Thinking About the Socialist Revolution

[Philosopher Jay]

Hi comrades and others,
I was active in socialist parties in the United States in the 1970's, when I was in my 20's. I took some time off to become educated and make some money, perhaps more time than I intended. I am now approaching my 60's. I've become educated, but I still haven't made any money.
I am now looking for a party that I can exist with and help to grow.

[Magón]

What's your line of theory? Marxist or Anarchist? Marxist-Leninism, Luxemburgism, Trotskyism, Anarco-Syndicalism, Anarco-Communism, Anarcho-Superman?

[Arilou Lalee'lay]

I'm twenty one, and about to take some time off to go to school and make some money. My plan is to work for five years, then live in voluntary poverty and go back to work as needed.

Is this plan failed from the beginning? Is it too likely I'm going to have a family to support that ties me to work? The only alternative is some $10 per hour job, which would force me to work full time and thus never have time for politics. Someone on the board with money should buy a dozen couches and start a homeless revolutionary shelter.

Your (and anyone elses) experiences and advice are appreciated.

[GPDP]

Welcome. As a young recent college graduate, it's always a pleasure to have older members join in and share their experiences. Off the top of my head, I can only think of a few members over the age of 40, let alone approaching their 60's.

It gives me hope to see experienced socialists keep to their convictions after so many years of disillusionment and failure on our part. It tells me revolutionary socialism is not an idealist mindset only the young and naive partake in, only to drop it and turn conservative as they get old and "bitter."

[Jimmie Higgins]

Welcome. As a young recent college graduate, it's always a pleasure to have older members join in and share their experiences. Off the top of my head, I can only think of a few members over the age of 40, let alone approaching their 60's.

It gives me hope to see experienced socialists keep to their convictions after so many years of disillusionment and failure on our part. It tells me revolutionary socialism is not an idealist mindset only the young and naive partake in, only to drop it and turn conservative as they get old and "bitter."

I've noticed that trend in the Bay Area where some new radicals are actually "re-activists" who had been in the New Communist Movement or SDS back in the day. It's the effects of the crisis and it's hitting people in the US in different ways: young people who are bearing the brunt of cuts and don't have political baggage and people who were radical before the crisis but dropped-off or got demoralized at some point but can still read the writing on the wall and know what this crisis potentially means for class-struggle.

[Philosopher Jay]

Hi Nin,

I am in the Marxist Leninist camp, although I find such terms can be misleading as leading. Exactly what is Marxist and what is Leninist regarding a specific issue is always problematic.

[Philosopher Jay]

Hi Councilist,

Sounds like a good career plan. The paths and curves of each person's life is so unique that its hard to give advice unless you know a person really well.
The idea of a homeless shelter for revolutionaries sounds interesting.

[Zav]

Someone on the board with money should buy a dozen couches and start a homeless revolutionary shelter.
That's not a bad idea. I'll start saving for it.

[Agent Ducky]

Welcome to Revleft!

Revolutionary homeless shelter does sound like an interesting concept...

[Chimurenga.]

Welcome!

I usually don't do this but since you said that you were in the Marxist-Leninist camp...

The organization that I belong to, the Party For Socialism and Liberation, has two branches in Miami (http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/branches/miami/) and in Orlando (http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/branches/orlando/). I believe we have comrades throughout the state as well.

Here is a little bit about us: http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/pages/about-us.html

and here is our founding statement: http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/news/04-08-01-party-socialism-liberation.html

Hope you find what you're looking for.

[Kassad]

If you're into Marxism-Leninism, definitely check out the Party for Socialism and Liberation. We have branches in Florida that hold regular meetings and events. They also have a sizable presence in the struggle down there, so even if you're just looking to get involved, I'd definitely get in contact. Our contact page for party branches is here: http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/pages/contact-us.html

PSL members like myself and proletarianrevolution are always around to answer questions if you have them. :)

[Rocky Rococo]

Hi. It sounds like we're probably roughly the same age.

I know that in my case, political involvements have remained more or less continuous, but they drifted slowly more reformist and mainstream for a couple decades, by increments. However, since the turn of the century it's become more clear to me than ever that reform within the system is more impossible than ever before. I've come back around to the revolutionary views of my youth, with 30 years of practical political experience telling me that's the only road left that offers any hope at all (and those are mighty slim, but better than nothing.)

[ellipsis]

Welcome, sounds like you might do well in the PSL, as other comrades have recommended.