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Vol. 81/No. 47 December 18, 2017
(editorial)
Build working-class unity, confidence
The bosses claim recent capitalist economic growth is good for
“American interests.”
But there are no “American interests.” On one hand, there are the
interests of the U.S. propertied rulers, defended by the bosses’
political parties — Democrats, Republicans and growing numbers of
self-proclaimed “independents” who seek to convince workers disgusted
with capitalist politics-as-usual to stay in the swamp. Our union
officials are among those who continuously tell us “you can’t fight City
Hall” and to rely on Democrats or others who will be our “friends” when
they get into office.
On the other hand there are the interests of the working class and our
allies around the world. We need to find ways to fight effectively
against the attacks on our jobs, working conditions and deteriorating
conditions of life.
Strengthening our unity to resist the bosses involves taking a stand
against any attempt to blame fellow working people for the crisis we face.
If the temporary uptick in capitalist production and trade continues to
expand, an unintended consequence will be to open a door for the working
class. As more of us get jobs, and those who lost hope after months and
years without employment see a way out of the crushing burden they’ve
faced, our confidence and willingness to fight will grow.
The ability of the bosses to use their crisis to try and get employed
and unemployed, native-born and immigrant workers to fight against each
other for a “shrinking pie” will be weakened.
It will be easier to see the possibility — and the necessity — for our
class to mobilize the vast majority of working people to overthrow
dog-eat-dog capitalist rule and take political power. The propertied
rulers can be overthrown and a new kind of world built — working people
in Cuba demonstrated this in 1959 and ever since. Through struggle, we
too will develop the courage, confidence and class consciousness
necessary to emulate Cuban workers and farmers and take political power.
Join us in this fight!
Related articles:
Hiring upturn can lead to advance in workers’ unity
On the Picket Line
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