Geoff Braasch for the Socialist Party Presidential nominatio

[Weidt]

Dear Comrades,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your commitment to socialism and the struggle for equality, freedom, peace and democracy. The socialist movement, though fractured, has the potential at becoming a major player in American politics and among our working class sisters and brothers. Only through solidarity with comrades in the socialist movement can our campaign be successful in mending the fracturalism that has plagued us.

The Committee to Elect Geoff Braasch recognizes this potential and believes "a Socialist campaign must never be about the person; It must always be about the PEOPLE.” Geoff Braasch is running for the Socialist Party USA Presidential nomination and not only is he a good speaker, but an even better listener.

So who is Geoff Braasch? Geoff is a 41-yr-old former pastor (forced to resign over his unorthodox views and his sexuality) and labor consultant with a history of working class experience and involvement. He resides in Toledo, Ohio, though originally from Chicago, Illinois, with his long-time partner, Erik. He is both a gay man and a "differently abled" man and considers himself non-religious. He has been a socialist since his 20s, but remained independent until joining the Socialist Party USA in 2000 finding their multi-tendency policy appealing. He is presently the Chairperson of the Socialist Party of Ohio and has been a prominent member in building the State chapter and Ohio-wide Locals. He is, or has been, also involved in the Northwest Ohio Peace Coalition, War Resisters League, Spectrum, American Civil Liberties Union and the Farm Labor Organizing Committee. As Geoff said, "I have never been accused of being an intellectual. I have; however been accused of being stubborn, outspoken, charismatic and even dramatic. As Mother Jones once said 'there is going to be a racket, and I am going to be in it.'"

The Committee to Elect Geoff Braasch has tentatively taken the following issues as the most important:
-- Militarization: An immediate cut in the US military budget by 50%, an immediate end to all US military aggression and a systematic withdrawal of US military troops from all occupied areas (including bases).
-- Jobs: A quality and meaningful job for everyone who wants to work, the right of all workers to organize and collectively bargain and democratic control of the workplace.
-- Wages: A living wage and a maximum wage.
-- Civil Rights: Repeal the Patriot Act, inact privacy rights and ensure equal rights for all.
-- Education: Quality free education from cradle to grave, full and equal funding for education, state of the art facilities for all schools and highly trained professional teachers.
-- Healthcare: Quality free comprehensive healthcare from cradle to grave and alternative healthcare for those who want it.

The Committee to Elect Geoff Braasch plans to mount an aggressive campaign to promote these campaign issues and the ideals of revolutionary democratic socialism. We envision a grassroots campaign that appeals to the working class wherever they may be: the picket and unemployment lines, the inner cities and the working class neighborhoods, the university campuses and the workplaces, the union halls and the town squares, the farmlands and the parklands!

Please visit our campaign website at www.geoffbraasch2004.org for more information on Geoff and our campaign. May we also please ask that you forward this message to people you know, mailing lists, forums, newsgroups and your organization members. This would be a great help!

If you and/or your organization supports our campaign, please fill-out the endorsement form at http://www.geoffbraasch2004.org/endorse.html

If you would like to join the Campaign Committee or get involved in some way, send an e-mail to [email protected] You may also join our public announcement/discussion list by signing up at http://www.topica.com/lists/Braasch2004/ or sending a blank e-mail to [email protected]

Keep up the struggle and we hope to hear from you soon.

In solidarity,
Joe DeNeen
[email protected]
Member of the Committee to Elect Geoff Braasch President in 2004
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[Sensitive]

Since we're talking about the Socialist Party USA. Are they in the process of collecting signatures to get ballot access for the 2004 presidential election in any states? I looked at Ballot Access News (http://www.ballot-access.org/) a few days ago and it showed that the socialist parties (SP-USA, WWP, and SWP) only have ballot access for 2004 in Florida so far.

In 2000 SP-USA was only on the ballot in seven states. Will they do better in 2004?

Also, this writing said that SP-USA is a "multi-tendency" socialist party? Does that means any socialist can join the party, or are some groups still excluded?

Thanks...

[Exploited Class]

Sadly, I doubt that Geoff Braasch even holds a candle to Walt Brown.

[Reuben]

i -agree with a
everything except the idea that the state should provide 'alternative healthcare for those who want it'. The state should provide healthcare not endulge people's idiocies.

[Weidt]

Quote: from Sensitive on 4:30 pm on July 10, 2003
Since we're talking about the Socialist Party USA. Are they in the process of collecting signatures to get ballot access for the 2004 presidential election in any states? I looked at Ballot Access News (http://www.ballot-access.org/) a few days ago and it showed that the socialist parties (SP-USA, WWP, and SWP) only have ballot access for 2004 in Florida so far.

In 2000 SP-USA was only on the ballot in seven states. Will they do better in 2004?

Also, this writing said that SP-USA is a "multi-tendency" socialist party? Does that means any socialist can join the party, or are some groups still excluded?

Thanks...


We were on the ballot in 9 states (to my knowledge) and should still hold access in those 9 states, including Florida, though I do not know which states otherwise. The website you reference to merely states they hold access in Florida, but does not say "only" or suggest they do not hold it elsewhere.

We hope to have petition drives and expand our access beyond the present 9 states. Our National Convention is in October so things will begin to role full-on following that.

As to being multi-tendency, yes, anyone who agress with the Constitution, Principles and Platform of the Socialist Party USA may join. No individual is barred from joining, unless they have a known history that contradicts our views. Also groups cannot join as a block -- the WWP membership cannot join the SP as a unit unless there is prior agreement between the WWP and SP leadership of a merger. Individual WWP members would be welcomed to join and we have a couple here in Michigan I believe.

The SP has never had an official "not allowed" list, though there are some groups the SP National Committee are critical of and keep aware of.

[Lefty]

What exactly does "differently abled" mean?

Seriously though, while I support your efforts, I'm not sure the socialist party stands a chance to win the presidency. In fact, I'm very sure they don't, and I'm quite sure that the green party does not either. I am settling for less and supporting Howard Dean, as he seems to be the candidate that has the most chance to win over Bush that isn't a complete asshole.

[Sensitive]

Quote: from Lefty on 1:21 am on July 17, 2003
What exactly does "differently abled" mean?

Seriously though, while I support your efforts, I'm not sure the socialist party stands a chance to win the presidency. In fact, I'm very sure they don't, and I'm quite sure that the green party does not either. I am settling for less and supporting Howard Dean, as he seems to be the candidate that has the most chance to win over Bush that isn't a complete asshole.Howard Dean wants to raise the age of retirement (to get social security benefits) to age 70! How could you possibly support him? And the guy will be a good capitalist politician just like Clinton was. And he will invade whatever countries the ruling class tells him too. Just like Clinton and Bush Jr...

We have to build a real left-wing movement here in the US. Something free from the Democratic Party and the ruling class it represents. I'll be voting for whoever the Green Party runs in 2004 (because the Socialist candidate will never get on the ballot in my state).

[Marxist in Nebraska]

Comrade Sensitive,
I agree that Dr. Dean is far less impressive that American liberals believe he is. I wonder what you think of the Democratic Party's fringe candidates Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton.

I know the pain of living in Nebraska. In 2004, Bush can unmasked as Satan himself and the people of our state will still elect him. Notice I said elect, not re-elect, because Bush stole the election in the first place. I am sure you know all about that situation already.

I will also likely vote Green.

[Douche the Bagger]

If politicians arent totally full of shit by now, G.O.P (dont hate me) candidate, Dennis Kucinich, has all the right moves. Simply put theres hope. They had links up on raisethefist.com, I mean, if Ralph Nader says to vote for him, what else do you need.

[Lefty]

Oh, I definitely support Kucinich. However, looking at the major candidates that stand a chance:
1. John Kerry: Too hawkish for my taste, although he is still better than
2. Lieberman: More republican than bush, only jewish.
3. Howard Dean: Supports sensible foreign policy and welfare reforms. good enough for me, and he stands a chance, too!

Kucinich is the best, but he doesn't have enough publicity. Sharpton is a loony.

[Josh2]

See, Kucinich is gaining support for the democratic party with the left by getting naders support and femminest groups support, but, when the time comes, he wont get the nomination but will tell all his liberal supporters to vote for the democratic party nominee, and you end up with lieberman, etc. Your making no progress by voting for the democratic party, you may see this as 'The Lesser of Two Evils' but really, there is no lesser evil, you are just handing the torch to another war mongering capitalist.

[Lefty]

So you suggest voting for this "Differently abled" socialist fellow and having Bush be elected again. Admit it, there is no chance in hell of anybody Green, Socialist or Independent being elected president. Therefore, the lesser of two evils is the best choice. Sad, but true.

[Sensitive]

Quote: from Lefty on 2:08 am on July 23, 2003
So you suggest voting for this "Differently abled" socialist fellow and having Bush be elected again. Admit it, there is no chance in hell of anybody Green, Socialist or Independent being elected president. Therefore, the lesser of two evils is the best choice. Sad, but true. Left wing parties do not run presidential candidates to actually win the presidency itself. That is obviously not the point! Left wing parties run these campaigns so that more people learn about the party (what it stands for, what it wants to accomplish, etc). If a left party would not run a candidate for president, then very few people would ever know about it. Running these campaigns also greatly increases party membership and activity. And it also gives workers a socialist or left wing candidate to vote for in the elections. The day the Socialist Party USA decides not to run a presidential candidate will be the day that the bourgeoisie newspapers will triumphantly declare that "the socialist movement is dead in America!" Let us all hope that never happens!

Also, the Democratic Party is not a "lesser evil". Let us once again recall the Clinton presidency:

- NAFTA
- Welfare Deform
- The illegal invasion of Yugoslavia
- Clinton supports economic sanctions against Iraq, which killed nearly one million people
- "Operation Desert Fox" bombing campaign in Iraq
- Clinton supports Boris Yeltsin, who's special troops attacked the Soviet parliament in 1993 and stole power
- Clinton supports the Telecommunications Reform Act of 1996 (which allowed for the rise of ClearChannel Communications)
- Clinton supports the Anti-Terrorism Act (the beta version of the Patriot Act, which all the Democrats voted for anyway)
- Clinton bombs the largest pharmaceutical factory in Sudan

Clinton was no "lesser evil", he was a fucking tyrant! And Howard Dean has a very similar Clinton style political ideology (smile for the crowds, but strongly support the ruling class). Voting for the Democrats will accomplish nothing. And finally, as socialists our mission is to defeat capitalism, not Republicans!

[Marxist in Nebraska]

Comrade Sensitive,
I agree with your reasoning on running socialist candidates for president. Presidential elections are the most visible political stage in America. If one wonders whether the left can impact the two party elections, look at Nader (not a socialist, granted) in 2000. It is believed by many that Nader actually forced Gore to the left. Gore had to find his inner populism to keep Nader off of his heels.

Whether Gore was sincere or not, some people probably had their expectations raised. These people could be disappointed very quickly by Bush and the pathetic Democrat representatives to Congress. Such people could be recruited and educated by the socialists.

Also, Comrade Sensitive, you put forth a great analysis of the Clinton Administration. I might add to that how Clinton cut off US dollars to a UN family planning group (I do not know what it is called off hand). Many credit Bush with pandering to the religious right to cut off that funding, but in fact Bush only continued a policy Clinton started.


And finally, as socialists our mission is to defeat capitalism, not Republicans!
Amen to that!

[Sensitive]

Quote: from Marxist in Nebraska on 12:28 pm on July 23, 2003


Also, Comrade Sensitive, you put forth a great analysis of the Clinton Administration. I might add to that how Clinton cut off US dollars to a UN family planning group (I do not know what it is called off hand). Many credit Bush with pandering to the religious right to cut off that funding, but in fact Bush only continued a policy Clinton started.Hmm, I'll have to research that one. I'm trying to create a complete list of "Clinton's Crimes" for these sort of arguments, hehe.

[Lefty]

I agree that the mission is to defeat capitalism, or whatever. However, the first step to a better world is to defeat Republicans. Obviously, Democrats ARE the lesser evil. Or are you suggesting that Democrats are worse than Republicans? Exactly. Obviously, Clinton wasn't a saint. (In fact, he was a pretty big douchebag.) But he did a better job than our friend G.W.B is doing, and I believe that if we manage to get, say, Howard Dean or Dennis Kucinich elected, America could become much more progressive than it is currently.

P.S. I support the Socialist party and I will do whatever neccessary to help it, but I don't think it stands much of a chance, and I was just suggesting that maybe helping the cause of someone better than Bush that does stand a chance would be cool. Sorry if I came off as somewhat of an asshole.

(Edited by Lefty at 8:55 am on July 25, 2003)

[Sensitive]

Quote: from Lefty on 2:47 am on July 25, 2003
I agree that the mission is to defeat capitalism, or whatever. However, the first step to a better world is to defeat Republicans. Obviously, Democrats ARE the lesser evil. Or are you suggesting that Democrats are worse than Republicans? Exactly. The Democrats are not a "lesser evil"; did you even read my previous post? Clinton caused just as much trouble as Bush has.

[Sensitive]

Quote: from Lefty on 2:47 am on July 25, 2003
I agree that the mission is to defeat capitalism, or whatever. However, the first step to a better world is to defeat Republicans. Obviously, Democrats ARE the lesser evil. Or are you suggesting that Democrats are worse than Republicans? Exactly. Obviously, Clinton wasn't a saint. (In fact, he was a pretty big douchebag.) But he did a better job than our friend G.W.B is doing, and I believe that if we manage to get, say, Howard Dean or Dennis Kucinich elected, America could become much more progressive than it is currently.

P.S. I support the Socialist party and I will do whatever neccessary to help it, but I don't think it stands much of a chance, and I was just suggesting that maybe helping the cause of someone better than Bush that does stand a chance would be cool. Sorry if I came off as somewhat of an asshole.

(Edited by Lefty at 8:55 am on July 25, 2003)
Ah, you edited.

Electing Howard Dean would not help anything, he is just another Clinton.

[Lefty]

Howard Dean has stated numerous times that he wants a better, less agressive foreign policy. That is better than George Bush. Therefore, it would be cooler if he was elected. The way I see it, the elections outcome will determine if the state of the country rises slightly, or stays at its current level, and I am advocating it rising slightly.