******************** POSTING RULES & NOTES ******************** #1 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. #2 This mail-list, like most, is publicly & permanently archived. #3 Subscribe and post under an alias if #2 is a concern. *****************************************************************
This is a request to find speakers at the Left Forum meeting coming up this June in New York for a panel I want to organize. From the labor movement to the Civil Rights Movement to today, there has long been a debate among socialists and, in fact, within the working class about how to relate to the Democratic Party. The rise of DSA makes this issue more central once again. It seems to me that there are three different points of view: One is that attempts to build an alternative have all failed and, therefore, we should continue working within the Democratic Party to strengthen it’s progressive wing. When and where we can, we should run our own candidates as Democrats. Another is that, yes, we need an alternative but we don’t have one right now. We should work to build an alternative party and, meanwhile, support at least some Democratic Party candidates. In fact, we can run our own candidates on the Democratic Party ticket. The third is that the weakness and confusion of the working class in US society is epitomized by the absence of a working class party. Concrete steps can and should be taken right now to build such a party. It is not possible to start down that road while supporting ANY Democrats or running candidates on the Democratic Party ticket. The third is my view. I am looking for DSA members and/or union officers or activists to represent the first two points of view (with myself representing the third) in what I hope would be an important open discussion. If anybody would like to do so, or has ideas for somebody who might, please contact me. -- "No one is going to give you the education you need to overthrow them." Assata Shakur Check out:https:http://oaklandsocialist.com also on Facebook _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
