Capitalisms Abuse Of the Mentally Ill

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Published by the Socialist Labor Party Established in l89l

VOL.110 NO. 4 JULY 2000 50 CENTS





IN THIS ISSUE Hunger and Starvation

HMOs Rapidly

Quitting Medicare

Still Touch All Nations

H

Page 2 unger and starvation are not problems for the “Third World” alone. They exist right

here in “prosperous” America, the heartland of world capitalism. They are global

SLP Bids Farewell problems that in large measure can be laid at the feet of global capitalism.

To Nathan Karp If the wretched of the Earth are

more numerous in the lesser developed 26 U.S. cities rose almost 18 percent the local ruling classes and their gov-

Page 3 countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America over the previous year. ernments have generally failed to car-

and Europe, it is only because the im- The United States’ agricultural po- ry out land reform that would at least

Editorial — perialist domination of those regions tential could relieve the hunger of its ease the plight of peasant farmers.

Daily People Centenary by American and European capital- own citizens and provide at least sub- These pauperized peasants and the

ism is as firmly entrenched as ever. sistence food for most of the world’s exploited, often unemployed wage

Page 4 Capitalist exploitation of wage labor in hungry millions to boot. Yet U.S. agri- workers are starving. They are starv-

the industrial world and capitalist im- capital has chosen not to cultivate ing not because food isn’t available,

Why African AIDS perialism in the developing world have nearly 50 million acres of cropland but because they haven’t the income

Is a U.S. Security Threat many of the same effects—hunger and that could be used to produce the food to buy it at world market prices. The

starvation among them. these people so badly need. many regional conflicts, every one of

Page 8 United Nations and independent Long drought hasn’t helped things which stems from some legacy or an-

relief officials estimate, for example, in Africa. However, neither the African other of colonialism and imperialism,

that 8 million people face hunger and famine nor hunger in the United States simply make matters worse.

starvation this year in Ethiopia alone. is the result of natural phenomena. It Africa’s famine thus is the product

Millions more in other countries of is the result of how food production of world capitalism, and within that

the Horn of Africa face a similar fate.

Karp Memorial The last major famine in Africa, in

and the world economy are organized

and controlled.

system there is no viable solution.

Even emergency relief given by the

1984–1985, took the lives of a million

Meeting Held people in Ethiopia. Yet the ruling elite

Two factors are particularly rele-

vant in regard to world hunger.

imperialist nations is woefully inade-

quate despite their enormous produc-

On Sunday, June 4, members and friends of of Ethiopia reportedly spent roughly First, in Africa and elsewhere in the tive capacities. The United States, af-

the Socialist Labor Party from around the San $1 million a day on its two-year war Third World big transnational agri- ter all, has not even solved its own

Francisco Bay Area gathered at a memorial with neighboring Eritrea. Other Afri- capitalists, sometimes collaborating hunger problem despite all its wealth.

meeting to pay final tribute to Nathan Karp, for- can nations have similar priorities. with local landlords, have dispossessed Likewise, hunger in the United

mer national secretary of the party who died on Many actually export food to the ad- peasants from subsistence farming. States or the other advanced capital-

April 22 at the age of 84. vanced industrialized nations, as did They have turned the best land to the ist nations cannot be solved under

The memorial meeting, which was arranged Ethiopia even during the last famine. production of cash crops for export. the capitalist mode of production. Hun-

for by the SLP’s national headquarters staff, According to a recent report by an The land so used could be farmed to ger here stems from the exploitation of

was held in the A.J. Toppers Room on the top “antihunger” organization called Bread produce foodstuffs to help satisfy local wage labor—exploitation so exces-

floor of the Oakland Marriott City Center Hotel. for the World Institute, 31 million needs, but it isn’t because export crops sively brutal that the poorest sections

The window-lined room on the 21st floor offered Americans—almost half of them chil- offer higher profits. of the working class cannot afford

a spectacularly panoramic view of the San Fran- dren —and 791 million people in poor- Second, the legacy of colonialism and housing, clothing, transportation, child

cisco Bay stretching from the Berkeley hills in er countries “face hunger as a regular the ongoing plundering by imperialism care and food all at the same time.

the East Bay to a point far down the San Fran- fact of life.” A report issued by the U.S. have generally left Africa underdevel- Food is not often distributed free.

cisco peninsula. Conference of Mayors in December oped, with farming particularly primi- Doing so depresses the market prices

Speakers at the meeting were Bruce Cozzini, said the demand for emergency food in tive. As junior partners of imperialism, (Continued on page 2)

member of the party’s National Executive Com-

mittee and a former member of the headquar- in New York City, where the mentally

ters staff; Ken Boettcher, member of the staff

and a former member of the NEC; and Robert

Bills, the party’s present national secretary and

Capitalism’s Abuse ill who could no longer control their im-

pulses have joined the criminal ele-

ment.

Capitalism’s abuse of the mentally

acting editor of The People. Cozzini also acted

as host at the meeting.

Boettcher, who was the first to speak, opened

his statement with the following remarks:

Of the Mentally Ill

By B.G. state hospital shutdowns from 1970 to

ill is inexcusable. A sane society would

not pursue such a foolish method of

treating mental illness, or refusing to

“We are here today to honor the life and cele- One of the major problems that capi- 1990. treat such disorders, merely to save

brate the memory of Nat Karp. That is an easy talist society has been unable, or possi- Because of federal discrimination the financial cost while ignoring the

thing for me to do. I am one of the many—per- bly just unwilling, to manage adequat- against psychiatric care for low-in- social cost.

haps even hundreds or thousands of—workers ely is the care of the mentally ill. Med- come persons, state hospitals have Under socialism, the mentally and

who benefited and gained inspiration from his icaid, the federal insurance plan for been pushing these unfortunates out emotionally ill will be cared for in ways

razor-sharp classconscious understanding of the low-income individuals, specifically cov- the back door as quickly as possible to that are impossible under capitalism.

world we live in and the passionate intensity of ers hospital care for bodily illnesses but end their inpatient status and permit Socialist government will be industrial

his conviction that it is the destiny of the work- excludes mental illness from inpatient them to become eligible for Medicaid. government. The mental health indus-

ing class to remake the world in the shape of a care in psychiatric hospitals. This dis- There are presently approximately try will be organized and operated de-

socialist society of peace, plenty and freedom. criminatory provision hits hardest at 3.5 million persons in the United States mocratically by those who work in it.

But I was also among a very fortunate few who the most severely mentally ill. Most in suffering from schizophrenia and man- They will be free to exercise their ex-

knew Nat as a friend. That fact gives me more this category cannot afford private in- ic depression, but 40 percent of them, pertise without regard for the profit

pride than perhaps anything else I could say surance because so many of them are or 1.4 million, are not being treated. and tax-saving concerns of a self-inter-

about myself.” indigent and unable, because of their Medicaid’s discriminatory treatment ested ruling class.

Cozzini was the next to speak. “For a brief severe illness, to obtain employment. of the mentally ill results in homeless- The socialist economy will be an

while, to give me a break from working on the pa- When Medicaid was instituted in ness, victimization, suicide or incar- economy that is based on the principle

per, Nat had me working as his assistant, helping 1965, there were about 470,000 per- ceration in jails for thousands of these of providing for human needs and re-

him with correspondence,” he said. “During that sons undergoing inpatient psychiatric unfortunates. About 283,800 mentally quirements. The Socialist Industrial

time I was continually amazed at his feelings for care in state hospitals. Today, fewer ill people are presently inmates of jails Union of Mental Health Workers will

the membership. He picked up on subtleties in than 60,000 are receiving such care. and prisons. The most severely men- be free to provide the care and services

their letters that I missed. He felt deeply for the For one thing, state hospitals are shut- tally ill persons wandering the streets they are trained to provide, without

members and the difficulties they faced both in ting down and shunting their inmates represent not only a danger to them- the financial constraints that capital-

their SLP efforts and as individuals.” out the doors and into the streets. The selves but to unsuspecting citizens ism imposes on that industry. Just as

Cozzini also read a statement from NEC mem- rate of these shutdowns is rapidly ac- through unprovoked and random acts production in other industries will be

ber Bernard Bortnick, who could not be present. celerating. Between 1990 and 1997, 40 of violence. The two largest “mental carried on for use and not for profit, all

(Continued on page 8) state hospitals closed. This was nearly hospitals” in the country are the Los social and health services will be pro-

three times more than the number of Angeles County Jail and Riker’s Island vided in precisely the same way.

2 THE PEOPLE JULY 2000









HMOs Rapidly . . . Hunger

(Continmued from page 1)





Quitting Medicare By B.G. Virginia and the District of Columbia. that the number of Medicare beneficia-

of the agricultural commodities that agri-

capitalists must sell to profit from the ex-

ploitation of farm labor. Whether in the

poorest areas of the United States or of





T

he United States is the only major Aetna Inc. has 676,000 Medicare ben- ries who might be dumped from HMOs Ethiopia, free food is seldom distributed

industrialized nation without a na- eficiaries enrolled in its HMO and has in the near future could be “very signifi- before the situation arrives at a state of

tional health insurance program. already announced that it will exit cer- cant, in the range of 400,000 to 1 million.” emergency.

For the private health maintenance orga- tain markets this year, but has not indi- Another expert, Alan J. Mittermaier, presi- Unfortunately for those in the Third

nizations (HMOs), this is the way it should cated which ones. dent of Health Metrix Research Inc., stated World, the problem is exacerbated in part

be, for any such program would interfere For the HMOs, the great problem is that he expected “widespread Medicare by bad roads, poor transportation and

with the profits raked in by these private that they are not making money, or enough HMO withdrawals effective January corrupt political regimes. Delays in dis-

organizations in the health care business. money, on covering Medicare beneficia- 2001, resulting in displacement of 500,000 tributing what surplus or unmarketable

Medicare, the health insurance pro- food finds its way into the hands of inter-

gram for the elderly, has been experienc- national relief agencies can mean that

ing a steady exodus of these HMOs dur- many more will die even after such agen-

ing the past few years, leaving hundreds cies finally persuade the owners of un-

of thousands of elderly people in these marketable perishables to donate to re-

programs suddenly without health cover- lief programs. The problem is often com-

age. The HMOs complain that Medicare pounded by repressive governments that

payments are too stingy and that they frequently are the true beneficiaries of

are losing money on maintaining cover- capitalist “charity.” It is not uncommon

age for the elderly. for tyrannical regimes to stand on moun-

Of the 39 million elderly on Medicare, tains of donated “surplus” food that they

approximately 6.2 million, or 16 percent, warehouse and use to bribe, by feeding,

are in HMOs. A big attraction for the el- the armies and police that prop them up.

derly is the prescription drug program Not infrequently these same repressive

that Medicare lacks. governments receive political recognition

The basic drawbacks for clients of PNS and military assistance from the capital-

HMOs, however, are their restrictions. ist countries whose interests are served

Clients cannot choose their own physi- ries. From their standpoint as capitalistic to 1 million beneficiaries.” by these tyrants’ survival.

cian but must accept a specified physi- organizations they are behaving correctly. Two years ago, President Clinton com- Production for profit is all that stands

cian in the specified HMO. This basic They are, after all, in business to make mented on the initial HMO Medicare in the way of realizing the abundance

care physician is given financial incen- profits and not to function as charities. pullout. “These decisions have brought for all that the advanced industrial na-

tives, i.e., bonuses, by the HMO to keep They are mostly publicly traded compa- uncertainty, fear and disruption into the tions have the potential to create, and of

costs down by not recommending extra or nies, offering stock to investors who also lives of tens of thousands of older Ameri- rapidly developing the lesser developed

special medical procedures for new pa- are seeking profits. cans across the country,” Clinton said, nations. What is needed above all else to

tients and by not referring them to med- Gary M. Frazier, a leading health care and he promised to “prevent another dis- realize these possibilities is socialist re-

ical specialists, even though in the physi- analyst at Deutsche Banc Alex Brown, in ruption in coverage like the one we are construction of the United States and

cian’s best medical opinion the patient a report on the HMO industry said frank- seeing now.” other industrialized nations.

might need these extra services. ly, “We hold little hope that Medicare is Unfortunately, the situation is only get- Unrestricted by the private ownership

In the past two years, HMOs have left going to emerge as an attractive busi- ting worse despite Clinton’s presumably and control of production and freed from

Medicare in over 400 counties in 33 states. ness for publicly traded managed-care sincere desires. The inadequacy of Ameri- the profit motive, such socialist societies

They dropped 407,000 elderly partici- organizations in the near future.” ca’s health care system is a reflection of could give unstinted aid to countries in

pants in 1999 and 327,000 more already The New York Times of June 3 report- the inadequacy of American capitalism. need while helping them develop their

this year. ed an interview with Frazier in which he Capitalism is always a system that bene- own economies. And socialism would

The exit trend is accelerating. In June, reiterated his view: “Investors have re- fits the few and not the many. It cannot eliminate forever the absurdity of people

Cigna Corp. said it would terminate its warded managed-care companies that be reformed by tinkering here and there starving or feeling the pangs of hunger at

coverage for 104,000 Medicare recipients stayed away from Medicare.” in an effort to create an economy to serve all in a world that can readily feed them.

in the following areas: California, Con- The Times further quoted Vice Presi- the people at large, but must be replaced —Ken Boettcher

necticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, dent Charles A. Boorady of Goldman entirely by the more humanitarian sys-

New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Sachs investment house, who estimated tem of socialism.





letters to the People Earth Day

& May Day:

Cynical, Cyclical Capitalism vive. Now, most of those are planning The cyclical boom and bust of capital- Two Views of the Future

Thank you for an excellent analysis to close. Wal-Mart and the other super- ism is always in the “bust” phase in rural

of the phony “boom” that Wall Street is stores show one of the very worst sides areas like this, and Wally and the others 8 pages

slobbering over. Here in Alamosa we are of capitalism. These stores are filled are eager to cynically exploit it. Thanks 50¢ postpaid

seeing a side of this surge that others with items that rely on impulse buying for your work. I have been a Marxist since

perhaps do not. We have a Wal-Mart and fueled by relentless advertising. No 1967 and I am gratified to see that work-

we will soon have a Super Wal-Mart, al- one seems to care that much of that junk New York Labor News

ers like yourself work so hard to educate

though that is causing a great deal of is made by sweatshop labor, that over- P.O. Box 218

their comrades.

controversy. The Wallies claim that seas profits fuel right-wing regimes, Mtn. View, CA 94042-0218

Bill Mahan

new jobs will be created by the train- and jobs are lost as runaway corpora-

Alamosa, Colo.

load, but they have admitted that the tions flee to the third world with the

“top” jobs (i.e., those that pay more blessings of Washington. So many peo-

than minimum wage) will go to current ple here cannot see beyond their own

Wallie managers that will be rotated in yards. They are not able to put a face on

here. Meanwhile, local businesses, some the products they buy in superstores.

that have been operating for nearly a The Wallies are banking on our chron-

century, are planning on going out of ic poverty to supply the minimum-wage

business. When our current Wal-Mart workers—and they will find them. Al-

was built here about 15 years ago only ready there are those who seek employ-

the stoutest local business could sur- ment information.







Two Pages From Roman History

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of the capitalist class,” and a comparison with the ancient ❑ $2 for a 6-month subscription; ❑ $5 for a 1-year sub

Roman plebs leader. A masterpiece of social portraiture and

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P.O. Box 218 Make check/money order payable to The People. Allow 4–6 weeks for delivery.

Mountain View, CA 94042-0218

JULY 2000 THE PEOPLE 3









SLP Bids Farewell to Nathan Karp

The statements that follow were deliv- real human being under those dark day, he would have found some appropri-

ered at the Nathan Karp Memorial Meet- glasses and his sometimes stern stare. ate funny story. I searched for one, but just

ing held at the Oakland Marriott City Within a few months after I arrived couldn’t find it. We’ll miss you Nat.

Center Hotel in Oakland, Calif., on Sun- to work at SLP headquarters almost 18

day, June 4. years ago, Nat, perhaps more than any-

one else, made me feel at home—offer- By Bernard Bortnick

By Ken Boettcher ing encouragement and admonishment, I first met Comrade Nathan Karp at

the May-June 1975 National Executive

We are here today to honor the life patience and guidance in mostly the right

and celebrate the memory of Nat Karp. doses at just the right times. I imagine he Committee Session in New York. I had

That is an easy thing for me to do. I am did this with many folks like myself—of- been newly elected to the committee, re-

one of the many—perhaps even hundreds ten, of course, in the shape of a joke or a placing Comrade Elizabeth Schnur. I

or thousands of—workers who benefited funny story—one of the hundreds of tid- was seated among those whom I had al-

and gained inspiration from his razor- bits of humor that he stored away for ways considered the towers of the revo-

sharp classconscious understanding of use at the right moment. But he made lutionary socialist movement in America

the world we live in and the passionate me feel special, that such a man would for at least a quarter of a century past.

intensity of his conviction that it is the treat me in such a way. In the intervening Among them were Comrades G. Cozzini,

destiny of the working class to remake years, he was my mentor, in a sense the J. Pirincin, A. Albaugh and G. Taylor, all

the world in the shape of a socialist so- kind of father I always wished to have, on the NEC, and of course, Comrade

ciety of peace, plenty and freedom. But and despite the difference in our ages, my Nathan Karp. Accordingly, I felt some-

I was also among a very fortunate few closest male friend outside good old Ore- what like a “novice,” a bit intimidated

who knew Nat as a friend. That fact gon. He was not just a comrade, but a and out of place.

gives me more pride than perhaps any- true friend—one who helped me through Comrade Nathan Karp held the post

thing else I could say about myself. many a tough time and—perhaps more of national secretary and was also bur-

Sam Bortnick for The People

For many years I knew Nat only importantly in any friendship—one who dened with editorial obligations in the

right. The thing to fear is an inadequate

through the pages of the then Weekly accepted help himself at least some of publication of the Weekly People since

life—something Nat Karp never ever had

People, which I stumbled across as a the time his friends offered it. the precipitous departure of the former

to fear.

young hayseed—a student, but nonethe- As old age approached and began to editor, John Timm, in 1973.

The party had recently completed the

less a real hayseed—during a visit to take its toll on Nat, he seemed to epito- By Bruce Cozzini move of the national headquarters from

Portland, Oregon, some 30 years ago. mize the father that poet Dylan Thomas I had the great good fortune to grow

The ’60s were so full of questions that wished to urge on when he wrote: Brooklyn, New York, to Palo Alto, Califor-

up in the Socialist Labor Party and get

seemed to have no answers. But then I “Do not go gentle into that good night, nia, in September 1974, and that effort

to know some of the SLP’s finest. Joe

found a newsstand filled with copies of Old age should burn and rave at close involved changes at many levels in the

Pirincin and Jack Quinn often stayed at

the Weekly People. Clearly stated, in log- of day; operation of the national headquarters,

our home, as did the party’s presidential

ical order, crisp and clear, I saw the an- Rage, rage against the dying of the not the least of which was giving up own-

candidates. They were tireless workers

swers to many of my questions about light.” ership of the Party press and having the

for socialism, coming from the working

the world. From that time onward, the Nat Karp, whom I learned over the years Weekly People published commercially.

class and self-educated in the movement.

beacon of the SLP’s Marxist principles was perhaps even more gentle and kind The issue of the composition of the

Nat Karp was one of that breed, the cream

gave purpose to my life. than he ever was demanding and incisive, NEC Subcommittee remained to be clar-

of the crop. They distinguished themselves

Nat and the rest of those comrades would never go gentle into any good night ified. A vacancy in an assistant to the na-

by the difficult tasks they took on, and

who worked for the party and wrote for with respect to the fight for socialism. Nat took on the most difficult, that of tional secretary and the uncertainty of

the Weekly People filled my Oregon hay- Thomas Paine once wrote that, “I love leading the SLP through one of its most the composition and tenure of the editor-

seed heart with inspiration and awe. the man that can smile in trouble, that difficult times. I had the good fortune to ial staff were additional problems lurk-

Nat’s perennial dark glasses gave him can gather strength from distress and work at the National Office during that ing in the background.

an almost mystic air. When I finally met grow brave by reflection. ’Tis the business period. These and a number of other issues

him during a visit to national headquar- of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart When I moved to California in 1977 to were aired during that session, and only

ters in the late ’70s, my romanticized vi- is firm, and whose conscience approves his write for the Weekly People, the party then did I develop an appreciation for the

sion of the headquarters staff was not conduct, will pursue his principles unto was in a state of ferment as new direc- depth and complexity of what the party

moderated much—the visit was too death.” tions were being explored. They were ex- faced and, in particular, the multiple key

short to get to know them as people. The Nathan Karp was such a man. citing times, and I was eager to be part decisions and coordination strategies that

next time I met him was at the 1979 and The window near my desk at the pre- of them. My mother and father were con- bore upon Comrade Karp and the Nation-

1980 SLP conventions, and his knowl- sent National Office faces the parking cerned about the sacrifices involved in al Office staff. I groped to make a useful

edge of parliamentary procedure, his spot Nat used for the last two or three uprooting my family to go work for the contribution to the session. I had voted ei-

grasp of the events of our time and the years. Morning after morning I looked up, National Office at such a time, but what ther in favor of or against a proposition,

respect he commanded on the conven- upon hearing a car pull in, to see him— made them feel good about it was that apparently to the frustration of Comrade

tion floor merely increased my awe. But with a quiet dignity—daily face and over- Nat was in charge. They admired his in- Karp. During a recess he approached me

his friendliness and mostly gentle en- come the difficulties of a body that had tegrity and his grasp of and devotion to and in the kindest terms asked me why I

couragement—as well as his patience— survived stroke and heart surgery, ulcers SLP principles. had voted as I had. I explained my thoughts

toward me made me aware there was a and partial paralysis. Slowly the driver’s It was an exciting time. We had an out- and we discussed the issue for 10 minutes

side door would open, and out come his standing and stimulating staff. However, or so, after which I came away considerably

arm to grasp it and brace for a slow rise writing full time didn’t come easy for me, enlightened and very impressed with the

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to his feet. A few small steps to the rear nor did the constant deadlines and the clarity of his thoughts and by the logic of his

door and then out would come his walker. continual pressure. Throughout this time comments.

Founded April 5, 1891

The sight of him coming across the park- Nat was always supportive and helpful, Clarity and logic I came to realize were

ing lot to the door, down the hall and to discussing at length the principles I was emblematic of Comrade Karp’s thought

The People (ISSN-0199-350X), continuing

the Weekly People, is published monthly by his seat day after day made my heart having difficulty with, and offering point- processes. It was during that NEC ses-

the Socialist Labor Party of America, 156 swell with pride and, not infrequently, ers on writing problems. I learned a tre- sion that I was for the first time repeated-

E. Dana St., Mountain View, CA 94041-1508. my eyes lose a tear. mendous amount from him. The writing ly exposed to Comrade Karp’s keen analyt-

In the words of his beloved Annie— pointers I use all the time in my work ical mind and accuracy of his judgments.

Periodicals postage paid at Mtn. View, CA

94042. Postmaster: Send all address changes words Nat was fond of quoting: “Old age is now, and I can still hear his voice offering He had “instant recall” of facts and fig-

to The People, P.O. Box 218, Mountain View, not for sissies.” Nat certainly found that them to me. ures, a quality which reflected his excep-

CA 94042-0218. Communications: Business to be true, yet he never allowed it to stop For a brief while, to give me a break tional intelligence. This, coupled with the

and editorial matters should be addressed to him. In the gentle way characteristic of from working on the paper, Nat had me depth of his knowledge of Marxism and

The People, P.O. Box 218, Mountain View, CA his later years, he did “rage against the working as his assistant, helping him party history, and the speed and energy

94042-0218. Phone: (650) 938-8359. Fax: dying of the light.” Anyone who by mis- with correspondence. During that time I with which he passionately expressed

(650) 938-8392. take or intention defended the interests was continually amazed at his feelings himself, gained him the reputation of hav-

Production Staff: Donna Bills, Ken Boettch- of the ruling class learned the rage of this for the membership. He picked up on ing a mind like a “steel trap.” His guidance

er, Genevieve Gunderson. Robert Bills, acting man’s intellect and conscience even in his subtleties in their letters that I missed. was like that of a helmsman, correcting

editor. last months. He felt deeply for the members and the the course of the SLP vessel as it moved

Access The People online at http://www.slp.org. I’m not sure if I ever told Nat, but I think difficulties they faced both in their SLP through the treacherous waters of capital-

Send e-mail to: thepeople@igc.apc.org. he knew I loved him—and that many peo- efforts and as individuals. ist society.

ple did. We will miss him, and so will the I was continually impressed with Nat’s In considering the kind of verbal tribute

Rates: (domestic and foreign): Single copy,

movement that motivated his life. Death brilliance as a Marxist. On the spur of the one might pay this giant of a man, suit-

50 cents. Subscriptions: $5 for one year; $8

for two years; $10 for three years. By first- has robbed us of a real working-class moment, he could analyze social problems able words are not easily found. But he

class mail, add $6 per year. Bundle orders: champion. If Nat were here today, I can more clearly and coherently than most was to all of us a teacher, conveying the

5-100 copies, $8 per 100; 101-500 copies, imagine what he might say. “Balderdash,” people can after long study and contem- benefit of his wise counsel and his depth

$7 per 100; 501-1,000 copies, $6 per 100; I can hear him say. “As Woody Allen once plation. And to top it off, he expressed him- of knowledge. His contributions to the So-

1,001 or more copies, $5 per 100. Foreign sub- said,” Nat would continue, “ ‘There are self with wit and humor. It seems strange cialist Labor Party were immeasurable

scriptions: Payment by international money worse things in life than death. Have you to wax nostalgic about collection talks, but and covered a vast range of writings,

order in U.S. dollars. ever spent an evening with an insurance Nat made them not only painless, but tru- speeches and involvement in the whole

salesman?’” And Nat would, of course, be ly entertaining. If Nat were speaking to- (Continued on page 5)

4 THE PEOPLE JULY 2000



A De Leon Editorial



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When Reforms Work

Published by the Socialist Labor Party Established in l89l

National Secretary: Robert Bills

–And When They Don’t

When a social system such as capitalism has outlived its useful-

VOL.110 NO. 4 Y

JUL 2000

ness, efforts to improve it are a waste of energy and only post-

pone the desirable features of the improvements sought after.



Daily People Centenary Reforms and Reforms

(The People, Jan. 5, 1896)

forms” are of a superficial nature, how-

ever estimable they may be. Such re-

This issue of The People commemo- sound American Marxist) and “Brother “Dr. Parkhurst is a good man and a forms do not contemplate any funda-

rates the 100th anniversary of the first Jonathan” (alternately the personifica- good citizen,” remarked Mayor Strong re- mental change. A three-story house may

and only Marxist daily newspaper ever tion of the eternally confused and misled cently, and then added after a moment’s be reformed by raising it two stories

published in English on the American worker or of the self-deluded petty bour- hesitation: “but he is a good deal of a rad- higher, or a yellow house may be re-

continent, the Daily People. geois, or small capitalist). ical. I want to say that I am not opposed formed by painting it green, and that

For nearly 14 years, the Daily People The Daily People files are also rich in to radicalism, for I believe that it has could be done without any change in

was the official newspaper of the Social- important translations of Marxist speech- brought about many of the reforms the original house or its fundamental

ist Labor Party. It was launched in New es and essays, and hundreds of original which have made the world better. The plan. Similarly, there are political and

York City on Sunday, July 1, 1900, and articles that, though often written by un- results were never reached by the meth- social institutions that can be altered

following a politically stormy and finan- lettered workers, prove the capacity of ods advocated by the radicals, though, for the better without affecting the whole

cially precarious career, suspended pub- workers to grasp, articulate and apply not at the time of their advocacy.”* social structure. Such reforms have al-

lication on Sunday, Feb. 22, 1914. important concepts of economics, poli- That Dr. Parkhurst’s proposed re- ways been accomplished by the “re-

Some readers may wonder why we tics, history and sociology. forms will not be reached by the meth- formers” both with the methods they

would devote space to commemorating Finally, the period covered by the Dai- ods he advocates is quite certain, and as advocated and at the time of their advo-

the centennial of a paper that has not ly People witnessed the most significant far as that goes, the mayor talks sense. cacy. For instance, the vice presidents

been published for 86 years. There are development ever to take place in the When, however, he generalizes upon that, of the United States were at one time

several reasons, among them the Marx- American labor or socialist movement— and says that reforms were never reached the presidential candidates that came

ist nature of the Daily People, the quali- the rise of classconscious industrial un- by the methods advocated by the radi- out second best; again, the tariff was

ties and devotion of its editor, and the ionism. It does not matter that the or- cals, nor at the time of their advocacy, found at one time to be too high, at an-

fact that the period covered by its exis- ganization that embodied the industrial the mayor talks nonsense. other time too low; in both these in-

tence marked a turning point in the la- union principle, the original Industrial There are “reforms” and “reforms.” stances a change was deemed advisable

bor or socialist movement. Workers of the World, succumbed to an- One class of the changes called “re- and it was carried out by those who ad-

The Daily People was unique in sever- archo-syndicalism and repudiated polit- vocated it, at the time that they did,

al important respects. Unlike most other ical action, and with political action the and by the methods they adopted. Al-

*Charles Henry Parkhurst (1842–

“socialist” periodicals of its day, for exam- genius of the age. The important thing is ready in this the mayor’s generalization

1933) was a Presbyterian clergyman and

ple, the Daily People was entirely owned that this principle was enunciated and that is wrong.

pastor of the Madison Square Presbyter-

and controlled by the membership of the the American working class was given ian Church in New York City from 1880 to There is, however, another class of

SLP. It may seem obvious today that an the goal of the industrial union govern- 1918. He gained attention with his Soci- “reforms”—“reforms” that go to the root

organization should own and control any ment and a tactical program for reach- ety for Prevention of Crime in 1891 and a of questions. In such cases it is not like

publication published in its name. None- ing that goal. sermon he delivered on Feb. 14, 1892, be- putting an additional story to a house or

theless, “party ownership of the press” It was in the columns of the Daily Peo- moaning the existence of political corrup- changing its color, in such cases the “re-

was a principle that had to be fought for ple that the principles and program of tion and organized vice in the city. forms” demanded imply the overthrow-

in the socialist movement before it was Socialist Industrial Unionism were for- Parkhurst’s sermon has been credited ing of the house and the building of a

firmly established 100 years ago. mulated and their Marxist logic demon- with leading to the famous Lexow investi- new. Say, for instance, that a house whose

In those days there were only two or- strated. And it was through the Daily gation of 1894, the defeat of Tammany foundations have been eaten up by rats,

ganizations that claimed to represent the People that the idea was spread to in- Hall and the election of a “reform admin- whose walls bulge and threaten to tum-

socialist movement in the United States, spire and arouse workers throughout the istration” under Mayor William L. Strong. ble down, and whose roof, by reason of

the SLP and the Socialist Party. Most of nation. De Leon described Parkhurst as an “oily- the structural decrepitude of the house,

the newspapers that aligned themselves The files of the Daily People are a ver- tongued pharisee” on another occasion be- lets in the water freely. In such a case,

with the SP were privately owned. The itable treasure-trove of Marxist wisdom, cause he was a defender of the very sys- two different sets of reformers will spring

membership of that party had no control Marxist lessons and Marxist history. tem that created the corruption and vice up. Both are agreed that the house is

over who would be their editors or what They are rich in the material that capti- he so pompously denounced. Parkhurst, leaky, both are agreed that the water

news and editorial policies would be fol- vates the interest of the intellectually however, was never a candidate for public

should be kept out, both recognize the

lowed by their publishers. alert, classconscious worker. office in his own right. (Continued on page 6)

By contrast, the Daily People was un- Regrettably, however, much of that

der the complete control and direction of treasure is still locked away in those

the SLP’s membership. Its editor was

an elected officer of the party with a fixed

term of office. The Daily People, through

files and is accessible to only a few. Only

a small fraction De Leon’s daily editori-

als and other works have been brought

what is socialism?

its editorial columns, was expected to re- together and made available to workers Socialism is the collective ownership by all the people of the factories, mills, mines,

flect the party’s policies and the positions in such books and pamphlets as As to railroads, land and all other instruments of production. Socialism means production

the party took at its national conven- Politics, Industrial Unionism, Two Pages to satisfy human needs, not, as under capitalism, for sale and profit. Socialism means

tions and through the referendum vote. From Roman History, The Burning direct control and management of the industries and social services by the workers

through a democratic government based on their nationwide economic organization.

Obviously not every decision on how to Question of Trades Unionism and Social-

Under socialism, all authority will originate from the workers, integrally united in

report or interpret events on a daily ba- ist Reconstruction of Society. Although Socialist Industrial Unions. In each workplace, the rank and file will elect whatever

sis could be subject to the immediate much as been done in recent years to committees or representatives are needed to facilitate production. Within each shop

control of the membership. Much de- prepare larger and more comprehensive or office division of a plant, the rank and file will participate directly in formulating

pended on the moral integrity and intel- collections of De Leon’s works, financial and implementing all plans necessary for efficient operations.

lectual capacity of the person elected to and other considerations have kept the Besides electing all necessary shop officers, the workers will also elect representa-

fill the editor’s chair. The SLP was par- work from progressing as fast as we tives to a local and national council of their industry or service—and to a central con-

ticularly fortunate in that regard. would like. gress representing all the industries and services. This all-industrial congress will

Daniel De Leon, who was elected to Nonetheless, the pamphlets that are plan and coordinate production in all areas of the economy. All persons elected to any

four consecutive terms as editor of the available provide indisputable proof of post in the socialist government, from the lowest to the highest level, will be directly ac-

Daily People, in 1900, 1904, 1908 and De Leon’s undying contributions to the countable to the rank and file. They will be subject to removal at any time that a major-

ity of those who elected them decide it is necessary.

1912, was not merely trustworthy as a socialist movement, and to the cause of

Such a system would make possible the fullest democracy and freedom. It would be

party official and competent as an edi- social progress and human enlighten- a society based on the most primary freedom—economic freedom.

tor, he was the most distinguished ment generally. For individuals, socialism means an end to economic insecurity and exploitation. It

Marxist of the era. The Daily People was suspended in means workers cease to be commodities bought and sold on the labor market and forced

De Leon’s concept of socialist journal- February 1914 because the revolutionary to work as appendages to tools owned by someone else. It means a chance to develop all

ism was to “weave socialist theory into socialist movement entered a period of individual capacities and potentials within a free community of free individuals.

the events of the day.” As a result of this ebb tide, and the drain on the resources of Socialism does not mean government or state ownership. It does not mean a state

concept, many of his editorials retain the SLP threatened the party’s existence. bureaucracy as in the former Soviet Union or China, with the working class oppressed

their essential freshness and illustrate But the SLP retained its English-lan- by a new bureaucratic class. It does not mean a closed party-run system without de-

timeless principles and lessons. Many guage weekly, founded in April 1891, and mocratic rights. It does not mean “nationalization,” or “labor-management boards,” or

are Marxist classics that are as hard- as a monthly today The People carries on state capitalism of any kind. It means a complete end to all capitalist social relations.

To win the struggle for socialist freedom requires enormous efforts of organiza-

hitting and spirited as they are pro- as the advocate of De Leonism, the un-

tional and educational work. It requires building a political party of socialism to con-

found. flinching champion of the workers in all test the power of the capitalist class on the political field and to educate the majority

Then there are De Leon’s terse, often their struggles and the herald of labor’s of workers about the need for socialism. It requires building Socialist Industrial

pungent and penetrating “Letter Box” day. When the tide of the class struggle fi- Union organizations to unite all workers in a classconscious industrial force and to

answers to correspondents, and a re- nally turns, as turn it must, a new Daily prepare them to take, hold and operate the tools of production.

markable column consisting of a colloquy People will appear to take its place as the You are needed in the ranks of Socialists fighting for a better world. Find out more

between “Uncle Sam” (representing the tribune of an aroused working class. about the program and work of the Socialist Labor Party and join us to help make

the promise of socialism a reality.

JULY 2000 THE PEOPLE 5









. . . Farewell to Nathan Karp

were merely human, creatures of their

times and of their circumstances, and

subject to all the weaknesses that define

humanity as a creature of its environ-

(Continued from page 3) ment. He understood human nature very

spectrum of party offices and activities. EDITOR’S NOTE: The following biographical sketch of Nathan Karp is tak- well, and because of that he could admire

The key role Comrade Karp played in en from the souvenir program distributed at the Nathan Karp Memorial Meet- historical figures with an appreciation

freeing the party from what can best be ing held on Sunday, June 4, in the A.J. Toppers Room of the Oakland Marriott and perception tempered by his own intel-

described as a sectarian logjam, which City Center Hotel in Oakland, Calif. ligence and insights into the limitations

came to a head at the 1977 National Con- that the social environment create.

vention, will ever remain engraved in my Nathan Karp It was Daniel De Leon, I believe, who

memory. This was a struggle against April 25, 1915–April 22, 2000 answered critics of Jefferson to the effect

what became known as the “New York Nathan Karp was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 25, 1915. His parents, that it was enough to secure his immor-

Tendency,” a certain confusion of thought Daniel and Sarah, were young immigrants who worked in the New York needle tality for Jefferson to have written a few

that ossified into the notion that all past trades when they met in 1908. When Dan Karp was 19 he heard Daniel De lines into the Declaration of Indepen-

party decisions were inviolate and in the Leon deliver his address on The Burning Question of Trades Unionism, and he dence proclaiming that all men were cre-

best tradition of Marxism-De Leonism. soon applied for membership in the SLP. Sarah worked at the Triangle Shirt- ated equal and that governments ought to

Comrade Karp remorselessly exposed waist factory in 1911, but she stayed home on that fateful day in March when a derive their powers from the consent of the

the shallowness and rigidity of this atti- deadly fire swept through the building near Washington Square and snuffed out governed. A thousand generations were

tude, despite the animosity and acrimo- the lives of 146 other young women. Sarah and Dan were married that year. needed before that plateau in the social

ny this evoked from some members. His The young family moved to southern New Jersey in the late 1910s, where their development of the human race could be

conduct was ruled by Marxian science, three children, Morris, Nathan and Ruth, grew up and went to school. reached. It was unreasonable to expect

the path he had followed all of his life. Nathan Karp was a clothing cutter by trade. He spent some time in a CCC more of any one person, no matter how

He was an individual deeply imbued camp during the Great Depression. In 1935 he followed his parents and his gifted, and it betrayed a lack of apprecia-

with the fundamental correctness of the beloved brother, Morris, into the SLP. Before long he moved to New York City, tion of how difficult truly historical pro-

Socialist Labor Party and totally commit- where he married Anne Werthamer, his wife and comrade of 63 years. Togeth- gress is to make.

ted to its cause. Even during his illness, er they were the loving parents of three children, Diane, Alan and Stanley. Nat Karp appreciated this. He under-

he continued to render his services to the Nathan Karp was a conscientious objector during World War II. By 1943 he stood that men and women could not al-

extent that he could in behalf of the party. was elected to the Subcommittee of the SLP’s National Executive Committee, ways measure up to their own aspirations

He had a thoughtful and warm personali- and for many years he was also a member of the SLP’s Press Committee. He for themselves or for the world in which

ty; he was humorous, witty and engag- was the SLP’s candidate for United States senator from New York in 1952, we live. But he never used that as an ex-

ing—an unforgettable person that I will for governor of New York in 1953 and for mayor of New York City in 1954. In cuse not to measure up to his own aspira-

always feel privileged to have known. I 1962, he appeared before a Senate subcommittee to defend the “equal time” tions. More than that, he never gave up

will miss him greatly. provision of the Federal Communications Act, and in 1965 he wrote a major on the potential he saw in others, no mat-

Rachel and I extend our deepest sym- statement on the same subject for TV Guide. He left his trade in 1963 to join ter how often he may have been frustrat-

pathies to Comrade Anne Karp, Stan, the national headquarters staff of the SLP as assistant to the national secre- ed or disappointed by them. He wanted

Alan and Diane Karp, and to all of his tary, and he was the SLP’s national campaign manager in 1964 and 1968. the men and women he came in contact

family members. In 1969, the membership of the SLP elected him national secretary to fill with to measure up to their own poten-

the unfinished term of his predecessor. He was elected to a full term of four tial. He could be firm, and he could get

By Robert Bills years in 1972 and to a second term in 1976. From 1973 until 1980 he was angry. But he also had gentle and insight-

Nathan Karp was a big part of my life also de facto editor of the Weekly People. He was instrumental in the decision ful ways of reaching out to encourage oth-

for more than 30 years. Some who knew to move the party’s headquarters from Brooklyn to the San Francisco Bay ers to improve their skills, and I never

us both say our relationship was like Area in 1974. More important, however, he took the lead in the effort to “revi- knew him to deny anyone help or advice

that of father to son, but that is wrong. talize” and rebuild the SLP starting with the 29th National Convention in when they needed it. He did not hesitate

The relationship of parent to child is too 1976. In 1980, he was elected financial secretary of the party, and from 1983 when he was asked for his help, and if he

intimate, too much involved with the to 1987 he was a member of the NEC. In 1990, he assembled a massive array felt it was necessary to take the initiative

passing on of traits and characteristics of SLP memorabilia for the party’s 100th anniversary celebration and super- it was with all the sympathy and tact that

that no outsider can possibly share. vised a similar exhibit for the centennial of The People in 1991. anyone could wish for.

What Nat Karp and I shared was some- He was the author of many SLP statements and publications, among them During our 30-year relationship as co-

thing different. We were comrades and Who Speaks for Socialism? Brinkmanship in Southeast Asia, Unionism: Fraud- workers at the National Office there were

friends, two things Nat had more than ulent or Genuine? Crises in America: A Revolution Overdue, The SLP and the countless occasions on which I was wit-

one occasion to say did not always or Unions and Early Efforts at Socialist Unity. After retiring as financial secretary ness to Nat Karp’s boundless energy and

necessarily go together. in 1983, he remained on the headquarters staff and was a regular contributor dedication under circumstances that un-

It was Abraham Lincoln who said: “The of articles to The People. He also acted as a consultant and adviser to the na- questionably would have left most other

strongest bond of human sympathy out- tional secretary, and he was at work on the party’s archives when he died on men wringing their hands in despair. But

side the family relation should be one April 22, 2000. not Nat Karp.

uniting all working people of all nations When the former editor of the Weekly

and tongues, and kindreds.” spend a pleasant afternoon together had been members of their own family. People walked off the job in May 1973,

It was the bond of working together and to share a meal. New York City is a big place. Its size Nat stepped in without hesitation to pre-

for a common purpose that brought Nat But there was no reason on that par- and its concentration, its press of human- vent the paper from going under. How he

Karp and me together and laid the foun- ticular day in 1969 for either of us to ity were wholly outside the experience of managed it is still something that I mar-

dation for our relationship as comrades think that any more would come out of a young couple who grew up in much vel at, even though as the only remaining

and friends. The foundation of our rela- that afternoon than what it contained. smaller and slower paced California and member of the editorial staff I witnessed

tionship was not blood, but a meeting of He was 29 years my senior. We grew up Nevada towns. It was at once exhilarat- it at firsthand.

minds that welcome each other because at different times, some would say in ing and intimidating, and Donna and I Occasionally I have taken down the

it seems they share certain interests, cer- different worlds. We had no shared ex- were very much fish out of our water. 1973 volume of the Weekly People just to

tain ideals and a certain way of looking periences, either as members of a gen- Looking back, there is no doubt in my read through the many articles and edi-

at things. Where the two things, com- eration or as members of the SLP. He mind that Donna and I managed to sur- torials that Nat labored over during the

radeship and friendship, began to touch would return to New York and I would vive life in the big city in large part be- months that followed the 1973 NEC Ses-

and overlap is hard to say. But wherever resume my life here on the coast with cause of the kindness that Nat and Anne sion. To this day I am amazed at the vari-

and whenever it began I know that for the addition of a pleasant memory. I showed toward us. It was a lopsided way ety and the quality of what he managed

myself it grew stronger as time went by. had no reason to expect that all that to start a relationship, much less a friend- to produce in circumstances that would

I met Nat Karp for the first time on a would change one year later when Don- ship, but we must have measured up in have caused anyone else to throw in the

sunny San Francisco day in the summer na and I traveled from Sacramento to ways that mattered. Nat had a talent for towel. But he didn’t. He couldn’t. It wasn’t

of 1969. He was 54, just two years younger San Francisco where I was scheduled to sizing people up. Within a few months of in his nature. He saw what needed to be

than I am today, and I was 25. He was give my first talk as an SLP speaker. I our having moved to the East he needed done and he did it.

newly elected as national secretary of the was scared, didn’t do very well, and or- to hire someone else for the headquarters Nat Karp was not only the most intel-

Socialist Labor Party. I was simply a dinarily it would have been one of those staff. I suggested that he consider Donna. ligent and perceptive man I ever met. He

young party member of three years’ stand- days that anyone would prefer to forget. That was the first time I offered my was the most self-disciplined man I ever

ing. He surely had no expectations be- However, it was also the day I was asked advice about anything to Nat Karp. It knew. It was that self-discipline that en-

yond those he might have had at making if I would consider moving to New York turned out to be good advice, as I knew abled him to use his intelligence to a

the acquaintance of any member of the to become a member of the national it would. purpose.

party, but I was surely excited and felt headquarters staff of the SLP. I had no Nat Karp loved history, particularly Nat Karp’s natural attributes, and the

myself flattered to meet him and his wife one to consult but Donna, and when she American history. His personal library is self-discipline that allowed him to make

Annie in that particular way. You see, it agreed I was on my way—and she soon filled with books about the history of the the most of them, sometimes over-

was not an “official occasion.” It was not thereafter. country and historical figures. Apart whelmed others whose potential may or

some party-sponsored meeting or social af- Those first days and months in New from Marx, Engels and De Leon, he ad- may not have been as great, but whose

fair; not some performance of duty where Jersey and New York were difficult ones mired such men as Samuel Adams, Thom- determination to make the best use of

the focus of attention shakes hands, for Donna and me. Nat and Anne took as Paine, Thomas Jefferson, William their own potential was not as keenly de-

smiles and thanks those introduced to me in when I arrived and helped me find Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips and Abra- veloped.

him for their good wishes and words of en- a place for Donna and I to live when she ham Lincoln—all of them dedicated revo- I know these things because I was a

couragement. It was a personal arrange- arrived a month later. They took me to lutionaries and opponents of tyranny. beneficiary of them.

ment that other comrades had made to the airport to meet her, and showed us But his admiration of these men was When health considerations forced Nat

see some sights at Ghiradelli Square, to as much kindness and concern as if we tempered by the knowledge that they (Continued on page 6)

6 THE PEOPLE JULY 2000





activities

...Farewell to Nathan Karp

(Continued from page 5) Society. In addition, he continued and friendship were as firm as

Activities notices must be re- OREGON

ceived by the Monday preceding Portland

the third Wednesday of the month. Discussion Meetings—Section

Karp to step down as national to write articles for The People the grip of his hand. If he had Portland holds discussion meetings

secretary at the end of his second and never missed an issue until been my father I could not have OHIO every second Saturday of the

full term of office in 1980, the he drove himself to the hospital loved him more. North Royalton month. Meetings are usually held at

pool of possible replacements from which he would never re- I can think of no more fitting Social—Sections Akron and Cleve- the Central Library, but the exact

from which to draw was limited. turn. words for parting from that liv- land will hold a social on Sunday,

When the 1980 National Conven- When Donna and I took our ing friendship than a slight time varies. For more information

July 30, beginning at 2 p.m., at the

tion voted to confer that honor on last trip to the hospital to visit paraphrase of those that A.C. Burns’ residence, 9626 York Rd., please call Sid at 503-226-2881 or

me Nat Karp knew that the re- Nat we were informed that he Cameron wrote when he lost his North Royalton. Refreshments will log onto http:// slp.pdx.home.mind-

sponsibilities were being placed had died about an hour before friend and comrade, William H. be served. For more information call spring.com.The general public is in-

on inexperienced shoulders. Dur- we arrived. The doctor who in- Sylvis, in July 1869, 100 years to 440-237-7933. vited.

ing the months and years that fol- formed us said with a voice the month before Nat Karp en-

lowed, however, he never intrud- marked by unmistakable sin- tered my life.

ed himself, but seemed to trust to cerity that “he was a fighter.” “And now that he has gone

my judgment to decide when and She didn’t know the half of it. from our midst; that his active

if I felt the need to seek his coun- Apart from being the most in- ...brain has been stilled forever;

sel and support. I did that often, telligent, highly disciplined and that his words of counsel and en-

and he helped me in far too many in many ways the most coura- couragement will be heard no

ways even to begin to list. My geous man I ever met, Nat Karp more, let it be our highest ambi-

preparation had been limited to a was also the most principled man tion to carry to successful comple-

year or two as one of his assis- I have ever encountered. His prin- tion the good work so gloriously

tants, and while I eventually found ciples were synonymous with begun. Let us re-pledge our devo-

my way in most things, I doubt those of the Socialist Labor Par- tion to the dissemination of those

that I would have lasted beyond ty, to which he had wholeheart- principles to which his life was

that first shaky term without the edly dedicated himself from the devoted, and in the attainment of

Please send me free

knowledge that Nat was there to time he joined at the age of 20. which the welfare of the human information on socialism.

help me through. But there was nothing pat or race is involved; and though we

Nat Karp was also a man of dogmatic about Nat Karp. He may not be able to emblazon our

great personal courage. There was as perceptive, inquisitive, names in letters of such shining NAME

are dozens of examples I might analytical and logical on the day light, or engrave them high on

cite to make the point, but none he died as he was that day I met the scroll of fame as he, yet we ADDRESS APT.

so revealing as his struggle to him 31 years ago. shall be emulating his virtues by CITY STATE ZIP

overcome the physical limitations Nat Karp was my friend and following his example, by mak-

Socialist Labor Party, P.O. Box 218, Mountain View, CA 94042-0218 07/00

he was faced with after he suf- comrade, two things, as I said ing the precepts which made

fered a stroke. earlier, that do not always or him so truly great our precepts,

He insisted on receiving all necessarily go together. But in leave behind us the fragrance of

the physical therapy that was my heart and in my mind I know a well-spent life, and a memory

available, and he devoted him- that, in our case, they did. to be honored and revered.

self to recovering his physical in- Nat Karp was everything a “Then up and be doing, the • What Caused the Depression?

dependence. He not only accom- man could hope to be—every- night has been long, • The Depression’s

plished that goal, he returned to thing an admirer, a friend and a Our forces are weak, and the Inflationary Legacy

work at the National Office and comrade could ever hope to em- tyrants are strong; • Capitalism’s Next Crash:

dedicated his time, his mind and ulate. His heart was as big as it But while fortune favors the The Socialist Legacy

his energy to organizing the par- was courageous. His mind was true and the brave,

ty’s vast archives for transfer to as powerful as his principles Let’s pledge our devotion o’er 48 pp. – $2.25

the Wisconsin State Historical were strong. His comradeship Nathan Karp’s grave.” (Postpaid)

NEW YORK LABOR NEWS

. . . De Leon Editorial

(Continued from page 4) likewise in social and political They are of structural origin.

P.O. Box 218 • Mtn. View, CA

94042-0218



fact that the walls are shaky, reforms. The capitalist social structure is

but, the one knows that the When the foundations of a so- like the house whose foundations

cause of the trouble lies in the cial system are eaten up, social are eaten up by rats, which con- Steps You Can Take...

foundation, and consequently evils will spring up, and will be sequently cannot hold its walls You can help provide for the long-term financial security of The People

he addresses himself to the task admitted to be such by all straight, and which therefore by including a properly worded provision in your Will or by making

of reform by advocating the hands, but, just as in the above must inevitably be affected with some other financial arrangement through your bank. Write to the So-

pulling down of the rickety illustration, the reformers will the leaks of prostitution and oth- cialist Labor Party, publisher of The People, for a free copy of the book-

thing and building up of a new be of two classes: one, ignorant er evils. Does Dr. Parkhurst un- let, Steps You Can Take. Use this coupon.

house upon solid ground; while of the facts, will imagine the derstand this? He does not. He is

Socialist Labor Party • P.O. Box 218 • Mountain View, CA 94042-0218

the other, ignorant of the cause evils complained of can be reme- of the species of tinkering re-

of the leak, will propose to re- Please send a free copy of Steps You Can Take to:

died by tinkering; the other, well formers. The mayor, therefore,

form the house by tinkering its posted, will listen to nothing spoke sensibly when he implied

roof. If the latter is let alone, the short of revolution. In such cases that Dr. Parkhurst would never YOUR NAME

chances are he will break his it is only tinkering reformers reach the reforms he aims at. ADDRESS APT.

neck by the roof giving way and who never reach their object; But the mayor spoke nonsense CITY STATE ZIP

dropping him on the ground. while the revolutionary reform- when he at the same time im-

But whether he is let alone or ers have every time reached plied that the reforms arrived at

not, the reform he proposes—the theirs, substantially with the by Dr. Parkhurst would not be

stoppage of the leak—will never methods they proposed, and at reached by anyone who is attack-

be reached by him or by his the time they proposed them. It ing them. The tinker Parkhurst

methods, or at the time he advo- was so with the British bour- will not, the scientific revolution-

cates them: his methods are geois when they accomplished ary movement of socialism will—

false and he is intellectually dis-

qualified to do the work. On the

other hand, however, the re-

the first English revolution; it

was so with the American patri-

ots when they snapped the feu-

just the same as all other revolu-

tionary movements have.

The mayor’s opinion upon

Nathan Karp

former who starts with a knowl-

edge of the fundamental weak-

ness of the house and advocates

dal bonds of British rule; it was

so with the French bourgeois

when they tore themselves loose

this subject simply illustrates

that he is as superficial a bour-

geois as he is illiterate.

Memorial Fund

the stoppage of the leak by the from Bourbon feudalism; and it SLP • P.O. BOX 218

building of a new structure will has been so in every instance MTN. VIEW, CA 94042-0218

every time reach the reform he where reform was not possible

advocates, he will reach it by without revolution. This publication Enclosed is my contribution of $

his methods, and he, or those Now, then, what is the reform is available in Name

who hold his views, will reach that Dr. Parkhurst wishes to ac- microform from Address Apt.

the reform at the time of its ad- complish? He wishes to stop University Microfilms

vocacy: his premises being cor- prostitution, alcoholism and International. City State Zip

rect, his methods are sound, crime. Are these leaks in the Call toll-free 800-521-0600. ❑ Send a receipt. (Political contributions are not tax deductible.) Please do not mail cash.

Make check/ money order payable to the Socialist Labor Party.

and only he is intellectually modern social structure due to Or mail inquiry to: University Microfilms International,

300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346

qualified to do the work. So local or to structural defects?

JULY 2000 THE PEOPLE 7



directory

USA

NATIONAL

MIAMI

Call (305) 892-2424. E-mail:

redflag@bellsouth.net

SAN FRANCISCO

BAY AREA

SLP, P.O. Box 70034, Sun-

Other Tributes to Nathan Karp

AVI BORTNICK, OAKLAND, a gift and a model for the work- 1933—67 years ago. He was such

HEADQUARTERS

nyvale, CA 94086-0034. (650) CALIF.—I was saddened to hear ing class to emulate. a young and energetic fellow.

NATIONAL OFFICE, SLP, MIDDLETOWN, CONN. 938-8370. E-mail: slpsfba

P.O. Box 218, Mtn. View, SLP 506 Hunting Hill Ave.,

, @netscape.net

the news about Nathan Karp. I

CA 94042-0218; (650) 938- Middletown, CT 06457. Call have very fond memories of him, JOHN GALE, PHOENIX, TONY MARSELLA, WHIT-

8359; fax (650) 938-8392;

e-mail: socialists@slp.org;

(860) 347-4003. SEABROOK, N.H. stretching back nearly as far as I ARIZ.—It is with sadness that I ING, N.J.—I was greatly sad-

Web site: www.slp.org MILWAUKEE

Call (603) 770-4695. can remember. I will miss his as- enclose my contribution to the dened to hear of the death of

SLP, 1563 W. Rogers St., ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. tute socialist insights and terrific Nat Karp Memorial Fund. As far Nathan Karp, a man that I had

AKRON, OHIO Milwaukee, WI 53204- Call (727) 321-0999. sense of humor. as I was concerned he was a bril- known and worked together with

Call (330) 864-9212. 3721. Call (414) 672-2185. liant, considerate and fair man. A at the party headquarters. He

E-mail: milwaukeeslp @ SOUTH BEND, IND. SAM BORTNICK, OAK- medical condition prevented me was one of the best human beings

ALBANY, N.Y. webtv.net Jerry Maher, 211 S. Michi-

SLP P Box 105, Sloans-

, .O. LAND, CALIF.—I will always from knowing him and his wife that I met. Also a great social

gan St., #505, South Bend,

ville, NY 12160-0105. NEW LONDON, CONN. IN 46601. Call (219) 234- have fond memories of Nate, hav- Anne better than I did. He was mind and outstanding intellect

SLP, 3 Jodry St., Quaker 2946. ing known him as a friend of the my “boss” for a couple of years at from whom I learned all that I

CHICAGO Hill, CT 06375. Call (203) know today about the corrupt sys-

SLP, P.O. Box 642, Skokie, 447-9897.

family since childhood. the N.O., and when I was stabbed

S.W. VIRGINIA tem we live under. I will never

IL 60076-0642. Thad Harris, P.O. Box

in Brooklyn after I left the N.O.,

NEW YORK CITY 1068, St. Paul, VA 24283- JEFF CHERN, FRISCO, he and the whole staff were con- forget what he did for me and oth-

CLEVELAND Call (516) 829-5325.

0997. Call (540) 328-5531. TEX.—As a “writer” I often read cerned and came to see me at ers to understand life and our-

Robert Burns, 9626 York

OCEANSIDE, CALIF. Fax (540 ) 328-4059. Comrade Karp’s articles and Kings County Hospital. During selves. I am deeply sorry over the

Rd., N. Royalton, OH 44133.

Call (440) 237-7933. E-mail: Call (760) 721-8124. questioned my own abilities. He and after my recovery, he was passing of a fine human being.

WILKES COUNTY, N.C.

j.oneil@worldnet.att.net

E-mail: DarrellHKnight@ wrote with such clarity and econ- concerned about my recovery and

PALMDALE, CALIF. ROBERT K. HOFEM, CARLS-

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX. E-mail: med@ptw.com aol.com omy that it seemed each article employment prospects for the fu-

went through 25 drafts. And I’m ture. He was the most knowledge- BAD, CALIF.—What a great

Call (512) 991-0287.

PHILADELPHIA AUSTRALIA sure they didn’t. Though I met able man about Lincoln I ever world this would be if the world

DALLAS , .O.

SLP P Box 28732, Phil- Brian Blanchard, 58 Forest

him only once, he seemed a man met and he wrote brilliant pam- were populated with Nathan

Call Bernie at (972) 458-2253. adelphia, PA 19151. Call Rd., Trevallyn, Launceston, Karps! We are deeply saddened

(215) 234-4724. E-mail: Tasmania 7250, Australia. of genuine good humor, but also phlets and articles for The People.

of uncompromising principles. When and if the workers build so- that he has left us.

DENVER slpphilly@aol.com Call or fax 0363-341952.

Call (303) 426-5108. Should all of us today rededicate cialism, I will remember dedicat-

PITTSBURGH DOROTHY HARDIN, MCMIN-

DULUTH Call (412) 751-2613.

CANADA ourselves to the kind of commit- ed people to the cause of humani-

NATIONAL NVILLE, ORE.—The People ar-

For information, call Rudy ment he gave, few of us would ty, including Lincoln, De Leon,

PONTIAC, MICH. HEADQUARTERS rived yesterday and I was

Gustafson at (218) 728-3110. have enough years left to ap- Arnold Petersen and Nathan Karp.

Call (810) 731-6756. SLP, 1550 Laperriere Ave., shocked to learn of Nathan Karp’s

Ottawa, Ont., K1Z 7T2. proach his contributions. The par-

EASTERN MASS. death and so very, very sorry. I

PORTLAND, ORE. Call Doug Irving at (613) ty will more than miss him, and BRIAN BLANCHARD, LAUN-

Call (781) 444-3576. have been taking the paper for

, .O.

SLP P Box 4951, Portland, 728-5877 (hdqtrs.); (613) will never replace him. CESTON, AUSTRALIA—I am

HOUSTON OR 97208. Call (503) 226- 226-6682 (home); or (613) over 15 years, and when it ar-

saddened and shocked to hear of

Call (713) 721-9296. Web site: 2881. Web site: http://slp.pdx 725-1949 (fax). rived each time I would always

DIANE SECOR, SAN JOSE, the death of Comrade Karp. I

http://home.beseen.com/pol- .home.mindspring.com E- look first for Nathan’s articles.

mail:slp.pdx@mindspring.com VANCOUVER CALIF.—I cannot find words, so noted that he didn’t have an arti-

itics/houstonslp. E-mail: reds-

SLP, Suite 141, 6200 Mc-

Because of his well-reasoned, vig-

1964@netzero.net all I can do is speak from the cle in the April edition so I thought orous writing talents I have al-

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. Kay Ave., Box 824, Burn-

heart. Comrade Nathan Karp something must be wrong. What

LARAMIE, WYO. SLP P Box 2973, Sacra-

, .O. aby, BC, V5H 4M9. Call J. ways assumed that he was a

E-mail: portage@uwyo.edu mento, CA 95812. Minal at (604) 526-3140. dedicated his life to the Socialist a loss to the party and the world. much younger man—so learning

Labor Party and humanity. He I never met him but I have known about his death was a terrible

led a lifetime of self-sacrifice and him for over 40 years. I salute a blow, and learning he was almost



Nathan Karp

adherence to principle through profound Socialist and a fine hu- 85 was at first impossible to

thick and thin. He always chose man being. He will be sadly mis- grasp. I wish I lived nearer so

to stand for what is right, never sed. The best way to honor him, I that I might attend his memorial.



Memorial Fund

yielding to what is expedient or think, is to carry on the work We have lost a fine man.

convenient. His courage and total with as much effort and dedica-

commitment to the principles of tion as he did. D.H. KNIGHT, BOOMER,

($9,368.75 as of June 16) Sylvia Kraft, Barbara Graymont, the SLP are a source of strength N.C.—The news of the death of

Collection at June 4 memorial Tony Marsella; George E. Gray and inspiration to all who knew DOUGLAS IRVING, NATION- Comrade Karp was disturbing. I

meeting ($2,720): Genevieve $26; $25 each Walter & Millicent him. His life and memory are a AL SECRETARY, SLP OF admired his devotion and contri-

Gunderson $1,000; Louis Lipcon Leibfritz, Sixten Anderson, Ruth priceless treasure which will en- CANADA—I was shocked to read butions to the party. His articles

$500; Harry Banks $250; $200 Freed, Mildred Killman, Michael dure for generations to come. in your letter of the death of Com- in The People always interested

each Section San Francisco Bay R. Mahoney, Donna Meyer, R.P. rade Nathan Karp. I will send a me. His passing is a great loss to

Area, Bruce Cozzini; $100 each Sulenta, Robert K. Hofem; $20 CHRIS CAMACHO, MIAMI, copy of your letter to all Canadian the party.

Dale Birum & Joseph Gingras, each Joseph & Fred Bellon, John FLA.—I am deeply saddened to members. I am in deep sorrow for

William Kelley, Robert & Donna S. Gale, D.H. Knight, Archie Sim; learn of Comrade Karp’s passing. the death of not only a great and RALPH REIDER, SCHOOL-

Bills and family; Ken Boettcher Lila Holmdahl $15; Robert Faivre Anyone who have ever met the dedicated Marxist, but also a CRAFT, MICH.—Sorry about the

$50; Frank & Mary Prince $45; $12.25; Marshall G. Soura $12. man and heard him speak would great human being who I had the death of Nathan Karp. That was

Steve Littleton $40; $25 each $10 each Walter Beale, N.M. agree that he was an exceptional privilege to know personally. a real disaster. He did so much

Matthew Rinaldi, Mike Marken, Goldberg, Lois Kubit, Jack Bless- man, a gifted speaker and a gen- good writing. The People should

Jennie Seekford; Mr. John Woo ington, George E. Gray, Edward uine Socialist revolutionary. Sum- ROY K. NELSON, NEED- print many of his articles over

$20; $10 each Marsha Boettcher, C. Kowalski, Earl L. Shimp, med up in him were the virtues HAM, MASS.—Nathan Karp again. Possibly several of his arti-

Diane Secor, Jill Campbell; $5 Dionisio Villarreal, Clayton He- and the wisdom that the party im- was our elder statesman and a cles could be edited to make a

each Mary Prince, Leon Prince. witt, Sidney Steiner; John-Paul parts upon its steadfast men and guiding influence upon our sur- permanent booklet.

John O’Neill $1,000; $500 each Catusco $5.50; $5 each Richard women. The SLP has lost a true vival through deteriorating politi-

Rachel & Bernard Bortnick, Callen, Otto C. Plaug, Michael working-class hero. I consider cal and social conditions and ad- ROB FAIVRE, SARATOGA,

Marie & Ray Simmons; Joan James, Joseph J. Frank, Ralph myself a fortunate person to have aptation to new and different cir- N.Y.—Please send three copies of

Davis $400; Angeline Kleist $300; W. Rieder; Richard Wilson $4; met him and will mourn his pass- cumstances. His death leaves us Nathan Karp’s Unionism pam-

Angela DeBord $278; $200 each Daniel B. Jackson $1. ing for a long time. However, I remaining members and leader- phlet—and accept the rest of this

Daniel D. Deneff, Chris Dobreff; take comfort in the thought that ship to carry on as our parents check as a small donation to his

$100 each Section Cook County, a little bit of what Nathan Karp did for their forefathers. memorial fund. His work continues

Ill., Section Cleveland, Roy K. was still lives on in my mind and to be of value to my students and to

Nelson, Robert P. Burns, Peter NATIONALISM: in my heart. May that little bit MARY AND JOHN BRLAS, my work as a college writing

Kapitz, Mildred & Richard Wood- live forever! GULFPORT, FLA.—We have re- teacher and member of a teachers’

ward, Marty Radov, Louis Fisher, Working-Class ceived letter of April 23 with the union that does little more than

Joseph C. Toth, Jessie L. Camp- Nemesis MANUEL LUEVANO, STOCK- sad news that Comrade Karp has make deals with management. I

bell, James G. McHugh, Henry TON, CALIF.—Although I did passed away. We were so hoping keep working at it—and look for-

Discusses the origins, de- not know Mr. Karp personally, I to seem him next year at the con- ward to sharing the pamphlet with

Coretz, Harvey K. Fuller, Glenn

velopment and dangers hold deep admiration and respect vention. The news has saddened

Schelin, George S. Taylor, G. Lu- our union president.

of nationalism, and what for this special man for all he did us and as you so ably said it: “...to

cas, C. James Matuschka; Earle

the working class must do and attempted to do for the work- give expression to emotions so JOSEPH AND FRED BEL-

McGue $90.

to resist and counter na- ingman. He worked to the very deeply embedded in my being LON, BROOKLYN, N.Y.—We

$50 each William E. Tucker,

tionalist rhetoric. end for our cause and he richly that they reduce all words to hol- both are saddened to read in The

Warren & Nancy Carlen, Sid

Fink, Rudy & Aune Gustafson, 16 pages — $1 postpaid deserves this final tribute. May low and meaningless echoes.” We People that Nathan Karp has

Roy K. Nelson, Reynold R. Elkins, his soul rest in peace. feel the same way and we could- passed on. We both send our deep-

Rethinking Schools, Michael Pre- n’t put it better than the way you est sympathy to all his family and

ston, Mary Mills, Linda M. Chris- HENRY CORETZ, SKOKIE, have so touchingly stated. I be- to every SLP man and woman who

NEW YORK LABOR NEWS

tensen, Joseph B. McCabe, John ILL.—The loss of Comrade Karp lieve that most of our members knew him. We both were inspired

& Mary Brlas, John & Lois P.O. Box 218 is irreparable. I mourn his death will be speechless and saddened. by his works and words. We will al-

Reynolds, James & Mary Buha, Mtn. View, CA 94042-0218 along with you and our other I met Nathan Karp the first time ways remember him in our

Jack Radov, H. Lasher, Ben & comrades in the SLP. His life was at our federation convention in thoughts, and may he rest in peace.

B OR OM N

LA IA

V I NCI T









JULY 2000







Why African AIDS Is . . . Meeting (Continued from page 1)







A U.S. Security Threat

In his remarks, Bills said in part that

“Nat Karp was everything a man could

hope to be—everything an admirer, a

friend and a comrade could ever hope

By Bruce Cozzini agency working group to expand AIDS An American pharmaceutical industry

to emulate. His heart was as big as it





T

he Clinton administration’s recent initiatives. spokesman quoted in a Reuters story in

was courageous. His mind was as pow-

declaration that the world AIDS But these actions are too little and too the San Jose Mercury News of May 11

erful as his principles were strong. His

pandemic, particularly in Africa, late to accomplish their stated purpos- complained that the order “sets an unde-

comradeship and friendship were as

is a security threat to the United States es. With an estimated 23 million people sirable and inappropriate precedent” for

firm as the grip of his hand. If he had

illuminates the hypocritical and self- in sub-Saharan Africa infected with HIV patent law exceptions. “We recognize that

been my father I could not have loved

serving nature of U.S. capitalism’s poli- (and new infections increasing by an es- AIDS is a major problem,” he said, “but

him more.”

cy towards the AIDS crisis in Africa. timated 5,000 per day), the money re- weakening intellectual-property rights is The full texts of these tributes are

The administration has supported drug quested amounts to barely over $10 per not the solution.” However, recognizing printed elsewhere in this issue.

industry interests and dragged its feet in infected person. And by the end of the that there was still money to be made, a A videotape entitled “Nat Karp: Vi-

allowing generic AIDS drugs to be made Clinton administration, his working group group of five pharmaceutical companies gnettes From an Interview” was shown

available in Africa. It moved to relax is likely to have accomplished little more offered on the following day to negotiate at the meeting. The program was com-

some of the international trade rules pro- than to watch the new AIDS cases increase price cuts on their drugs by 80 percent and piled from footage of an interview with

tecting pharmaceutical industry inter- by additional millions. more. One, Glaxo Wellcome, announced Karp shot in 1990. Portions of that footage

ests only after its hand was forced by the Another factor that may have motivated that it would sell Combivir, one of its drug were used in the SLP centennial video

threat that South Africa, and other coun- the Clinton administration is the political blends that normally sells for $16.50 for a program, “The SLP at 100,” which Karp

tries where AIDS is rampant, might ig- pressure at home. Prominent African- daily dose, for $2 in poorer countries. How- helped to produce.

nore those international trade agreements American leaders have adopted AIDS in ever, at $730 per year, that is substantial- A printed souvenir program prepared

to increase their supplies by authorizing Africa as a cause and are joined by long- ly more than the annual income of most for the meeting by the headquarters

the manufacture of less expensive gener- time AIDS activists in the United States residents of Africa’s poorer countries. staff included a photograph and synop-

ic drugs in Africa. As reported by the Jo- and Europe, where the advance of AIDS More significantly, however, even if sis of Karp’s life and contributions to

hannesburg Daily Mail & Guardian on has been slowed by effective drugs and drugs could be made available in the quan- the SLP and the working-class move-

May 12: preventive methods. In June of 1999, ac- tities required, the medical infrastructure ment for socialism. The photograph

“The Clinton administration—under tivists, angry at drug prices that put AIDS does not exist to supervise the complex and text from that program also can be

pressure from gay activists, the World treatment out of reach of HIV-infected peo- administration of potentially toxic drugs found elsewhere in this issue.

Bank and the United Nations—announced ple in developing countries, disrupted Vice such as AZT and the protease inhibitor A light buffet was served after the

that it would drop its threat to use trade President Gore’s presidential campaign cocktails. Likewise, South African Presi- video presentation, and some of the pam-

sanctions against countries such as South announcement and two other speeches the dent Thabo Mbeki argued in a May 22 phlets and other materials written by or

Africa planning to produce cheap generic same week. They claimed that the Clinton meeting with President Clinton, as re- about Nathan Karp were available for

copies of existing Western medicines.” administration, including Gore, was bully- ported in a Los Angeles Times story, that those present to peruse.

In short, at least part of the threat ing poor countries into dropping their pur- “it is pointless to fight AIDS with pow- Contributions to the Nathan Karp

perceived by the Clinton administration suit of generic AIDS drugs. erful and expensive drugs without tack- Memorial Fund made at the memorial

was that the American pharmaceutical More recently, efforts by Democratic con- ling ‘the underlying poverty’ at the meeting and received by mail comprised

industry might be elbowed out of the gressional leaders to pass legislation that same time.” Poverty and ignorance $9,368.75 as of June 16. The fund is being

African market entirely if they failed to would have allowed African nations to have blocked prevention efforts; shame held open for late contributions through

compromise by lowering the prohibitive make or import cheaper versions of AIDS among those afflicted has contributed to July 18.

prices that have deprived tens of mil- drugs than those marketed by U.S. drug the spread. Now, as a recent PBS Mar-

lions of infected Africans access to AIDS- ketplace broadcast on AIDS in Uganda

fighting medications. However, while

formally recognizing the horrendous toll

noted, AIDS treatment is overburden- The

The threat to the ing an already inadequate health sys-

that AIDS is taking on human life and tem to near collapse. ‘Constant’

the political and economic structure of United States’ That poverty has been a contributing

Africa, the Clinton administration is cause to the spread of AIDS in Africa, Revolution

taking only limited action calculated to ‘national security’ and is the greatest obstacle to stopping By Robert Bills

ensure capitalist interests and mini- or reversing its progress, is without ques-

mize potential losses, not only to phar-

is that in the possible tion. It is likewise without question that •Technology & Labor •‘Constant Revolution’

•Exploitation of Labor •Fruits of Capitalism

maceutical companies but to other capi- chaos that may poverty in Africa is the direct result of •What Socialism •Clarity of Purpose

talist interests doing business in Africa. rapacious exploitation of the mineral,

13 pages — $1 postpaid

Indeed, the Clinton administration and ensue as societies agricultural and human resources of

other caretakers of capitalist interests Africa by world capitalism. In the inter- NEW YORK LABOR NEWS

know that economic sanctions would cut collapse, it will be est of extracting the wealth of the conti-

P.O. Box 218

Mtn. View, CA 94042-0218

both ways, and they are not eager to cut nent, its people have been colonized, bru-

off their economic noses to spite their

impossible for U.S. talized and impoverished. Its govern-

hypocritical faces. They know that the corporations to ments in the postcolonial era have been

laws that bestow “intellectual property destabilized and overthrown or co-opted

rights” on the pharmaceutical companies control the tragic to allow U.S. and European capitalists

that monopolize AIDS treatments are to maintain control.

only as good as the willingness of people consequences and Until now it has been possible for U.S.

and governments to abide by and enforce and European corporations to extract the

them, and that to be effective such laws

continue to profit from wealth of Africa by exploiting its workers

must be consistent with the interests of their exploitation at miserable wages and in virtual slave

those expected to comply with and en- conditions with the assistance of repres-

force them. of Africa. sive governments. The low standard of

According to The Washington Post, a living forced workers to survive on some

“National Intelligence Estimate prepared of the lowest wages in the world. Howev-

in January, representing consensus among companies were failing at the time of er, now the presence of the AIDS pandem-

government analysts, projected that a quar- Clinton’s announcement. U.S. trade offi- ic has the potential of destabilizing the al-

ter of southern Africa’s population is like- cials, in the pockets of the pharmaceuti- ready marginal existence of African workers

ly to die of AIDS” and that the death toll cal industry, have sought sanctions for and the societies in which they live. There

“will rise for a decade before there is much patent infringement against countries is a real fear that government collapse

prospect of improvement.” In addition, that have tried to manufacture or import and brutal insurrections like that in Sier- 64 pp. – $1.25

the course could be repeated or even ex- cheaper AIDS drugs. A provision champi- ra Leone may spread. The threat to the (Postpaid)

ceeded in South Asia and the former So- oned by Sen. Dianne Feinstein was adopt- United States’ “national security” is that

viet Union. The study suggests that the ed by the Senate as part of a major trade in the possible chaos that may ensue as

resulting decline in life expectancy would bill opening new commerce venues in the societies collapse, it will be impossible for A discussion of the fundamental

present the greatest risk for “revolution- Caribbean and Africa. However, facing U.S. corporations to control the tragic difference between procapitalist

ary wars, ethnic wars, genocides and dis- major opposition from Republicans in the consequences and continue to profit from unionism and socialist unionism.

ruptive regime transitions.” House, the provision was removed from their exploitation of Africa. The Clinton By Nathan Karp

With this report (supposedly) as a mo- the Senate bill. At the urging of Feinstein, declaration that AIDS is a threat to U.S.

tivation, the Clinton administration has Clinton, on May 10, issued an executive national security is a pitifully weak ges-

declared worldwide AIDS as a threat to order opening access to cheaper drugs to ture towards dealing with AIDS, but one NEW YORK LABOR NEWS

U.S. national security. It has doubled its poorer countries as long as their efforts that may justify future political and mili- P.O. Box 218

budget request for AIDS measures to $254 complied with World Trade Organization tary efforts to safeguard capitalist inter- Mtn. View, CA 94042-0218

million and created a White House inter- agreements on intellectual property. ests in Africa.