Re: [Marxism] Banned from discussing in DSA

[Ralph Johansen via Marxism]

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John Reimann wrote

"Today, the leadership of DSA banned a discussion on building a working 
class political party. As explained in this video, I was to make a 
presentation to the delegates to the upcoming national convention on 
this issue, but just before that subject came up I was bounced off the 
video conference call. I’m being told it was because I “left” it but 
that is untrue."


Read the full story and see the video of what I would have said here



The DSA has that reputation, a faction aligned with the Democratic 
Party, and to the extent that they are controlled by a leadership that 
won't discuss the option you describe that reputation is deserved, if 
so, if all that you say is true, and if this local leadership is 
representative of the national leadership, it shows that they are simply 
leading a growing number of people searching for an alternative into a 
blind alley, a graveyard, for that's as we know what the Democratic 
Party is. It is more and more apparent that the Bernie movement 
represents, as he rejects an alternative party option and goes about 
being chairperson of "outreach" for the the powerful Clintonian faction 
in the party - the entrenched faction that has brought us welfare 
"reform," Romney-type health care neglect, the carceral state, licensing 
of Wall Street predation and brutal imprisonment and expulsion of 
immigrants. I admit to having for a time placed hope in Bernie the 
self-described "socialist" Democratic Party caucus member to break in 
the direction of a third party and having been jolted awake again.


If you have no opportunity for dialogue with these people, then I'd go 
elsewhere. This is an old pattern in politics, to which we're all 
vulnerable in our efforts, and I have to wonder about the class base of 
this kind of organization.


And then at the other end is the Trump movement, where as you say in 
your video 1/3 of working class people for various reasons troubled 
themselves to vote and selected a right wing option. Trump may get a 
program going for massive rehabilitation of an infrastructure that has 
been badly neglected for at least the past 20 years, and that may result 
in millions re-employed, for a time, and that is contingent on getting 
the Democrats and at least a plurality of tight-fisted fiscal 
Republicans to fund it. What he will not and cannot do is bring back 
jobs lost to automation and artificial intelligence, and those jobs 
leaving the US for cheaper labor in poorer regions. That is the larger 
picture, on which return of a vibrant, productive economy would depend 
and over which neither Trump nor anyone else has any control. Certainly 
that also includes the environmental disaster we seem to be facing. 
Least of all does he have options in dealing with the rest of the globe, 
in an increasingly connected and polar context. And In many ways, isn't 
Trump a news-hogging diversion while the bondholders ravage the commons?


So there's disorder at the border but while the authoritarian, 
nationalist  right wing, takes over they offer no panaceas with staying 
power. What it does offer is the prospect of inadvertent larger war 
amidst growing nationalism, toxic tariffs and trade barriers. And if the 
result is a repressive, militarized state, that won't get them far, 
particularly in a country with at least the trappings of a history of 
democratic traditions and a large but atrophying so-called middle class. 
It's a stick ultimately without a carrot as the saying goes, operating 
in the context of dwindling opportunity and growing alienation, not just 
at the parties but at the whole system. If I weren't persuaded as to 
that, and if I felt that acting in one's own interest in any and all 
contexts means to most people forever acting alone and not together, I'd 
feel there's no hope left, for the left or anyone else. Watch for 
movement to prevent the cities from further "urban renewal," where much 
of the funding for infrastructure rehabilitation would go (and where the 
opportunities for shutting  down entire urban complexes are greatest 
with the chance that displacement of the poor can coalesce with other 
interests, including Walmart-type working class resentment, in and out 
of jobs.


So, John, keep the faith and keep your hackles up but if possible your 
voice from getting too shrill.



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Re: [Marxism] Banned from discussing in DSA

[Mark Lause via Marxism]

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Deplorable.

The failure reflects the decision of the left-wibng to plan nothing and do
nothing until it was too late to change anything . . . other than fiddle
with words and elect select people as part of a slate.

That said, we all know that making speeches on the need for a working class
party doesn't get us one.  At this stage, the optimum to be expected from
the DSA is to that members will--here and there--run independently of the
Democrats.  More important than tweaking platforms or passing resolutions
or electing self-declared Left DSA people to internal positions will be
making those campaigns successful.  That is, we need to demonstrate that
independent campaigns are the best way to recruit and build a socialist
organization.

That, in turn, will give such a perspective increasing weight in the group.

Solidarity,
Mark L.
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