On the necessity of socialism by Waistline2 26 February 2002 22:13 UTC
-clip- Melvin: The Communist Pary USA did not exist one hundred years ago and it should have stated half a century ago. ^^^^ CB: I don't quite follow this. Please reiterate. ^^^^^ Everyone must do what's in their heart. It you feel a neo-Roosevelt Coalition is the path forward - go for it. I undersstand Lenin's criticism differently. The Russian revolutionaries came to power on the basis of the slogan bread, land and peace. ^^^^^ CB: Yes, in that case the "peace" part demonstrates involving the working masses in a poltical demand that is not as directly economic as "bread and land". Of course, in Lowell , Mass, the women workers demanded "bread and roses" , as good Leninists :>) ^^^^^^ If you feel that we can effect change in American with the slogan socialism or political slogans "go for it." ^^^^^^^ CB: No, I think the article specifically discourages making "socialism" a slogan at this time, but sort reminds that it is communists' role to not let the socialism demand get completely buried. In fact, the total picture of what Webb says would suggest a slogan closer to 1917, like " .....and peace" ^^^^^^ I prefer things like food, shelter, rent subsidy and other things that allow the inital formation of the working class into a class for itself. Economism was a criticism directed at work in the trade unions. I am no longer working within the trade union movement and want to try my hand at the labor movement in general. ^^^^^^^ CB: The non-economist idea is to demand both, not to drop food, shelter , rent subsidy, but to demand those and peace and freedom. ^^^^^ Perhaps in a day or two something on the totality of Sam Webb presentation forwarded to Pen and his preconvention presentation, although to my knowledge he is not claiming that his is a Marxist anaylsis. ^^^^^^^^ CB: Let me assure you that he is claiming that his is a Marxist analysis. ^^^^^^^^ Am I mistaken? ^^^^^^ CB: Yes. One thing is sure . He is claiming that he is giving a Marxist analysis. ^^^^ I would rather not engage anyone in lenght who is outside Marxism, by their own confession. Right or wrong I confess the method of Marx and Engels conclusions as the first General strategist for the proletarrian forces. ^^^^^^^^ CB: Yes and after them Lenin. Webb's is claiming for a Marxist-Leninist approach.
