The U.S. Labor Party

[Lolshevik]

What happened to the Labor Party? Did it dissolve overnight without informing anyone prior? The website looks like it hasn't been updated since 2006, and they never responded to the email I sent them about a month ago asking the same question I'm asking here.

[Jack]

It was pretty much dominated by Democrats who refused to run against the Democratic party. Then it faded out because of that.

[Crux]

Pretty much like Jack says, the leadership didn't have the balls to actually challenge the Democrats.

[Revy]

It was social democrat from the start. It would have been just like the Working Families Party anyway. The working class doesn't need a social democratic labor party.

[Crux]

True, but if the potential exists to actually form a large pro-workingclass party challenging the democrats, even if intially lacking a revolutionary program, then it would be a pretty decisive move in the right direction. hence why my american comrades was for a period of time working with the labor party.

[SocialRealist]

It was social democrat from the start. It would have been just like the Working Families Party anyway. The working class doesn't need a social democratic labor party.

Would you rather have a complete party focused on preserving the current capitalist system or would you rather have a party that at least begins to focus on the people?
Yes, I understand that a social democratic party is not a pure socialist party but you have to understand it is a step towards what we hope to achieve.

[Crux]

Well, another quite important aspect of such a new party must be the internal democracy. it is precisly that that will make it possible to win most rank-and-file members to a revolutionary position.

[Revy]

True, but if the potential exists to actually form a large pro-workingclass party challenging the democrats, even if intially lacking a revolutionary program, then it would be a pretty decisive move in the right direction. hence why my american comrades was for a period of time working with the labor party.

Yes, but all those that would inevitably join it would be Democrats. If there is a party like one you're envisioning, it is the Greens.

[Crux]

The greens would need to move quite a bit to the left and make a decisive break with the democrats to come close to being what I am talking about. What was also very progressive about the labor party was it's basis in the unions, something, I think, I am no expert, the Greens do not have.

[communick]

Yes, but all those that would inevitably join it would be Democrats. If there is a party like one you're envisioning, it is the Greens.

The Green Party is overwhelmingly upper middle class and can't decide if it wants to be an independent party or a democrat pressure group.

Also, the Green Party is not, and seems to have no intention of becoming, a pole of attraction for the working class.

The Labor Party did have that potential.

[Revy]

The Green Party is overwhelmingly upper middle class and can't decide if it wants to be an independent party or a democrat pressure group.

Also, the Green Party is not, and seems to have no intention of becoming, a pole of attraction for the working class.

The Labor Party did have that potential.

You're exaggerating the Greens' class composition. I suppose because the Republicans and Democrats have many working class votes this somehow makes them better for the working class.

I am not defending the Greens as a viable political party. I have my own criticisms of them being that they are a capitalist party. But I do not see how they are any worse than these "labor party" projects. As we see now, the Working Families Party is nothing but a support group for Democrats, and according to some here, the Labor Party followed in that direction.

[communick]

In Boston, the Green Party is overwhelmingly upper middle class with no relation to the working class at all. `Perhaps I was wrong to generalize this particular aspect.

The Working Families Party has ALWAYS been a Dem pressure group. I worked for them very briefly in NYC and the fuckers never paid me. To be honest though, after the first night I stopped canvassing for them and smoked weed while fudging my paperwork.

The Labor Party did have potential to be a real independent working class party. That was back in the 90's.

[Die Neue Zeit]

What happened to Lyndon Larouche within the Labor Party, anyway?

[Crux]

Not the same party. Thank god.

[Orange Juche]

In Boston, the Green Party is overwhelmingly upper middle class with no relation to the working class at all. `Perhaps I was wrong to generalize this particular aspect.

They may not be Marxists, but they've still got class ;-)

[Red Rebel]

Haven't you heard comrade? The Democratic Party is the labour party. Talk to the AFL-CIO and they'll agree.