Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1998 16:45:34 -0400 (EDT)
From: louisgodena-AT-ids.net (Louis R Godena)
Subject: Re: M-I: Jesse Jackson and reformism




>The last time in the United States
>when we had this kind of opportunity, the revolutionaries shot themselves
>in the foot by trying to mechanically replicate the Russian or Chinese
>revolutionary movement in auto, steel and garment factories, etc. in the
>most foolish manner. The most successful effort at reaching the workers >is
the example of the IS'ers who went to work in the teamsters union and
>helped to get rid of the Hoffa gangsters. Their story is found in Dan La
>Botz's "Rank and File Rebellion", a labor struggle classic.


I think those who built the CIO stand head and shoulders over any subsequent
labor activists, or groups of activists.  This is especially true of the
teamster reformers who, essentially, helped the government replace one set
of gangsters with another.  Now, like all thieves, they have fallen out over
money and are now squealing on their erstwhile allies while taking each
other to court.  

I think the union movement is so corrupt, so imbued itself with the ideology
of capitalism, that any movement that comes directly out of it must be
hopelessly anti-revolutionary, even reactionary.  Cronyism, opportunism,
lack of principle, the willingness to sacrifice the good of all for the sake
of a few ensconced and privileged leaders -`this is the organizational
legacy of the labor movement.  The rank-and-file seems unwilling or unable
to act independently , even as it contemplates its own ruin.  What does one
do with an entity that won't even fight to preserve itself, and instead
follows like lemmings a profligate and bankrupt leadership?  Turn away and
hope it's over sooner rather than later?    

Or go somewhere else?

Louis G



     --- from list marxism-international-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---