Observations

Wimps or shrimps
n Washington DC there are now more than 5,000 jobs on offer. They include the Cabinet, executive officers, top people at the various agencies; ambassadors and judgeships. US attorneys and federal marshalls. Less prominent, but escaping Congress vetting, there are executive officers and 1,404 other government jobs, senior executive service members and 1,646 other grades.

However, you need not apply; you don’t have the right qualifications even if you could muster the fare. In this instance qualifications do not mean academic achievement or previous experience but either the amount the applicants — or their parents — contributed to the newly elected President’s campaign coffers or other favours done to help the new incumbent of the White House. You could say that at least in the United States, unlike in many even more obviously corrupt regimes.

But the election of a new President has wider repercussions in the US capital. The social scene changes; the Hollywood-style entertainment given by the ex-B actor and outgoing President is not that of either Bush or Dukakis. The impact of the new President will be felt by the whole Washington social scene as “society” apes the habits, likes and dislikes affected by him and his First Lady. Quoting Aram Bakshian. one of Reagan’s — and recently Bush’s — speechwriters, the Sunday Mirror of 17 October tells us that with Dukakis a “pseudo-prole” fashion of sweaters. ethnic clothes and leather patches will replace present glitzy fashions, whereas under Bush Country Club and “class and old money” will be the thing. Top restaurants will win or lose as Presidential preference will be faithfully aped. Under Bush sophisticated bistros will prosper; Dukakis’ image would have brought prosperity to “homely” restaurants (with very unhomely prices!).

Ironically one of the jibes made against socialist society is that there would be a sameness about everyone. Yet here we have — more obviously projected than elsewhere — the cream of society in God’s Own Country preparing slavishly to imitate the habits, clothes and manners of their President.
EG

Carry on motoring
If there are any members of the working class still under the impression that capitalists operate for the benefit of us all and that making profits is purely incidental, then they should hear what a Mr Tom Farmer has to say on the subject. Farmer is Chairman of Kwik-Fit Holdings, the multi-million pound company which fits tyres, exhausts and batteries.

“I would like about half an inch of snow [this winter], just enough to flatten the batteries, and not too much to stop people getting out in their cars.” (Times, 21 September)

When interviewed. Mr Farmer complained that the previous mild winter had cost the company about one million pounds in profits. It seems that as a result they were only £9.8 million for the six months ending August 1988.

So, if your battery goes flat this winter, or your exhaust rusts through, or the MOT Inspector is not satisfied with the tread on your tyres — at least you will know that Kwik-Fit and their shareholders will be happy. And should a flat battery result in your having to walk home in Mr Farmer’s preferred half inch in snow, you may like to ponder on the fact that 9.8 million pound coins, placed in a row. would extend for just over 135 miles — just to give you some idea.
JM

Capitalism for sale
Prior to the privatisation of British Steel, the Shares Information Office sent me a letter inviting me to participate in the return of BSC to the private sector. I had been targeted as a likely share buyer because I had previously, in my pre-socialist days, been seduced into laying out money for British Telecom shares. I had subsequently become one of the 900,000 who, between November 1984 and March 1987, disposed of their BT shares. Like many others I discovered that the benefits of popular capitalism applied only to those who already owned the means of production and distribution. To discover whether you belong to the working class or the capitalist class, give up your job and see how long you can afford to live on the dividends from a few shares in British Gas, British Telecom and British Airways.

Founded in 1860 in the heart of the Black Country to manufacture wrought-iron tubes and fittings, the steel works expanded and amalgamated until, in the mid 1960s. it employed over two thousand people and covered an area of forty-nine acres. We lived in a row of terraced houses belonging to the steel company. The amenities were rather basic. Across the yard we had a brewhouse-cum-coalhouse. and an outside lav. Our house was directly opposite the main gates. Close enough to tumble out of bed and be at work when the bull hooted the starting time. My dad spent all his working life in the steel industry. They gave him a gold watch. It was, I supposed, inevitable that I would follow in my dad’s footsteps. I well remember that callow but cocky youth who, in the mid sixties, became a wage slave for the first time.

One thing my dad couldn’t stand was a bragger. The glossy sales brochure produced by BSC to market its sale gloatingly describes its success as a capitalist enterprise. Potential share buyers are regaled with smug facts and figures relating how within eight years the workforce has been reduced by two-thirds. Great joy surrounds the announcements of improved employee production and reduced employee costs. “Our priority is to develop an informed, motivated and skilled workforce.” we are told; By which they mean that they are fully committed to ensure that their employees continue to produce for profit, not for need.

Nationalised or privatised, it makes no difference to workers blue collar, white collar, shop floor or management. Their position remains that of wage/salary slaves forced to sell their labour power in order to live. Despite the glossy brochures and the promise that a few shares give workers some sort of control over their livelihood, the basic wage labour/capital relationship remains unaltered.

Which would you prefer — a gold watch as a “thank you” for a lifetime spent creating wealth for the minority property-owning class, or a classless, moneyless, wageless society where goods are produced for need, not profit. Don’t buy capitalism. Take up your option on socialism.
DC