Gathering to oppose capitalism, fight for socialism

What is on the minds of workers? Will they have jobs? Will health care and pensions be cut? Will they lose their homes? Their ability to provide for their children?

The ills caused by the global capitalist crisis are affecting workers in the United States and worldwide. Its worsening impact on their standard of living and very lives is a daily concern. Tens of millions are unemployed and underemployed, with no help coming — despite any so-called “jobs programs” promoted by either of the two pro-corporate political parties.

Even though the capitalists are making record profits, they are doing so without hiring workers. They are enjoying a “jobless” recovery. There is no relief in sight for working people, especially African Americans, Latinos/as, immigrants and youth, who are the hardest hit.

Millions have been pushed into poverty as they have lost jobs and with them, crucial health insurance and pensions, and, frequently, their homes. A record number are forced to rely on food stamps to feed their families and are living below the poverty line.

At the same time, pro-corporate government officials are prioritizing massive funding for the Pentagon for new weapons, wars and occupations. They are giving trillions of dollars in tax money paid by workers to aid banks and corporations — many of which don’t even pay taxes. They are dismantling and threatening to cut more from the very safety net programs that workers have contributed to since they began.

Yet working people, youth, community activists and progressive forces are increasingly fighting back. There is growing, organized opposition to attacks on public and private sector unions and workers pushed by the superrich right wing, their government representatives and the neofascist Tea Party forces. Struggles continue against racist assaults, anti-immigrant policies and political repression. Reactionary incursions on women’s rights are being countered, and so are assaults on lesbian, gay, bi, transgender and queer individuals, including youth.

More and more people are realizing that capitalism itself is the problem.

Time to meet, time to act

What can left and working-class forces do to intervene in this crisis? What conclusions can we draw from the current economic and international situation? How do we put capitalism into the dust bin of history where it belongs?

We must develop strategies to fight back to make gains for our class and to move the struggle forward. We must build a movement — independent of the big-business parties — that fights for jobs and social programs, which tens of millions in the multinational working class need right now.

Workers World Party will discuss these crucial issues at its annual national conference on Oct. 8 and 9 at the Paul Robeson Complex in the Bronx, N.Y. The theme is “The Global Capitalist Economic Crisis: What it will take to fight it.”

Plenary sessions, workshops and discussion groups will take up a Marxist analysis of the deepening crisis and the growing, militant struggles by working and oppressed people. Activists from around the country will exchange ideas for building the anti-capitalist movement and discuss the necessity of raising a pro-socialist perspective.

WWP youth activists are organizing a panel, “Rebel against Capitalism.” Clearly, youth in the U.S. and internationally, are giving a boost to the class struggle, as they militantly oppose austerity measures, the economic crisis and repression.

WWP invites like-minded forces to attend: those who want to strategize and work on developing a united front of left forces to build an anti-racist, anti-capitalist, pro-socialist movement. Basic principles would include all-out support for the multinational working class, backing women’s and LGBTQ rights, solidarity with oppressed peoples here and worldwide, supporting self-determination and opposing all imperialist wars.

It is time for all of us to intensify the struggle against this heinous capitalist system and to raise high the banner of Socialism, to show that a world without bigotry, oppression, exploitation, poverty and war is possible.

This year’s conference is dedicated to the revolutionary internationalist hero, Che Guevara, who was martyred 44 years ago on Oct. 8. WWP is honored to hold this year’s conference in a facility named after the late, legendary Paul Robeson, a fierce fighter for working and oppressed people, who espoused a socialist perspective.

For those who say it’s time to stand up and unite to oppose this profit-hungry system and organize for a socialist future, the Workers World Party conference is for you.

For conference details, including location and schedule, see www.Workers­World.net. There you can register and contribute to the costs of holding this two-day event. Articles and documents related to the conference are posted there and at www.workers.org Readers should check frequently for updates.