Re: labor party

[MD575151@xxxxxxx]

List,

     Here is another conversation on what who is arguing on what subject such
and such is about.
            enjoy!

   Jim writes:
<<    A while ago I was debating with Mike Dean about the
 newly formed "labor party" in the U.S. While Mike thought
 that the party would help lead working people forward,
 I argued that it was not a party at all, but a maneuver
 of some union bureaucrats to put pressure on the
 Democratic Party.>>

   I write:

    "While Mike thought that the party would help lead working people
forward..."   Um, no.  What we have here is a failure to communicate.  The US
LP is a small factor in the labor movement.  In some ways its a good step, in
some ways its a bad step.  Everything contains a little of each.  Even my
basic understanding of dialectics tells me that.  The key to dealing with the
labor party is not to boycott it, but to take whatever opportunity is made
available.  We have already discussed this quite a bit.  However, if anyone
wants to re-kindle this topic that would be fine with me.  It would allow me
to refine my views.


   Jim writes:
  >>I argued that if any of the radicals in the "labor
 party" tried to make something of the party other than
 what the bureaucrats wanted, the union officials would
 just chuck them out, because the party belongs to the
 union officials.>>


   I write:
      It seems you are right.  Perhaps my earlier views were overly
optimistic, but they were not wrong.  I said that there was a chance that the
LP could be mobalised into a real worker's party.  I also said that that was
an unlikely side issue.  My main concern was convincing everyone of the
dialectic advantages of working within this party.  We must have an effect on
the Labor Movement.  We must pick out the good and expose the bad.  I feel
that the best way to "pick out the good" is to work within the party and
directly oppose any wrong or misleading statements and actions.  That is how
socialists educate and demonstrate the way forward.  This cannot be done by
sitting on the sidelines saying "you should have done that..." or "that was a
mistake..."  etc. etc.  We must get in the middle of the action and
DEMONSTRATE the proper course.  We may get in trouble with the leadership,
but who cares?  I don't.


        ---Mike Dean

PS.  If anyone has any responses or additions to any of the above, please
send it to:  MD575151@xxxxxxx
     I'm taking a break from the list for a week or so.

   Till' then,

            ado.


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