US

New peak for occupy movement with protests in Oakland

Leaflet by Socialist Alternative (CWI supporters in the USA) Posted 7th November 2011

End the dictatorship of Wall $treet Follow Oakland’s example: For mass actions to fight against cuts and foreclosures. On November 2, the events in Oakland represented a new peak for the whole occupy movement – up to 20,000 came together to defend our right to protest against all attempts to crack down with police brutality. They didn’t limit themselves to demonstrations alone. Teachers left their schools, public sector workers went on sick-out, and the port was shut down. Unions called for support for the demonstrations when Occupy Oakland called for a “general strike.”

October 15th a day of global inter-continental resistance

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Text of CWI leaflet for 15th October demonstrations

On 15 October, all around the globe, the “enraged”, the “indignados”, the “occupiers of Wall Street”, demonstrators all over Portugal, in Santiago Chile and in Cairo – and many, many more – took to the streets to challenge the power of big business. The magnificent movements of young people and workers in these struggles, with common causes, methods and demands, instinctively reach out to each other across borders and continents.

Obama: One year on and little has changed

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A real alternative for working people is needed

One year ago, on 20 January 2009, the largest gathering of people in US history witnessed the inauguration in Washington DC of Barack Obama as president of the United States. For many older African-American workers, this was viewed as the most important political event of their lives. Millions of young people gained a renewed sense of optimism after growing up with an instilled hatred against Bush and the Republicans.

Bryan Koulouris, Socialist Alternative (CWI, USA)

After eight years of a widening wealth gap, adventurist wars, declining civil liberties and an increasingly embarrassing circus in the halls of power, people deeply desired a sharp shift away from Bush and company. With Cheney, Rove and Bush on their way out, big business needed to restore credibility to an important institution of US power and prestige, the presidency.

Is Obama’s Honeymoon Over?

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Big-Business agenda fuels discontent

Philip Locker, from Justice, newspaper of Socialist Alternative (CWI in the USA)

Just seven months after taking office on a wave of hope and euphoria at the end of eight years of George Bush’s rule, President Barack Obama has seen a sharp fall in public support. Discontent is building from all sides, as disappointment with Obama’s inability to bring real change has brought about the end of Obama’s honeymoon.

Obama’s job approval is down to about 50% from a high of 70% on inauguration day. On Obama’s signature issue – healthcare reform – there has been a sharp fall-off in support for his approach. A CNN/Opinion Research Poll conducted at the end of August found that only 44% of Americans supported his handling of healthcare, while 53% disapproved.

US Health Care Debate

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The limits of reform from above – the need for struggle from below

He has been called a “socialist” and “Nazi.” They say there will be “death panels” where government bureaucrats will make decisions on whether or not to let grandma live. These are just some of the attacks raised against US President Obama and his plans for health care reform by enraged Fox News-sponsored right wingers who are disrupting recent 'town hall' meetings around the US. Of course none of them are true.

Jesse Lessinger, Socialist Alternative (CWI in the USA)

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