Getting supporters

With a very vocal far-right with a scarily large backing and workers coming under attack in every state we need to get our asses in gear and get our name out there. I just moved into tea-party area in Wisconsin and I've found that a lot of people are actually quite open to socialist ideals once you break through their mind-numbing ignorance.

I'd like people to brainstorm ideas on how we can gather supporters because as socialists I feel it is our obligation to be actively gathering support whenever possible.

Is there a local chapter near you? I would see if there's a nearby chapter, and contact them to get involved.

We've got to get out there in the trenches. When there are public events and venues where the discontented working class is present, we have to be there to be a visible force speaking the truth about capitalism.

Any kind of public event where the discontented working class will be present in force - we have to be there in support of them, but we also have to tell them the truth about capitalism: that widespread upward mobility is a myth, that negotiating with or capitulating to neoliberalism is a dead end road to staying right where you are, that liberation can't come for oppressed peoples in a capitalist society, and without radical solutions real change will never come.

There's a small group of us in the Northeast Ohio area who are trying to form a chapter, which will probably come together during May. There were two things I brought to the table at our preliminary, mostly-informal meeting. First, I suggested that we have to get involved and visible to the working class in as broad a sense as possible, showing solidarity with them but bringing the message I mentioned above. Second, I told my comrades I intend to help create an SDS chapter at Akron U. I imagine with the help of others this can happen by the coming fall semester.

One thing I didn't mention at the meeting, but I think might be a winning strategy to build momentum is to reach outside the Party to other leftist organizations and work in conjunction with them. I don't think anti-capitalist organizations should be rivals or ignore one another - I think it's important for all anti-capitalists to be partners. What does this mean? I'm not quite sure myself. Maybe working in conjunction with the PSL on certain events, or exploring involvement with anti-war groups, or perhaps encouraging involvement in things like Food Not Bombs. I think building some type of supra-organization, anti-capitalist coalition on local, national, and international levels is something worth exploring. If such a thing strikes people as unpalatable or naive then perhaps more of us should take it upon ourselves to build these contacts ourselves. The more connected we are, the stronger we are.

I live pretty much in between 2 chapters.

I definitely agree and have been talking about working with other anti-capitalist groups. We are all comrades who just have different means to the same ends. Food Not Bombs is a good thing to get involved with, we tried to start one before but it feel apart.

Are there any other Leftist parties around you?

If there are any other anti-capitalist groups other than the PSL and Food Not Bombs active in the Northeast Ohio area, I'm unaware of them.

But I suppose I am getting ahead of myself, although I consider it a good thing to set long term goals to work toward.

But anyways, I was thinking of this being geared more towards getting normal non-political people to be more open and supportive to the socialist cause.

I live pretty much in between 2 chapters.

I definitely agree and have been talking about working with other anti-capitalist groups. We are all comrades who just have different means to the same ends. Food Not Bombs is a good thing to get involved with, we tried to start one before but it feel apart.

Are there any other Leftist parties around you?

If you're reasonably close to the Madison/South Central Wisconsin local, you should try going to one of their meetings if you can make it out. They're a much younger group than the Milwaukee local, and definitely more vibrant and active as a result.

I would but I can't drive so it's hard for me to make it out for that stuff.

The most important thing is to set reasonable goals and try and figure out how to accomplish them. Like, get six socialists together in a room and plan something. Etc. Try and have each goal be a step in a larger goal. Eventually, revolution!