Interesting comments as always from Wayles and Joe. I would however respectfully disagree (however slightly) on two points:
1. From the point of view of American nationalism (as opposed to international socialism), it is disastrous for the US to export textiles and other basic manufacturing jobs, since this puts the American state in a position of dependence on foreign (and not always friendly) nations for one of its basic needs.
2. In the wake of September 08 we obviously have to re-evaluate the idea that the FIRE (Finance Insurance and Real Estate) markets have produced real growth in the American economy. Since the end of the Reagan-Bush era, it has been very difficult to tell how much, if any, growth in the Finance and Insurance sectors has been real, because of the effects of newly-legalized complex securities. We must therefore confront the possibility that even these sectors of the economy have seen little or no real growth in the last 15 years. Again, this might be seen as more of a problem for the American nation than it is for the international socialist movement. But, unless DSA sees some higher good in the potential financial collapse of the American state (and I don't think that DSA takes this position), then this glaring, generational decline of real economic productivity in the world's largest consumer market remains a problem that must be confronted.
Ithaca DSA members produce a half-hour radio program on WRFI Community Radio called The Inquiring Socialist. The program airs at 10:00AM on alternate Fridays.
Ithaca DSA has a weekly cable access television program "Ithaca DSA Presents", a half-hour talk show covering local, national and international politics, economics and labor. It airs Tuesdays at 7:00 pm and several more times each week on Spectrum Cable Channel 13 in Tompkins County; DVDs of the program can be borrowed from the Alternatives Library in Anabel Taylor Hall on the Cornell Campus.
We will also be working on making Cornell pay for better and free TCAT, putting socialists in City government, supporting labor unions and affordable housing, and opposing police militarization and jail expansion in this community.
What We Believe
Democratic Socialists believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically—to meet public needs, not to make profits for a few. To achieve a more just society, many structures of our government and economy must be radically transformed through greater economic and social democracy so that ordinary Americans can participate in the many decisions that affect our lives.
We are dedicated first of all to democracy, and to bringing democracy into the economic sphere. We are not a political party that runs candidates. Rather, we are a political organization that engages in many activities as needed: electoral politics, issue politics, organizing, protest, and education.
1 comment:
Interesting comments as always from Wayles and Joe. I would however respectfully disagree (however slightly) on two points:
1. From the point of view of American nationalism (as opposed to international socialism), it is disastrous for the US to export textiles and other basic manufacturing jobs, since this puts the American state in a position of dependence on foreign (and not always friendly) nations for one of its basic needs.
2. In the wake of September 08 we obviously have to re-evaluate the idea that the FIRE (Finance Insurance and Real Estate) markets have produced real growth in the American economy. Since the end of the Reagan-Bush era, it has been very difficult to tell how much, if any, growth in the Finance and Insurance sectors has been real, because of the effects of newly-legalized complex securities. We must therefore confront the possibility that even these sectors of the economy have seen little or no real growth in the last 15 years. Again, this might be seen as more of a problem for the American nation than it is for the international socialist movement. But, unless DSA sees some higher good in the potential financial collapse of the American state (and I don't think that DSA takes this position), then this glaring, generational decline of real economic productivity in the world's largest consumer market remains a problem that must be confronted.
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