Author's posts
Dec 10 2008
Why read Lenin today?
Original article, by Paul Le Blanc, via Socialist Worker (UK):
The acclaimed Marxist historian Paul Le Blanc explains why Lenin’s political ideas are vitally important for anyone who wants to understand capitalism and struggle against it.
Dec 09 2008
The Greek police kill school student – big wave of mobilisations all over Greece
Original article, and editorial from Marxistiki Foni (Marxist Voice), via In Defence of Marxism:
On Saturday night, an officer of the Special Forces of the Greek Police killed a young 15-year old school student, Alexandros Grigoropoulos, in Exarchia in the centre of Athens, (just 200 meters from the office of our paper). This is the modern “democratic” manner in which a police officer answered the usual anti-police slogans that a small group of ordinary and completely unarmed school students were raising against him. The police officer shot at the group of school students in an area where there are many coffeehouses full of people and at an hour (9pm) when there are many youth gathered together enjoying an evening out.
Dec 08 2008
Obama’s Team of Reactionaries
Original article, by Tom Eley, via World Socialist Web Site:
In recent weeks, numerous media accounts have referred to President-elect Barack Obama’s cabinet selections as a “team of rivals.” The reference is to a book of the same name by the historian Doris Kearns Goodwin on Abraham Lincoln’s choices for key cabinet posts after his victory in the 1860 election, when he confronted the secession crisis and then the Civil War.
Dec 07 2008
In defense of autoworkers
Original article, a comment by Greg Shotwell, via Socialist Worker (US):
THE CEOs of the three Detroit automakers will return to Congress December 4 to request some $36 billion in loans from the federal government. As a condition of receiving that aid, the automakers were told to provide Congress with a plan for “restructuring” their companies that will include plant closings, elimination of tens of thousands of jobs, and cuts in benefits.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) is prepared to accept this. In a December 3 press conference, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger announced that the union would allow the companies to defer payments into a trust fund that covers retiree health care and to eliminate the “jobs bank” program that provides pay and benefits for laid-off workers.
Gregg Shotwell, a recently retired GM/Delphi worker and a founder of the Soldiers of Solidarity network, challenges the efforts by employers and politicians to blame the auto crisis on union workers:
Dec 06 2008
Who caused the great crash of 2008?
Original article, subheaded Lee Sustar analyzes the roots of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression–and shows why Marxism offers the best way of understanding what went wrong, via Socialist Worker (US):
THERE ARE plenty of people who should be held accountable for turning an ordinary recession that began a year ago into a global catastrophe.
Dec 05 2008
In bid for loans, Detroit auto makers outline plans for drastic downsizing
Original article, by Jerry White, via World Socialist Web Site:
The CEOs of Detroit’s Big Three auto companies are appearing before the Senate Banking Committee today to present plans for the restructuring of the US auto industry as they seek federal loans to avert bankruptcy. The plans involve the destruction of the jobs and living standards of tens of thousands of auto workers and factory closures that will devastate communities across the country.
Dec 03 2008
Audio File: US elections – Obama for change?
Original article, by Mick Brooks, via Socialist Appeal (UK):
The U.S. has elected a new president, Barack Hussein Obama. Along with the dramatic turn in the economic situation, this marks a definite turning point in the history of the country and of the world. Big illusions have been created that Obama will provide “change”. What American workers have voted for is an end to policies that benefit the rich – but does Obama represent real change?
Nov 28 2008
Introduction to Marxist Economics
Original article via Socialist Appeal (US):
Many workers are concerned about the present crisis of U.S. capitalism and how it affects them. Therefore, Socialist Appeal thought it might be helpful to explain some basics about capitalism and why we believe that socialism is the only solution to the crisis.
Nov 27 2008
Michigan GM worker answers attack by New York Times columnist
Original article, by Jerry White, via World Socialist Web Site:
On Tuesday, November 18, the New York Times published an article by one of its leading business columnists, Andrew Ross Sorkin, which places the blame for the downfall of General Motors on the supposedly “gold-plated” and “off-the-charts” wages and benefits of auto workers.
Nov 25 2008
Obama holds press conference, promises “whatever is required” for Wall Street
Original article, by Tom Eley, via World Socialist Web Site:
On Monday, US President-elect Barack Obama held a press conference in Chicago to announce selections for his “economic team.” After these introductions, Obama spoke briefly and in vague terms about a proposed economic stimulus package, and then took five questions from reporters.