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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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