chegitz guevara
25th May 2010, 18:41
So the SPUSA International Commission is debating the two statements to decide which to adopt. Which would the comrades in Greece rather see?
statement 1
The Greek Crisis
Greece shows the current crisis of international capitalism in its
harshest form. This crisis is an attack by global capital on the
weakest link in the European welfare states. Since the fall of the
USSR, and the end of the Cold War, capitalism has sought to break the
power of the European working class, impose a neo-liberal agenda, and
end decades of welfare state benefits. The current global economic
crisis has allowed the ruling layer of capital, the so-called FIRE
sector (Finance, Insurance, Real Estate) to strike, refusing to lend
Greece any more money, creating the possibility of a Greek default.
The continued attack on the Euro, despite a trillion dollar
international bailout shows that capital cannot be appeased or
negotiated with. If Greece refuses to bow, it will be forced to
default on its debts, and have no choice but to impose the austerity
measures demanded by capitalism, unable to borrow money to pay its
workers. Greek workers are confronted with a stark choice: a crushing
defeat or socialist revolution.
American workers have been subjected to a series of lies about the
Greece. Claims that Greek workers are overpaid and retire at the age
of 53 are false: the average retirement age in Greece is 61.4 years,
later than the average European. Greek wages, already the lowest in
Europe, were slashed by previous governments to 1984 levels. The
average wage, including social security and taxes: a measly $1,063.
Despite claims that Greek government was irresponsible, that its debt
is unsustainable, the cost of servicing Greek debt is now less than
half of what it was in 1993, a mere 6% of GDP.
The Socialist Party USA rejects these lies and stands in solidarity
with the Greek workers, socialists, communists, and anarchists. We
urge the protesters to move further, not merely to reject the
despicable policies of the IMF/EU, but to overthrow capitalism
altogether. Only by abolishing capitalism can the Greek workers defend
their way of life.
statement 2
Solidarity with the Protests in Greece
The Socialist Party USA stands in solidarity with the workers and students protesting against the IMF/European Union imposed austerity package. Greek trade unions and socialist organizations have acted swiftly and correctly by using the most powerful tool available to workers – the general strike – to stop this process. The crisis in Greece may come to head in the coming period and we join other international socialist and radical political organizations in extending our promise to support our comrades in Greece.
We reject the claims circulated in the mainstream media in the US that seek to vilify the Greek welfare state. In some cases, the assertions are incorrect. For example, Greek workers do not, on average, retire at 53 years of age, but as with most workers in Europe, at 61 years. In other cases, the criticism amounts to a thinly veiled attempt to defend the bankrupt neoliberal values that define life in the United States. All workers, whether in Greece or the US, desire better lives through early retirement, pensions that offer living wages and free healthcare, public education and transportation.
It is equally important to mention that the US state carries a debt load that is far greater than the one Greece holds. Yet, this debt has not been used to improve the lives of working people in the US. It has, instead, funded a massive military machine that has brought war and destruction to people throughout the world. The American people should join their fellows in Greece in a demanding a better world in which the public ownership of social resources ensures a quality life far greater than the one we currently live in. Defeating the debt-fueled military industrial complex is a critical part of this struggle in the US.
Sadly, the Greek Socialist Party (PASOK) is implementing the package of cuts being proposed by the IMF/EU. The PASOK did not cause the crisis, but their willing collaboration with the project of the neoliberal financiers illustrates the bankruptcy of social democracy in Greece. As democratic socialists, we stand with left-wing parties such as the SYRIZA and with the everyday people of Greece who have taken to the streets to reject the austerity measures being imposed from above.
All across Europe, workers are taking to the streets to protest against proposed cuts in state funding. However, what they are defending is far more than just the small measures of humanity offered by a welfare state. They are defending democracy itself. Ever since 93% of voters in Iceland rejected the IMF-style bailout in March of this year, capitalist politicians and the financiers that bankroll them have sought to avoid and negate democratic norms. The measures in Greece are, therefore, being imposed by force and against the will of the vast majority of people. The protest happening in the streets, the strikes being carried out by the unions and the university seizures that have been conducted by the students represent the democratic will of the people of Greece.
As socialists in the US, we hope to learn the lessons offered by our Greek counterparts. We join and build protests to defend public services all across this country, while also offering a democratic socialism alternative. We believe that democratic socialism offers critical solutions to the global economic crisis. We support the nationalization of the financial sector, bringing society’s resources under democratic control through worker’s self-management and providing for the needs of all people through guaranteed rights to healthcare, pensions, housing and employment. Such measures offer road out of the impasse created by capitalist cycles of boom and bust.
We have been inspired and awakened by the struggle of the Greek workers. It is now time to build such a movement here in the United States!
Victory to the Greek protests!
No to IMF/EU austerity!
For a Democratic Socialist Alternative to Budget Cuts!
statement 1
The Greek Crisis
Greece shows the current crisis of international capitalism in its
harshest form. This crisis is an attack by global capital on the
weakest link in the European welfare states. Since the fall of the
USSR, and the end of the Cold War, capitalism has sought to break the
power of the European working class, impose a neo-liberal agenda, and
end decades of welfare state benefits. The current global economic
crisis has allowed the ruling layer of capital, the so-called FIRE
sector (Finance, Insurance, Real Estate) to strike, refusing to lend
Greece any more money, creating the possibility of a Greek default.
The continued attack on the Euro, despite a trillion dollar
international bailout shows that capital cannot be appeased or
negotiated with. If Greece refuses to bow, it will be forced to
default on its debts, and have no choice but to impose the austerity
measures demanded by capitalism, unable to borrow money to pay its
workers. Greek workers are confronted with a stark choice: a crushing
defeat or socialist revolution.
American workers have been subjected to a series of lies about the
Greece. Claims that Greek workers are overpaid and retire at the age
of 53 are false: the average retirement age in Greece is 61.4 years,
later than the average European. Greek wages, already the lowest in
Europe, were slashed by previous governments to 1984 levels. The
average wage, including social security and taxes: a measly $1,063.
Despite claims that Greek government was irresponsible, that its debt
is unsustainable, the cost of servicing Greek debt is now less than
half of what it was in 1993, a mere 6% of GDP.
The Socialist Party USA rejects these lies and stands in solidarity
with the Greek workers, socialists, communists, and anarchists. We
urge the protesters to move further, not merely to reject the
despicable policies of the IMF/EU, but to overthrow capitalism
altogether. Only by abolishing capitalism can the Greek workers defend
their way of life.
statement 2
Solidarity with the Protests in Greece
The Socialist Party USA stands in solidarity with the workers and students protesting against the IMF/European Union imposed austerity package. Greek trade unions and socialist organizations have acted swiftly and correctly by using the most powerful tool available to workers – the general strike – to stop this process. The crisis in Greece may come to head in the coming period and we join other international socialist and radical political organizations in extending our promise to support our comrades in Greece.
We reject the claims circulated in the mainstream media in the US that seek to vilify the Greek welfare state. In some cases, the assertions are incorrect. For example, Greek workers do not, on average, retire at 53 years of age, but as with most workers in Europe, at 61 years. In other cases, the criticism amounts to a thinly veiled attempt to defend the bankrupt neoliberal values that define life in the United States. All workers, whether in Greece or the US, desire better lives through early retirement, pensions that offer living wages and free healthcare, public education and transportation.
It is equally important to mention that the US state carries a debt load that is far greater than the one Greece holds. Yet, this debt has not been used to improve the lives of working people in the US. It has, instead, funded a massive military machine that has brought war and destruction to people throughout the world. The American people should join their fellows in Greece in a demanding a better world in which the public ownership of social resources ensures a quality life far greater than the one we currently live in. Defeating the debt-fueled military industrial complex is a critical part of this struggle in the US.
Sadly, the Greek Socialist Party (PASOK) is implementing the package of cuts being proposed by the IMF/EU. The PASOK did not cause the crisis, but their willing collaboration with the project of the neoliberal financiers illustrates the bankruptcy of social democracy in Greece. As democratic socialists, we stand with left-wing parties such as the SYRIZA and with the everyday people of Greece who have taken to the streets to reject the austerity measures being imposed from above.
All across Europe, workers are taking to the streets to protest against proposed cuts in state funding. However, what they are defending is far more than just the small measures of humanity offered by a welfare state. They are defending democracy itself. Ever since 93% of voters in Iceland rejected the IMF-style bailout in March of this year, capitalist politicians and the financiers that bankroll them have sought to avoid and negate democratic norms. The measures in Greece are, therefore, being imposed by force and against the will of the vast majority of people. The protest happening in the streets, the strikes being carried out by the unions and the university seizures that have been conducted by the students represent the democratic will of the people of Greece.
As socialists in the US, we hope to learn the lessons offered by our Greek counterparts. We join and build protests to defend public services all across this country, while also offering a democratic socialism alternative. We believe that democratic socialism offers critical solutions to the global economic crisis. We support the nationalization of the financial sector, bringing society’s resources under democratic control through worker’s self-management and providing for the needs of all people through guaranteed rights to healthcare, pensions, housing and employment. Such measures offer road out of the impasse created by capitalist cycles of boom and bust.
We have been inspired and awakened by the struggle of the Greek workers. It is now time to build such a movement here in the United States!
Victory to the Greek protests!
No to IMF/EU austerity!
For a Democratic Socialist Alternative to Budget Cuts!