I'm Running for Congress

[chegitz guevara]

Comrades,

I'm going to try and run for Congress again. This time, I'm hoping to get on the ballot (as opposed to being a write-in candidate). We need to collect a minimum of 4,600 signatures, probably closer to 6,900 in order to withstand challenges from the Democrats. That means we need money to print Socialist Party brochures, petition forms, pay for gasoline to get around, pay for the domains for the websites (coming due again in March). We need have those petitions signed and turned in by the end of March if we hope to get a Socialist on the ballot.

Go to http://www.luzietti.com/ and select contribute to help this campaign get off the ground.

Sincerely,

chegitz guevara

P.S. If anyone is actually inclined to donate, keep in mind that American law prohibits people outside the United States donating to our political campaigns. Our government can spend millions of dollars fucking with other people's elections, but the reverse is illegal. Grrrr.

[ls]

I have to ask what the point is..

[chegitz guevara]

Elections give us a platform in front of the American people that we don't have in other years. When I run for office, I get opportunities to speak in front of groups I don't normally otherwise. chegitz guevara, socialist, isn't as interesting to hear from as chegitz guevara, Socialist for Congress, is.

As Lenin reminds us, we should take every opportunity the capitalists give us to expose their politics and their system for what it is. Elections are just such an opportunity, as he also pointed out, both when the Duma was created and in his book, Left-Wing Communism: An infantile disorder.

[Robocommie]

Are you hoping to win or are you mostly wanting to use this as a platform for agitation? Both could be worthwhile, I'm merely curious.

[Tablo]

I'm pretty sure he is simply taking advantage of the situation to spread our ideals. I'm sure he know he will not win, but such exposure will do a great deal of good for Socialist across the US. You got my support and I will donate if I come across the funds.

[Stranger Than Paradise]

Elections give us a platform in front of the American people that we don't have in other years. When I run for office, I get opportunities to speak in front of groups I don't normally otherwise. chegitz guevara, socialist, isn't as interesting to hear from as chegitz guevara, Socialist for Congress, is.

As Lenin reminds us, we should take every opportunity the capitalists give us to expose their politics and their system for what it is. Elections are just such an opportunity, as he also pointed out, both when the Duma was created and in his book, Left-Wing Communism: An infantile disorder.

So when you speak to people what will be your stance on parliamentary politics and elections?

[RedRise]

I think that running for Congress is a really good idea even if you don't win because giving out brochures and getting people's signatures will raise the awareness.:thumbup:
I would donate if I could but I happen to be in Australia.:(

[RedScare]

Good luck. If I wasn't a poor college student, I would definately donate something.

[Leo]

Elections give us a platform in front of the American people that we don't have in other years.


I'm going to try and run for Congress again. This time, I'm hoping to get on the ballot

Such a unique and glorious opportunity indeed.

[Muzk]

good luck marc

[Intelligitimate]

District 22 or 23? If 22, expect major challenges from the Democrats, as they barely won that district.

[Pogue]

Are you having a position of arguing for or against the election itself?

[Dimentio]

P.S. If anyone is actually inclined to donate, keep in mind that American law prohibits people outside the United States donating to our political campaigns. Our government can spend millions of dollars fucking with other people's elections, but the reverse is illegal. Grrrr.

If someone gives a money gift to you personally because of your awesomeness then?

[blake 3:17]

Cool!!!

[New Tet]

For what congressional district?

Oh, by the way, good luck and may everything you do and say redound in getting us a little closer to our emancipation!

[ellipsis]

OK lets practice some q & a:

What are the key issues that you will focus on in your campaign.

Do you agree with Obama's brand of "socialism"?

How do you respond to allegations that you physically assaulted a tea party protester?

[TheCultofAbeLincoln]

First off, congrats and good luck.

What district are you running in? What kind of organizationa are you running?

I'm unaware of your level of organization (trust me, I sympathize greatly with the fact of how outspent you will be), but I have to say use this opportunity to its fullest effect. Challenge the media to recognize you with constant press releases and announcements, be active in going to as many events as possible, maybe be even to the whole Corey Booker thing with trying to meet as many people in your district, door to door, as a candidate for congress.

Unfortunately the holiday season, with the costs of going home, have left me rather broke, but let me know when the election is and I'll see what I can do. How I'd love to be a 'boot on the ground,' for a campaign that I actually supported.

Good luck to you with getting the petition done!

And remember, it's not about winning or losing, it's about getting heard. (though dream all you want to, anyone would)

*never mind, like a moron psted without checking out your site. I love how unapologetic you are! Nice to see out of a candidate :)

[Drace]

I got to say, I don't like your introduction on the site.
The Cubs thing was mentioned too much and the thing itself failed to address your stance and what you fight for.

[TheCultofAbeLincoln]

And not to bnit-picky, but a pic of yourself couldn't hurt

[Revy]

I have to ask what the point is..

Such a unique and glorious opportunity indeed.

And with these one-liners, you offer no alternatives.

Typical of the ultra-left.

Electoral politics is about connecting your ideas with people. Have you considered the meaning of the word "campaign"? Look it up in a dictionary.:D

[Die Neue Zeit]

I urge all comrades in Chegitz's congressional district to organize towards his registration and to vote for him. Failing registration, a spoiled ballot is recommended, and not ultra-left abstention.

[RHIZOMES]

wtf 4,600 signatures? In NZ you just need to pay a $500 fee. Which is still fucking terrible and just another show of how much of a sham, class-biased system bourgeois democracy is. A rich guy can just hire a few people to collect the signatures and in NZ's case $500 is just a few dollars change for him.

Never change capitalist "democracy".

The WPNZ has a similar strategy in regards to taking advantage of any platform the capitalists provide us, they give out $1000 in funding to each minor party to make a one-off political broadcast (while giving the two main parties a million...), we got a very nice polished ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWCZIEeGMJA) (that touched on all the main revolutionary points) as a result.

[BobKKKindle$]

I urge all comrades in Chegitz's congressional district to organize towards his registration and to vote for him. Failing registration, a spoiled ballot is recommended, and not ultra-left abstention.

How glad I am that we have you to advise us all on how to go about organizing and campaigning. Without you, JR, where would we be?

[More Fire for the People]

Cool. If I were in your district i'd vote for you.

[ellipsis]

Cool. If I were in your district i'd vote for you.


Yah I would vote for you if I were foolish enough to give US democracy legitimacy by voting.

[RHIZOMES]

Yah I would vote for you if I were foolish enough to give US democracy legitimacy by voting.

Oh yeah man, a single person abstaining from voting is gonna make the entire system crumble to its knees.

[REVLEFT'S BIEGGST MATSER TROL]

Oh yeah man, a single person abstaining from voting is gonna make the system crumble to its knees.

Wheras what? A single guy voting for him is going to make the system crumble to its knees?

:blink:

[Revy]

Wow, bobkindles....all he did was urge people to vote and campaign for him and you came back with that comment.

I guess they would be better off shoving some group's paper into everyone's faces (as many on the left think is a worthwhile activity).....as if that gives people a platform at all to raise consciousness, all it does is treat cadre like little salespeople.

[ellipsis]

Oh yeah man, a single person abstaining from voting is gonna make the system crumble to its knees.

No, but that doesn't mean that I am going to support it.

You live under a parliamentary system, where parties/people share power based on what percentage of the vote, right? So small parties get some small power.

Well it doesn't work that way here and after we "elected" he who shall not be named TWICE, I realized that 99 percent of races in the US are won by the candidate who spends the most and was influenced by an anarchist comrade (http://anarchymo.wordpress.com/2008/02/07/anarchists-against-voting/) of mine, I have pretty much resigned myself to the fuck voting camp. I did vote in the primaries to prevent hilary KLEEN-TON(who I am sure is a reptilian overlord) for gaining the candidacy.

But good luck to chegitz all the same.

[New Tet]

Yah I would vote for you if I were foolish enough to give US democracy legitimacy by voting.

On the other hand, by exercising your right to vote you periodically validate and legitimize YOUR OWN RIGHT to cast a ballot and express your choice, whether or not the election is fixed or corrupted.

I'm not giving up on the principle of majority rule just because capitalism has turned it into a farce.

[ellipsis]

Either way, the chains stay the same.

[New Tet]

Wheras what? A single guy voting for him is going to make the system crumble to its knees?

:blink:

No, but one vote may help encourage him to stay and fight for socialism and, hopefully, draw us all into the struggle.

Chegitz, I think, demonstrates his optimism and the courage of his convictions by standing up and doing the work needed, seemingly, without illusions and with the full knowledge that his main objective, win or lose, is to raise the class consciousness of any worker that will listen.

That's more than most, myself included, are doing for this necessary cause.

[New Tet]

Either way, the chains stay the same.

No they don't; they strain with every pull in the class struggle.

[Искра]

Bourgeoisie democracy (elections) is still bourgeoisie.
Class struggle is outside of parliament (congress.. etc.)

[ellipsis]

No they don't; they strain with every pull in the class struggle.

I support what Chegitz is doing and think that it is a good idea. But to say that voting for/electing people to be puppets for our corporate overlords is class struggle is a stretch in my book. His campaign is a form of class struggle, yes but voting is US elections is not.

[Spawn of Stalin]

Bourgeoisie democracy (elections) is still bourgeoisie.
Class struggle is outside of parliament (congress.. etc.)
Well I think the likelihood of an SP candidate winning is extremely slim, so he won't be in Congress. He'll be participating in class struggle on the streets by educating, and hopefully winning the support of local workers. Just by getting his name on the ballot people will see that there is an alternative, even if they don't vote for it, at least they then know that socialism has a degree of legitimacy. I can't say much the SP but good luck anyway, chegitz.

[The Ungovernable Farce]

Electoral politics is about connecting your ideas with people. Have you considered the meaning of the word "campaign"? Look it up in a dictionary.:D
I understand what a campaign is. But I prefer to campaign for results that I think will actually change things. I don't see getting a nicer politician elected as being that worthwhile. Either you're legitimising the electoral system, or you're running on a weird two-faced platform of "voting doesn't change anything but vote for me anyway."

Just by getting his name on the ballot people will see that there is an alternative, even if they don't vote for it, at least they then know that socialism has a degree of legitimacy.
So the difference between being legitimate and illegitimate is...what? Whether the bourgeoisie approves of something?

[manic expression]

I understand what a campaign is. But I prefer to campaign for results that I think will actually change things. I don't see getting a nicer politician elected as being that worthwhile. Either you're legitimising the electoral system, or you're running on a weird two-faced platform of "voting doesn't change anything but vote for me anyway."

Not all revolutionary activities change things straight away; in fact, most don't. The vast majority of work that promotes and propagates revolutionary ideas changes very little on the ground, but it is nevertheless fundamental to all movements for revolutionary change. Getting workers and others to consider, understand and hopefully endorse socialist positions is an incredibly important thing in building both participation and broader support, and that is what well-run electoral campaigns can do for working-class movements. Let's not forget that political consciousness and dialogue is usually at its highest among workers during election cycles, so it would be foolish to waste that opportunity and completely cede the public discourse to reactionaries.

I applaud this campaign and wish it the very best. As more revolutionary socialists publicly challenge capitalism in the coming years, workers will become better prepared and educated for the struggles ahead. We need more campaigns from revolutionaries, not fewer.

[New Tet]

I support what Chegitz is doing and think that it is a good idea. But to say that voting for/electing people to be puppets for our corporate overlords is class struggle is a stretch in my book. His campaign is a form of class struggle, yes but voting is US elections is not.

Then you have a somewhat narrow view of what the class struggle involves. I think that the class struggle, especially ours, has so many political and social ramifications that to exclude electoral processes an error.

[Spawn of Stalin]

So the difference between being legitimate and illegitimate is...what? Whether the bourgeoisie approves of something?
Unfortunately, yes, in the eyes of many, this is the case. It is also the case that most of the working class see the boycotting of elections as an illegitimate tactic. The only way to get the attention of some people is to work within the capitalist system, saying things like "don't vote, organise" just alienates the working class even more.

[ellipsis]

Show me a case in which the electoral process has actually helped our cause and has not been co-opted or in any other way nullified, and I may change my mind. Electoral victories for the Left in Latin America have been a mixed bag, but over all positive in my view. But here in the belly of the beast, I don't/haven't seen the electoral process become a means of class struggle.

Unless of course you include the great populist/"socialist" Barack Obama.:blink:

[manic expression]

Show me a case in which the electoral process has actually helped our cause and has not been co-opted or in any other way nullified, and I may change my mind. Electoral victories for the Left in Latin America have been a mixed bag, but over all positive in my view. But here in the belly of the beast, I don't/haven't seen the electoral process become a means of class struggle.

Unless of course you include the great populist/"socialist" Barack Obama.:blink:
You mean in the US? Eugene V Debs' campaigns in the early years of the 1900's were instrumental in building revolutionary consciousness among American workers and contributing to later leftist organizations (IWW, CPUSA, etc.).

The Young Lords' NYC aldermanic campaign in 1975 was quite successful in mobilizing revolutionary sentiment in the city, at least from what I've heard.

And if comrades in Latin America, which sees an arguably greater degree of outright counterrevolutionary violence than the US does, can successfully use electoral campaigns, why shouldn't American comrades be able to do the same?

[Spawn of Stalin]

If people aren't willing to vote for socialism, they sure aren't going to be willing to fight a revolution for socialism. In recent years I haven't seen evidence that any form of class struggle works, nothing changes, it's all the same. Boycotting elections doesn't do anything but widen the void that the left is already slipping into, boycotting elections is exactly what the bourgeoisie wants us to do. Participating in elections however, gives the working class something that they can connect with and relate to, because these people are going to vote whether or not the SP candidate runs. Even if it means getting just 0.10% of the share of votes, people will see that and maybe it will make someone think twice about capitalism, or why people have voted for a socialist.

[New Tet]

Show me a case in which the electoral process has actually helped our cause and has not been co-opted or in any other way nullified, and I may change my mind. Electoral victories for the Left in Latin America have been a mixed bag, but over all positive in my view. But here in the belly of the beast, I don't/haven't seen the electoral process become a means of class struggle.

Unless of course you include the great populist/"socialist" Barack Obama.:blink:

We must engage the capitalist in battle on all fronts. The capitalist don't limit their attack on workers exclusively on the economic front. They use the political state to achieve broader objectives, one of which is to maintain control over our bodies and our minds. Ought we not challenge them there, at least, by framing the discussion ourselves and in our own material interests?

And just because you cannot immediately see aspects of the class struggle embodied in a political contest in the U.S. doesn't mean they're not there, comrade.

[New Tet]

If people aren't willing to vote for socialism, they sure aren't going to be willing to fight a revolution for socialism. In recent years I haven't seen evidence that any form of class struggle works, nothing changes, it's all the same. Boycotting elections doesn't do anything but widen the void that the left is already slipping into, boycotting elections is exactly what the bourgeoisie wants us to do. Participating in elections however, gives the working class something that they can connect with and relate to, because these people are going to vote whether or not the SP candidate runs. Even if it means getting just 0.10% of the share of votes, people will see that and maybe it will make someone think twice about capitalism, or why people have voted for a socialist.

Especially in these times when many people are beginning to make the appropriate connections between capitalism and their own individual condition intuitively.

It's encouraging to learn that you're not the only one who's "discovered" the Mediterranean Sea.

[The Ungovernable Farce]

Let's not forget that political consciousness and dialogue is usually at its highest among workers during election cycles, so it would be foolish to waste that opportunity and completely cede the public discourse to reactionaries.I agree. I don't think that you need to pretend you think electioneering is useful to take part in dialogue with workers, though.

Unfortunately, yes, in the eyes of many, this is the case.
And we will never have real change until that is changed. I don't see how playing into it helps.

It is also the case that most of the working class see the boycotting of elections as an illegitimate tactic.
You think? In the European elections this year, average voter turnout was 43%, and in the UK it was 34.7% (http://www.ukpolitical.info/european-parliament-election-turnout.htm). That's 65.3% of people who clearly see not voting as totally legitimate.

The only way to get the attention of some people is to work within the capitalist system, saying things like "don't vote, organise" just alienates the working class even more.
And saying "vote socialist" will alienate more people than "vote Democrat" will.

[Искра]

Well I think the likelihood of an SP candidate winning is extremely slim, so he won't be in Congress. He'll be participating in class struggle on the streets by educating, and hopefully winning the support of local workers. Just by getting his name on the ballot people will see that there is an alternative, even if they don't vote for it, at least they then know that socialism has a degree of legitimacy. I can't say much the SP but good luck anyway, chegitz.
He plays by bourgeoisie rules... I mean liberal "democracy":rolleyes:

He should be hanged as class traitor :lol:

[chegitz guevara]

Are you hoping to win or are you mostly wanting to use this as a platform for agitation? Both could be worthwhile, I'm merely curious.

As mentioned previously, I have no chance of winning. Last time, I ran a non-campaign campaign. I stated immediately I had no hope of winning and did not even want to win (seriously, who would trade DC for South Florida?), but that seemed to turn people off. I will run as if I am committed to winning and as if I have a chance.


District 22 or 23? If 22, expect major challenges from the Democrats, as they barely won that district.

I'm in District 20. My opponent is the #4 Democrat in the House, Debbie Wasserman Schultz. She is very popular, took almost 80% of the vote in 2008.


Are you having a position of arguing for or against the election itself?

I am in favor of real elections. I will use the campaign to point out the fact our elections are not democratic.


If someone gives a money gift to you personally because of your awesomeness then?

Donate it to the Socialist Party instead. Although I don't expect to receive more than $5000 total, thus remaining under the Fed's radar, not only are they smart enough to catch such tricks, if I actually get on the ballot (instead of having to run a write-in campaign), I expect the Democratic machine to go over me with a fine tooth comb.


OK lets practice some q & a:

What are the key issues that you will focus on in your campaign.

Do you agree with Obama's brand of "socialism"?

How do you respond to allegations that you physically assaulted a tea party protester?

1. I'll have two sets of key issues. One set is to hammer on the fault lines between the Congresswoman and her base: the bank bailouts, the wars, and universal health care (and she's supposed to be a liberal). My positive set of key issues will be around democratizing elections, the emancipation of the working class, strengthening the wall between church and state, organizing against fascism.

2. Obama has nothing in common with socialism except shared hatred by the far right. We stand against imperialism. Obama is expanding it. We stand against bailing out those who created the current capitalist crisis. Obama is giving them trillions, no strings attached. We stand for universal health care. Obama is handing trillions more to the insurance companies who've enslaved us. We stand for the emancipation of the worker classes. Obama couldn't even bother to pass the Employee Free Choice Act.

3. I plead guilty and proud. The person in question had already committed assault and battery on two demonstrators. He was using a weapon and it was necessary to subdue him. I'd do it again if I had to.

Let's be clear, the Tea Party is not a peaceful, freedom loving organization. They are an American fascist movement which must be confronted and defeated. They are willing to use any and all means to obtain their objectives, including violence, intimidation, libel, slander, and even stalking the President with automatic weapons. We must be willing to stand up to them using whatever means necessary.


And not to bnit-picky, but a pic of yourself couldn't hurt

I'm not terribly photogenic. I've been trying to get a good picture.


wtf 4,600 signatures? In NZ you just need to pay a $500 fee. Which is still fucking terrible and just another show of how much of a sham, class-biased system bourgeois democracy is. A rich guy can just hire a few people to collect the signatures and in NZ's case $500 is just a few dollars change for him.

Never change capitalist "democracy".

The WPNZ has a similar strategy in regards to taking advantage of any platform the capitalists provide us, they give out $1000 in funding to each minor party to make a one-off political broadcast (while giving the two main parties a million...), we got a very nice polished ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWCZIEeGMJA) (that touched on all the main revolutionary points) as a result.

Believe it or not, Florida is actually one of the easier states to get on the ballot. This is the result of a lawsuit brought by the Socialist Workers Party back in the 80s. It requires either 1% of the votes cast in the previous election or 3% of the salary of the position sought. For President, a minor party merely needs to get a full slate of electors.

Over all, the American electoral system, from its very beginnings, was designed to keep the American people out of the process. After the successes of the Progressive Party in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries (before it went racist), most of the states in the country changed the ballot access laws to make it nearly impossible for anyone but the main two parties to get on the ballot (in the South, it was a one-party system, as the Republicans couldn't even get on the ballot--in 1908, the Socialist Party of Florida received more votes than the GOP).

[chegitz guevara]

BTW, criticisms are welcome. Thank you.

[Pogue]

So you will be on a platform of essentially a protest, i.e. you are running to get attention for your politics and tell people that the electoral process in the USA is pointless? Fair enough.

[ellipsis]

1. I'll have two sets of key issues. One set is to hammer on the fault lines between the Congresswoman and her base: the bank bailouts, the wars, and universal health care (and she's supposed to be a liberal). My positive set of key issues will be around democratizing elections, the emancipation of the working class, strengthening the wall between church and state, organizing against fascism.

2. Obama has nothing in common with socialism except shared hatred by the far right. We stand against imperialism. Obama is expanding it. We stand against bailing out those who created the current capitalist crisis. Obama is giving them trillions, no strings attached. We stand for universal health care. Obama is handing trillions more to the insurance companies who've enslaved us. We stand for the emancipation of the worker classes. Obama couldn't even bother to pass the Employee Free Choice Act.

3. I plead guilty and proud. The person in question had already committed assault and battery on two demonstrators. He was using a weapon and it was necessary to subdue him. I'd do it again if I had to.

Let's be clear, the Tea Party is not a peaceful, freedom loving organization. They are an American fascist movement which must be confronted and defeated. They are willing to use any and all means to obtain their objectives, including violence, intimidation, libel, slander, and even stalking the President with automatic weapons. We must be willing to stand up to them using whatever means necessary.

Good answers I just wanted to throw some curve balls at you to get you ready for the long, hard fight ahead. Good luck with that notoriously reactionary florida media and the cuban-"exile" lobby.

Re: my opposition to electoral politics- Yes the example of debbs, almost 100 years old is an inspiring one. I support whole heartedly any attempts to reach more people and advance our cause, using whatever methodology available that will be effective. What I don't support is when progressive or revolution people find their way into government and get co-opted, corrupted, can't muster the force to make real changes or slowly turn into reformist social democrats.

American electoral "democracy" is a joke that is tightly controlled and manipulated through the media, electoral fraud, voter suppression, gerrimandering, legal battles, assignation and other methods to prevent people who pose any sort of threat to the establishment. I support the efforts of other comrades to use this flawed system and the false power/legitimacy that people attribute to it to further the anti-capitalist cause, but it is not for me.

[YKTMX]

I have to ask what the point is..

Really? Did you really have to ask that?

I doubt it.

-------------------------------

Good luck with your campaign, comrade. I hope the electors in your district have a socialist on the ballot they can vote for.