This article is part of the discussion leading up to the Communist Party USA’s 29th National Convention May 21-23, 2010. CPUSA.org takes no responsibility for the opinions expressed in this article or other articles in the pre-convention discussion. All contributions must meet the guidelines for discussion. To read other contributions to this discussion, visit the site of the Pre-Convention Discussion period.

All contributions to the discussion should be sent to discussion2010@cpusa.org for selection not to the individual venues.For more information on the convention or the pre-convention discussion period, you can email convention2010@cpusa.org.

Discussion Summary, Northern California
Communist Party membership meeting, January 30, 2010

Preconvention discussion: U.S. Politics at a Transition Point:

After a showing of National Chairman Sam Webb’s discussion kick-off presentation (available at www.cpusa.org, 29th convention, Discussion kickoff), discussion included the following observations:

• The meeting agreed with the main discussion document as presented by the national chairman that the immediate strategic goal remains the decisive defeat of the extreme right in order to consolidate the 2008 election victory. In this connection, comrades exchanged ideas over how our members can better coordinate their efforts to help strengthen the progressive forces in the coalition to defeat the Republicans in this year’s midterm congressional elections.
• There were also expressions of dissatisfaction with the role of conservative Democrats who cater to the Republicans and the need, where possible, to encourage challenges in the primaries.
• The comrades responded enthusiastically to the proposal in Chairman Webb’s presentation making the fight for jobs and immediate relief the main struggle before the people and our Party at this moment. Members continue to be engaged in the legislative fight for health care reform.
• Along with addressing immediate needs of the working class, it is important to recognize that the capitalist system is broken and lacks its former ability to make “fixes.”
• As we work with others in coalitions addressing the immediate crisis, comrades devoted much attention to other related aspects of our work. They felt as communists that we also need to project the next, anti-monopoly stage of development and discuss socialism more.
• Comrades recognized the current crisis offers many new opportunities to increase “anti-capitalist consciousness” and to build the party and YCL. We need to participate in coalitions as open communists whenever possible.
• New methods of communication are greatly expanding our ability to build among young people especially.
• We should consider running more candidates, including communist candidates.
• We need much more discussion of the relation between race and class, and more concrete actions to help individuals overcome the crises they are experiencing.
• We should help build the support that is growing for “tax the rich” initiatives at national and state levels, as alternatives to growing deficits or slashed human needs spending.

National campaign for jobs now:

Scott Marshall, CPUSA national Labor Secretary and national jobs campaign coordinator, joined us by phone to describe the Jobs for America Now labor-led coalition of over 65 national organizations, including both labor federations and major civil rights, women’s, church and other organizations. Details are available at www.jobs4americanow.org. The AFL-CIO’s 5-point America Needs Jobs Now program is part of this effort.

The coalition encompasses literally thousands of actions around the country, from union unemployed committees and grassroots efforts to organize the unemployed, through food pantries, homeless shelters, anti-foreclosure actions and more. It is urgent to further strengthen grassroots activity.

Among other urgent issues are reversing the destruction of the national welfare safety net during the Clinton administration, and pressing senators, including Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, to include extension of unemployment compensation in the Senate version of the Jobs for Main Street Act, passed by the House of Representatives late last year.

CP members around the country are helping to organize local labor and peace movement-based actions to build local government support of the AFL-CIO’s 5-point program and the House jobs bill. Also, support upcoming Jobs with Justice actions, link jobs creation to ending wars and military adventures, and protest business groups’ opposition to jobs creation measures and to the Employee Free Choice Act.

In Chicago the steelworker retiree organization SOAR started a petition for jobs or income now, calling on the federal government to create jobs when the private sector does not, and extend unemployment compensation to first-time job seekers and for the duration of any unemployment.

A national week of action is planned, March 1-6.

Clubs were urged to plan the ways in which they can become engaged at the grassroots in helping to build this broad nationwide effort.  Ideas from the discussion included:

• Collecting and circulating information on services available to unemployed people and welfare recipients. We should consider developing a resource center, and distributing information at welfare offices, food pantries, unemployment offices etc.
• Publicize the Jobs for Main Street legislation passed by the House of Representatives.
• Give attention to the “green jobs” sector which holds promise of good jobs in fixed locations that can be available to workers with challenges to employment.
• The fight for jobs is crucial to overcoming the economic crisis and to mobilizing for success in the November 2010 elections.

Youth Internet Club:

A new youth local Internet club plans local actions and is initiating an Internet organization where people interested in the CP and YCL’s ideas can interact without necessarily joining them at first. The new youth collective will participate in the March 4 education actions, March 20 anti-war demonstrations and solidarity with Rite Aid warehouse workers fighting for a first contract.

Comments