Vol. 72/No. 24 June 16, 2008
Contributions to the Capital Fund are dedicated solely to long-term publishing projects over the next decade and beyond. The initial results point to a big boost for the fund. This appeal complements the Militant appeal to other readers of the paper to contribute their checks to the socialist press (see box on this page).
A number of the contributors to the Capital Fund have sent short, enthusiastic notes with their checks. A note sent with a check by an SWP member in San Francisco states, “With honor and pride.” A Houston party member writes, “I am at the bottom of the refund list ($300), but it’s nice to send it to the party.” A San Francisco couple who are SWP supporters sent in a $1,200 check, saying, “Here is our ‘blood money!’”
Members of the communist movement have maintained a proud tradition of contributing to the Capital Fund from contract-signing bonuses—employer bribes given in lieu of paying higher wages—and so-called safety and production bonuses. These blood money payments are intended to shut us up when life and limb are at stake. Communists also contribute to the Capital Fund their paid union time off to participate in activities that struggle-minded union militants should go to anyway.
The special appeal is a good option. A supporter from Chicago writes, “Here’s a stimulus where it should go.” Another from New York writes, “Here’s the ‘pound of flesh’ sent me. It’s with great pleasure that I can turn this over.”
The appeal total also includes a contribution from a meat packer at Dakota Premium Foods in South St. Paul who wanted to kick in from his back wage lump sum won in the recent contract fight.
Dave Prince is the director of the Economic Stimulus Capital Appeal.
| Donate Economic Stimulus checks to the ‘Militant’! |
As unemployment climbs, inflation on basic necessities skyrockets, and utility cutoffs increase, the U.S. government is trying to bribe working people with tiny sums of money as part of its Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. Class-conscious workers should reject this pittance for what it is: a ploy by the rulers to convince us that the government is doing something to alleviate the grind on our standard of living. We encourage readers to put this blood money to good use by contributing it to the socialist press.
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