Socialists & Elections

Introduction: We believe in independent working class politics. We are 100% opposed to the twin parties of capitalism – the Democrats and Republicans – and don’t believe that reformist third parties, such as the Green Party, represent a real working class alternative. We believe that there is no community of common interests between workers and bosses, and therefore working people need their own party, that they control. That is why we call for a labor party based on the unions.

Socialist Election News & Views:

Socialist Perspective on Obama’s Victory: Barack Obama, a Black man, has been elected President of the United States. Few, if any, thought his victory was even a remote possibility in racist America when capitalism’s two-party multi-billion dollar electoral charade began twenty-one months ago. continued

The Socialist View on the 2008 Election: The two-party shell game of U.S. capitalist politics is now in full swing, with an impressive cast of characters lining up to support Obama, as they did with John Kerry. Some are helping to prettify his image and others proclaiming for the umpteenth time in history that "lesser evilism" is a viable political option. continued

Does it Pay to Back the ‘Lesser Evil’? The arguments in favor of support to the capitalist "lesser evil" are endless, the latest version of which was recently presented by playwright/political activist Amiri Baraka, who likened the coming election between Obama and McCain to the 1933 coming to power of Adolph Hitler. continued

Obama Follows the Money: Presumed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has retreated rapidly on promises to so-called Democratic Party progressives—the very ones he called upon, messiah-like, to believe in his message of "hope." continued

Obama: Grassroots Movement? Over the last several months of the primary season, movement activists have increasingly funneled their hopes, money, and energy into the Barack Obama campaign. While both Democratic contenders have received record attention and funds, Obama has won significantly more enthusiasm from activist groupings. continued

A Reply to Howard Zinn on the Elections: Howard Zinn, in his column for “The Progressive” (March 2008), has written a political analysis that deplores the current “election frenzy.” In its place he offers a guide to action based on the understanding that presidential elections, in and of themselves, do very little to solve social problems. Unfortunately, his overall argument is flawed by its inability to break free from the lure of the two-party system in general and of the Democrats in particular. continued

Is Obama an “Antiwar” Candidate? Credit Senator Barack Obama and his staff for running an enormously successful primary campaign. Shrugging off a disappointing defeat in New Hampshire, he has, by late February, beaten former frontrunner Hillary Clinton in 11 straight primary and caucus elections and is poised to capture his party’s nomination for president. continued

What John McCain Stands For: A good way to discover the truth is to compare the mistruths and lies. Recently, the likely Republican presidential nominee, Senator John McCain, let slip a prediction that the American military would remain in Iraq “for a hundred years.” continued

Should We Look to Democrats to End the War? On Sept. 26 the Democrat-controlled Congress passed its second blank check for war inIraq. Three days later in a debate between leading Democratic presidential candidates, Clinton, Obama, and Edwards were each asked to commit to withdrawing allU.S. troops from Iraqby 2013 if elected president. All said that they could not. continued

Jeff Mackler Launches Campaign for U.S. Senate: Socialism means a society, the first in human history, where the basic decisions affecting our lives will be made by us, for us, and through institutions that we control on a daily basis.
Join the fight for a socialist future! Join Socialist Action! Vote for Jeff Mackler for the U.S. Senate! campaign website

S.A. Member Elected to County Board: In April of 2006 Adam Ritscher, a member of Socialist Action and Youth for Socialist Action, was elected to a two-year term to serve as the District 6 representative on the Douglas County Board of Supervisors. Ritscher, who ran openly as a Socialist, is Socialist Action’s first elected public official, as well as being the first member of any socialist organization elected in this region in several decades.

Archived Articles:

2008 U.S. Elections:

Obama Follows the Money

Untangling the Election Madness: A Reply to Howard Zinn
Is Obama an Anti-War Candidate?

The First Casualty: The Politics of John McCain

Should Activists Look to Democrats to End the War?

SA Election Campaign News:

Mackler Campaign Supports Defense of Lynne Stewart

SA's Senate Campain in CA Wins New Support

Socialist Senatorial Candidates in California Debate

News From the Jeff Mackler for U.S. Senate Campaign

Jeff Mackler Runs for U.S. Senate