Masters and Servants

 

These two types of people, masters and workers. They form two distinct classes, one of whom depends for a living upon working, and the other upon owning what is produced. The workers, then, are wage-slaves. The masters are capitalists because they own capital—wealth (tools and so forth) which they advance with the object of getting back more wealth than was originally advanced or laid out. History will tell you that the wealth the capitalist advances was originally obtained by robbing the mass of the people of their land and liberty. The land was stolen from the people and passed into the hands of a few individuals; how the people were ruthlessly driven off the land and herded into factories; how finally, after many trials and troubles, the one-time member of a peasant commune, owning his land and tools in common, became the wage-slave of to-day, owning nothing but his power to labour, and compelled for his living to sell this power to the present master class, the descendants of those who robbed his forefathers. The extra wealth they obtain over and above that laid out is due to the fact that you produce a quantity of wealth to-day that suffices to pay your wages, make, good what is necessary for further production, and still leave a substantial amount over on which the master and his family and those that minister to the enjoyment of him and his family, live upon. You thus produce surplus wealth—wealth that keeps an idle class in luxury. You keep parasites.

You are living in a society to-day in which the things produced, and the tools by means of which they are produced (in other words, the wealth of society), are privately owned: that is, owned by one individual or by a small group of individuals—either a single capitalist or a small group of shareholders. The aim of the Socialist Party is to make these things social property: to convert these privately owned goods and tools into goods and tools commonly owned by the whole of society. When we say it is socially owned, then we mean it belongs equally to the whole of those forming the society.

Owing to the private ownership of wealth the majority of the people of this country are unable to obtain the things they need except by working for those that own them; and these wealth owners can employ whom they please and discharge whom they please, so that the mass of the people depend for their existence upon the desires or fancies of a comparatively few masters. The majority of people are therefore slaves of the wealth owners, because unless they act as the latter wish they are liable to be sacked and lose the wages upon which they depend for getting the necessaries of life.

The masters, in their fight to keep their privileged position, employ any weapon that they think will assist them. The all-powerful weapon is the machinery of Parliament, which gives them control. This power you give to your master at election time when you vote them into Parliament.

The workers’ organisation, political and economic, must be upon the basis of their class with the object of ending the capitalist system and establishing the socialist commonwealth. Any efforts on their part to resist the encroachments of the master class deserve our sympathy and support. But whilst encouraging this resistance, we should fail in our duty did we not point out to the resisters the limits of their power. The basis of the action of the trade unions must be a clear recognition of the position of the workers under capitalism, and the class struggle necessarily arising therefrom; in other words they must adopt the socialist position, if they are going to justify their existence at all. Does this mean that the existing unions are to be smashed? That will depend upon the unions themselves. All action of the unions in support of capitalism, or tending to side-track the workers from the only path that can lead to their emancipation should be strongly opposed, but on the other hand, trade unions being a necessity under capitalism, any action on their part upon sound lines should be heartily supported.

Whenever the workers have taken action on the economic field, either by way of attempting to increase wages, or resist their reduction, we have not hesitated to support their action. True, we have denounced certain trade union leaders when they, contrary to the wishes and interests of the workers, have entered into compromises with the master class. True, we have exposed the absurd ideas of many of these union leaders concerning the so-called identity of interests between capital and labour. It is also true that we have criticised the great bulk of the trade unionists, who, whilst they are prepared to strike against their masters, at every election vote their masters or their representatives into political power. But all this in no way alters the fact that whenever the workers have attempted to resist the encroachments of capital, the position of the Socialist Party has been one of supporting them. 

 Right up to the time when the workers are ready to take over the control of the means of wealth production and distribution, the struggle of the workers over wages, hours, and the general conditions of employment, will have to be made, even as the workers become socialists in larger and larger numbers. The duty of the socialist is to make the non-socialist worker, inside and outside the trade union, acquainted with the actual position of the working class in capitalist society. For the workers to continue their struggle on the economic field, whilst in ignorance of the fact that they are slaves to the capitalist class, is to prolong the system by which they are sufferers. The adverse conditions in which the workers find themselves are inseparable from the capitalist system, and can only be removed when the workers awaken to a recognition of the necessity for the removal of the system, and the establishment of the socialist form of society. Whether wages be called high or low the general position of the workers is one of a struggle against starvation throughout the whole of their lifetime. Trade unionism will not alter this, nor, in fact, will any form of economic organisation. The abolition of the wages system and the conditions that are engendered in that system, will only become an accomplished fact when a majority of the workers become acquainted with a knowledge of their slave position, and then organising politically and economically for the overthrow of capitalist society and the establishment of socialism.

When Is Brainwashing O.K.?

According to Alberta Premier, Jason Kenney, his government, ''Are sick of being a punching bag for all kinds of environmental groups,'' over their oil and gas policies.

 Well now they're even more upset, because a movie called, ''Bigfoot Family,'' launched on Netflix in February, portrays them as a real bunch of jerks.

 It tells the story of an environmentally-driven father who goes missing after launching a protest against a ''fictional'' oil company that plans to drop a bomb on a nearby valley. It was the number one movie on the site in many countries when it debuted. 

One spokesperson for the Alberta Government, frothed, ''Brainwashing our kids with anti-oil and gas propaganda is just wrong.'' 

So, I guess it’s OK to brainwash our kids to go to war to kill and maim for our country. So much for capitalism's cock-eyed values!

S. P. C. Members.

Solutions Come In The Form Of A New Economic System.

Seaton House, Toronto's largest homeless shelter, is unable to cope with the covid crisis, but who can? It has been forced to cut its capacity from 500 to 200, with one person to a bunkbed and six-foot gaps between them. 

In mid-February Toronto Public Health confirmed 27 covid cases among the staff and residents within Seaton House and that tests for the virus were due to being conducted on floors that hadn't been swabbed. 

David Reycraft, the director of Dixon Hall Housing Services, said, ''This housing ecosystem has been neglected for 30-plus years, and all of a sudden now, we're faced with this sort of health crisis; we've got to find solutions, and those solutions come in the form of housing.''

 No, Mr. Reycraft they come in the form of a new economic system, cos' this one sure as hell ain’t working.

S.P.C. Members.

More Than Shades of Grapes of Wrath.

This summer 20,000 migrant workers are due to work on Ontario farms. Last year 3 of them died from COVID-19 and 1,700 got sick. Behind closed doors the Office of the Chief Coroner is examining these deaths in a confidential review that is proceeding without representatives of the temporary foreign workers, many of them Mexican. To quote Syed Hussan, executive director of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, ''This is not a process that ensures that migrant workers voices or concerns are adequately heard.'' 

What really sucks is the fact that the guy who heads the coroner’s office in this matter, Dr. Dirk Huyer, is also in a lead COVID response role for the provincial government which has been criticized for its inadequate response to the farm outbreaks. 

Boy! they're all heart. More than shades of Grapes of Wrath, or in this case, tomatoes.

S.P.C. Members.

Scottish Sovereignty or Socialism?

 Nationalists are once again on the march in Scotland and their battle cry is “freedom and Independence.”  The SNP is demanding that full political power be turned over to them and they will set about fixing the problems of inequality and poverty. Offering this as the main reason for their nationalism, they attract a lot of support and sympathy. What many people forget is that this newly won political power will be used to administer capitalism—with all the problems which workers are already faced with.

The Socialist Party does not take sides in the contest between local Scottish capitalism, the wider British capitalism nor global capitalism. We are against capitalism in all its various forms. The Socialist Party is opposed to the exploitation of our fellow-workers either by foreign or native-born exploiters. As that exploitation can be ended only by the achievement of socialism, through international working-class action, we are opposed to the Scottish nationalists which has capitalist aims and is not deserving of working-class support. We will not associate with non-socialist political parties. 

The fact that we are opposed to the the Scottish nationalist movement does not mean that we acquiesce to the politics of the union. We are opposed to the capitalist system wherever it raises its ugly head, as we know that the solution to the workers’  position under it is the same everywhere. The only road for workers in Scotland is the road to socialism, and they must travel along that road in solidarity and harmony with other members of their class throughout the world. The Socialist Party has never supported nationalist movements, knowing well that the propertied interests which financed and controlled them were only concerned with making sovereignty safe for  capitalism. 

Some Scottish capitalists want to have the profits of the prospect of Scottish capitalism for themselves. They wish to be able to control the system of taxation, and the system of tariffs, and use them to further their own interests.  They do not object to the exploitation of Scotland’s workers, but they do object to British investors getting the lion’s share. The Scottish nationalists  represents the interests of local capitalists. It is naturally supported by the well-educated elites, who see the promise of lucrative jobs in the devolved  civil service and the professions. Already when a Scottish ruling class gets hold of the reins of government, we find that there is little to choose between Westminster or Holyrood rule.

We are working for socialism, and for that alone. We claim that only the establishment of socialism can solve Scotland’s many social problems. The only sound policy for the workers, the only policy in line with their class interests, is to keep clear of the nationalists, and carry on steadily with the task of organising themselves on the economic field for the defence of their interests against their employers, and organising on the political field for the achievement of socialism in co-operation with the rest of the world’s workers. There is nothing in the programme of Sturgeon and the SNP deserving of working class support. Our watchword is not “Scotland for the Scots”  but “the World for the Workers."

Socialism as a democratic class-free society based on common (as opposed to State) ownership in which the wage relation has been abolished and all citizens have an equal claim upon the provision of goods and services.   Anything that falls short of abolishing the wage relation has no claim to be described as socialism. When asked why we do not support struggles for Independence by fellow workers in other parts of the world, we point out that, at best, they will simply be exchanging one lot of masters for another. They may win or be allowed a little more freedom within the system but while it remains they must depend on the capitalists — state or private — for their subsistence. For workers, independence is merely a change of rulers. Nevertheless, our rejection of nationalist delusions ought never to show insensitivity to the often valid concerns of oppressed peoples. Moreover, it strengthens the appeal of socialism to show that in contrast to the imposed uniformity and centralisation of commodity production we aim for a way of life which fosters cultural freedom and diversity.

The Socialist Liberation of Labour

 

Present-day society does not concern itself with determining the needs of society. The society we live in is called capitalism. It received that name because “capital,” strictly speaking, money invested to gain more money, is the driving force in the production of society’s needs. This money is spent on means and instruments of production, fields, factories, raw materials, machinery and the buying of labour power, and under present conditions most of the money is invested in huge companies and state concerns which produce the bulk of the goods and services society requires. The title to ownership in those organisations is stocks and bonds, and the main market where they are bought and sold is the Stock Exchange. In the commodity market when prices rise this shows which goods are in demand and the production of these goods increases until supply overcomes demand and prices fall. So in general the price of shares on the Stock Exchange rise and fall under the influence of the same kind of factors. The Stock Exchange is a necessary adjunct of capitalist society.

The working class have only three methods of existing, either begging, stealing or working. Obviously the first two methods cannot become general, and to a small section, begging, unless upon a large scale is a rather non-rewarding occupation; while to steal, after everything worth stealing has been stolen, with politically controlled force to maintain its ownership, is also a foolish proceeding. Conditions make criminals and while some respond to degrading influences more readily than others, habitual criminals are in the main those who through prison treatment and associations have been prevented from regaining their lost positions, poor though these may have been. Those who would reform the criminal by kindness and those who would flog him into virtue alike fail to understand the problem. There is, therefore, only that enervating pastime left to the workers, to work—for somebody else. 

There is but one remedy for the poverty, unemployment and overwork suffered by the working class. It is the socialisation of the means of production and distribution, which are now owned by the capitalist class (a small minority in society) and used exclusively for their benefit. When the workers of the world own the product of their labours, there will be no need for one to steal the work of another. Each will take his or her part in the production of needful things, and each will share in the enjoyment of such things. The initial step towards the realisation of this object, fellow workers, is, once understanding your slave position in society and desiring your emancipation, to organise yourself along with us in the Socialist Party and help to bring to a close this system of slavery.

Humanity is by natural selection and evolution gregarious; it is natural for us to gather together and associate in communities. We have developed cooperation in production to its present far advanced stage, and in periods of comparative stability, built truly wonderful cultural edifices on this foundation. In those societies where social co-operation in production obtained, and the means of living, simple though they were, were held in common, this social solidarity and the human need for food and shelter were in conformity; but this condition long since ceased to be. The means of wealth production have become privately owned; and slave and slave owner, feudal proprietor and serf, and finally wage-worker and capitalist have faced each other in conflict. The savage and his tribe, self-interest and the loyalty of kinship, were one; individual interests and thoughts of isolated existence were alike impossible. The various classes which have been dominant have had interests in opposition to those of their subject class, and their interests, their ideas, their codes of morality and ethics have prevailed throughout the particular society. The sense of social solidarity still shared by the oppressed has formed a useful buttress for their own oppression and at the same time has hidden the force on which ultimately it rested.

Not the community, but the capitalist class now owns the machinery of wealth production. This class lives on the proceeds of the robbery of the workers who, by their property-less condition, are compelled to operate that machinery for its owners, in return for doing which they receive as wages only part of the product. The capitalists, as a prime need, require to be maintained in possession, and that need is met by the State which controls the forces of society. Now crime consists roughly of two kinds of acts. Firstly those which are anti-social in the sense that they would conflict with the smooth working of any society, such, for instance, as murder and other attacks on persons; and secondly the more numerous and at present more important crimes which are actions detrimental to the interests and stability of the dominant class.

Planning is only possible when goods are produced for use and not for profit, and at the present stage of social development with the gigantic social productive forces production for use implies common ownership of those productive forces—in a word, socialism.

 Socialism aims to embrace automation to the utmost so to enhance peoples’ welfare and reduce the drudger of toil. We have reached the  opportunity to realise a post-work society, where machines produces not for profit but for the people. As Karl Marx’s son-in-law, Paul Lafargue, said we now have achieved the right to be lazy. The application of new technologies to human society shows what immense possibilities for the satisfaction of human wants are contained in the achievements of science and in its future growth. It can reduce human labour to the easy task of monitoring computerised automated machinery a few hours a day. It leaves mankind free to engage in other pursuits. Everybody is responsible for the welfare of all, everybody works according to his or her ability and everybody receives from the common stock of goods according to need. No exploitation, no oppression, no insecurity, no poverty. Life is made humane. This isn’t a utopia. This isn’t a dream. What we propose is real,  capable of fulfilment, by the forces that already exist and are in operation.

Capitalism has created all the economic prerequisites for socialism but all around us we see skills and talents squandered by unemployment or pointless work while the liberating potential of automation and computerisation is misused and misapplied, technology and science is devoted to the development and manufacture of armaments. Millions of people face starvation while there is food in abundance. Millions die from diseases that can be easily be prevented or cured. Something is wrong with the world and most people know it. We are told we are free but we don't feel free. People looking forward can only picture a dystopia of despair. Discontent is mounting, unrest is increasing.

From the first slap on the bottom, a kid is taught to hate

The day to day craziness of life under capitalism sometimes makes for strange bedfellows or should I say neighbours? 

Rosie DiManno, a reporter for the Toronto Star, was investigating the Canadian Nationalist Party and found their address was 1 Yonge St. Toronto, which was built by and owned by the the Star and houses their offices. The CNP knew better than list their name on the directory. The Star immediately banned them from using the space they rent as a mailing address. 

The CNP head honcho, Travis Patron, was charged by the RCMP for willfully promoting hatred against Jewish people as a result of a complaint from The Canadian Anti-Hate Network about a video posted on YouTube, ''Behold The Parasitic Tribe.'' Among other stupid things, he refers to Jews as the Synagogue of Satan. Racial and religious prejudice never seems to end.

 From the first slap on his bottom, a kid is taught, ''Hate him, he's Black, White, Jew, Gentile, Catholic, Protestant, Immigrant, Native, etc. etc."

 There are a million specific differences, but with one common denominator: at a given time and place here is someone with a superficial difference that must not be tolerated. 

The time is long overdue when the working class of the whole world stop thinking reactively and realize that there is only on thing that should not be tolerated - the insane economic system that divides people against each other.

S.P.C. Members.

Is It Food Insecurity? Or Is it Poverty?

Statistics-Canada recently did a survey on hunger in Canada, or as they put it food insecurity. Their findings are - $200 million in federal aid was given to food banks as part of the Emergency Food Security Fund. 21.1% of food insecure households used food banks. 28.9% of black households are food insecure, the highest rate among any ethnic group. 33.1% food insecurity among female single parent groups.14.6% of Canadians who reported being hungry during the pandemic. 19% of Canadians with children who went hungry during it. 121% higher than average annual health care costs for adults living in severely food insecure households compared to food secure households. 

Why? you may ask don't hungry people go to food banks. My wife worked at one and said they feel humiliated, as well they might. 

The reformists look upon the problem as one of hunger, but it isn't, it’s one of poverty, and there is only one sure way to overcome that 'cos no amount of tinkering around within capitalism will overcome that.

S.P.C. Members.

COVID-19. Outbreaks At Work! No Surprise.

Most manufacturing, assembly and distribution warehouses in Ontario are in Peel County. This includes one of the biggest Amazon warehouses in Canada. Peel Public Health have investigated more than 1500 workplace COVID-19 exposures and found one third have been in manufacturing and related settings. As one Amazon warehouse worker put it, ''I work as a temporary agency worker as a packer. Am I or my work essential? Not sure. But I have continued working during the lockdown. As a temp I can lose my job any moment so I am scared to take a day off whether sick or not. I recently got injured at work but did not take any time off as there is no job security. I can’t imagine my temporary worker colleagues taking a day off when exposed to COVID-19. It’s not a surprise why there are so many outbreaks at work.''

S.P.C. Members

A Comment Of Pure Genius!

Indigo Books and Music Inc. said its net profit grew 19 per cent in its latest quarter, despite store closings during a key part of the year. The Toronto based retailer reported a third-quarter profit of $30.7 million for the three months ended Dec.26, up from a profit of $25.8 million, for the same quarter last year. Total revenue was $365.4 million. CEO Heather Reisman, said, ''The shutdowns created a particularly uneven playing field in Ontario,'' which is a comment of pure genius.

 For the working class it’s always an uneven playing field, especially when one contrasts fantastic profits with workers getting laid off in drove

S.P.C. Members.