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SY, the youth section of the Socialist Party, is open to all young people sick of not being represented anywhere. We are organised across Ireland, north and south.
We fight on all issues affecting young people, such as war, racism, low pay, sectarianism, sexism, student fees & environmental destruction. We oppose the domination of the world by big business and the capitalist system that maintains their rule. Capitalism has nothing to offer but a future of war, cutbacks, low pay and attacks on our quality of life.
We wish to build a youth movement, as part of a broader mass movement of all oppressed to fight for a socialist future.
If you agree - get involved in our campaigns & discussions – contact us today socialistyouth@hotmail.com
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Lisbon Treaty ‘No’ vote delivers major shock for political and big business Establishment
Privatisation and workers’ rights key issues of debate in referendum campaign
Kevin McLoughlin, Socialist Party (CWI Ireland), Dublin
In a higher than normal turnout for a referendum, 53.1%, the Lisbon Treaty (the renamed EU Constitution) was clearly rejected in Ireland, last Thursday, by 53.4% to 46.6%. As the No side trailed in every opinion poll, until a poll last week, this is a major shock for the political and business establishment in Ireland.
The government, with its new Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen, most of the parliamentary opposition, including Labour, the bosses' and farmers organisations, most of the leadership of the trade union movement, the churches, the media and every other part of the establishment, all combined and used their vast resources to call for a Yes vote. They are clearly stunned by the poll defeat.
This is also an important setback for the big business interests and the political elite who control the EU. "With all respect for the Irish vote, we cannot allow the huge majority of Europe to be duped by a minority of a minority of a minority", commented Axel Schafer, social democrat (SPD) leader on the Bundestag committee on EU affairs. Some commentators claim that Ireland, a country with less than 1% of the EU population, cannot be allowed to “hold up” the whole of Europe. But the reality is if the EU was democratic, the Lisbon Treaty would have been put to the vote in all EU countries, and on the basis of the No vote in Ireland and the previous No votes to the EU Constitution, it would be rejected by working class people in many countries. The real minority dominating the lives of Europe millions is the tiny ruling classes.
The Socialist Party (CWI in Ireland) was an important part of the No campaign. We combined our own independent activities with participation a the broader, loose campaign - the Campaign Against the EU Constitution (CAEUC), which involved thirteen other parties and groups and activists putting forward a progressive and left position. Sinn Fein, the only party with parliamentary representatives that opposed the Treaty, were prominent particularly in the media, but their central demand, that the Treaty could and should be renegotiated, was weak and, in part, perhaps a preparation for possibly supporting such treaties when they enter a future government.
Critical role of Joe Higgins
It is not an exaggeration to say that Socialist Party representative, Joe Higgins, played an absolutely critical role in the course of the campaign. Joe was the most capable representative of the No side; taking on and exposing the arguments of the senior political and business representatives of the Establishment. This is generally recognised. In yesterday’s Evening Herald newspaper, media analyst and consultant, Terry Prone, cited her ten reasons why Lisbon was defeated and she listed Joe Higgins as one of the ten. "They failed to realise the impact mavericks like Joe Higgins have. Joe Higgins is an institution. He is more than a curiosity. People who haven't a left wing bone in their body identify with him because they find him straight and passionate and witty. If he said healthcare was going to be privatised, it rankled with them."
During the referendum campaign, the Yes side argued that Lisbon was mainly about ‘modernising’ the EU and changing the EU structures, so that a bigger EU could work more efficiently. They tried to diminish the important political, economic and military aspects contained in this long and practically unreadable Lisbon Treaty document.
While the Socialist Party dealt comprehensively with the militarism in the Treaty, we concentrated on how the Treaty facilitated the privatisation of vital public services, like health and education, and how the Treaty meant attacks on the wages, conditions and rights of workers.
Socialist Youth spoke to Susie and Tomas about their experiences working for agencies in Dublin.
Susie works for a temping agency called Angels working in administration and customer services.
“Working for a temping agency can be really insecure as some jobs last a week or two and others may only last a few days. I get paid between €10 and €11 an hour and I know I am paid less that the permanent staff. If I am sick I don’t get paid and of course I don’t get holiday pay.
“It causes me all sorts of problems being an agency worker. Even if I could afford to buy a house, I would never get a mortgage because I haven’t got a permanent job and it is a problem trying to get any type of credit. “I have been trying to get a permanent job but it is difficult, if you look on jobs.ie, the majority in this area of work are agency jobs.”
Tomas was employed by an agency to do customer care work for Eircom. “There is a huge difference between being an agency worker in Eircom and a permanent worker. Permanent staff get a pay rise ever year, have pensions, sick and holiday pay (more holidays) and are members of a union – the agency workers got none of that. I was the only agency worker who was a member of the union, but the agency refuses to recognise the union.
“When I worked in Vodafone for an agency I was getting paid €7,500 a year less that the permanent workers doing the same job as me. Companies are saving a fortune using agency workers, and they can also get rid of you anytime they want because agency workers have no rights.”
Barack Obama has tapped into the anger of millions of Americans who want real change. He often speaks eloquently against the Iraq War, inequality, and injustice while emphasizing hope and change.
But would an Obama presidency bring the change we need? Is he really cut from a different cloth than the rest of the corrupt, corporate-controlled politicians?
A deeper look reveals that Obama does not deserve the support of workers, progressives, or youth. Here are ten reasons why:
1. His biggest contributors are Wall Street banks and corporate law firms.
Seven of his top ten donors are some of the world’s biggest banks and financial institutions that are behind the sub-prime mortgage crisis and are now looking for big bailouts and corporate welfare from the federal government, while the rest of us are left with the bill (see www.opensecrets.org for a list of Obama’s donors).
2. He won’t end the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
While Obama says he would end the war in 2009, like Clinton he has been very careful to call only for the removal of combat troops from Iraq. His position might look good when compared to McCain’s statements about staying in Iraq for 100 years. In reality, Obama’s plan would also maintain tens of thousands of troops, special operations forces, and bases – as well as private mercenaries like Blackwater - in Iraq for years to come.
3. He promotes the expansion of the U.S. military.
Like Bush, Obama has called for increasing the size of the U.S. military by 92,000 troops. He calls for redeploying thousands of troops from Iraq to Afghanistan to strengthen the U.S. occupation there.
As William Hartung writes, Obama has said “we will probably need to ‘bump up’ the military budget in a new administration” (Foreign Policy in Focus, 2/21/08). At $614 billion (not counting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan!), the proposed U.S. military budget for 2008 is already larger than the rest of the world’s military spending combined.
4. He has repeatedly voted to fund the war in Iraq.
While he spoke out against the war before entering the Senate, as a Senator Obama has voted for over $300 billion in funding to continue the war.
5. He supports the continuation of the for-profit healthcare system.
Michael Moore’s film Sicko has provided ample evidence to show the key problem with the U.S. healthcare system is that it is controlled by big, for-profit insurance companies and HMOs, yet Obama wants to leave power in their hands.
Moore points out that Obama is “now the second largest recipient of health industry payola after Hillary” and now takes “more money from the people committed to stopping universal healthcare than any of the Republican candidates” (michaelmoore.com, 1/4/08).
6. He supports NAFTA and corporate free trade.
In the Ohio primaries, Obama decried how corporate free trade deals like NAFTA have hurt millions of working people. Yet within days, it came out that his top economic advisor was telling the Canadian government not to take it seriously – it was “more about political positioning than a clear articulation of policy plans” (AP, 3/3/08).
This hypocrisy is not new. As the Associated Press reported, “In his 2004 Senate campaign, [Obama] said the U.S. should pursue more deals such as NAFTA” (2/26/08).
7. He voted to re-authorize the Patriot Act in 2005.
As Ralph Nader’s running mate Matt Gonzalez points out, this was “easily the worst attack on civil liberties in the last half-century. It allows for wholesale eavesdropping on American citizens under the guise of anti-terrorism efforts” (“The Obama Craze: Count Me Out,” beyondchron.com, 2/27/08).
8. He voted for the 2006 bill to build a 700-mile fence on the U.S.-Mexican border.
This racist, anti-immigrant, nationalistic bill will force immigrants to cross in even more dangerous areas. Around 500 immigrants die each year attempting to cross the
Quick question: Despite the faults in the treaty, are you pro- or anti-EU? IMO, one united Europe, even a capitalist one, is the best bet, because then when the People take power there will be less nationalist tendencies and people will be able to work better together.
Well, that's what Trotsky said - True Marxism can only function with democracy because the people need direct influence over how their country is run. That's why Stalin had the KGB stick an ice pick in his head.
Awesome page by the way.
1 week ago
T.O.M
the gardai are starting to get theie acts together but i think they need to take a more hard line view aginst thecrimina element in the republic.
M A X
you like the police of course they help you they deal with crime
2 weeks ago
Samalot
capitalism gets big men in suits running everything
things go wrong
communism tries to be socialis but gets too militaristic and some dictator starts running everything and things go wrong
democratic socialism is the one that might work
failing that have a try at some anarchy
2 weeks ago
Leslie Abel
whats the difference between capitlism,communisim and socialism?
2 weeks ago
Samalot
I like the police?
Am I a bad right winger? =(
I mean British police are much better monitored than in the 80s and are less heavy handed. They can be helpful people and most I meet are friendly. I haven't met them on bad terms though so that might be why....
Still, they help organise things and unless they're controlled by a tyrant (Thatcher!) they can be pretty alright. Pity they're so related to the right wing =(
3 weeks ago
Samalot
Obama is more liberal than McCain, and that is therefore more left wing so more in the interests of socialists. Plus I heard something about national healthcare in the US? It would be amazing for them =)
Besides, letting a black man into the WHITEhouse is superb!
He so deserves it, much better PR than the Republicans too!
3 weeks ago
Garf Kelly
i dnt think tht any of the main candidates at the min stand any chance of getting in to power the all appear to be weak minded
Hilary - only stayed with her husband so tht she could be were she is today a chance of having power but do you really see her making America or the world a better place, no she will take all safe bets and nt wish to really change anything as long as it appears to work in the public eye.
Obama - i dnt even want to waste txt on tht capitalist bastard, and tht aside is the exact same as hilary.
Mc Cain - well he just be another puppet as bush was merely a pawn in a picture of domination really.
and all three of these people are the only ones ho will get in so i feel sorry for America and i feel sorry for those hoping for 4 years of anything different or improved.
we will still be complaining with out end to in 4 years time about the same things because people refuse to make a proper stand against these evils.
3 weeks ago
Unite Socialism
Obama is better than McCain.
Don't be ridiculous.
3 weeks ago
When In Troy
So, fuel prices have rocketed again. The average price of crude oil has increase 1/3 in the last three months. Everyone is feeling the pressure as our non-renewable resources continue to run out, but it is mainly the everyday person who is feeling the most affected.
Taxi Drivers, Public Transport workers, Oil terminal staff; as well as many others are taking the biggest blow, as many of these jobs may be lost as a result of the increased prices.
What can be done?
Centralised and non-private reserves of Oil and Gas?
Immediate conversion to sustainable methods?
Continuing privatisatisation of resources?
Nicky Smith
Capitialist greed has turned this world into the mess it is today. The high levels in poverty in countries where the ruch pretty much rule. Spread the wealth among the people, dont let the businesses hoard it all to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. A very sad sight is Britain
Also end the deformed communist dictatorship of china; thats not true socialist nations. Democratic socialism is the true way to an equal, fair society.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/08Bullying/ Could you please sign my petition and pass it on? I worked for Liverpool City Council for over 20 years and had to resign due to Bullying and Oppressive behaviour by management. I have launched a campaign for a change in the law in relation to workplace bullying investigations. http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/08Bullying/ . When you complete the petition - it will email you a link which you have to click to actually have your name added to the list. Please do remember to check your spam folder if your email doesn't appear and make sure your name is on the list!
Tesco haters most welcome
