A lot of noise had been made about
the so-called “reinstatement of Zelaya”, but is that what is really
happening? So far a lot of wheeling and dealing has taken place, but no
concrete steps to put Zelaya back as the legitimate president. We will
see in the coming days how real this agreement is.
Cynicism is a very useful tool for
those in power. Although it inherently expresses a sense of
dissatisfaction, it offers nothing as a way out. The charade of the
two-party system has done a lot of damage to American workers’
perception of politics in general, and created a situation where
cynicism and apparent apathy is widespread. What is needed in the US is
a party that represents working people. Such a party would go far in
combatting the cynical and apathetic attitudes of many toward politics,
as there would finally be a force led by workers in the interests of
workers.
Why is New Labour hurling yet more of our
money at the banks? The London ‘Metro’
screams that the latest deal is the “World’s biggest bank bailout.” It’s
costing every household in Britain £2,000, on top of all the money wasted last
time round
This plan costs nearly £40bn, more than the
£37bn the government pumped in to the banks a year ago. £40bn would build more
than 1,500 schools, but the banks, we are told, are more important than our
kids’ future. Brown boasted last year that he had ‘saved the world.’ Not quite,
it seems. Now the banks are in further financial difficulties and back with
their begging bowls.
As postal workers prepare for a further round of strikes, Socialist Appeal supporters in Norwich have been active in raising support for the struggle. Over £200 for the strike fund has been raised by supporters in the city centre. The comrades also interviewed a worker at the Rowntree Way sorting office picket line last Friday.
This Saturday in London why not join the ULU Marxists and take part in the Lenin Walk? You will be part of a conducted walk around the streets of central London, walking in the footsteps of Lenin as we rediscover his time spent in the Capital city. See history come alive on November 7th – 2.00 pm start.
Internationally, capitalism is
emerging from its worst crisis since the 1930s. There is palpable
relief in the ranks of the ruling class at avoiding a financial
meltdown. However, despite heated talk of green shoots, there is a
universal gloom about the current situation.
Ireland: Friday’s
day of protests by the Public Sector Trade Unions is a hugely important
day for the Trade Union and Labour Movement. It could mark a
significant step in the struggle to turn back the Fianna Fáil and Green
Party’s assault on the Public Sector and on the working class in
general. But what is the background to the current impasse and can
Cowen and Lenihan face down the massive opposition that will manifest
itself throughout the country later this week?
The November 2009 edition of Socialist Appeal is now out! Click here to order your copy.
November marks
the 150th anniversary of the publication of Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. This book revolutionised
thinking about the living world because for the first time it provided an
explanation for the evolution of species, something that was long suspected by
scientists. Darwin’s
simple idea – change by natural selection
– is arguably the single most important foundation-stone upon which all modern
biology is based. The Origin of Species was
a triumph of the materialist world outlook, even if Darwin himself didn’t quite
put it that way, and for that reason its publication was celebrated by Marx and
Engels.
Here is a short report on John McDonnell’s lecture at the ULU Marxists Meeting in London last week
While the leaders and lieutenants of capital
continue their assault on the pay, conditions and jobs of workers everywhere,
strikes have broken out sporadically across the UK,
including in transport. As was the case with the bus drivers of Essex and
Greater Manchester, in August the workers of GoNortheast in Washington in the
North-East of England also walked out of pay talks after rejecting a pitiful
offer of just 2% over 18 months.
On 17 May 1649, three soldiers were executed on Oliver Cromwell’s orders in Burford churchyard, Oxfordshire, England. They were the leaders of 300 men who belonged to the movement known as the Levellers. They had decided to fight against Cromwell who they considered was betraying the ideals of what the “Civil War”, i.e. the English Revolution, had been about.