Date: Wed, 19 Jun 1996 11:09:41 -0500
From: devries-AT-mail.utexas.edu (Joshua DeVries)
Subject: Re: 12-Hr. Workday and Control over Time


Steve wrote:

>
>Yes, I think there is usually something wrong with the sort of shopping
>lists of demands that so much of the trotskyist left draws up - that's why
>I mentioned the old Transitional Programme. But since I am equally
>skeptical of those positions which reduce revolution to the act of
>insurrection, I still want to know what if any spaces can be won against
>capital and the state in the short term.

Absolutely. And it happens all the time both consciously and not. Kropotkin
and many others to the present talk of the cracks. Capital for all its
intentions is not monolithic and all powerful. We are always occupying
spaces and widening fissures beyond its immediate control. At some point we
will make a more substantial break, but I agree that revolution is much
more a process of creating a world we want to live in than the act of
fighting cops.


>One of the most striking aspects of working class politics at the moment
>seems to be precisely these marked variations in 'wants', particularly in
>terms of paid work. I take your part about the WHEN - how in your case do
>those you work with nut out a contract that they're all happy with?
>

Well, the short answer is that I have never been happy with our contracts,
and I am not alone. But, hey, welcome to capital, eh? In the here and now,
our union local has a history of a few officers doing everything,
complaining that more people should get involved, but not sharing
information or communicationg with the rank and file. One the other hand,
the rank and file also complains that the union is unresponsive, doesn't do
enough or tell them anything, but doesn't get take the initiative to get
involved. My current project is trying bridge the gap. I am an officer, but
the only one who routinely talks to folks about their opinions. We (a few
members and I) have been pretty successful lately at getting more people to
get at least somewhat involved and to take an interest in what is going on.
The biggest proble is the other officers. They want a lot of people at
meetings because it signifies a stronger union to them, but they do not
want input from everyone there. We are currently in flux - growing in
strength and involvement, but not yet sure how to bring those coming in
into the process. That is my take on it, anyway. The president has never
shown any interest in getting others involved in the process, and that is
true of several presidents past.

>'work less, live frugally, and have more freedom' - once I would agreed
>with the first and last sentiments as a matter of course, and been
>horrified by the phrase 'live frugally'. These days I tend to agree with
>you, if frugally means a life not centred upon the personal pursuit of
>material possessions. Today, the most important want I have is time itself.

I believe this change is essential if we folks of basically middle class
lives are to return and recognize ourselves and working class. We can not
simultaneously persue more and more stuff while honestly trying to
overthrow the system that manufactures the need for all the crap.

>On the other hand, there aren't many 'things' I want more of these days -
>books and CDs for sure, but these I am happy to share. Maybe just a faster
>computer (the 90s version of the impotent male's quest for a faster car?)

Yeah, I understand that. My computer is fast enough, but my desire is for ever
speedier modems...

>and more opportunities to travel . . .

This is also a strong desire of mine. I may be rationalizing, but I see
travel (but not "tourism") as qualitatively different than consumption of
stuff. Travel to me means creating personal (and political) connections
with folks around the world. Bridging the alienation between people and
between peoples is as important a part of our struggle as destroying the
economic system.

>But then I'm also conscious that I
>occupy a reasonably amenable niche within the international hierarchy of
>labour power.
>

Yeah, me to. It is much easier to talk of being frugal when we are
comfortable, isn't it? But we start where we are. We are not outside of
capital (unfortunately) so we have to work on changing our lives and
desires to jive with the struggle we are fighting, rather than accepting
the middle class dream of a home in the suburbs, two cars, etc.




                           __
                         -/ /-
                        -/_/-
                         O
                       -O
                       O    Joshua DeVries,
                      O     Anarcho-Banjoist.
                     O
                    O
                  OOO
                O /\ O
               O-/--\-O
               O/    \O
                O    O
                 OOO




     --- from list aut-op-sy-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---