carepa, Colombia, tried for four against Coca-Cola Inc., soft-drink bottler Pedro Largacha, states that “bottlers in walls, “Get Out Galvis From Coca-Cola, years to get justice in the country’s Panamerican Beverages, and Bebidas y Colombia are completely independent Signed AUC.” Juan Carlos Galvis is the courts. Instead, some of the workers Alimentos, owned by Richard Kirby of of the Coca-Cola Company.” president of the plant’s union. themselves wound up behind bars, while Key Biscayne, which operates the Carepa Bebidas y Alimentos owner Richard “One of our biggest problems in they watched the murderers go free. plant. The three companies are charged Kirby says he has no way to stop the Colombia is that social protest in gener- Believing Colombian courts incapable with complicity in the assassination of paramilitaries. “You don’t use them, they al is being criminalized,” Paez says. of ensuring justice, they decided to haul Colombian union leaders. use you,” he says. “Nobody tells the para- “In many ways, transnational corpora- Coca-Cola Inc. into U.S. courts, with the Colombian unionists traveled to the militaries what to do.” tions virtually govern the states in which help of two powerful U.S. unions. The United States, gathering support for the Still, the suit charges that plant man- they operate,” says Samuel Morales of unions hope the new cross-border strat- case and future legal actions. On Nov. 19, ager Ariosto Milan Mosquera, who had a the Unified Confederation of Workers egy will help stop a wave of murders of Paez was joined by James Hoffa, presi- history of socializing with the paramili- (CUT), the country’s largest union feder- union militants at Coca-Cola and other dent of the 1.4 million-member Team- taries, gave them the order to destroy the ation. “And in our country, it’s become a sters Union, and the Rev. James Orange, union. And, Paez says, Coke benefited crime to speak out forcefully against an African-American civil rights leader, from the murders. them. They get cheap labor by weaken-

BOR OMN LA IA VINCIT in front of the World of Coca-Cola “At the time of Gil’s death we were ing unions and getting rid of long-term Museum in Atlanta, Ga., where the involved in negotiations with the com- Founded April 5, 1891 workers.” multinational company is based. Hoffa pany,” he says. “They never negotiated By October, 125 Colombian trade The People (ISSN-0199-350X), continuing told Coke that “as the union that repre- with the union after that. Twenty-seven union leaders had been murdered this the Weekly People, is published monthly by sents the most Coca-Cola workers in the workers in 12 departments left the plant year alone. Last year’s assassinations the Socialist Labor Party of America, 661 world...we join in demanding that Coke and the area. All the workers had to quit killed 129. Out of every five trade union- Kings Row, San Jose, CA 95112-2724. stop the violence against workers.” the union to save their own lives, and ists murdered in the world, three were Periodicals postage paid at San Jose, CA The Florida case charges that on the the union was completely destroyed.” Colombian. 95101-7024. Postmaster: Send all address morning of Dec. 5, 1996, a right-wing The suit claims that the company pre- changes to The People, P.O. Box 218, Mountain Paramilitaries are blamed for almost View, CA 94042-0218. Communications: paramilitary squad of the United Self pared the resignation forms. The experi- all trade union assassinations. Robin Business and editorial matters should be Defense Forces (AUC) showed up at the enced workers, who had been earning Kirk, who monitors human rights abus- addressed to The People, P.O. Box 218, gate into the Carepa bottling plant. $380–$400 a month, were replaced by es in Colombia for Human Rights Mountain View, CA 94042-0218. Phone: Isidro Segundo Gil, a member of the new employees making minimum wage, (408) 280-7266. Fax: (408) 280-6964. Watch, says that there are strong ties union’s executive board, went out to see about $130 a month. between the AUC and the Colombian Production Staff: Donna Bills, Ken Boettcher, Robert Bills, acting editor. what they wanted. The squad opened “For two months, the paramilitaries military. fire, killing him. An hour later, paramil- camped just outside the plant gate.” Access The People online at http://www.slp.org. “The Colombian military and intelli- Send e-mail to: [email protected]. itaries kidnapped another union leader Paez says. “Coca-Cola never complained gence apparatus has been virulently Rates: (domestic and foreign): Single copy, at his home; he later escaped and fled to to the authorities.” anti-Communist since the 1950s,” Kirk 50 cents. Subscriptions: $5 for one year; $8 Bogota. That evening, according to the The plant’s director and production says, “and they look at trade unionists as for two years; $10 for three years. By first- suit, squads broke into the union’s office manager were detained along with a subversives, as a very real and potential class mail, add $6 per year. Bundle orders: 5- and burned it down. local paramilitary leader during a sub- threat.” 100 copies, $8 per 100; 101-500 copies, $7 per 100; 501-1,000 copies, $6 per 100; 1,001 or The next day, a heavily armed group sequent investigation by the Colombian “They believe it’s a crime,” says more copies, $5 per 100. Foreign subscrip- went inside the bottling plant and Justice Ministry. All three were later Morales, “to present any alternative, any tions: Payment by international money order called the workers together. “They said released without charges. option for social change. The paramili- in U.S. dollars. that if they didn’t resign by 4 p.m., the The assassination was neither the first taries don’t act by themselves. In same thing would happen to them that nor the last among union leaders in (Continued on page 7) 4 THE PEOPLE JANUARY 2002

A De Leon Editorial

BOR OMN LA IA VINCIT Rights & Liberties Foreigners living in the United States are entitled to the same Published by the Socialist Labor Party Established in l89l constitutional protections against governmental abuse as National Secretary: Robert Bills American citizens. VOL. 111 NO. 10 JANUARY 2002

International Law and all countries. Constitutional rights register Military Tribunals Socialist Civilization a nation’s stage of civilization, together (Daily People, Aug. 17, 1913) with the nation’s climatic disposition and “A president of the United States has just much of the Arab world “hate us,” have A Deming, N.M., correspondent asks geographic needs. The constitutional rights assumed what amounts to dictatorial power already opened that window enough to testily: of the German subject are markedly differ- to jail or execute aliens,” wrote reactionary begin questioning whose interests U.S. for- “I see from your paper that you approve ent from the constitutional rights of the columnist William Safire in November, after eign policy really serves. Wilson’s policy of leaving American citizens French citizen; again, the constitutional President Bush authorized secret military U.S. workers must be more than vigilant to the tender mercies of Mexican bandits. I rights of the two are not identical with the tribunals to conduct trials of non-U.S. citi- in this period of rapid change. They must not suppose that is what you call ‘socialist civi- constitutional rights of the British subject; zens accused of terrorism. fail to act, as too many did in Germany during If allowed to stand, Safire continued, “We the rise of the Nazis. They must remember lization.’ Thank you.” the constitutional rights of the three differ are letting George W. Bush get away with the the words found scribbled on a wall in the We shall not try to peer behind the cur- in important respects from the constitu- replacement of the American rule of law with German extermination camp Dachau when it tain, discover and uncover the peculiar tional rights of the American citizen; and so military kangaroo courts.” Safire was right— was liberated in 1944: “When they came to material interests that prompt our indig- on. though he had nothing sensible to say get the Jews I didn’t say anything because I nant correspondent’s sense of civilization. It It follows that the application in Mexico, beyond that. wasn’t one of them. When the Nazis came to is of more importance to consider the prin- for instance, of Sen. Fall’s international law The post-Sept. 11 social and political get the blacks I didn’t say anything because I ciples of international law that the New principle would be— landscape is being rapidly reshaped by the wasn’t one of them. When they took the crip- Mexico Sen. Albert B. Fall proclaimed in the Either that there would be as many dif- Bush administration—perhaps not coinci- pled, the mentally unstable and the insane Senate, and which our indignant New ferent civic rights administered in Mexico as dentally as the nation enters its most seri- away I didn’t say anything. When they took Mexico correspondent, probably having there are foreign nations represented by res- ous economic crisis in two decades, headed the Catholics away I didn’t say anything inhaled, now exhales. ident citizens and subjects, plus the civic by an administration that attained power because I wasn’t one of them. Now I can’t say On July 22, this country’s relations with rights of Mexican citizens themselves; and more by judicial fiat than by any “popular anything because they have come and taken Mexico being intensely strained, Sen. Fall that as many foreign armed forces have the will” the capitalist class normally buys for me away.” introduced in the Senate a resolution right to invade the country, each with the candidates of the twin parties of capitalism. U.S. workers need to proclaim: Give us a which purported to lay down the princi- right simultaneously to enforce, so far as the Past, gradual encroachments by the polit- truce with your plans for a police state to save ple that “the constitutional rights of Amer- citizens or subjects of its own country are ical state and its police agencies on individual your rule from the economic convulsions into ican citizens should go with them concerned, the rights that the constitution of rights and liberties, conducted under the which your system of minority power and throughout the world,” so that the United their country guarantee both to themselves monikers of “wars” against crime, drugs and privilege has once again thrown all of society. terrorism, served as reminders of Justice Give us a truce with your wars, ostensibly States government shall give to every and their property: William O. Douglas’ sentiment: “As nightfall conducted under the banner of “freedom and American citizen residing in any foreign Or, that the privilege shall be enjoyed by, does not come at once, neither does oppres- democracy,” which actually serve your crimi- country full protection “both for himself and be enforced in behalf of American citi- sion. In both instances, there is a twilight nal material interests so well. and his property.” zens only. when everything remains seemingly un- A police state may not yet exist in the Here is a pronouncement that flies in the The first alternative belongs in bedlam; changed. And it is in such twilight that we all United States. But with passage of October’s face of the enlightened principles of the law the second reads itself outside of the code of must be most aware of change in the air— so-called Patriot Act and its increased powers of nations. equity which international law sets up for however slight—lest we become unwitting for surveillance and counterintelligence, and International law provides that the citi- all nations alike. victims of the darkness.” Bush’s executive order establishing military zens of a nation shall not be discriminated The American citizen, like the subject or Things are no longer “seemingly un- tribunals, the administration has many of its against in a foreign country, but shall citizen of any other nation in the sisterhood changed.” The establishment of secret trials building blocks already in place. enjoy there the same civic rights that are of nations who chooses to reside in Mexico, conducted under secret indictments with se- Recognizing that fascism is capitalism’s enjoyed by the foreign nation’s own citi- or any other country, takes his chances cret evidence judged by secret military pan- last line of defense against the possibility of zens, or subjects. with the civic rights enjoyed by the sub- els who secretly sentence those convicted to the working class effecting its own solution Sen. Fall’s pronouncement sets up a new jects, or citizens, of the country in which he incarceration or execution is not a mere indi- to capitalism’s social decay, the Socialist principle, to wit, that the civic rights of a voluntarily sets up his residence. He cator of a trend. It is the establishment of a Labor Party points out the need for a revo- nation’s citizens residing in a foreign coun- throws in his lot with them, suffering when prop that ruling classes normally reserve for lutionary alternative to the economic inse- try shall be determined by the constitu- they suffer, enjoying when they enjoy. the iron hoop of police powers they almost curity and social chaos sown by capitalism tional rights which such citizens are guar- So sayeth international law; so sayeth invariably resort to in seeking to defend their and reaped by fascists, growing right-wing rule in times of social upheaval. and racist groups and other terrorists. anteed in their own country. socialist civilization. And both languages There can be no excuse for such tribunals in That alternative involves establishing inde- The principle is not only new, it is jingo- combine and agree in repudiating the lan- a land that proclaims itself a democracy. Trials pendent, classconscious workers’ economic and istically insane. guage, as they have left behind them the of those accused in previous terrorist attacks, political organizations to wage revolutionary Constitutional rights are not identical in sentiments, of “fresh kids” and of jingoism. including the 1993 World Trade Center attack, class struggle on a civilized plane. A political were conducted without suspending the rules party of the working class is needed to work for under which our class-biased judicial system a democratic mandate at the ballot box and what is socialism? metes out its usual “justice.” help recruit workers for the needed economic What’s so different this time around? force. That civilized force must be provided by Perhaps because the Bush administration Socialist Industrial Unions that will work for Socialism is the collective ownership by all the people of the factories, mills, doesn’t wish to give Osama bin Laden a pub- that mandate and organize on a classwide, mines, railroads, land and all other instruments of production. Socialism means lic venue from which to further open a win- industrywide basis to back up that mandate. production to satisfy human needs, not, as under capitalism, for sale and profit. dow on the atrocious human rights record of This is the civilized force needed to take, Socialism means direct control and management of the industries and social ser- U.S. capitalism’s foreign policy. That is the hold and operate the means of life and vices by the workers through a democratic government based on their nationwide subject that stirs the hearts of many in the establish a socialist society collectively economic organization. Third World to anti-U.S. fervor—even many owned and democratically controlled by the Under socialism, all authority will originate from the workers, integrally united who haven’t been influenced by Islamic or working-class majority. Only such a society in Socialist Industrial Unions. In each workplace, the rank and file will elect what- other religious cultists or nationalistic local can put to an end the class divisions and ever committees or representatives are needed to facilitate production. Within each ruling-class opportunists. It is not in the economic conditions under capitalism that shop or office division of a plant, the rank and file will participate directly in for- material interest of the capitalist class to cause strife and anarchy, and establish the mulating and implementing all plans necessary for efficient operations. have that sentiment spread. basis for lasting peace, plenty and freedom. Besides electing all necessary shop officers, the workers will also elect represen- Moreover, too many U.S. workers, search- It is time for workers to act on this need— tatives to a local and national council of their industry or service—and to a central ing for the reasons why the terrorists and before it’s too late. —K.B. congress representing all the industries and services. This all-industrial congress will plan and coordinate production in all areas of the economy. All persons elected 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 New COINTELPRO? that a majority of those who elected them decide it is necessary. Such a system would make possible the fullest democracy and freedom. It would Early last month, The New York Times that which led to the shooting deaths of be a society based on the most primary freedom—economic freedom. reported that, according to senior govern- five antiracist protesters in Greensboro, For individuals, socialism means an end to economic insecurity and exploitation. It ment officials, “Attorney General John N.C., in 1979. means workers cease to be commodities bought and sold on the labor market and Ashcroft is considering a plan to relax Whether or not the FBI ever halted its forced to work as appendages to tools owned by someone else. It means a chance to restrictions on the FBI’s spying on religious counterintelligence operations against dis- develop all individual capacities and potentials within a free community of free and political organizations in the United senting groups must remain an open ques- individuals. States.” But the plan may affect more form tion because that is the covert nature of the Socialism does not mean government or state ownership. It does not mean a state than substance. beast. However, there is reason to suspect bureaucracy as in the former Soviet Union or China, with the working class Restrictions on domestic spying were that it continued to spy and harass certain oppressed by a new bureaucratic class. It does not mean a closed party-run system ostensibly adopted by the Federal Bureau environmental and antiwar groups and without democratic rights. It does not mean “nationalization,” or “labor-manage- of Investigation in the 1970s after public personalities long after such operations ment boards,” or state capitalism of any kind. It means a complete end to all cap- disclosures about the existence of an FBI were supposed to cease. italist social relations. program called COINTELPRO (counter- According to The New York Times, “senior To win the struggle for socialist freedom requires enormous efforts of organiza- intelligence program). In the 1960s and FBI officials” are against Ashcroft’s plans to tional and educational work. It requires building a political party of socialism to 1970s, COINTELPRO targeted antiwar rescind the prohibitions against domestic spy- contest the power of the capitalist class on the political field and to educate the protesters, the Rev. Martin Luther King ing by the FBI. But as the agency’s continued majority of workers about the need for socialism. It requires building Socialist Jr., members of the Black Panther Party domestic spying under their own aegis shows, Industrial Union organizations to unite all workers in a classconscious industrial and other dissident groups for infiltration their concerns are more about the FBI’s pub- force and to prepare them to take, hold and operate the tools of production. and disruption—and others, like the Ku lic image than about the civil rights and liber- You are needed in the ranks of Socialists fighting for a better world. Find out Klux Klan, for political manipulation like ties of those they target. — K.B. more about the program and work of the Socialist Labor Party and join us to help make the promise of socialism a reality. JANUARY 2002 THE PEOPLE 5

or impacts, cycles of warming and freezing, or dwindling oxygen levels in shallow seas, those natural events have Capitalism & Species Extinction been part of the evolutionary process itself. It is also true that human inter- By B.B. vention, through the socioeconomic sys- “If money, according to Augier, tem that organized such intervention ‘comes into the world with a congeni- in the natural world, is of ancient ori- tal bloodstain on one cheek,’ capital gins and has caused species extinction comes dripping from head to foot, such as the theorized destruction of the from every pore, with blood and dirt.” woolly mammoth, the giant sloth and —Karl Marx, Capital the saber-toothed tiger, but until rela- tively recently these have not been at arx was talking about the a large enough scale to disrupt evolu- African slave trade, “child-slav- tion itself. M ery in England” and “the veiled Yet this is what biologists worry slavery of the wage-workers in Eu- about. They also express their con- rope” in this passage from Capital, his cern for the fragility of the ecology. most important work. He was talking “...What will happen to fig trees...if it about the ruthless conduct of the capi- loses the single parasitic wasp variety talist class in pursuing profit and that pollinates every one of its 900 about some of capitalism’s pitiless species? Or to the 79 percent of can- effects on the human species. opy-level trees in the Samoan rain for- However, the human species is not ests if hunters kill off the flying foxes the only one to suffer at the hands of on which they depend? Part of the rea- the profit motive. It is not the only son so many conservationists are so species on Earth mangled by a com- showed up.” times higher than natural.” fearful is that they expect the arches pulsion so powerful that it allows the •“...Humans appear to be causing a •Even skeptics concede that an of entire ecosystems to fall once a few capitalist class and its servants—in cataclysm of [species] extinctions more extinction rate of 0.15 percent of ‘keystone’ species are removed.” politics, in academia, in the media and severe than any since the one that species per decade, is “not a catastro- The author devotes a section of the in the pulpit—to disavow the impact erased the dinosaurs 65 million years phe but a problem—one of many that article to “Why Biodiversity Doesn’t of their stewardship of the globe. ago....” mankind still needs to solve.” (Yet) Pay.” Australian naturalist Ebbe Scientific American graphically illus- •“...Harvard University biologist E.O. The magnitude of the approaching Nielsen is quoted as saying of the trated this fact in its November issue Wilson cites current estimates that disaster is inescapable, references to moribund 1992 convention of 178 with an article by W. Wayt Gibbs. In his between 1 and 10 percent of species are vagaries such as “humans,” and “man- countries on biodiversity: “In develop- article “On the Termination of Species,” extinguished every decade, at least kind” notwithstanding. They are a ing countries the economic pressures Gibbs reports on a Society for Conser- 27,000 a year.” part of the shroud and an attribution are so high, people use whatever they vation Biology conference held at Hilo, •“Michael J. Novacek, AMNH’s [Am- that deflects guilt from capitalism to can find today to survive until tomor- Hawaii. His report mentions many prob- erican Museum of Natural History] the hazy realm of people everywhere. row.” The “economist” Geoffrey Heal of lems confronting the planet’s dwindling provost of science, wrote in a re- This is not dissimilar to blaming species Columbia University was paraphrased number of species. view...that ‘figures approaching 30 per- destruction on “original sin.” Similarly, as noting: “Economics [capitalism] can Although Gibbs does not mention cent extermination of all species by the sophists will argue that species extinc- only assign values to things for which capitalism by name, the problems he mid-21st century are not unrealistic.’” tion has always been with us, which is there are markets....” Apparently, bio- cites result from the chaotic effects of •A 1998 survey of biologists found an argument Socialists are accustomed diversity is excluded. 300 years of worldwide capitalist de- that 70 percent “believed that a mass to hearing from capitalist sources Indeed, biodiversity cannot be recon- velopment and exploitation. extinction is in progress” and “a third about the poor. But begging the ques- ciled and assured a future between To summarize the trouble some of them expected to lose 20 to 50 per- tion does not answer it. exploited and exploiter. Under capital- species are in consider the following cent of the world’s species within 30 Species extinctions have been an ism it is narrowly framed in terms of particulars mentioned in the article: years.” ongoing process since the appearance the commercial value of species, e.g., •“According to the latest rough esti- •John Alroy of the University of Cal- of life on the planet and are indeed a timber, pulp, extraction of drugs and mate, the extinction rate...accelerated ifornia at Santa Barbara noted “over part of the evolutionary process itself, pharmaceuticals, etc. Biologists and during the past 100 years to roughly the past 200 years...the rate of loss socioeconomic as well as natural. scientists concerned with species extinc- 1,000 times what it was before humans among mammal species has been 120 Whether caused by catastrophic mete- tion need to overcome their aversion or reluctance to examine the cause of ac- trifling stock ownership does not make a celerated species death inherent under worker a capitalist. The worker must capitalism and make common cause with the working class of whom they still work to live. are a part. They need to become Social- In short, the working class includes ists in the way they view the world. Question the overwhelming majority of the popu- The capitalist class and its support- lation, and except for the capitalist here ers either do not know or do not care or there who may perform a useful dual what effect their precious system has role, it includes all the socially useful on the world and the varied but dwin- Period members of society. dling forms of life that inhabit it. The What distinguishes the working Its members (1) own none of the By way of contrast, the distinctive fea- working class, however, has the power class from the capitalist class? means of social production; (2) must sell tures of the capitalist class are these: —and more important, the responsi- In the Communist Manifesto, Marx their labor power for a price, which is Its members (1) own all the means of bility—to wrest control of the world and Engels say: “Our epoch, the epoch given the special name of “wages,” to social production; (2) appropriate the from its pillagers. As Marx put it: of the bourgeois, possesses...this distinc- live; (3) perform all socially useful labor; surplus value created by labor, and by “From the standpoint of a higher tive feature: It has simplified the class and (4) have no voice in the disposition converting a portion thereof provide for economic form of society, private own- antagonisms. Society as a whole is more of their product. the perpetuation of their system; and (3) ership of the globe by single individu- and more splitting up into two great This definition includes workers who as capitalists, perform no socially useful als will appear as absurd as private hostile camps, into two great classes wear white collars, blue collars or no col- function whatsoever. ownership of one man by another. directly facing each other: bourgeoisie lars at all. It includes so-called profes- Farmer-capitalists are included in this Even a whole society, a nation, or even and proletariat.” sionals, whose wages are given the obfus- category, as are so-called small business all simultaneously existing societies Or, to use language more familiar to cating name of “salaries.” It includes men and women. As for the petty capital- taken together, are not the owners of American ears, capitalist class and workers who have been beguiled or blud- ists whose capital is so small that they the globe. They are only its possessors, working class. geoned by employers into buying a few must work alongside their wage slaves, its usufructuaries, [and, like boni The distinctive features of the work- shares of stock. Capitalist propagandists Marx writes: “Of course he can, like his patres familias,] they must hand it down to succeeding generations in an ing class are these: to the contrary notwithstanding, such laborer, take to work himself, participate directly in the process of production, but improved condition.” he is then only a hybrid between capital- To avert the unnatural extinction of ist and laborer, a ‘small master.’” more species—perhaps even the human species—the economic system of (Capital, Chapter XI) An analysis of the so-called labor leader, or “labor lieu- the United States must be changed to These are the socioeconomic features one based upon cooperation and use, tenant of the capitalist class,” and a comparison with the of the two great hostile classes of mod- not competition and profit. That change ancient Roman plebs leader. A masterpiece of social por- ern society. Today some who are in the is summarized in these pages by the traiture and a study in revolutionary strategy and tactics. capitalist category are enlightened and Socialist Labor Party that demands take their stand with the workers, sup- Contains also the famous “Ten Canons of the Proletarian the socialist reconstruction of society. porting the latter’s social and economic Otherwise, species extinction is Revolution.” aspirations. assured. 120 pp. — $3.50 postpaid We may expect more to achieve the intellectual stature necessary to see New York Labor News beyond their narrow property interests. P.O. Box 218 Nevertheless, the line that divides the GGeett SSuubbss!! Mountain View, CA 94042-0218 two classes is the line of the irrepress- ible class struggle. 6 THE PEOPLE JANUARY 2002 activities 255075100 years ago Activities notices must be the Central Library, but the received by the Friday pre- exact time varies. For more Seventy-five years ago, in Jan- mer Idaho governor in 1906. In nations to self-determination—is ceding the third Wednesday information please call Sid at uary 1927, the Coolidge adminis- short, Borah was no “friend of implicit in our own Declaration of of the month. 503-226-2881 or visit our Web tration brought the country to the labor,” and he probably had even Independence from Great Britain, site at http://slp.pdx.home.mind- brink of war with Mexico in a dis- less regard for the peons of which asserts that whenever the OHIO spring.com. The general pub- pute involving Nicaragua and Nicaragua and Mexico than he government of a people “evinces a North Royalton lic is invited. Mexico’s decision to nationalize its had for the miners and other work- design to reduce them under Social & Discussion— oil resources and large land hold- ers of the United States. absolute Despotism, it is their right, Section Cleveland will hold a TEXAS ings under the control of foreign— Nonetheless, Borah was an anti- it is their duty, to throw off such social and open discussion Houston primarily American—capitalists. imperialist, and in the course of his Government, and to provide new on Sunday, Dec. 30, at 9626 Discussion Meetings— As excuse for its threat of war, address on the Senate floor he Guards for their future security.” York Rd., North Royalton. The SLP group in Houston the Coolidge administration cited enunciated a certain principle that Note that well. It is their right Begins at 1:30 p.m. Refresh- holds discussion meetings Mexico’s decision to recognize it is timely and worth reminding and their duty, but neither the right ments served. For more the last Saturday of the Juan Sacasa as the legitimate pre- ourselves of in the present war nor the duty of any other. information please call 440- month at the Houston Public sident of Nicaragua. The Mexican atmosphere. Accordingly, not only is it the right, 237-7933. Library, Franklin Branch, government was characterized as “In 1909, and for a number of it is also the duty of every true patri- 6440 W. Bellfort, southwest “Bolshevik” and accused of at- years prior thereto, one Zeyala had ot to stand by that most American OREGON Houston. The time of the tempting to “export revolution” to been president or ruler of Nic- of fundamental principles and to Portland meetings varies. Those its southern neighbor. The real rea- aragua,” Borah said. “He is now speak out against any administra- Discussion Meetings— interested please call 713- son for threatening war, however, referred to as a despot and a tyrant, tion at Washington that violates it. Section Portland holds discus- 721-9296, e-mail houston- It was in that spirit that the SLP was that U.S. financial and oil and I have no desire to challenge sion meetings every second [email protected] or visit the adopted the following resolution 75 interests were menaced by Mex- that designation. I think he was Saturday of the month. group’s Web site at years ago when the United States ico’s decision to assert control over acting, perhaps, in a manner some- Meetings are usually held at http://houstonslp.tripod.com. its own natural resources. what similar to that in which many was brought to the brink of war As the crisis unfolded, the U.S. of the Central American rulers at with Mexico: Marines were sent into Nicaragua times act; but, at any rate, whether Resolution on the Mexico- Steps You Can Take... for a second time within a year, he was a despot or a tyrant had Nicaragua Situation You can help provide for the long-term financial security of The People by which contributed to the rebellion nothing to do, or ought not to have (Weekly People, Jan. 22, 1927) WHEREAS, War between the including a properly worded provision in your Will or by making some led by Augustino Sandino (from anything to do, with a policy of the United States and Mexico is threat- other financial arrangement through your bank. Write to the Socialist whom the later Sandinista move- United States. The people of ened; and Labor Party, publisher of The People, for a free copy of the booklet, Steps ment took its name). Nicaragua have just as much WHEREAS, Such a war, if it You Can Take. Use this coupon. In the end, war with Mexico was right...to have a despotic form of breaks out, will be due chiefly to the averted, primarily because of oppo- government as they have to have a Socialist Labor Party • P.O. Box 218 • Mountain View, CA 94042-0218 influence of powerful financial Please send a free copy of Steps You Can Take to: sition from other powerful interests republic; and we have no more right groups and oil interests; and within the U.S. ruling class. How- to interfere with them in regard to YOUR NAME WHEREAS, The record clearly ADDRESS APT. ever, on Jan. 13, 1927, when war that condition of affairs...than we shows that the United States CITY STATE ZIP with Mexico still seemed imminent, have a right to interfere with any Government, acting particularly the Socialist Labor Party adopted a great power which might choose to through the State Department, has resolution condemning the Cool- set up that form of government. If done everything possible to provoke, idge administration and the imperi- we can but realize...that in dealing and nothing to prevent, a severance alist designs U.S. financial and oil with powerless and helpless coun- of the peaceful relations hitherto interests had on Mexico’s resources. tries, we are in duty and in con- existing between the United States As indicated, the SLP was not science bound to practice the same and the Republic of Mexico; be it alone in opposing the administra- precepts and follow the same prin- hereby tion’s intervention in Nicaragua ciples as we practice and follow RESOLVED, That the National and threats against Mexico. On the when we deal with powerful na- Executive Committee of the same day that the SLP adopted its tions, we will have no trouble in Socialist Labor Party of America, resolution, for example, U.S. Sen. finding our light along the path- acting through its Sub-Committee William E. Borah of Idaho delivered way of duty in this matter.” in regular session this 13th day of a lengthy speech on the Senate floor No doubt Sen. Borah and other January, 1927, emphatically pro- in which he reviewed the history of ruling-class elements had their own tests against any contemplated war Please send me free Nicaragua and sharply criticized reasons for wanting to frustrate the with Mexico; and be it further the administration’s policy. ambitions of the oil and financial RESOLVED, That we denounce information on socialism. Borah was a reactionary politi- interests behind the Coolidge the acts of the United States cian with presidential ambitions administration’s threats against Government that have led to the pre- who had been instrumental in Mexico. Nonetheless, the principle sent strained relations with Mexico— NAME efforts to railroad William D. involved is correct, regardless of acts that have been denounced even Haywood, and other leaders of the who may happen to cite it. “The by capitalist newspapers as proving ADDRESS APT. Western Federation of Miners, on devil can cite scripture for his pur- that “the State Department is clearly CITY STATE ZIP trumped-up charges of having pose,” just as Shakespeare said. and unmistakably looking for trou- Socialist Labor Party, P.O. Box 218, Mountain View, CA 94042-0218 08/01 ordered the assassination of a for- That principle—the right of ble”; and be it further RESOLVED, That we condemn the intervention in Nicaragua as wanton, arrogant and utterly lack- . . . No Lasting Peace ing in justification, this intervention being, in fact, a reversal of the (Continued from page 1) for its private sewer has no claim to Help Break Our Chains! pledged policy of the Government of that. The world is crawling with moral superiority. It is an obstruc- the United States in that this coun- cultists and criminals who can be tion along history’s path to a world try is supporting a usurper as against distinguished only by the nature in which the material basis—the the democratically elected heads of motive and the opportunity—for all and scope of their crimes. Not all of the Nicaraguan Government, and them want to turn the clock back such crimes will be eliminated. we demand of the Government an Support the 800 years to the days of the Um- “Every Socialist is aware that immediate recall of all forces ayyad or Abassid caliphates, as bin capitalism brings in its wake out- despatched to the Caribbean Sea Socialist Laden is said to want. Some are self- rages unheard of in previous sys- with public disavowal of any inten- deluded, others are simply crack- tems,” Daniel De Leon observed. tion on the part of the United States Labor pots on the make, but all traffic on “But every Socialist also knows Government to support any govern- the ignorance that ruling classes that progress in the social evolu- ment but that desired by the people Party have no incentive to eradicate. No tionary scale is not to be gauged of Nicaragua; and be it finally matter how terrible any one of them by the volume of labor’s trials. RESOLVED, That we call upon may be, no matter how horrid their The determining factor of social the working class who would be Emergency Fund! offenses against humanity, their progress is the possibility that a urged or conscripted to furnish life crimes do not absolve and cannot social stage offers for redress and and labor in pursuit of such a crimi- SLP • P.O. BOX 218 • MTN. VIEW, CA 94042-0218 justify the crimes of their opponents for emancipation.” nal war to rouse themselves, to This is my contribution of $ for the SLP Emergency and enemies. That is the dividing line or cross- organize themselves politically and Fund. (Make checks/money orders payable to SLP.) American capitalism is guilty of roads that humanity stands at in Industrial Unions, to the end that I pledge $ . I will pay this pledge by (date). many crimes—crimes committed in today. That line was not drawn on exploitation and wars may be ban- pursuit of profits in foreign places Sept. 11, but unless the American ished forever. and here within the confines of our working class is prepared to stum- National Executive Sub- NAME own national borders. A social sys- ble along the path to even greater Committee, Socialist Labor Party. ADDRESS APT. tem and a ruling class that impov- chaos, social breakdown and anar- AUGUST GILLHAUS, Chairman erishes our children, resists our ef- chy on a global scale it must decide WM. WOODHOUSE, Recording CITY STATE ZIP forts to improve our wages, takes that it cannot and will not tolerate Secretary Acknowledgments will be made in The People. Please indicate if a receipt is desired: ❑ Yes ❑ No. (Political contributions are not tax deductible.) away our jobs, undermines our civil a social system that breeds those ARNOLD PETERSEN, National liberties and uses our environment conditions. Secretary JANUARY 2002 THE PEOPLE 7 directory on the web MIDDLETOWN, Sacramento, CA 95822- USA 8663. NATIONAL CONN. HEADQUARTERS SLP, 506 Hunting Hill The De Leon Online section of bates have also been added. They SLP National Landmark Ave., Middletown, CT SAN FRANCISCO NATIONAL OFFICE, BAY AREA the SLP’s official Web site now fea- are the 1912 De Leon-Carmody An addition to the Links of SLP, PO Box 218, Mtn. 06457. Call (860) 347- SLP, P.O. Box 70034, tures the largest collection of edito- Debate, also known as Socialism Interest section connects visitors to View, CA 94042-0218; 4003. Sunnyvale, CA 94086- (408) 280-7266; fax rials, speeches and debates by vs. ‘Individualism,’ and the 1913 a Web page devoted to the Socialist 0034. E-mail: slpsfba@ (408) 280-6964; e-mail: MINNEAPOLIS netscape.net. Daniel De Leon that can be found De Leon-Berry Debate, which Labor Party Hall at Barre, Vt. The [email protected]; Karl Heck, 5414 Williams anywhere on the Internet. Recent was printed in pamphlet form as hall was built by members of Web site: www.slp.org. Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110-2367. Calll SEABROOK, N.H. additions bring the number of sep- Capitalism vs. Socialism. Section Barre in 1900. The build- ALBANY, N.Y. (651) 429-7279. E-mail: Richard H. Cassin, arate editorials to 110 and the num- The collection of 11 editorials ing was restored in recent years by P.O. Box 2538, Sea- SLP, P.O. Box 105, [email protected]. brook, NH 03874. Call ber of speeches and debates to 12. published as Capitalism Means volunteer workers from the build- Sloansville, NY 12160- (603) 770-4695. 0105. MILWAUKEE The recent additions include the War! has also been added. ing trades unions in Barre and has SLP, 1563 W. Rogers St., 1901 speech, Socialism vs. Visitors to the SLP Web site will been designated a National ATHENS, TENN. Milwaukee, WI 53204- ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. Anarchism; the 1902 speeches, find some other interesting addi- Historic Landmark by the U.S. E-mail: iluvhumanity@ 3721. Call (414) 672-2185. Call (727) 321-0999. yahoo.com. E-mail: milwaukeeslp @ Plebs Leaders and Labor Leaders tions. One is The People’s review of Public Parks Service. The Web webtv.net. and The Warning of the Gracchi, Anthony Lukacs’ 1997 best-seller, page—which can also be reached CHICAGO S.W. VIRGINIA Thad Harris, P.O. Box which together comprise Two Pages Big Trouble, which is located in the directly at http://www.central- SLP, P.O. Box 642, NEW LONDON, 1068, St. Paul, VA Skokie, IL 60076-0642. CONN. from Roman History; and De Leon’s SLP History section under a head- vt.com/visit/nr/sitelist.htm—fea- SLP, 3 Jodry St., 24283-0997. Call (540) 1908 address, Marx on Mallock. ing of “Class Struggle in the Old tures photographs and a brief his- 328-5531. Fax (540) CLEVELAND Quaker Hill, CT 06375. Two of De Leon’s famous de- West.” tory of the hall. Robert Burns, 9626 York Call (203) 447-9897. 328-4059. Rd., N. Royalton, OH 44133. Call (440) 237- NEW YORK CITY AUSTRALIA 7933. E-mail: j.oneil@ Call (516) 829-5325. E- Brian Blanchard, 58 worldnet.att.net. mail: [email protected]. Forest Rd., Trevallyn, Web: http://hometown.aol. Launceston, Tasmania . . . Murders at Coca-Cola CORPUS CHRISTI, com/hunterslp/index. 7250, Australia. Call or TEX. html. fax 0363-341952. (Continued from page 3) ments for social change in our coun- “We want to strip off the mask Call (512) 991-0287. Colombia, they’re called the try. That creates a much more favor- hiding the involvement of transna- OCEANSIDE, CALIF. CANADA army’s ‘sixth division.’” able environment for the exploita- tional corporations in our internal DALLAS Call (760) 721-8124. NATIONAL Despite the wave of death and tion of our natural resources and conflict,” Paez explains. “To do this, Call Bernie at (972) 458- HEADQUARTERS 2253. PALMDALE, CALIF. SLP, 1550 Laperriere violence, U.S. aid to the Colombian our labor force.” we need a judicial forum outside the E-mail: [email protected] DENVER Ave., Ottawa, Ont., K1Z armed forces has grown rapidly. One objective of the Coke suit is to country, since within Colombia 7T2. Call Doug Irving at Call (303) 426-5108. Under Plan Colombia, the United pressure the Colombian and U.S. those guilty of these crimes are PHILADELPHIA (613) 728-5877 (hdqtrs.); SLP, P.O. Box 28732, States has funneled over $1 billion governments to comply with the treated with impunity. In this par- DULUTH (613) 226-6682 (home); Philadelphia, PA 19151. or (613) 725-1949 (fax). into the country, almost entirely in conventions of the International La- ticular case, those responsible include For information, call Rudy Call (215) 234-4724. E- Gustafson at (218) 728- bor Organization and the Geneva Coca-Cola. But they’re not the only mail: [email protected] military assistance. 3110. VANCOUVER Accords on Human Rights. But Co- company pursuing policies that vio- SLP, Suite 141, 6200 Paez says the U.S.-funded drug PITTSBURGH EASTERN MASS. McKay Ave., Box 824, war is a pretext for protecting trans- lombian unions would also like to late human rights. Call (412) 751-2613. Call (781) 444-3576. Burnaby, BC, V5H 4M9. national investors. “Plan Colombia’s see those responsible for the mur- “We’re giving our own global objective is the elimination of move- ders brought to justice. answer to their global operations.” HOUSTON PONTIAC, MICH. Call (810) 731-6756. PUERTO RICO Call (713) 721-9296. SLP Group of Puerto Web site: http://hous- PORTLAND, ORE. Rico, Calle 415, NA-28, tonslp.tripod.com. E- 4ta Ext., Country Club, SLP, P.O. Box 4951, mail:houstonSLP@ Carolina PR 00982. Call Portland, OR 97208. lycos.com. (787) 757-5951. . . . Border Workers Rebel Call (503) 226-2881. HUNTER COLLEGE, Web: http://slp.pdx. (Continued from page 2) most remote corners of Mexico, on breaking, and constitutional guaran- NYC home.mindspring.com UKRAINE Sergiy Skubenko, 42, from the polls. Many others who the southern tip of the Baja Cal-ifor- tees of job training, health care and [email protected] E-mail: slp.pdx @mindspring.com. 10/1 Pryvokzalna Str., had been fired for independent nia peninsula, also faced firings in housing. LONG ISLAND, N.Y. 04116 Kiev, Ukraine union activity weren’t permitted to their efforts to organize an indepen- Mexican workers have some new LongIslandSLP@ya- SACRAMENTO, CA SS. E-mail: escort hoo.com. SLP, P.O. Box 221663, [email protected]. vote at all. dent union. Workers at the political allies, however, including Predictably, the independent California Connections and Pung the new chief of the Mexico City union lost. Kook factories won legal status for labor board, Jesus Campos Linas. “The Duro election strips away their independent union in 1999. Campos Linas rejects the argument Thank You any idea that the NAFTA process Nevertheless, every worker that the proposed changes to the (Nov. 17–Dec. 12) ial meeting: William J. Prinz $5; can protect workers rights,” said named as a union officer on the legal labor law will create more jobs. Christmas Box George Gaylord Jr. $1. Martha Ojeda, director of the C-oali- documents has been fired. “Mexico already has one of the low- Jack Radov $1,000; Walter Total: $4,593.00 tion for Justice in the Maquil-adoras. To make matters worse, in May est wage levels in the world,” he Vojnov $300; Joseph L. Bregni But labor unrest and organizing the World Bank recommended over- said. In the capital, [the] minimum $200; $100 each F.P. Cruikshank, SLP Sustainer Fund has continued. This spring, Torreon’s hauling Mexico’s labor law to elimi- wage is about $4 a day. “No one can Anonymous, Donald Rogers, Joseph B. McCabe $500; Robert streets filled with women chanting nate severance pay, the 40-hour live on this. And we’ve lost 400,000 P. Burns $150; Bernard Bortnick Anthony Econom, Chris Dobreff, and shouting demands for a return week, limits on part-time employ- jobs since January alone. Gutting Richard A. Weimer; Bill Romberg $100; Carl C. Miller Jr. $50; to a standard of living capable of pro- ment, permanent employment sta- the labor law will not solve this $55; $50 each John & Rosemary Section San Francisco Bay Area: Gale “In memory of Nathan Karp William Kelley $20. viding something more than card- tus after 90 days, bans on strike- problem.” and Genevieve Gunderson,” Tan- Total: $820.00 board houses and communities with- ner Zahrt, Edward T. Jasiewicz, out sewers, electricity and running James G. McHugh; Valery Zaytsev Press Security Fund water. At the city’s annual May Day . . . Big Breaks $30; $25 each Rudolph P. Sulenta, Joseph Bregni $300; Nicholas parade, more than 2,000 women Leonard Minkwic, Robert Ormsby, York “In memory of Nathan Karp” shouted “We won’t be quiet any- (Continued from page 1) Socialist Labor Party. If you agree Frank L. Minzenberger; Matthew $50; Carol & Edward Kaplan “In more!” and “We want a decent life!” of capitalism. Nowhere has there that socialism offers the best hope Rinaldi $20; $15 each Joseph memory of Louis Fisher” $25; $20 Further north on the border in been mention of helping those for yourself and our society then each Chet Hensley, Guy Ander- Viditch, Jan Reiner, Berenice L. Ciudad Acuña, women marched who really make the economy go, join us and help make it a reality. son; Harriet & Jeff Dorf “In mem- Perkis, Morton J. Disckind; $10 with bags over their heads to hide the working class. each Milton Poulos, Joseph Wood, ory of Louis Fisher” $18; $15 each their identity, presumably protect- Despite losing their jobs by the Joseph J. Frank, Conrad Tom Dooley, E.G. Nielsen; William ing themselves from firings and hundreds of thousands, it appears Gutermuth, Gregory Stark, Dora Prinz $12; $10 each Ray Hagan, L. . . . Fund Ruggiero; T. McGregor $8; $5 each Lela, Albert Evenich, Blake retaliations. that the workers will continue Frank Rudolph, Libi Coquereau. Bearden; Jefferson Coufal $5.60; While labor unrest is most vig- bearing the brunt of the economic (Continued from page 3) Total: $2,643.00 D. Mohle $5.25; $5 each Darlene orous in the north, it is not limit- burden. But this is not news to the $125,000 goal will be reached Murnin, Edith G. Johnson, ed to border regions. Workers at anyone who knows the true nature before making any effort to Genevieve Gunderson Roberta Diamond, Wheel Turner, the Kukdong maquiladora in the of the system we live under. extend the current lease or to Memorial Fund Harry Maran; $2 each Millard central Mexican town of Atlixco, Capitalism will always benefit the investigate the possibilities for (Thanksgiving Fund) Culpepper, Calvin Slack, Ken Puebla, organized an independent capitalists, leaving those who do relocating the headquarters. Marie & Ray Simmons $2,000; Stibler; $1 each David C. union and on Sept. 21 won the the work out in the cold. Section Wayne County, Mich. $600; Komarek, Phillip White, Helen Accordingly, it is essential that It doesn’t have to be this way. $500 each Jack Radov, Jim & Mary Tendler; Thomas Megas $.50. first contract in a garment ma- much more progress be made Buha; Henry Coretz $120; $100 Total: $560.35 quiladora in a decade. Kukdong Society doesn’t have to work in toward the $125,000 goal during each Harry Banks & the Banks workers used the power of the the interests of those who have the next two months than was family, Ben & Sylvia Kraft, Harold Leaflet Fund growing antisweatshop move- the most money and own the made during the last two months. P. Madsen, Anne Vukovich, Joseph Frank $10.00 (Total) ment in the United States, con- means of producing what we need Please contribute as generously Michael Preston; $50 each Al & necting to U.S. activists through to live. We can build a socialist as you can to the SLP Emergency Ada Bikar, Robert A. Nash, Socialist Labor Party the Mexico City office of the AFL- system where everyone who con- Fund being launched with this Reynold R. Elkins; Joe Jurich $35; Financial Summary CIO. United Students Against tributes to meeting the needs of issue. $25 each William C. O’Mahoney, (Nov. 1–30, 2001) Sweatshops organized picket lines society will benefit. You owe it to Consider making a regular Robert Ormsby, Juliette Jackson; Expenses ...... $10,105.45 yourself and to your fellow work- $20 each Brian Blanchard, Jim Income ...... 16,761.29 at universities around the United monthly contribution to the SLP Comerford; Janelle Barabash $15; Surplus for Nov...... 6,655.84 States to publicize firings at the ers to learn more about how get- Sustainer Fund. Marshall G. Soura $12; $10 each (Jan. 1–Nov. 30, 2001) plant, and the fact that Nike and ting rid of capitalism is in your Send for the booklet, Steps You Madeline Miller, Matthew Rinaldi, Expenses ...... 132,645.56 Reebok sportswear was being interests, and in humanity’s Can Take to Provide for the Harvey Kravitz, Leonard Cirino; Income ...... 84,665.64 sewn there. interests. Study the program and Financial Security of the Socialist add’l to Minneapolis SLP’s memor- Deficit as of Nov. 30 $47,979.92 Garment workers in one of the principles advocated by the Labor Party. BOR OMN LA IA VINCIT

JANUARY 2002