Open Letter to the Pennsylvania Labor Movement
Brothers and Sisters,
The Workers International League (WIL) fully supports the recent activity of workers standing up for their rights in the face of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Even though it is big business and the rich which cause the economic downturn, it is always us, the workers, who are made to pay for their crisis. The WIL supports the recent march in Philadelphia on the 19th of March and the move toward class independent politics in Pennsylvania. Even though president Obama promised “change,” workers are angry that the administration has continued the policies of the Bush administration.
Even more encouraging is the recent talk of running an independent labor candidate, the first in a long time! This would be a much welcomed change for many workers who are fed up with the Democratic Party’s policies of supporting big business and their lack of action toward meeting the needs of working people. This candidate should fight for a free and truly universal health care system and full employment. This can be paid for from the great riches that have been accumulated by the banks, insurance companies and the super rich. This campaign should also emphasize unity of workers and youth and put the blame for poverty and unemployment on to which it belongs: corporate America.
We fully support the running of Brother Jack Shea as an independent labor candidate in the general election. A truly independent candidate should not run in the Democratic party primary election or simply run a “write in” campaign. Such candidates should instead work to be directly on the ballot against the candidates of big business this fall. Many more workers vote in the general election than in the primaries as they do not identify with parties that represent the employers. Running as an independent labor candidate in the general election would give the people a chance to really express their dissatisfaction with the status quo. If the national labor movement backs this candidate, he could win this election. However, whether he wins or loses this election, the fact that such a campaign has even been organized would be a victory as it would as it would be the beginning of future independent labor candidates across the country.
The richest one percent owns more than the bottom 95%. Both the Republicans and the Democrats serve the interests of that one percent. The bottom 95% needs candidates of our own. If the labor movement can run independent candidates in this fall’s election, then after the election, meetings should be called around the country so the labor movement can form its own political party. Enough of electing millionaires to make decisions that affect hundreds of millions of working class Americans. We need working class candidates from a working class party that makes decisions for the working class majority. This would be a real democracy!
Brother Bill George was correct when he said “It’s time to get ours back. The banks got theirs. It’s revolution time. It’s the only thing they understand.” Well Brother George, the revolution begins in Pittsburgh with the running of Jack Shea for Congress! We throw our whole hearted support behind Jack Shea in his quest for Congress, just as we throw the same support behind the Americans who are looking for actual change, change that only Labor candidates can provide! Onward to Victory in Pennsylvania!
In solidarity,
The Workers International League
To all American Workers: An Appeal for a Mass Party of Labor
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Originally Posted by Farnan
