Question

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richard D'Loss on August 27, 2010 at 13:14

During the 90s, the SD moved towards Clinton's neo-liberalism. It was a political move intended to curry favor with the then-current administration. It was less assertive in support of labor issues and this harmed relations with the labor movement. The USW under Gerard is very open to new ideas and resurrecting old ideas to deal with the current disadvantaged status of the working class. The agreement with Mondragon last year was a sign. Likewise, the USW's investigation of alternate means of capitalizing infrastructure and community development outside of big banks is another sign. As is the emphasis on green jobs. The SD's support of these USW projects demonstrates that the new leadership of the SD has recommitted itself to Labor.

Permalink Reply by Alan L. Maki on August 27, 2010 at 15:36

How do you view Obama and what he is doing? Anything here working people should pin their hopes on? Are you satisfied working people understand what this "green economy, green jobs" entails?

Permalink Reply by Gabriel McCloskey-Ross on September 30, 2010 at 2:11

Comrade Alan,

Kirkland's wife was a member of the SD,USA. Many of the top SD members that George Meany brought in as advisors stayed on through the Kirkland era, particularly Tom Kahn as special assistant to the president and Donnie Slaiman as of head of organizing. Because John Sweeney won the presidency of the AFL-CIO from Thomas Donahue, the Left wanted to see this as a struggle between DSA to which Sweeney belonged and the SD,USA to which Donahue and his wife Rachelle Horowitz belonged. Nothing could be further from the truth, Sweeney appeared at a great many more SD,USA functions than DSA ones after the election. Tom Kahn became ill and died and Slaiman who was in his 70's retired. Sweeney allowed the SD to keep its national office in the AFL-CIO building for two years. There were simply too many retirements and defections from SD for a Washington office to work.

USWA president, Leo Gerard, I know not your favorite guy, has promised the use of some if his speeches to the NDP for use in our publication Torch and Rose. As a out spoken social democrat we now have an ally on the AFL-CIO Executive Council again. Certainly had we launched our revival effort earlier Sweeney would like have been very helpful, Jack was nice enough to point me out as the director of the Social Democrats,USA-Socialist Party, USA at a retirement reception / party held in his honor at the AFL-CIO national convention.

What is more important than contacts with the national Labor leadership to me, is the active participation of local Labor activists like my friend and comrade Terry Havener who is working with us on the Red Labor pavilion and workers memorial monument here in Johnstown. See: http://tribune-democrat.com/local/x124777447/-It-needed-to-be-done.

In Solidarity, Gabriel McCloskey-Ross, directer Social Democrats, USA-Socialist Party, USA

Permalink Reply by Alan L. Maki on September 30, 2010 at 23:41

Gabe,

Thanks for abswering my questions.

Yes; I read the article about restoring the Pavillion... great job! Good article, too.

Alan



Gabriel McCloskey-Ross said:

Comrade Alan,

Kirkland's wife was a member of the SD,USA. Many of the top SD members that George Meany brought in as advisors stayed on through the Kirkland era, particularly Tom Kahn as special assistant to the president and Donnie Slaiman as of head of organizing. Because John Sweeney won the presidency of the AFL-CIO from Thomas Donahue, the Left wanted to see this as a struggle between DSA to which Sweeney belonged and the SD,USA to which Donahue and his wife Rachelle Horowitz belonged. Nothing could be further from the truth, Sweeney appeared at a great many more SD,USA functions than DSA ones after the election. Tom Kahn became ill and died and Slaiman who was in his 70's retired. Sweeney allowed the SD to keep its national office in the AFL-CIO building for two years. There were simply too many retirements and defections from SD for a Washington office to work.

USWA president, Leo Gerard, I know not your favorite guy, has promised the use of some if his speeches to the NDP for use in our publication Torch and Rose. As a out spoken social democrat we now have an ally on the AFL-CIO Executive Council again. Certainly had we launched our revival effort earlier Sweeney would like have been very helpful, Jack was nice enough to point me out as the director of the Social Democrats,USA-Socialist Party, USA at a retirement reception / party held in his honor at the AFL-CIO national convention.

What is more important than contacts with the national Labor leadership to me, is the active participation of local Labor activists like my friend and comrade Terry Havener who is working with us on the Red Labor pavilion and workers memorial monument here in Johnstown. See: http://tribune-democrat.com/local/x124777447/-It-needed-to-be-done.

In Solidarity, Gabriel McCloskey-Ross, directer Social Democrats, USA-Socialist Party, USA

Permalink Reply by Gabriel McCloskey-Ross on October 1, 2010 at 0:24

Alan,

Its early yet to talk about the disappointment of the century. I never had much faith in Obama himself. Then, I don't subscribe to the great leader theory of history. We did think the coalition that elected Obama would stay together and push him in a progressive direction. No such luck. Looking back on it, I certainly am glad the SD,USA-SP,USA also endorsed Brian Moore as the guy would like to see win, but had no shot. We maintained our socialist bona fides.

So, now the question becomes what are you Alan Maki, going to do to help us see that the DP dumps Obama in 2012?

In Solidarity, Gabe

Permalink Reply by Gabriel McCloskey-Ross on October 1, 2010 at 0:31

Alan,

I would much rather discuss how to get real trade unionists involved in consciousness raising activities than debate the Russian Revolution or the PA Fictitious Names Act. It is a sign of where the Left is, that so few care that first structure in the U.S. on public land that will be associated with socialism is so much less interesting than ideological squabbles. Sad!

Peace, Gabe

Permalink Reply by Alan L. Maki on October 1, 2010 at 2:36

How do you know its the first such structure on public land? That is interesting.



Gabriel McCloskey-Ross said:

Alan,

I would much rather discuss how to get real trade unionists involved in consciousness raising activities than debate the Russian Revolution or the PA Fictitious Names Act. It is a sign of where the Left is, that so few care that first structure in the U.S. on public land that will be associated with socialism is so much less interesting than ideological squabbles. Sad!

Peace, Gabe

Permalink Reply by Alan L. Maki on October 1, 2010 at 2:41

I am oushing to get Obama out every way I can... I think its probably best to just say he is a loser now dragging the rest of the Democrats down.

Here in Minnesota the polls show Mark Dayton with a pretty big lead but a lot of people are thinking his lead will slip when he brings in Biden to campaign for him next week.


Gabriel McCloskey-Ross said:

Alan,

Its early yet to talk about the disappointment of the century. I never had much faith in Obama himself. Then, I don't subscribe to the great leader theory of history. We did think the coalition that elected Obama would stay together and push him in a progressive direction. No such luck. Looking back on it, I certainly am glad the SD,USA-SP,USA also endorsed Brian Moore as the guy would like to see win, but had no shot. We maintained our socialist bona fides.

So, now the question becomes what are you Alan Maki, going to do to help us see that the DP dumps Obama in 2012?

In Solidarity, Gabe