The Socialist Party is the People’s Party

In the name of the workers the Socialist Party condemns the capitalist system.
In the name of freedom it condemns wage-slavery.
In the name of modern technology it condemns poverty and famine.
In the name of peace it condemns war.
In the name of civilisation it condemns the murder of the young, the old, the vulnerable.
In the name of reason it condemns superstition.
In the name of the future it arraigns the past.
In the name of humanity it demands social justice for every man, woman and child.

The Socialist party knows neither colour, creed, sex, nor race. It knows no outsiders among the oppressed and down-trodden. It is first and last the party of the workers, regardless of their nationality, proclaiming their interests and voicing their aspirations. It matters not where our fellow wage-slaves seek to break their chains or lighten the burden they carry upon their backs, the Socialist Party is pledged to encourage and support them to the full extent of its power. It matters not to what union they belong, or if they even belong to any union, the Socialist Party is with them through good and bad, in trial and defeat, until at last victory is achieved. In all the battles of the class war waged by the workers against their capitalist oppressors the Socialist Party has pledged to render them all the assistance in its power. These are the battles of the workers in the war of the classes and the battles of the workers, wherever and however fought, are always and everywhere the battles of the Socialist Party.

In the unceasing struggle of the workers with their exploiters, working people see this planet being turned into the private estates of a plutocracy as brutal and defiant as any privileged class that ever ruled; they see technology and misery going hand in hand: they see millions poverty-stricken all about them while a few are in luxury;  they see parasites in palaces and honest toilers in hovels: they see the politics of the ruling corporations dripping with corruption; they see vice and crime eating away at society like a cancer, and mental illness and disease sapping the mental and physical powers of the body social. We must cry out in protest, THIS IS ENOUGH! THERE MUST BE A CHANGE!

The message of socialism falls today upon eager ears and receptive minds. Prejudices are melting away. The Socialist Party is the only political party that proposes a change of system. Now is the time for the workers to develop and assert their political as well as their economic power, to demonstrate their unity and solidarity. The Socialist Party is the only party of the people, the only party opposed to the rule of the plutocracy, the only truly democratic party in the world. It is the only party that is pledged to cast off the chains of economic and political servitude. There is no hope under the present system. A worker who votes for the Republican or Democratic candidate, or the Labour or Tory party does worse than throw his of her vote away. He or she is a deserter and own worst enemy. The Socialist Party points out to our fellow-workers why their situation is hopeless under capitalism, how they are robbed and exploited, and why they are bound to make common cause against the  employing class. The education, organisation and co-operation of the workers, the entire body of them, is the conscious aim and the self-imposed task of the Socialist Party. Persistently, unceasingly and enthusiastically this great work is being accomplished. It is the working class coming into consciousness of itself, and no power on earth can prevail against it in the hour of its complete awakening. The handwriting is upon the wall. Preparing the way for the peaceable reception of the new order, is the World Socialist Movement, arousing the workers and educating them to take possession of their world, based upon the social ownership of the means of life and the production of wealth for the use of all instead of the private profit of the few.

The Socialist Party stands in this and every other campaign, for peace to prevail and for plenty for all in the land, to end the brute struggle for existence where the millions of exploited poor will be rescued from the clutches of poverty and famine. The social conscience and the social spirit will prevail. Society will have a new birth, and humanity a new destiny. There will be work for all, leisure for all, and the joys of life for all. Competition there will be, not in the struggle for existence, but to excel in good work and in social service. Every child will then have an equal chance to grow up in health and vigour of body and mind and an equal chance to rise to its full stature and achieve success in life.

These are the ideals of the Socialist Party and to these ideals it has dedicated itself to. The members of the Socialist Party are the party and their collective decision is the law. The Socialist Party is organised and ruled from the bottom up. There is no boss and there never can be unless the party deserts its principles and ceases to be a Socialist Party. The party is supported by a dues-paying membership. It is the only political party that is so supported. Each member has not only an equal voice but is urged to take an active part in all the party councils. Each local meeting place is an educational centre. The party relies wholly upon the power of education, knowledge, and mutual understanding. It buys no votes with false promises. For years working people have been deceived, misled and betrayed, and they are now hungry for the socialist message of emancipation.

Cross Talking About Crosswalking.

Pedestrian crosswalks may not be the most crucial problem capitalism has ever thrown up at us, but nevertheless it's still a matter of life and death, especially since 34 pedestrian's have been knocked down and killed on Toronto streets in 2019.

 In September a 17 year old was killed at an intersection where Councillor, Paul Ainslie has been asking for a crosswalk since 2014. Only 22 crosswalks have been put in during the last 5 years, but 700 have been requested. For once the good folks at city hall are not pleading lack of money, but the amount of time it takes to process the matter. First a request is made, then a survey is done on how many cross that intersection, and if approval is given, it takes an average of 9 months before shovels are in the ground, though we are not told why. Mayor, John Tory, said he was very concerned, but cautioned drivers to drive slower. 

Yet they still insist capitalism is the best of all worlds.

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 SPC Members

A 14 Carat Doozey.

 Now for our quote of the month and this one's a 14 carat doozey.

 David Olive, the Toronto Star's economic expert, mourns the loss of banker Paul Volcker in his article of Dec.14. The caption reads, ''Volcker was the greatest banker in history.'' Olive, ''justifies,'' that comment with the following, stating: ''As chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board from 1979 to 1987, Volcker curbed the U.S. money supply and nearly doubled interest rates, triggering the most severe economic downturn since the great depression.'' 

It's time for all of us to reflect on how fortunate we are.

 We do not live in a society that has no banks, inflation and depressions, 'cos if we did we wouldn't be able to thank Mr.Volcker for his wonderful contribution to humanity.

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SPC Members

We need the Socialist Standard

Give a person a copy of the Socialist Standard and you have given that person a three-hour lecture on socialism. This appeal is addressed to all members and sympathisers. The Socialist Party is experiencing grave difficulties in the distribution of the Socialist Standard. Our many readers would doubtless be anxious if they thought that there was a danger of the Standard “packing up.” There is no immediate danger of this happening, but rising costs of production, together with increasing difficulties of distribution, are causing not a little worry.

Does this mean anything to you? You may have come in contact with our paper or organisation quite recently, or you may be a supporter of one of the traditional left-wing; whichever category you come under we ask you to give your immediate and serious attention to this appeal.

In the fight for socialism the Standard has been one of our most effective means of propaganda. It has enabled us to deliver our message not only in this country, but in all parts of the English speaking world.

The need for the Standard and its possibilities are now greater than ever. Owing to the rapid industrial developments of the past few years the minds of thousands of workers are in a state of unrest, and need but an understanding of the principles of socialism to convert their aimless discontent into a state of ordered enlightenment, and so add their strength to the revolutionary movement.

Unfortunately, our powers of propaganda are limited, the circulation of this journal is not as large as it might be, and the expense of its publication is still a drain upon the general funds of the Party. But there is the possibility of making the Standard self-supporting. A thousand new readers will accomplish this object, and that secured, progress will be easier and more rapid.

 

 As the written word is our major form of propagating socialism, all comrades can participate in distributing socialist literature and so help the Party and themselves to bring about a greater understanding of our case by our  fellow workers. Working people who carefully read THE SOCIALIST STANDARD and become acquainted with the aims and methods of the Socialist Party  are bound to realise, sooner or later, that the path marked out is the only certain way out of wage-slavery.

Political parties must be judged by their record—our record is contained in the Socialist Standard first published in September, 1904, and in each successive issue right up to the one you are reading now. No other political party in this country has handled the case for socialism in line with Marxism, that job was, and is, the job of the Socialist Party Whether or not this job is to be tackled with increasing vigour really depends on YOU—because the Party is as strong, and no stronger, than the efforts of our members and friends make it. 

There is no need for me to dwell on the difficult conditions under which the Standard is produced these days. We leave that to your imagination, knowing that you will understand and respond speedily.

Some members in Glasgow intend a drive to increase Socialist Standard sales. Details to follow in due course.

We feel confident that every friend of the Socialist Party is going to see to it that we win this critical battle in our history. 

Let the campaign commence!

Hurting the vulnerable

More than half of new claims in Scotland for the UK Government's disability payment have been refused, according to analysis.

The figures produced by the Scottish Government suggest tens of thousands of people with disabilities have completely lost their benefits.

Since the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) was replaced by the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in 2013, 167,000 new claims in Scotland have been unsuccessful - accounting for 54% of all applications.

Meanwhile, the share of new claimants awarded PIP has decreased since its introduction from 74% in 2013-14 to 56% in 2018-19.

The data suggests 39,000 people in Scotland have lost their disability completely - at a cost of between £1,200 and £7,740 a year - after losing their DLA entitlement before being reassessed and refused PIP.

30,000 people had went through a "stressful" appeals process since PIP's introduction - 21,000 of those going to court.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Scottish Government's Social Security Secretary, was critical of the findings, saying. "For disabled people, the stress and anxiety of the application process and face-to-face assessment process are already hallmarks of the UK Government's welfare reforms.
 Now this latest analysis shows that those most in need in our society are less likely to get help or have to fight through the courts to get what they are entitled to. Tens of thousands of disabled people are facing greater hardship because they have completely lost their benefits."

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/nearly-44000-disabled-scots-completely-21337833

The Appeal of the Socialist Party

We are on the threshold of a remarkable leap in the productive process. Automation, robotics and Artificial Intelligence is not merely ‘a little more of the same.’ It will have consequences upon economy. Like all technical innovations worthy of the name, automation is a way of producing more, better, with less labour-time. That can spell trouble for our economic system. For capitalism tends to reverse the normal ways of thinking about economic problems. What comes to everybody’s mind when he hears that we are piling up large inventories of goods, if not ‘trouble ahead’? And if we are very low on goods, that is taken to mean that we are in good shape. Because it is an economy of production for profit rather than for use, it thrives on scarcity, and collapses as a result of the very situation that men should be happiest about: what is called a ‘glut’ of the things we consume.

Political democracy is only one feature of complete democracy. Complete democracy necessarily includes industrial democracy. Without industrial democracy, political democracy is merely a preparation for democracy. Industrial democracy involves the collective ownership and democratic management of the socially necessary industries. The existing political parties are owned by the capitalist class and stand for the interests of the capitalist class. They stand for the private ownership of the means of subsistence, for the exploitation ol the workers, and for wage-slavery. They are all the mere puppets of the ruling class. They are literally bought, paid for and owned, body and soul, by the powers that are exploiting this nation and enslaving and robbing its toilers. Against these corrupt capitalist parties is the Socialist Party, the party of the awakening working class, whose red banners, inscribed with the inspiring class-conscious solidarity, proclaiming the coming triumph of international socialism and the emancipation of the workers of the world. The Socialist Party is positive and constructive. It stands for complete political and industrial democracy. 

On one side are the corporations, the banks, the plutocrats, the politicians, the bribe-givers, the oligarchs, the parasites, retainers and lackeys of the filth, and slime of ruling class politics, glorifying in its plundering and profligate regime.

On the other side are the workers, the producers, coming into consciousness of their interests and their power as a class, filled with the spirit of solidarity and with the confidence that throbs within them; scorning the capitalist parties that promoted industrial robbery and political rottenness. We are not here to play the filthy game of capitalist politics. Capitalism, having its foundation in the slavery and exploitation of the masses, can only rule by corrupt means. 

The Socialist Party as the party of the working class stands squarely upon its principles in making its appeal to the workers. It is not begging for votes, nor seeking for votes, nor bargaining for votes. It is not in the vote market. It wants votes, but only of those who want it - those who recognise it as their party and come to it of their own free will. we want all the votes we can get but only as a means of developing the political power of the working class in the struggle for industrial freedom, and not that we may revel in the spoils of office. The workers have never yet developed or made use of their political power. They have played the game of their masters for the benefit of the master class - and now many of them, disgusted with their own blind and stupid performance, are renouncing politics and refusing to see any difference between the capitalist parties financed by the ruling class to perpetuate class rule and the Socialist Party organised by the workers themselves as a means of wresting the control of government and of industry from the capitalists and making the working class the ruling class of the world. We are united and enthusiastic as never before. There is but one issue - the unconditional surrender of the capitalist class. It proclaims the identity of interests of all workers and appeals to them to unite for their emancipation. It points out the class struggle and emphasises the need of the economic and political unity of the workers to wage that struggle to a successful end. It declares relentless war upon the entire capitalist regime in the name of the working class and demands in uncompromising terms the overthrow of wage-slavery and the inauguration of industrial democracy.

To this end the Socialist Party has been organised; to this end it is devoting all its energy and resources; to this end it makes its appeal to the workers. The Socialist Party has no blueprints to offer the world. Its task is to mobilise the workers for the destruction of the system which robs them of the fruits of their labour. That is our only purpose in calling upon them to organise for the conquest of political power.

Homelessness In Canada

Stats-Canada recently created its first survey on wait times for affordable housing. It showed that there is someone on the waiting list in about 283,000 households across the country, and 176,600 households have been waiting for at least two years. Of all those, one fifth are already in a subsidized unit and waiting to move to a new home. There are about 1.7 million households who live in ''core housing need,'' meaning they live in a home which is too small or they can’t afford it.

 Tim Richter, head of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, said they were some of the best numbers he has seen, though he did not define what he meant by “best.'' He also said, ''It points to the urgency of a federal government response, and that we should be doing as much as we can as soon as we can.'' 

One thing's for sure and that is life under capitalism isn't getting any better

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SPC Members.

Financial Wellness Crisis.

The Manulife of Canada debt survey, published on Nov.22, revealed that two in five Canadian's don't expect to get out of debt on their lifetimes. Also 94 per cent of respondents said the average household has too much debt, while 67 per cent of those in debt assumed that everyone else was. In the spring, 33 per cent said their spending was increasing faster than their income, but now 45 per cent said it. More than half of Canadians reported considerable non-mortgage debt and 60 per cent said their credit cards were carrying a large balance, which is up from 48 per cent in the spring. "There is a financial wellness crisis and it's affecting Canadians of all demographics'', said Rick Lunny, president and CEO of Manulife Bank. 

When people of Mr. Lunny’s brilliance don't attempt to sugar coat things, you know they're really bad.

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SPC Members

Student Debt

The student loan debt burden in Scotland has more than doubled over the past decade to hit £5.5bn, with those from the poorest backgrounds borrowing more to get by.

Total student loan debt has increased from £2.4bn in 2010-11 to £5.5bn at the end of 2018-19, according to a report by the nation's public spending watchdog.

Audit Scotland said the amount of money being given out in loans had also nearly tripled over around the same time frame, rising from £187m in 2008-9 to £533m now.

 Its report added that students from the most deprived areas typically borrowed more than their richer peers, although this is partly explained by the fact that they are entitled to higher loans.

Under the current system, Scottish students receive free university tuition if they stay in the country to study, but can borrow money towards their living expenses.

The average loan in 2008-9 was only £2,420 but by 2018-19 it had reached £5,300, with students from the poorest areas claiming an average of £840 more than those from the richest.

The National Union of Students (NUS) said the level of debt was at an “unacceptable” level. NUS Scotland president Liam McCabe said the report made “stark reading” and showed that student debt “continues to sky-rocket”.

“It is Scotland’s poorest students that are carrying most of this burden, at an unacceptable average of £23,200 [over a four-year degree] in student loans,” he added. “Whilst free tuition helps mitigate Scottish student debt levels, this cannot be used as an excuse for continued levels of increased student debt.”

Audit Scotland said a total of 505,800 students still had loans to repay as of April last year, out of 654,000 who were provided with funding.

It added that £7m of debt was written off in 2018-19, which happens when a person becomes permanently unable to work or exceeds the time limit for paying the money back.

https://inews.co.uk/news/scotland/scotlands-student-loan-debt-soars-poorest-borrowing-more-1371710