Draft of a statement on the OWS movement
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Scott
Jan 29, 2012, 8:01:38 AM1/29/12
to Workers' International Industrial Union
I think we need a statement on OWS. I'm putting this out as a
starting point. Perhaps we can improve this and adopt it as a WIIU
statement.
WIIU Statement on The Occupy Wall Street Movement
The Workers' International Industrial Union applauds those who have
occupied Wall Street, the self-proclaimed 99%, who are calling
attention to the glaring and growing economic inequalities that
characterize our society. We are gratified to see the occupation
movement springing to life in localities all across the country. We
recognize that these movements are a response to the same conditions
that have spawned similar movements globally. The Arab spring, the
anti- austerity movements in Greece, Spain, Great Britain, indeed, all
over Europe, and a similar movement in Chile, all arise from an anger
and frustration over the short and/or long term inherent workings of
the capitalist system. Certainly there is a subliminal realization
within this movement that capitalism is the problem. As we add our
voices to the occupation movement, we will attempt to bring clarity of
thought to that gut feeling, resolutely declaring that there is no
solution under capitalism, and the only sane alternative to capitalism
is industrial democracy.
There is a danger that this movement will be co-opted by the
Democrats. It is important for revolutionaries to make themselves
heard early and often in this struggle. The strains on the
international financial system over Greece, Spain, and a host of
others are not going to disappear. The capitalists themselves are at a
loss as to how to return their system to equilibrium. Neither the
liberals nor the conservatives have solutions to the profound problems
that confront us, and in a revolutionary moment, those who put forth a
program for industrial democracy, are the voice of practicality.
It is imperative that the occupy movement go beyond the demands for
this or that reform, and begin the process of organizing to put the
means of production of goods and services under social ownership and
democratic control.
starting point. Perhaps we can improve this and adopt it as a WIIU
statement.
WIIU Statement on The Occupy Wall Street Movement
The Workers' International Industrial Union applauds those who have
occupied Wall Street, the self-proclaimed 99%, who are calling
attention to the glaring and growing economic inequalities that
characterize our society. We are gratified to see the occupation
movement springing to life in localities all across the country. We
recognize that these movements are a response to the same conditions
that have spawned similar movements globally. The Arab spring, the
anti- austerity movements in Greece, Spain, Great Britain, indeed, all
over Europe, and a similar movement in Chile, all arise from an anger
and frustration over the short and/or long term inherent workings of
the capitalist system. Certainly there is a subliminal realization
within this movement that capitalism is the problem. As we add our
voices to the occupation movement, we will attempt to bring clarity of
thought to that gut feeling, resolutely declaring that there is no
solution under capitalism, and the only sane alternative to capitalism
is industrial democracy.
There is a danger that this movement will be co-opted by the
Democrats. It is important for revolutionaries to make themselves
heard early and often in this struggle. The strains on the
international financial system over Greece, Spain, and a host of
others are not going to disappear. The capitalists themselves are at a
loss as to how to return their system to equilibrium. Neither the
liberals nor the conservatives have solutions to the profound problems
that confront us, and in a revolutionary moment, those who put forth a
program for industrial democracy, are the voice of practicality.
It is imperative that the occupy movement go beyond the demands for
this or that reform, and begin the process of organizing to put the
means of production of goods and services under social ownership and
democratic control.
ps...@comcast.net
Jan 29, 2012, 9:33:19 AM1/29/12
to workers-internation...@googlegroups.com
arminius
Jan 29, 2012, 3:20:05 PM1/29/12
to Workers' International Industrial Union
I thought this *already* was the WIIU statement - at least until
amended. [See post list for 'Wall Street Protests'] God knows I've put
it about as such, and when OWS was (visibly) hotter than it is now.
Though I'm all for OWS and the statement (as the statement itself
describes it), and encourage its distribution. Btw, has anyone here
ever gotten in touch with the PFANS folks?
amended. [See post list for 'Wall Street Protests'] God knows I've put
it about as such, and when OWS was (visibly) hotter than it is now.
Though I'm all for OWS and the statement (as the statement itself
describes it), and encourage its distribution. Btw, has anyone here
ever gotten in touch with the PFANS folks?
Scott Wallace
Jan 29, 2012, 4:16:53 PM1/29/12
to workers-internation...@googlegroups.com
| Arminius, Though I did submit a version of this some time ago, it was never approved. Strangely, I can no longer find it in the archives, so I thought I would submit it again in a slightly edited form. I just looked for PFANS, I have been in contact with them in the past, but it looks as they are no longer active. Scott --- On Sun, 1/29/12, arminius <armi...@iwon.com> wrote: |
|
arminius
Jan 29, 2012, 5:17:43 PM1/29/12
to Workers' International Industrial Union
Scott,
As I said, in the archives here it's under 'Wall Street Protests'.
The PFANS discussion group is history, this I know from they
themselves some time back, but if the WIIU wants to contact them, I'm
willing to pass along the personal addies I have for official WIIU
communications (some of which must still be good) if deemed
appropriate and desirable.
On Jan 29, 4:16 pm, Scott Wallace <scotchwall...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Arminius,
>
> Though I did submit a version of this some time ago, it was never approved. Strangely, I can no longer find it in the archives, so I thought I would submit it again in a slightly edited form. I just looked for PFANS, I have been in contact with them in the past, but it looks as they are no longer active.
>
> Scott
>
> --- On Sun, 1/29/12, arminius <armin...@iwon.com> wrote:
As I said, in the archives here it's under 'Wall Street Protests'.
The PFANS discussion group is history, this I know from they
themselves some time back, but if the WIIU wants to contact them, I'm
willing to pass along the personal addies I have for official WIIU
communications (some of which must still be good) if deemed
appropriate and desirable.
On Jan 29, 4:16 pm, Scott Wallace <scotchwall...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Arminius,
>
> Though I did submit a version of this some time ago, it was never approved. Strangely, I can no longer find it in the archives, so I thought I would submit it again in a slightly edited form. I just looked for PFANS, I have been in contact with them in the past, but it looks as they are no longer active.
>
> Scott
>
WIIU
Jan 31, 2012, 11:17:15 PM1/31/12
to workers-internation...@googlegroups.com
If this is what everyone agrees on I will post it to the website. I give
my approval.
my approval.
Carl
ddon...@comcast.net
Feb 1, 2012, 12:25:24 PM2/1/12
to workers-internation...@googlegroups.com
Comrades Heck and Donaker say , good work and fire away.
From: "WIIU" <wiiu@wiiu.org>
To: workers-international-industrial-union@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 10:17:15 PM
From: "WIIU" <wiiu@wiiu.org>
To: workers-international-industrial-union@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 10:17:15 PM
Subject: Re: Draft of a statement on the OWS movement
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