steve colborn
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I really, really appreciate this post. It reminds me of a time, 30+ years ago, when comrades in the old Seaham Branch, took me under their wing, so to speak and opened my mind to possibilities I was striving towards and with their help attained. It was a case of a striving mind being given the information to reach a goal I had, all unaware, been reaching for. I am not arrogant enough to place you in the category I, personally, was in. However the friendly way you have responded above, was the way I was treated by them. My best wishes for the future, to you and yours. May your efforts in the future, help all workers reach the goal we need to reach, getting rid of the obscenity that Capitalism most assuredly is.Be well.
I think the double negative is a reference to your twice refused membership application. Now theres a double negative if ever there was one! You were and are, a good comrade. Your efforts Vin, on behalf of the movement for a sane world, are a credit to you and to those who have gone before. One of the best Socialists I have ever met, Bobby Gleghorn, had faith in you, as do many others who know you. As we reach another New Year, hopefully comrades wil reevaluate this empasse, and agree to let bygones be bygones, so that we all can move on together, in a spirit of fraternity and felicity, to achieve the ends we all strive for. Your complicity (love that word) in this endeavor, has been a boon to the struggle in the past, hopefully, when calmer minds prevail, it will be again. May the that day quicken in its course.My best wishes to all comrades, both those existant now and those yet to enter the fray. Be well all, and gird your loins for the battle, for it most assuredly is, the most important battle our class will ever fight and one we cannot afford to lose. Yours in the Struggle, Stevie C.
Reformist activity, even allowing for your restricted definition of reforms, surely can be a site for “empowerment” just as much as revolutionary activity IMO. You can’t accept this because you persist in believing that if reforms help maintain capitalism, therefore they cannot be in the of the interest of the working class. But history has proven you wrong. Actually, pgb, history has in fact proved that the position of The Socialist Party is totally correct. For years, the so-called left wing, have pushed for and supported, every reform of Capitalism going, to the detriment, I may add, of actually pushing the need to get rid of Capitalism and instituting a sane alternative. That is, if in fact these groups were anything other than pressure groups in the first place. But, the reforms fought for, over 60 or 70 years have, in the last 2 decades and with growing rapidity in the last 10 years, been ripped away from the working class. The effort of these reformist campaigns, in toto, rendered totally poiintless and meaningless, when if this effort had been put into revolutionarly action, to bring about an alternative, who knows how far along the road to an alternative goal we may have been? You may say that this is all moot, that it is speculation, what is not speculation, is that these reforms have proved ephemeral, many have already been removed or reduced in effectiveness, whilst others await their time, on the chopping block of Capitalist cuts and austerity measures. The Capitalists are not bothered about arguments that even though Capitalism is going through one of its periodic crisis, the UK is still the fifth richest country in the world, and that the world in totality, can produce enough to provide for the needs of everyone on the planet, they have the control of the media, to make sure that this argument does not reach a wider audience.Bearing all this in mind, it is time for rational, sane thinking people, to realise that reformism has failed, as The Socialist Party have always said it would. To also realise that the effort put into reforming Capitalism, will be better used in the persuance of a "revolutionary" alternative. Only a mental defective would continue to smash their head off a brick wall, when there is a door we can use for societal change. That what is needed, is to find the key to unlocking this door. The key? a mass, class conscious movement, of the majority, in the interests of the majority. A democratic change, that will be in the interests of "all" mankind and by relation, in the interest of the planet that should and will belong to us all.So forget your failed reformist nonsense and embrace sense and rationality for a change. For it is you and your reformist ilk who have, in actuality, been proved by history, to be wrong.By the way pgb, this post is meant in a fraternal way, to get, or attempt to get yourself and others to think logically and in your own class interests. Be well and may the New Year bring a renewed vigour in the efforts to rid ourselves of this insane, discredited system. It is not meant to be personally confrontational nor antagonistic. Stevie C.
Yup, upsetting like the tin man looking for a heart. A moral appeal to Capitalists or Capitalism is, to put it politely, fucking pointless! Capitalism is predicated on a tiny minority, living a life of absolute luxury, whilst the vast majority live in various degrees of poverty. When you have brain dead fucking twats like Cameron, Osbourne, Clegg, Blair et al as their spokespeople, what does that say about Capitalism? not a whole lot.PS if a supporter of Capitalism reads this, then any chance of a debate? IE Socialism or Capitalism, the best way forward for ALL the human race? Any sad supporters of Capitalism fancy fighting a losing battle? get in touch. If you do not, then you are either an intellectual coward, or dont have a scooby. Stevie C.
Thanks dedelste, for your contribution. The first thing to do, is ask questions. The second thing to do, is to take the responses and check them for yourself, independently. The vast majority of political parties only brequire your monicker on a form, no show of understanding or accptance of party positions required. Your vote not your understanding being their watchword. The Socialist Party on the other hand, require your understanding and acceptance of the case for an alternative society first and then and only then, your vote.I have found it highly amusing over the years, to say to someone when I have stood in an election, "unless you agree with and understand the case for Socialism" call it what you will, "don't vote for Socialism. Peoples faces are quite a picture! Fancy a candidate asking someone "not" to vote unless they understand and agree with ones aims! Quite, quite refreshing.Be well friend, all the best to you and yours. Stevie C.
Well pgb, one has seen what has happened over the last few years, to the reforms that workers have "wrestled" from the Capitalists. Capitalism, going through one of its regular slumps, is withdrawing the "perks" garnered by workers in what is laughingly called, "the good times". Indeed that slime ball Cameron, and his ventriliquist dummy Osbourne, have now stated that we, (OMG this is so funny), by that they mean workers, not the wealthy, must prepare ourselves for permanent austerity. The fifth richest country in the world, it's government, have used this, the latest of the crisis of Capitalism, as an excuse for a crackdown. Turning one section of workers against another and actually getting "workers" support for their inhumane benefits crackdown.This is the ultimate end for "all reforms" screwed out of our masters. It is the reason that the SPGB and anyone else with merely a modicum of intelligence and understanding of Capitalism see reforms for what they are. A method to redistribute "our" misery. Methods which should be given the short shrift, they so richly deserve. When all is said and done, reforms leave the cause of all our problems, essentially untouched, and the world still in the hands of a tiny minority of parasites, Capitalism and the capitalists.Its really quite ingenious. Con the majority into believing that a few reforms can get rid of the nasty elements of Capitalism and they will not be interested in getting rid of this obscene social system ergo, they will not work towards a truly democratic and fair society. This is the fact, a fact that people like you, pgb, prove every day, by your insistence that reforms can get rid of this systems nasty bits and presumably you also think that if enough reforms are enacted, get rid of Capitalism itself! History disproves this and continues to disprove this, time after time.You have 2 choices, either believe the reformist fairy story and leave Capitalism intact, or work with likeminded workers and work to get rid of Capitalism and all its intendent horrors. So whats it to be, get class aware and conscious or continue to be gulled! the choice is yours. Stevie C.
dedelste, its not about getting elected to a parliament, its about the people who elect those "representatives", to a parliament, giving that vote, in a class conscious, fully aware way.Society has a base and superstructure, even the insanity that is Capitalism. Socialism/Communism, call it what you will, will have this. The base in this case however, will be the entire class consciousness of a "majority" class, fighting for its interest and doing that, by using its knowledge and common indentity and purpose, to bring about a society whereupon the things we need to live, will be produced, distributed and belong, to us all. Just imagining the superstructure this informed majority could produce, is exciting and tantalising. Stevie C.
Well the material circumstance is all in favour of Socialism. Wait, looks behind himself, to each side, in front, nope, Socialism nowhere to be seen. Must be summat else involved! Oh yes, a class conscious majority that both understands the reason for a new society and actually works to bring it about. Hey presto, Socialism. Now the hard part, getting that majority of self-aware, class-conscious individuals. The ineluctable,Stevie C.
Actually Johnny boy, I did not say, "I would not do it again" because, wait for it……….I never did owt in the fust place marra and to say, "those concerned know what they did and they've said they won't do it again", is taking licence with historic fact.Your use of foul- mouthed language notwithstanding, your use of metaphor leaves somewhat to be desired. The ineluctable,Stevie C.
Glasgow Branch discussed this item at it's meetingof November 20, The Branch agreed by Ten Vote tonil that the secretary indicate that Glasgow branchdoes indeed agree that the E.C. can and must havethe right to reject applicants who's previousbehaviour has been disruptive and abusive. Thebranch have noted that some of the initialledapplicants in the E.C. minutes have taken up a lotof E.C. time and filled the forums with manyabusive remarks. There is that bugbear again, "proof"! Where is the proof of "myself" using any more "abusive remarks" than any other Forum member? nowhere, because it does not exist. As for taking up time from the E.C., the problems I and others raised re the SPGB forum would, it appears, have been solved to a large degree. If there had not been any 'problem', there would have been no need for a fix but there was, which has now been implemented.I will accept barring from the SPGB if and not before, the evidence, that everyone bandies about but do not produce, of behaviour so disruptive and abusive that it precludes any chance of re-joining the SPGB is produced! I have copies of the posts from Nov, Dec, Jan from spintcom, and the Forum, from myself and others, none of which, in any way, shape or form, merit the treatment that has been dished out. The ineluctable Stevie C.
So now an "indication of" is added to the reasons to refuse membership of the SPGB. No reference as to whether proof needs to be given, or appeal processes!Moreover, is the applicants "good contribution" to our case and activity to given equal weight, or more, if their contribution to the case, was "more beneficial", than their so-called "bad behaviour" was un- beneficial?Finally, if "past behaviour" is to be taken into account, are current members behaviour to be delved into? The SPGB could be filled with all kinds of folk, from serial shop-lifters to ballot riggers!Stevie C.
Actually Ad, worker is not misleading. One is either a "worker", someone who sells their abilities for a wage or salary, or one is a Capitalist, someone who lives of the surplus value, created by the majority.Yeah I know you know this but it bears to be restated. What I really meant to say, was, that with a "class consciousness", then all these "corrupted" phrases, will not be corrupted, because the majority will know their meaning. Ideas spread, once a critical mass is reached, exponentially. Look at the events of the "Arab Spring", as an example. Stevie C.
Whether or not one is in employment, if, at the end of the day, you rely on selling yoyur mental and physical abilities, for a wage or a salary, you are a member of the working class, a worker. If what you do, (which is not, nor has been overly valued by Capitalists), is be a stay at home mom, then great, in a Socialist society, where "all" human beings are valued, this will be a valuable, (perhaps the most valuable) contribution to the continuation of Socialism, society and most assuredly, the species.As a life time Socialist, I can gaurentee I think no differently about a fellow human being, because of their gender, colour, ethnicty, sexual orientation, or any other of the plethora of terms our "betters" use to divide us.Their divide and conquer does not work here! Stevie C.
Hi Johnny, I to have had a bad xp with theft from, or to do with, a motorbike. Years ago, my Suzie GT 750 was parked outside of my sitting room window. During one night, all of the cables etc, etc, were cut away and swiped. Do not know whether it was vandalism, theft, or an act against myself. But in the great scheme of things, hey, what the hey. It's life!Do not think VM was comparing you to anyone, let alone transgressors against yourself, who VM would have no personal knowledge of.As to discussing this, "forgiveness bollocks", when there is nothing to "forgive", forgiveness is unnecessary. Whether VM agrees or not, I have nothing to be forgiven for. Not even bad thoughts re those who messed up me ride. Stevie C.
