SEATTLE (USA), February 16— The Boeing factories are turning into case studies in the political ramifications of capitalism’s crisis. Each day comrades and friends must make decisions about what to say (or not to say) to their co-workers. The struggle between fascist and communist ideas is changing the landscape.
A week ago, a crew of about fifteen was asked what the last book was that they read. Richard, a Red Flag reader, declined to answer because “we aren’t supposed to talk about politics.” It turns out he was reading an exposé of Trump.
The next day Richard talked to a comrade, Danny. He admitted that the book was no big deal. It didn’t even have anything new.
Richard did, however, have a different kind of discussion with one of his co-workers. A young worker in his crew had voted for Trump in the last election. Richard’s friend now thought it was a big mistake and was planning to vote for Bernie this time.
“That’s fine,” Richard said to his co-worker, “but just understand that won’t result in any fundamental change.”
For example, the crisis of overproduction will still be with us. Only communism can end these kinds of crises once and for all (see page 5). The 737 MAX debacle is only the beginning.
Danny mentioned to Richard how a similar crisis led to fascism in the 1930s. Richard decided he would quit the Trump exposé and read Fascism and Social Revolution, a book written about that time by the Indian communist R. Palme Dutt. He was looking for a more effective way to explain what “fundamental change” was to this young worker in his crew.
Next, Danny and Richard discussed that we should not avoid ideological debates. Political progress among the industrial working class—and the masses— demands that we boldly state our communist position in as mass a way as possible. Individual discussions are very important, but opportunities always arise where we can make the battle more public. We must seize those opportunities—especially in this time of crisis.
Our Boeing network of Red Flag readers will prepare the ground so we can seize these opportunities. Our network is not a collection of passive readers. We have semi-regular discussions about what the communist work portrayed in the paper means for us. Our comrades and friends will be more confident about struggle if they know there is a network of Boeing readers who will have our backs.
We must expand this network and turn semi-regular discussions into regular discussions. Next week, we are going to figure out who else Richard can get to read Red Flag.
Electability Is a Code Word for Reformism and Anti-Communism
Danny immediately reported on this discussion to Charles, another Boeing friend who already distributes 35 papers. He too has been shaken by the intense struggle for the hearts and minds of the working class—but in a different way.
Charles was inspired by the discussion between Richard and the ex-Trump voter. But Charles seemed to take a step back when we began to talk about “electability.”
Focusing on electability, as do all the Democratic party candidates, translates into reformism in the real world. For those in the party and around it, it implies not to raise communist politics too much with your co-workers.
It’s the opposite of the ICWP’s guiding principle: mobilize the masses for communism. It accepts the capitalist notion that we should fear the working class.
“Even [presidential candidate] Biden won’t put kids in cages,” Charles said to justify “electability.” But the militarization of the southern border did not start with Trump. The path was laid by ex-presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama. The only solution is to get rid of borders and only communism can do that.
Charles also decided to read a new book: one about the militarization of the southern border. But understanding the consequences of capitalism is not enough.
The contradictions of capitalism are intensifying the crisis. The crisis is upping the ante among the working class, especially in the Boeing factories. It presents us with many opportunities to struggle for communist politics. When we take advantage of these opportunities, we can overcome our hesitancies, and the ICWP will grow.