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We must continue to make our clubs the centers for the fight for equality. Equality in regards to economic well being, racial equality and to fight for the election of people to government that struggle for equality, peace and democracy.

Although it would be nice if we were about to go to an election where socialism is on the ballot, that is not the case. However, as Joelle has stated in her report we are facing a very critical election and there are two different forces that will determine the laws for the following years. They represent the two most widespread opposing views at this moment. One believes in the moral responsibility of government to maintain an adequate level of living for all. The other believes that government should stay out of providing for health care and regulating the private corporations and banks, claiming that less government enriches us all.

The first is led by the Obama Administration and the second by the Republicans, the tea party and big business. Although Obama won the last election because of the failure of the Republican arguments with the crash of the economy, big business has used its wealth to flood the advertising media and create the racist tea party, throwing confusion and exploiting the frustrations that big business created.

We have our press to combat the Republican arguments. We have our People’s World daily on-line with 228 (and growing) receiving headlines electronically, and our weekly mini-print edition that is delivered to over 350 families every week giving us a chance to talk to them. In fact, we have built our CT Communist Party of 200 members by mainly using our printed press as a follow up after we have achieved signatures on petitions to end child poverty or other immediate issue in neighborhoods and shops chosen specifically to build the party in those areas.

80% of our membership comes from those that received the print edition of both the former PWW and the present print edition. Of course, it was those that joined from the route and turned around and recruited 10 to 20 times their number where we find the greatest recruitment. It has led to recruitment, sustainability (as we continue to deliver to those who have joined providing for their input even if they are unable to make club meetings) and growth. After several generations of these critical recruiters, they have become club and district leadership and brought their friends, children and relatives into the party. Today a good portion of our club leadership come from those children who went from our YCL to the party.

On this chart we have compared our internal strength in terms of “attendance at meetings,” those in “contact” and those who have fallen out of contact i.e., “no contact”. These figures were compiled at our 2001 convention, our 2005 convention and for today’s 2010 state convention.

We can see a slightly larger membership in 2001 than today which we found to be unsustainable because we had added to our membership those that signed to join the party amidst tabling. For the most part their signing of party cards indicated a new acceptance towards the party but proved to be unreliable for organizational commitment. You can see the relatively large “no contact” column.

The 2005 convention figures show a lower overall number but increased strength at party meetings i.e., “attendance” and a lower “no contact.” We had concentrated on mass recruitment through our PWW routes solidifying those that joined through weekly contact with the paper. 

Today’s figures reach the number of 2001 but “attendance” at meetings is significantly greater than even 2005 and “no contact” is much smaller.

There is also a greater contribution to our influence. That is those that do not join the party but remain in weekly contact and discussion through taking our print edition. They have become a voting block anxious to hear our analysis on how to vote on election day. They have proven critical on several close city, state and one congressional race. We have received thank yous to the party from the leaders of CT core forces for these votes.

To continue to play the role we need to play in the upcoming election we must expand our print edition routes to those areas most threatened by the attempts of the Republicans to take back their seats. Congratulations to all for their work in building the party, the core forces and unity among the All Peoples Front.

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