Friday, February 28, 2014

Michigan Socialist Party Wins Partial Procedural Victory

28 February 2014

By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News

"On January 9, a U.S. District Court Magistrate denied Michigan’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit Erard v Ruth Johnson, e.d., 2:12cv-13627. The case had been filed in 2012 by a Socialist Party candidate for Congress, Matt Erard. The case argues that Michigan’s ballot access laws for newly-qualifying parties are too severe. Currently the law requires 32,261 signatures, to be collected in six months. The petition blanks all say in large print, inside a box, "Petition to Form New Political Party. WARNING: a person who knowingly signs petitions to organize more than one new state party, signs a petition to organize a new state political party more than once, or signs a name other than his or her own is violating the provisions of the Michigan election law."

The magistrate, in a 71-page ruling, said that whereas some of the arguments in the lawsuit do not have merit, two aspects of the law are probably unconstitutional: (1) only Michigan residents can circulate the petition; (2) the wording on the petition intimidates many otherwise willing signers from signing, and also falsely forces them to say they are organizing the party. Similar wording on petitions to recognize new parties has been held unconstitutional in seven other states (Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee).

The magistrate did not find that the Michigan law violates equal protection, even though Michigan requires approximately twice as many signatures for a party to get on, than it requires votes for an old party to remain on. She said all of the parties already on the ballot had to collect the same number of signatures. This is not true, because the Democratic and Republican Parties never had to submit any petition to get on the ballot. Before 1939, Michigan didn’t require a petition for any party to get on the ballot...."

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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

2014 SPUSA Candidate Mimi Soltysik Qualifies for June 3 Primary Ballot in CA State Assembly Race

 25 February 2014

As now officially confirmed by the Los Angeles County Registrar's office, 2014 Socialist Party USA candidate Mimi Soltysik has successfully qualified for the ballot in the June 3 primary for California's 62nd district State Assembly seat.

Due to California's "top two" primary system, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the June 3 primary (regardless of party affiliation) will advance to run in the State's general election on November 4, 2014. The five other candidates who qualified for the June 3 primary in the race for California's 62nd district State Assembly seat consist of four Democrats and one Republican.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Socialist Party USA Represented at Student Conferences on Both Coasts

18 February 2014

Independent Political Report

"The Los Angeles Local was asked to represent the Socialist Party USA at the JSA Convention in Torrance, CA. The Local had the chance to engage in a dialogue with JSA representatives throughout the day, answering questions about democratic socialism and the Socialist Party USA Statement of Principles and Platform. The students were remarkably well-informed about the Socialist Party USA’s history and incredibly enthusiastic during the question and answer period of the presentation. It was quite an inspiring experience for the L.A. Local!

In Washington DC, the Socialist Party tabled at the the Junior State of America’s Midwest/Ohio Southeast Congress. Metro DC member David Gaines was joined by Greg Pason for the event. This was the 2nd of 3 conferences held in DC on Feb 8th, 15th and the 22nd...."

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Monday, February 17, 2014

The Lives of Workers are Worth a Fair Fight

17 February 2014

A Statement by Mimi Soltysik, 2014 Socialist Party Candidate for California State Assembly (62nd District)

The owners of big banks and corporations are waging a class war on the poor, the unemployed, and the working class. Workers have every right to wage a fair fight for a living wage, and for decent conditions on the job and in daily life.

A Living Wage: Workers deserve the full value of our labor. Instead, we pay the heaviest price for a system that puts profits before people. The bosses of big business claim to be “job providers,” but they threaten to shut down our workplaces when we demand fair wages for our work. We demand a living wage for every worker without exception, beginning at fifteen dollars an hour. A living wage means we can pay our bills, and still enjoy a life of dignity.

When banks steal our homes and corporations steal our jobs, the bosses always say that they are keeping the economy “competitive.” This only means that workers are being forced to compete against each other, rather than joining together in a fair fight for decent work and wages. Whether you work in a factory or in an office, whether you work in a hospital or in a hotel, your life is worth more than any amount of money.But we must make a beginning. A living wage is one good way to begin a fair fight for the dignity of all workers...

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Friday, February 14, 2014

New Jersey Still Can’t Decide Whether to Let Voters Register as Members of the Socialist Party

14 February 2014

By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News

"In 2013, the Socialist Party filed a lawsuit against New Jersey state election officials, seeking to gain the ability of voters to register as members of the Socialist Party. The state has again asked for a extension for the settlement conference. This is the second time the state has asked for more time..."

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Thursday, February 6, 2014

Ohio Primary Filing Closes

6 February 2014

By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News

"February 5 was the Ohio deadline for candidates seeking a place on a primary ballot this year. .... Although no Socialist Party filed for statewide office, a Socialist filed to run for U.S. House in the Ninth District...."

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Monday, February 3, 2014

The Tragicomic History of the OWS Animal Issues Working Group

3 February 2014

By Jon Hochschartner
CounterPunch

"There is evidence that formations of the anthropocentric left can be pushed in progressive directions by what are assumably minority, pro-animal voices within them. Socialist Party USA, for instance, calls for the ban of the fur trade and animal testing for product development. Though these are obviously piece-meal proposals, if put into practice they would benefit millions of animals every year."

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