John Clarke, former major organizer for the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, recently posted the following on Facebook: John Clarke osSeprdotna050m719i69htf6g96tm3lm058h01h386681mil2uicf74mgat · I was sitting in a Wendy's one day and the manager was interviewing a young man who had applied for a job. She asked him, "What special qualities do you have that would make you … Continue reading Being an Employee Often Involves Lying
Month: July 2023
Is the Criticism of Social-reformist or Social-democratic Leaders a Tactical or Strategic Issue?
On a Marxist listserve, one Marxist stated: Actually I don't think you have a accurate understanding of critical support. Critical support is not about trying to maintain an ideological purity-- it's a tactic designed to expose the reformists as being incapable of defending the workers; of advancing the struggle for workers power. In response, a supposed … Continue reading Is the Criticism of Social-reformist or Social-democratic Leaders a Tactical or Strategic Issue?
Does Being a Militant Union Leader Justify the Silence of the So-called Radical Left?
On a Marxist listserve, a writer posted with the subject reading "Workers know what it means to be in the working class." These are his short statements: This is Mick Lynch of the Railway Unionists (The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers - RTU) of the UK - who were in bitter strike … Continue reading Does Being a Militant Union Leader Justify the Silence of the So-called Radical Left?
The Need for the Left to Become More Radical–To Correspond to the Increasing Anger of the Working Class
John Clarke, former major organizer of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), recently posted on Facebook the following: John Clarke “You’re seeing growing anger and radicalization on the left as well.” Futile liberal bleating notwithstanding, making sure the right has no monopoly on bold and radical action should be a major priority. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/25/us-political-crisis-radicalizing-republicans-democrats-alike?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR35owqn5_PuN_wVstO0DpOZjC3qON9PJGiZzpvvKGAXs9OPwPBWt5EZ8Pk The … Continue reading The Need for the Left to Become More Radical–To Correspond to the Increasing Anger of the Working Class
The So-called Progressive Left As Social-Reformists: Class Harmony and the United Way as Telltale Signs
A quote from Olivia Chow in an article critical of Olivia Chow (https://www.thegrindmag.ca/july-2023-olivia-chows-troubling-start) is indicative of what the so-called progressive left here in Toronto actually means: "Even with all the challenges we face, we can’t forget all the wonderful things already happening. Recently, I met with people involved in the community-focused development model in Scarborough’s … Continue reading The So-called Progressive Left As Social-Reformists: Class Harmony and the United Way as Telltale Signs
Liberals as Social Democrats, or Social Democrats as Liberals
John Clarke, former major organizer of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), recently posted the following on Facebook: John Clarke 14h · Dear Capitalists: Your pursuit of vast profits is causing appalling working conditions, poverty, hunger, extreme inequality, the threat of war and environmental destruction. I and many other like minded people are asking you to … Continue reading Liberals as Social Democrats, or Social Democrats as Liberals
The Rate of Exploitation of AB (Anheuser-Busch) InBev NV (Including Labatt) Workers
I was, in part, inspired to start this blog because of the incredible lack of criticla thinking on the part of the pro-union left here in Toronto. In particular, when I tried to bring up the issue of whether striking brewery workers could ever except to obtain "a fair deal, good jobs, pension security and … Continue reading The Rate of Exploitation of AB (Anheuser-Busch) InBev NV (Including Labatt) Workers
In the Context of a Strike, a Focus on the Extreme Pay of Executives is Legitimate
John Clarke, former major organizer for the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, recently posted the following on Facebook: John Clarke Someone should make a movie about this. I have pointed out that leftists should not focus on individuals who are rich in the struggle against the power of the class of employers since it is not … Continue reading In the Context of a Strike, a Focus on the Extreme Pay of Executives is Legitimate
Election of So-Called Progressives Requires More, Not Less, Organization of the Left
John Clarke, former major organizer of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), recently posted this on Facebook: In my column for Canadian Dimension this month, I argue that the election of Olivia Chow as Toronto Mayor calls, not for passivity, but for intensified community resistance and social mobilization. https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/cheers-for-chow-must-be-accompanied-by-vigilance?fbclid=IwAR17XNekbUm5L5sG1M6WaZLsNJDAhFAxHdyg-1W2IxSNrC2uamFtmA9Ba5k Unfortunately, although there are some like … Continue reading Election of So-Called Progressives Requires More, Not Less, Organization of the Left
Oppressive Capitalist State Apparatus: Accidental or Necessary?
John Clarke, former major organizer of Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), recently posted the following on Facebook: John Clarke 2h · Within 50 years of the arrival of Columbus in the 'New World,' the Catholic Church conducted a debate on whether or not Indigenous people of the Americas had immortal souls. Under the dominant belief … Continue reading Oppressive Capitalist State Apparatus: Accidental or Necessary?
The Abolitionary 