What can I actually do to help?

[DoCt SPARTAN]

I've been on this site for a little bit now, I've met a lot of great people. I've learned so much then i thought then i ever thought i could on every subject discussable. And I thank you all for that.

But my question is I can talk to people and improve my politics as much as possible, and I will. But i feel like I just sit behind my computer and talk about what is wrong in this world. But I never really take action to change that. Mabye some of you could relate or not.

What do most people here do outside of this forum to help the struggle, I'm really looking for something to do....thanks

[Decolonize The Left]

I've been on this site for a little bit now, I've met a lot of great people. I've learned so much then i thought then i ever thought i could on every subject discussable. And I thank you all for that.

But my question is I can talk to people and improve my politics as much as possible, and I will. But i feel like I just sit behind my computer and talk about what is wrong in this world. But I never really take action to change that. Mabye some of you could relate or not.

What do most people here do outside of this forum to help the struggle, I'm really looking for something to do....thanks

In it's essence the struggle is not a political one, but an economic one. So to begin to "do something" would be to begin at this level. Are you employed? A student? Unemployed?

[consuming negativity]

See if you can find groups/organizations near your geographic location. People are already doing stuff in a lot of places and would probably be more than welcome to get new members, regardless of your availability or ability to help out with whatever. What you can do to help depends a lot on your willingness and ability to help.

Aside from that, you can always just disseminate information and be who you are. You'd be surprised how many people have never met anyone with political views that people on these forums have, let alone talked to one and had a positive interaction. Anything can be a positive contribution; just don't take that advice and turn into some weird door-to-door Jehovas Witness of Marx or something.

[Le Socialiste]

Depends on your situation, really. What are you doing, currently? Are you working, going to school - both?

I personally disagree with the separation of economic and political struggles that Manoir de mes reves has put forward, but that's neither here nor there. I will say that if there's anything going on in your area that you choose to be a part of, don't push yourself too hard. You'll want to avoid the inevitable burn out most people feel after throwing themselves into whatever struggle/movement/campaign they're in. Pace yourself, and get to know where your limits are. Be prepared to have your ideas and beliefs tested, as they should be. But yeah, it's kind of hard to suggest anything without knowing the area you're in.

[DoCt SPARTAN]

In it's essence the struggle is not a political one, but an economic one. So to begin to "do something" would be to begin at this level. Are you employed? A student? Unemployed?

I am a student.

[Le Socialiste]

I am a student.

Damn, I wrote a much longer response but I accidentally clicked out of the browser and lost it all. :mad:

Long response short, there's plenty for you to do. Whether it's around the rise in charter schools (risen to 87 in New Jersey alone), or the militarization of public education, there are plenty of issues for students and teachers to organize around. Taking part in any labor struggles involving teachers' unions is always a good and effective way to demonstrate solidarity with the rank-and-file, too. The standardization and corporatization of the system is also a good point to organize around.

[Queen Mab]

I guess I'm in sort of the same place. I've been unemployed for, err, years, and political activism is something that might actually give me something to live for. I don't know what you actually do though, which makes me a bit apprehensive. Not sure how much use I'd be either. I have an irrational fear that everyone will laugh at me for not being able to give a fully-developed critique of Lenin's theory of imperialism.

[Decolonize The Left]

I am a student.

Are there no student organizations which appeal to you? What are the issues on your campus which affect you directly?

[BIXX]

Look at something in your community that you dislike, and start working to fix it. That's what I'm doing right now and it seems to be going well.

[RedMaterialist]

Marx said somewhere that what you could do is run for public office, if not to win, then to get the debate about socialism and communism before the public. Besides, you might win, like the socialist in seattle.

[#FF0000]

Marx said somewhere that what you could do is run for public office, if not to win, then to get the debate about socialism and communism before the public. Besides, you might win, like the socialist in seattle.

As an individual without a party, or as a member of a party that doesn't have a broader strategy beyond "participate in local elections" -- you aren't gonna do much.

[RedMaterialist]

As an individual without a party, or as a member of a party that doesn't have a broader strategy beyond "participate in local elections" -- you aren't gonna do much.

On the contrary, Marx's point is that you could force your opponent to debate, and in the process, debate socialism before the public.


"all class struggle is a political struggle"

[#FF0000]

On the contrary, Marx's point is that you could force your opponent to debate, and in the process, debate socialism before the public.


"all class struggle is a political struggle"

You're taking Marx wildly out of context. On a strategic level, there is literally no point in running in local elections as an individual with no party.

[Rafiq]

For now, all you can do is learn.

[AmilcarCabral]

Doct: I think that right now we still cannot talk about socialism and politics with poor americans. The people of this country are very introverted and very into their own selves (so talking about politics and socialism with average joes and janes out there is not a piece of cake)

America is a very silent and anti-social place. The only place where maybe we can find people to talk about politics, philosophy, economics etc. are book stores like Barnes and Nobles, book fairs, in political lectures, etc. And even in those places it is real hard to talk with people about politics and socialism. Because most people in America are very self-absorbed and very shy.

I would think that we have to wait for the prices of all goods and services to get real expensive in USA in order to talk about politics with regular people.

In order to convince most poor americans who live on low budgets, on a limited income (and because of that they only live a life to pay bills and taxes) and nothing else (and so are stressed to death). I think that in order to convince the low-income sector of America, (not the high-salary, high-wage working class sector) but the low income people, we would have to wait for a situation in which food would become real expensive, as a result of a currency meltdown, of an extreme super-inflation, like the pound of chicken (which is priced at around 1.50 per lb. rising to 5 dollars per lb), a gallon of milk (rising rom 4 dollars to 20 dollars), a loaf of Merita white bread rising from 3 dollars to 15 dollars.

Because right now the low income sectors of America can still find food at relatively cheap prices, but I think that around 2016 when many economists like Thom Hartmann in this video are waiting for an economic collapse,


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maybe that will be the time when we can convince the poor masses, the poor families, the low-wage workers of Mcdonalds, Wal Mart and other blue collar low-wage workers that socialism is their only hope.

Because I have a sister who is married with an ultra-right wing Republican Party Tea Party supporter. And they are both poor, (but very egocentric and self-absorbed like most poor Republican Party white americans are who are very optimists about their own race, they feel superior to black people and latinos, but even though they are poor, they are part of the lower class, they have lower class incomes, he cleeans floors and she works at a law firm answering phone calls and other un-skilled labor activities), despite their poor nature, they moved to a middle class neighboorhood, and because they are poor but becuase they are so full of vanity, self-absorbtion and because they don't want to rise to a middle class life in a right way (which is thru supporting a leftist party), now they are paying the terrible consequences of trying to keep up with the middle class jones.

I think that in America many white poors people think that because they are white, they are entitled to more wealth than blacks and latinos. And that they don't need marxism, they don't need socialism. They would rather spend 100 dollars playing lotto games than talking with a socialist.

And in the near future they might have to live in the street, in a parking lot, or in a tent or in a trailer, because they have been unable to pay their very expensive monthly mortgage of their ultra-right wing expensive luxury house, of their ultra-right wing middle class neighborhood.

And despite their shitty situation of maybe being forced to be kicked out of their house, because they just can't afford anymore to keep paying the 1200 dollars per month, I think the mortgage corporation and bank will confiscate their expensive house.

But they still hate me, because when ever I see them i tell them that their only hope is marxism, communism, a workers state in USA, or at least a state like the Bolivarian Revolution, and they hate me because of that.

Many poor people in America have that very very egocentrical behavior, their ego is getting in the way of progress in USA. The ego of the general american poor population is so big (as a result of an education system, the capitalist Ayn Rand philosophy of life, ultra-individualist movies, libertarian movies like many of the Jodie Foster movies, Fast and Furious etc), '

So as long as most poor people in America would rather rely on food-stamps, food-banks, garage sales etc. in order to get out of poverty, communists won't be able to convince them about how socialism is the only solution for their economic problems





I've been on this site for a little bit now, I've met a lot of great people. I've learned so much then i thought then i ever thought i could on every subject discussable. And I thank you all for that.

But my question is I can talk to people and improve my politics as much as possible, and I will. But i feel like I just sit behind my computer and talk about what is wrong in this world. But I never really take action to change that. Mabye some of you could relate or not.

What do most people here do outside of this forum to help the struggle, I'm really looking for something to do....thanks

[RedMaterialist]

You're taking Marx wildly out of context. On a strategic level, there is literally no point in running in local elections as an individual with no party.

I would say "radically" rather than "wildly" out of context. Find a couple of people and start your own party. The point is to educate the masses, bring the debate between socialism and capitalism out in the open. Post your speeches on youtube. Fight with the inevitable reactionary fascists, but make sure you have some friends with you. It is radical political activity which raises one's consciousness. At the same time you could do social work, etc.

The OP has a quote from Marx: "Democracy is the road to socialism." The U.S. is more or less democratic; run for public office. I wish I had had the idea 30 yrs ago, but now i'm way too old with too much baggage and I would have had to move somewhere a lot more liberal than where I live now.

[RedMaterialist]

I am a student.


Your own quote from Marx says it all: "Democracy is the road to socialism." Take political action by becoming a candidate for democratic election.

[RedStar98]

I feel pretty much the same. I'm 15, live in a quiet town, go to a small school with no real political interest, not helped by the fact I have a type of autism and am awful at dealing with social situations. I often feel a bit downhearted that I always talk and think about what is wrong and how it could be better, but I do kind of accept that right at this moment there isn't much I can do. For now, I just read and learn. I talk to people online, discuss things with my parents and just learn as much about the world as I can. I work hard at school and plan to get the highest grades I can, and I'm planning to study English, History, Politics and Philosophy next year. I don't know what I can do in future, make some friends with like-minded people hopefully, but for now I'm just going to carry on learning, discussing and thinking as much as I can.

[AmilcarCabral]

I think that in nations like USA and England it is very hard to talk with strangers, because these are nations where group-narcissism and family-narcissism is embedded in the society. For instance in America in order to talk with people you have to related to them.

But however around where I live there are lots of latinos and black people who are sociable, friendly, outgoing and communicative and for me it's pretty easy to talk about politics with them.

I read an article in a website that said that blond people with blue eyes are mysanthropist and introverted. Because I used to live in the northern part of USA, which is full of white americans with blond hair and they were very into their own group, very group-narcissists. I think that might happen in England where there are lots of people with blond hair and blue eyes who are very anti-social, compared with blacks and latinos who are the total opposite, very sociable and very extroverted

.



I feel pretty much the same. I'm 15, live in a quiet town, go to a small school with no real political interest, not helped by the fact I have a type of autism and am awful at dealing with social situations. I often feel a bit downhearted that I always talk and think about what is wrong and how it could be better, but I do kind of accept that right at this moment there isn't much I can do. For now, I just read and learn. I talk to people online, discuss things with my parents and just learn as much about the world as I can. I work hard at school and plan to get the highest grades I can, and I'm planning to study English, History, Politics and Philosophy next year. I don't know what I can do in future, make some friends with like-minded people hopefully, but for now I'm just going to carry on learning, discussing and thinking as much as I can.