Can someone help me?

Please, help me.

I'm lost.

I was on my way to Maine and now the sign says Minneapolis 20 miles. Did I go the wrong way?

Help!!!!!! Get me out of here.

Sam Webb
National Chair, CPUSA

This very dangerous e-mail came to my desk today

I want to make it clear this point of view does not reflect my thinking or the thinking of our Party since I have put us on the road to an important partnership with Barack Obama and the Democratic Party. I will not stand for ideas like this to break the partnership bonds I have forged. We are now partners with some of the largest and most farsighted big-business interests so I must distance myself completely from these Marxist-Leninist thoughts.

I have issued an order not to tolerate any consideration for this kind of dangerous viewpoint.

Sam Webb
National Chair, CPUSA

Some thoughts on Richard Trumka's heavily publicized speech to the National Press Club

by Alan L. Maki on Friday, May 20, 2011

A lot of people are ecstatic over Richard Trumka's speech to the National Press Club today. I have been following Trumka's speech, and his comments afterwards, very closely.

Some thoughts...

I would note something Trumka stated later, after his presentation, which I think needs to be stressed because it demonstrates just how two-faced and hypocritical he is. He has only repackaged and re-worded the longstanding positions of the AFL-CIO going back many decades to its conception and further back to when it was the AFL--- for about a decade or so the CIO had a real pro-worker stance on elections, supporting candidates and voting, and even running worker candidates.

But here is the most important point Trumka made TODAY which was not included in his remarks--- he had to be pressed knowing this was not going to be popular among working people after delivering a militant sounding speech:

"Later, Trumka said that President Obama was working for workers and that the AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor group, would continue to support the president."

Link to statement- http://money.cnn.com/2011/05/20/news/economy/afl_cio_washington/?section=money_latest

Here are some other links to the National Press Club Luncheon:

http://press.org/events/npc-luncheon-richard-trumka

http://press.org/news-multimedia/news/union-leader-promises-fight-states-over-worker-rights

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/05/20/977808/-Trumka-denounces-Republicans,-declares-labor-independence

Here is a link to the official AFL-CIO website:

http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/05/20/trumka-working-people-want-a-strong-independent-labor-movement/

I would note that Richard Trumka does understand what working people want: political independence. But, when pressed as to whom the AFL-CIO will endorse for president Trumka says: Barack Obama--- this is not political independence from Wall Street in any way, shape or form. Nor has Barack Obama done a damn thing for working people justifying this endorsement; quite to the contrary, Obama has hurt working people and his wars are making us all poor.

Trumka has failed to grasp the very simple and basic understanding of these budget battles as articulated by my friend, Virg Bernero in Michigan: "Budgets are a reflection of our true priorities."

Trumka, at this late date, refuses to recognize what both liberal Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has articulated along with Virg Bernero: We can't continue to squander our Nation's resources on wars and expect to have the resources to take care of the needs of the people. Again, a recognition of this Wall Street government's priorities when it comes to these budget battles. Why does Trumka refuse to ask the all important question of the working women and men whose dues pay has big, fat salary: How is Obama's Wall Street war economy working for you?

Check out Richard Trumka's complete speech. We need to ask: How is it that Trumka can make a speech like this and not one single mention of these dirty imperialist wars killing working people abroad and our own youth while working people and being forced into funding these wars abroad through austerity measures here at home as Wall Street coupon clippers fatten their bank accounts from profits derived from these wars as well as profiting directly from the austerity measures being imposed creating so much poverty resulting in untold misery; we need answers from Trumka as to why he is not properly formulating a response and call to action.

Also, I am sharing with all of you a website for what might be the beginnings of a national movement for a progressive political movement that has the potential to help us free ourselves from the two-party trap set for us by our Wall Street enemies.

I would encourage all of you to consider getting involved in any way you can. Please feel free to contact Anthony Noel--- his email is next to Mike's in the "To" line. Here is the link to the website: http://newprogs.org/

Also, I would like to make you aware of what is the most important book on progressive politics that you could possibly read--- bar none. The book is, "Keep True, a life in politics" by Howard Pawley who was elected and re-elected for almost twenty years to the Manitoba Provincial Legislature, having served about ten of those years as Manitoba's Premier (kind of like a state governor). The New Democratic Party government of Howard Pawley (during the 1980's) remains an example of the most progressive government in North America--- of course, with the exception of the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party socialist governments of governors Floyd Olson and Elmer Benson. All joking aside, Pawley's government was a majority government a distinction the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party governments never quite achieved since capturing majority control of the Senate was never achieved.

Here is a link to ordering Pawley's book: http://msupress.msu.edu/bookTemplate.php?bookID=4250

All too often U.S. progressives think there is nothing to learn from our northern neighbors. I can assure you we have much to learn from our northern neighbors when it comes to politics and if you read this book by Howard Pawley you will quickly find out a lot of what we have missed. Personally, I lived in Manitoba as the Pawley government fell because of a traitor inside of the NDP and I saw and experienced the sharp contrast in quality of life going from the most progressive government in North America to what was most definitely one of the most reactionary governments in North America. What we do in politics most definitely determines the quality of life working people have. Please, do yourself a favor and those you are politically engaged with a favor, by reading this most important book, "Keep True." For any political activist the purchase of this book will be the best money you have ever spent.

I also want to share with you an alternative to Obama's Wall Street agenda. This comes from my meetings and conversations with working people across Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan--- dozens of discussions in union halls, hundreds of meeting around kitchen tables and in living rooms and from conversations I have had with people after speaking at demonstrations, vigils and on picket-lines and at various protests...

The most important question, in my opinion, that we need to be asking people is:

"How is Barack Obama's Wall Street war economy working for you?"

After asking this question, we need to offer up some real alternatives like this:

A program for real change...

* Peace--- end the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and shutdown the 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil.

* A National Public Health Care System - ten million new jobs.

* A National Public Child Care System - three to five million new jobs.

* WPA - three million new jobs.

* CCC - two million new jobs.

* Tax the hell out of the rich and cut the military budget by ending the wars to pay for it all which will create full employment.

* Enforce Affirmative Action; end discrimination.

* Raise the minimum wage to a real living wage

* What tax-payers subsidize in the way of businesses, tax-payers should own and reap the profits from.

* Moratorium on home foreclosures and evictions.

* Defend democracy by defending workers' rights including the right to collective bargaining for improving the lives and livelihoods of working people.

* Roll-back and freeze the price of food, electricity, gas and heating fuels; not wages, benefits or pensions.

* Wall Street is our enemy.

Let's talk about the politics and economics of livelihood for a real change.

Don't forget, Cindy Sheehan talks in the Twin Cities this weekend (tomorrow) and there is a Fighting Bob festival in Wisconsin.

Yours in solidarity and struggle,

Alan L. Maki

(contact info at very bottom)

On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 6:45 PM, greenpartymike wrote:

President of the AFL-CIO warns Democrats, says workers want a more ‘independent’ labor movement

May 20th, 2011 · No Comments

From the Hill (H/T to Third Party and Independent Daily):

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said Friday that workers want an “independent” labor movement designed to help the working class, not a specific party or candidate…

“Our role is not to build the power of a political party or a candidate. It’s to improve the lives of working families and strengthen our economy, our country…”

In a question-and-answer session after his speech, the labor leader elaborated on how unions plan to change their political operations for the 2012 election cycle.

“We are actually redoing our entire political program and the way we do things,” Trumka said. “We will change the way we spend … the way we function in a way that creates power for workers.”

The AFL-CIO, which spends most of its funds on member education and get-out-the-vote efforts, wants to better coordinate with their affiliated unions that tend to make direct campaign contributions to candidates. In addition, the labor federation wants to mobilize its members year-round to campaign on issues dear to labor, instead of dismantling its political program after every election, which makes it harder to motivate workers when the next election comes around in two years, Trumka said.

Asked if labor will campaign against Democrats, Trumka responded, “Ask Blanche Lincoln.”

--

Alan L. Maki

Director of Organizing,

Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road 13

Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432

Cell: 651-587-5541

Primary E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

E-mail: alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com

Blog: http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

The challenge before us

We have a big challenge before us.

President Obama is in deep doo-doo.

Our task is to pull the President out of trouble. There are wars and more wars to be fought. There are more homes to be foreclosed on. There are still many workers waiting to be unemployed. Gas prices need to be raised. The price of food is still too low.

We supported President Obama. We have to help him complete the mission embarked on by the high-road capitalists who need to accumulate more wealth so they can overcome the extreme right-wing low-road capitalists. We need to get behind the President so the better capitalists win this struggle to defeat their right-wing rivals.

I have been hearing some grumblings that we in the leadership of the CPUSA say one thing at closed meetings and we say another thing publicly through our public speeches, the PW and PA. What is not understood is that this is the new normal of American politics. We want to fit in.

Tears come to my eyes every time I see President Obama standing in front of the Stars and Stripes.

We are in a new era.

This is a new day.

Forward, comrades, to another Obama victory.

New allies in old enemies

I want to thank the Trotskyist Socialist Workers Party for standing up for me and my new thinking.

Louis Proyect is providing very insightful leadership to the new left. Right on Louis!

Thanks to our friend Mark Lause too.

I knew we would eventually begin building new alliances and coalitions.

I'm glad we have taken on Trotskyists like Joel Wendland.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/swp_usa/message/14642

Is CP spawning LaRouche like spin-off?

I was recently startled to see a sophomoric sectarian redbaiting rant on FB
against Carl Davidson railing against him for being being a stooge of
imperialism because of his alleged adoption of that "imperialist ideology",
pragmatism. I was even more startled when I learned that this rant came not from
a Healyite sectarian but from an ostensible member of the CPUSA. Davidson
informs us they are from a "mini-faction" of the CP. Nonetheless they seem like
provacateurs headed down the road of NCLC. Below is a link to the FB page
referenced above together with a link to a faux CP page they have put up which
just reeks of paper overed Glen Beck.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/sally-robbins/carl-davidsons-pragmatism-from-pol-p\
ot-to-barack-obama/180569418657890

http://cpusanationalboard.blogspot.com/2010/03/cpusa-national-committee-member-m\
ark.html

Re: [swp_usa] Is CP spawning LaRouche like spin-off?

Nothing works for everyone. But, admittedly, there is a lot of dross and trivia
mixed in with useful material. And Louis is absolutely correct about the format
being one in which a serious debate cannot flower. On the other hand, it is a
very good place to find out where the debates are and to track down those that
seem worthwhile. I would never recommend it as anyone's sole discussion forum or
place to lurk.

Arthur

--- In swp_usa@yahoogroups.com, Louis Proyect wrote:
>

Most of these Trotskyists are members of our Special Agents' Club.

Me and Louis Proyect have shared Special Agent status for years.

Once we get the LaRouchies on board with us we will be all set.

Sam Webb
Chair, National Board CPUSA

Barack Obama chooses CPUSA National Committee member Mark Froemke!

Mark Froemke, an important leader in the U.S. labor movement and a member of the National Committee of the Communist Party USA, has been chosen as the poster boy for Barack Obama's 2012 campaign.

Congratulations to Mark Froemke!

Nifty hat, by the way.

Sam Webb, National Chair, CPUSA

Truth and Honesty

I want to bring the National Board up-to-date on Party growth and our mass activities.

Some people say I am a liar when I say our Party is growing. I want to tell you that you can trust me as much as you can trust President Obama. My word is as good as gold, too. I'm not real good with figures so some other time I will have someone provide the figures on membership. Numbers were never my strong point. I never set empty beer bottles up in front of me to count. To me, new members as far as numbers go are just like beer bottles. Each and every recruit is number 1.

I have received some little amount of criticism for promoting mass action by using the example of the Royal Wedding. What we want is people in the streets, do we not? Well, the Royal Wedding provides us a good example of how to bring people out into the streets as we wait for celebrations of Barack Obama being re-elected; the second term is going to be one big mass mobilization. We Communists will be right there celebrating the accomplishments of Obama's first term. The celebrations are going to be huge. Everyone is tickled pink with Obama's wonderful new world.

We are preparing plans for a national fundraising drive. We are calling it "Project Geronimo." We have reserved space at the World Trade Center site for the Fourth of July.

Its been one hell-uv-a-week full of mass mobilizations. First we get the Royal Wedding; then we get Osama bin Laden which brought out hundreds of people at the White House. We promised to mobilize the people. Let's take a little time off to pat ourselves on the back for a job well done.

Our campaign for incremental reforms is moving along very nicely. No one can tell we are leading the way to socialism.

Sam Webb
Chair, National Board
Communist Party USA