The Socialist party of the Netherlands (SP) is one of Europe's most successful left-wing parties. At a point in
history where other left-wing forces are struggling just to maintain their membership, the Dutch left grows
stronger every year. The result is not only one election victory after the other but the SP has also become a
mass party with tens of thousands of members which allows for impressive street manifestations as a part of
their campaign work. The party has especially strong support among workers. The SP was the driving force in
the "NO-campaign" that led to the rejection of the centralistic and market liberal proposal for an EU constitution
by Dutch voters.
Looking from the US, we can ask how a modern socialist mass party can be built and grow so quickly in a
country not known for its left wing traditions. The NYC Local of the Socialist Party USA is happy to inviteread more »

What Change We Can Believe In?
When we (Americans) walk into the poles on November 4th this year, most of us who consider our selves to be progressive, or left of center will vote for Barack Obama. Obama provides “hope” and offers “change”. Before we cast our ballots we must think about what hope and what change Obama really provides. It would be foolish to argue that there is really no difference between Obama and McCain. It is undeniable that if McCain were elected there is a good chance Americans could lose their right to abortions. Up to 3 supreme court justices could retire in the next four years, and it is a safe bet that Obama will not replace them with judges who will overturn Roe v. Wade. It is also true that Obama has never used a racial slur in public, while McCain openly referred to his Vietnamese captors as “gooks”. While Obama does not offer any specific policies to further social issues such as racial and gender equality, at least he is more likely to prevent the loss of past victories. It is also true that Obama is more likely to provide more funding for some basic social programs like welfare and education. While this will do nothing to change the overall system, having this extra funding makes a significant difference in many peoples daily lives. There are even a few things actually progressive about Obama. Obama’s tax plan (tax the rich at a higher rate than the poor through graduated income tax) would make the American tax system more progressive. Finally, electing the first Black man to office IS progress (just as electing the first woman vice president would be).read more »

The Socialist Party USA (NYC local) protests against
the proposed $700 billion Wall Street bailout. This
proposal caters to the wishes of Wall Street bankers
while disregarding the increasing indebtedness and
economic squeeze which most working people are
experiencing. The corporate "bailout culture" sends
the message to all sorts of corporations that public
tax funds are fair game for laying-off bad
investments.

Wall Street is responsible for cleaning up its own
mess. The primary source of the immediate financial
crisis in the banking industry is mortgaged-backed
securities packaged by mortgage lenders and then sold
to banks that were willing to make a market for these
new financial instruments. Bankers made these
purchases with full knowledge of the potential for
loss. To now ask the federal government to coverread more »

Housing Foreclosures! Rising Gas Prices! Never-ending war! Corporate
controlled elections! It is almost time to elect a new president, but
the question is, how much can we hope for change? Join us in a
discussion of the 2008 presidential elections at our activist meeting
Sunday September 28 3:00. We will have a round table discussion asking
questions such as: Is Obama enough? Is there a Socialist
Alternative? Should we vote Green? How can this election be used as
an opportunity to push politics to the left? Everyone is wellcome.
We hope to here from a variety of oppinions and points of view on this
complicated issue.

A. J. Muste Institute 339 Lafayette Street (between Bleecker & Bond),
Manhattan, NYC.
Hit buzzer #11; come up to the Muste Room on the 3rd Floor. (No
elevator, sorry.)read more »

Working people in the New York and New Jersey area are
being squeezed everyday by sharp increases in prices.
Many now face a monthly struggle to pay what once
seemed like routine bills for heat and electricity.
Thousands of others may also face the very real
prospect of having their houses foreclosed-on by banks
attempting to collect exorbitant mortgage payments.
Now, one of the outlets for social relaxation has also
been placed in jeopardy by the recent announcements
that sports team owners are demanding higher payments
in the form of Personal Seat Licenses and rising
ticket costs.

Personal Seat Licenses are an invention of the owners.
Each fan is forced to pay a fee just for the right to
be able to buy tickets to a game. The practice is
becoming widespread in professional football due toread more »

A Night of folk punk and traditional folk music at The Muste Building