15 December 2014
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"As of December 9, all briefs have been filed in the Sixth Circuit in
Erard v Michigan Secretary of State, 14-1873. The Socialist Party
challenges Michigan ballot access laws for new parties, arguing that the
state discriminates against newly-qualifying parties, relative to old
ones. For the 2016 election, for example, Michigan requires a
newly-qualifying party to submit 31,565 signatures. But a party that
was already on the ballot in November 2014 only needed to poll 16,491
votes for any statewide race to remain ballot-qualified...."
Read More
Monday, December 15, 2014
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
5 Failed presidential bids by Wisconsinites
11 November 2014
By Tom Giffey
Volume One (Chippewa Valley, WI)
Frank Zeidler: "Long before garden-variety Democrats were getting slammed as “Socialists” by the far right, actual Socialists were getting elected to prominent political positions. In fact, Milwaukee was a Socialist hotbed, and Zeidler served as the city’s mayor from 1948 to 1960. In the 1970s, he helped form the Socialist Party USA, running as its presidential nominee in 1976, when he gained a mere 6,000 votes nationwide...."
Read More
By Tom Giffey
Volume One (Chippewa Valley, WI)
Frank Zeidler: "Long before garden-variety Democrats were getting slammed as “Socialists” by the far right, actual Socialists were getting elected to prominent political positions. In fact, Milwaukee was a Socialist hotbed, and Zeidler served as the city’s mayor from 1948 to 1960. In the 1970s, he helped form the Socialist Party USA, running as its presidential nominee in 1976, when he gained a mere 6,000 votes nationwide...."
Read More
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Democrats Steer to the Right and into Defeat
8 November 2014
Socialist Party USA National Action Committee
If progressives can learn one thing from the 2014 election cycle, it is that they no longer have a place in the Democratic Party.
With Republicans on the offensive, Democratic incumbents and hopefuls spent the entire election running away from anything perceived to be associated with President Obama. In effect, this created numerous Democratic campaigns that ran to the right of a president that was already on a long-standing drift to the right of his own. This is in contrast to the normal state of affairs, which is where Democrats campaign on ideas that appeal to the progressive base and then do not deliver when elected.
This set of events left progressives and even many liberals without the party that they would normally identify with and vote for. The result was a sweeping defeat for Democrats in the congressional and gubernatorial elections, losing their Senate majority in the process.
At the same time that voters gave a resounding defeat to the Democrats, they also voted heavily in favor of raising the minimum wage in several states. Voters in Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota all approved minimum wage initiatives by double-digit margins, while at the same voting down statewide Democratic candidates by double-digit margins in three of the four states. By doing this, working class voters have proven that they are prepared and willing to embrace the issues and cast off the party and politicians that fail to deliver on them.
Outside of the twin parties of capitalism, Tuesday's election saw candidates running to the left of the Democrats collectively receive over a quarter of a million votes. The parties and specific beliefs of these candidates may be different, but the fact that so many people threw their support behind at least one left-wing candidate cannot be ignored. Our own Adam Adrianson can take credit for 33,000 of these votes from his Socialist Party campaign for the Michigan State University Board of Trustees.
Moving forward, progressives in the United States have to realize that they no longer have a party that represents them. The Democratic Party is on a one-way charge to the right, and progressive-minded people have no place on that trip.
Politicians like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are the limit of what the Democrats have to offer. They serve as icons to entice progressives and liberals with populist messaging and hopes of building a radical element within the Democratic Party. In reality, they are puppets meant to distract voters and activists with hopes that will never be realized in the current political alignment.
Aside from staying in place and becoming increasingly marginalized and powerless, the only alternative for progressives in the United States is to break from the Democratic Party and move to the Left. By this, we mean the real Left, rather than the left that the Democratic Party has pretended to be.
Socialism, specifically democratic socialism, offers the social justice and economic democracy that progressives yearn for but will never see in a Democrat majority or the capitalist system. By moving towards democratic socialism, working class people who currently identify as progressive or liberal will find radical ideas they could have never dreamed of with the Democrats, along with a rapidly growing movement that is dedicated to building a new society of radical democracy from below.
We hope you will join us in this struggle.
Socialist Party USA National Action Committee
If progressives can learn one thing from the 2014 election cycle, it is that they no longer have a place in the Democratic Party.
With Republicans on the offensive, Democratic incumbents and hopefuls spent the entire election running away from anything perceived to be associated with President Obama. In effect, this created numerous Democratic campaigns that ran to the right of a president that was already on a long-standing drift to the right of his own. This is in contrast to the normal state of affairs, which is where Democrats campaign on ideas that appeal to the progressive base and then do not deliver when elected.
This set of events left progressives and even many liberals without the party that they would normally identify with and vote for. The result was a sweeping defeat for Democrats in the congressional and gubernatorial elections, losing their Senate majority in the process.
At the same time that voters gave a resounding defeat to the Democrats, they also voted heavily in favor of raising the minimum wage in several states. Voters in Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota all approved minimum wage initiatives by double-digit margins, while at the same voting down statewide Democratic candidates by double-digit margins in three of the four states. By doing this, working class voters have proven that they are prepared and willing to embrace the issues and cast off the party and politicians that fail to deliver on them.
Outside of the twin parties of capitalism, Tuesday's election saw candidates running to the left of the Democrats collectively receive over a quarter of a million votes. The parties and specific beliefs of these candidates may be different, but the fact that so many people threw their support behind at least one left-wing candidate cannot be ignored. Our own Adam Adrianson can take credit for 33,000 of these votes from his Socialist Party campaign for the Michigan State University Board of Trustees.
Moving forward, progressives in the United States have to realize that they no longer have a party that represents them. The Democratic Party is on a one-way charge to the right, and progressive-minded people have no place on that trip.
Politicians like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are the limit of what the Democrats have to offer. They serve as icons to entice progressives and liberals with populist messaging and hopes of building a radical element within the Democratic Party. In reality, they are puppets meant to distract voters and activists with hopes that will never be realized in the current political alignment.
Aside from staying in place and becoming increasingly marginalized and powerless, the only alternative for progressives in the United States is to break from the Democratic Party and move to the Left. By this, we mean the real Left, rather than the left that the Democratic Party has pretended to be.
Socialism, specifically democratic socialism, offers the social justice and economic democracy that progressives yearn for but will never see in a Democrat majority or the capitalist system. By moving towards democratic socialism, working class people who currently identify as progressive or liberal will find radical ideas they could have never dreamed of with the Democrats, along with a rapidly growing movement that is dedicated to building a new society of radical democracy from below.
We hope you will join us in this struggle.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
An Economy Fit for Humans
9 October 2014
By Chris McCaffery
The Collegian (Hillsdale, MI)
"At the Enactus-Praxis socialism debate on Sept. 19, Socialist Party USA vice president John Strinka’s position was attractive to many students I talked to not because socialism is a more compelling system of government, or because they believe central planning and redistribution is a panacea. Rather, it was because, in one student’s words, “He [Strinka] talked about human beings....”
Read More
By Chris McCaffery
The Collegian (Hillsdale, MI)
"At the Enactus-Praxis socialism debate on Sept. 19, Socialist Party USA vice president John Strinka’s position was attractive to many students I talked to not because socialism is a more compelling system of government, or because they believe central planning and redistribution is a panacea. Rather, it was because, in one student’s words, “He [Strinka] talked about human beings....”
Read More
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Male Co-Chair Of Socialist Party USA Discusses Socialism In The U.S.
10 September 2014
By Matthew Tinoco
Neon Tommy (Los Angeles)
"Mimi Soltysi is the male co-chair of Socialist Party USA one of the largest and most organized socialist factions in the United States today. Senior Reporter Matthew Tinoco met him for lunch at a cafe in Mid-City for a talk about the state of socialism and capitalism in contemporary America:. . . ."
Read More
By Matthew Tinoco
Neon Tommy (Los Angeles)
"Mimi Soltysi is the male co-chair of Socialist Party USA one of the largest and most organized socialist factions in the United States today. Senior Reporter Matthew Tinoco met him for lunch at a cafe in Mid-City for a talk about the state of socialism and capitalism in contemporary America:. . . ."
Read More
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Socialists Will Not Make the Ballot in Michigan
23 August 2014
By Sarah Ferris
Washington Post
"A federal appeals court ruled against a group of Socialists in Michigan this week, rejecting claims that the state’s election laws discriminated against new parties. . . . . Michigan’s Socialist Party was first formed in 1901, though it has been reenergized in the last decade. The party has run candidates in multiple statewide elections since 2004. . .."
Read More
By Sarah Ferris
Washington Post
"A federal appeals court ruled against a group of Socialists in Michigan this week, rejecting claims that the state’s election laws discriminated against new parties. . . . . Michigan’s Socialist Party was first formed in 1901, though it has been reenergized in the last decade. The party has run candidates in multiple statewide elections since 2004. . .."
Read More
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Courts Won't Put Socialists on Michigan Ballot
20 August 2014
By Associated Press
Detroit Free Press
"A federal appeals court has turned down a request to place five Socialist Party candidates on the November ballot. The court recently ruled that Matt Erard hasn't demonstrated that granting an injunction is in the public's interest...."
Read More
By Associated Press
Detroit Free Press
"A federal appeals court has turned down a request to place five Socialist Party candidates on the November ballot. The court recently ruled that Matt Erard hasn't demonstrated that granting an injunction is in the public's interest...."
Read More
Monday, July 28, 2014
Michigan Socialist Party Nominee Asks Sixth Circuit to Put Him on November Ballot
28 July 2014
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On July 24, Matt Erard asked the Sixth Circuit to put him and four other Socialist Party nominees on the Michigan ballot this year. The basis for the case, Erard v Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, 14-1873, is: (1) Michigan’s law discriminates against new parties, relative to old minor parties, because the number of signatures is approximately twice the number of votes for an old party to remain on; (2) Michigan barred out-of-state circulators during most of the petitioning period for this year’s election and only recently repealed the law, too late to do much good; (3) language on the petition which discourages voters from signing; (4) the six-month limit on petitioning."
Read More
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On July 24, Matt Erard asked the Sixth Circuit to put him and four other Socialist Party nominees on the Michigan ballot this year. The basis for the case, Erard v Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, 14-1873, is: (1) Michigan’s law discriminates against new parties, relative to old minor parties, because the number of signatures is approximately twice the number of votes for an old party to remain on; (2) Michigan barred out-of-state circulators during most of the petitioning period for this year’s election and only recently repealed the law, too late to do much good; (3) language on the petition which discourages voters from signing; (4) the six-month limit on petitioning."
Read More
Friday, July 11, 2014
Interview with California Socialist Candidate
11 July 2014
By Mari P-A
The Red Vine
"This paper, much like the Weekly Worker, spends a lot of time discussing, criticizing and reporting on the left. It is important that organizations on the left engage in active discussions and debates to reach a common ground that leads us one step closer to unity. On that note, I interviewed Mimi Soltysik, the Socialist Party USA candidate for California State Assembly District 62 (including South Los Angeles and stretching to the Pacific) on behalf of The Red Vine:
What made you decide to run?
A few years ago, when we were organizing the Socialist Party Los Angeles Local, we set as a goal the possibility of supporting a local electoral campaign within two years. Two years later (2013), we discussed the idea again as a group, took a survey of our capacity to approach something like this, voted on the idea and decided to give it a shot. The approach was, while I would file the petitions and it would be my name on the ballot, we really wanted to use the campaign as a way for the members of the L.A. and Ventura Locals to engage in a dialogue with the community using a vehicle that had some built-in familiarity, to learn more about what our neighbors are facing, and to have an extended opportunity to listen.
We knew we were going to run an explicitly socialist campaign that pulled no punches, and thought that engaging the folks in the 62nd District with an electoral campaign might be a good way to begin this process. We had comparatively little in the way of financial resources, and we were fully aware of who and what we’d be facing as challengers, but we have a lot of hustle and determination. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit surprised about the final tally of votes. We were really pleased...."
Read More
By Mari P-A
The Red Vine
"This paper, much like the Weekly Worker, spends a lot of time discussing, criticizing and reporting on the left. It is important that organizations on the left engage in active discussions and debates to reach a common ground that leads us one step closer to unity. On that note, I interviewed Mimi Soltysik, the Socialist Party USA candidate for California State Assembly District 62 (including South Los Angeles and stretching to the Pacific) on behalf of The Red Vine:
What made you decide to run?
A few years ago, when we were organizing the Socialist Party Los Angeles Local, we set as a goal the possibility of supporting a local electoral campaign within two years. Two years later (2013), we discussed the idea again as a group, took a survey of our capacity to approach something like this, voted on the idea and decided to give it a shot. The approach was, while I would file the petitions and it would be my name on the ballot, we really wanted to use the campaign as a way for the members of the L.A. and Ventura Locals to engage in a dialogue with the community using a vehicle that had some built-in familiarity, to learn more about what our neighbors are facing, and to have an extended opportunity to listen.
We knew we were going to run an explicitly socialist campaign that pulled no punches, and thought that engaging the folks in the 62nd District with an electoral campaign might be a good way to begin this process. We had comparatively little in the way of financial resources, and we were fully aware of who and what we’d be facing as challengers, but we have a lot of hustle and determination. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit surprised about the final tally of votes. We were really pleased...."
Read More
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Interview with Declared 2016 Socialist Party USA Presidential Candidate Dean Capone
Thursday, July 3, 2014
US activists answer: What is patriotism?
3 July 2014
By Megan Fincher
National Catholic Reporter
"David McReynolds, 84, worked for the War Resisters League from 1960 until his retirement in 1999. On Nov. 6, 1965, he was one of five men who publicly burned their draft cards at New York's Union Square, merely three months after the United States declared public draft-card burning a felony. In 1980, McReynolds became the first openly gay man in U.S. history to run for president of the United States, representing the Socialist Party USA.
What is patriotism?
At 84, and having been active for many years in the War Resisters League and the Socialist Party, particularly in the struggle to end the Vietnam War, I've had much reason to think about the meaning of patriotism. My primary allegiance is not to the United States but perhaps to my own immediate community here in the Lower East Side [of Manhattan], which I can "touch and feel." It is impossible for me to feel either "loyal" or "disloyal" to the United States. There is so much good in our history that I affirm, and so much evil, which I must oppose, that I think the best definition of patriotism is loyalty to the human race, under constant threats of war and environmental devastation, not to any single nation state...."
Read More
By Megan Fincher
National Catholic Reporter
"David McReynolds, 84, worked for the War Resisters League from 1960 until his retirement in 1999. On Nov. 6, 1965, he was one of five men who publicly burned their draft cards at New York's Union Square, merely three months after the United States declared public draft-card burning a felony. In 1980, McReynolds became the first openly gay man in U.S. history to run for president of the United States, representing the Socialist Party USA.
What is patriotism?
At 84, and having been active for many years in the War Resisters League and the Socialist Party, particularly in the struggle to end the Vietnam War, I've had much reason to think about the meaning of patriotism. My primary allegiance is not to the United States but perhaps to my own immediate community here in the Lower East Side [of Manhattan], which I can "touch and feel." It is impossible for me to feel either "loyal" or "disloyal" to the United States. There is so much good in our history that I affirm, and so much evil, which I must oppose, that I think the best definition of patriotism is loyalty to the human race, under constant threats of war and environmental devastation, not to any single nation state...."
Read More
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Experts: Tax changes need to be fair, earn public trust
24 June 2014
By Barb Berggoetz
IndyStar
"About 200 tax experts invited to Pence's conference opined about how Indiana should create a simpler and fairer tax structure that will spur growth. . . .
John Strinka, chairman, Greater Indianapolis Socialist Party-USA: 'What we need is a progressive tax structure. They (speakers) are peddling the same old snake oil that they've been peddling for the last 30 years that we've seen manifestly does not work....'"
Read More
By Barb Berggoetz
IndyStar
"About 200 tax experts invited to Pence's conference opined about how Indiana should create a simpler and fairer tax structure that will spur growth. . . .
John Strinka, chairman, Greater Indianapolis Socialist Party-USA: 'What we need is a progressive tax structure. They (speakers) are peddling the same old snake oil that they've been peddling for the last 30 years that we've seen manifestly does not work....'"
Read More
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
U.S. District Court Judge Invites Michigan Secretary of State to Respond to Socialist Party’s Request for Reconsideration
11 June 2014
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On June 9, U.S. District Court Judge Stephen J. Murphy ordered that the Michigan Secretary of State is permitted to respond to the request for reconsideration in Erard v Michigan Secretary of State, eastern district, 12-cv-13627. Most of the time, when plaintiffs lose and then ask for reconsideration, the court denies reconsideration without even asking the other side to respond. But in this case, the request for reconsideration is weighty enough that the Judge wants to hear from the Secretary of State...."
Read More
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On June 9, U.S. District Court Judge Stephen J. Murphy ordered that the Michigan Secretary of State is permitted to respond to the request for reconsideration in Erard v Michigan Secretary of State, eastern district, 12-cv-13627. Most of the time, when plaintiffs lose and then ask for reconsideration, the court denies reconsideration without even asking the other side to respond. But in this case, the request for reconsideration is weighty enough that the Judge wants to hear from the Secretary of State...."
Read More
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Michigan Loss
1 June 2014
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On May 14, U.S. District Court Judge Stephen J. Murphy, a Bush, Jr. appointee, upheld Michigan’s ballot access laws for newly-qualifying parties, in a challenge filed by a Socialist Party candidate. Erard v Secretary of State, e.d., 2:12cv-13627.
Michigan requires newly-qualifying parties to submit 32,261 valid signatures this year, yet a party that polled at least 16,083 votes in November 201 automatically remains on the ballot. The lawsuit argues that Michigan is discriminating against new parties relative to old ones. In support of the contention that this is unconstitutional, Erard mentioned the U.S. Supreme Court decision Williams v Rhodes, which struck down Ohio’s laws in 1968 partly because new parties needed a 15% petition, but old parties could stay on with a 10% vote. Erard also cited Baird v Davorem, a 1972 Massachusetts case that said it was unconstitutional for Massachusetts to require a 3% petition to get on, when the vote test to remain on was only one-tenth of 1%.
The judge said because every party in Michigan had to petition to get on originally, there is no Equal Protection violation. The statement that every party in Michigan had to petition to get on the ballot is factually wrong. No party in Michigan was required to petition until the law was changed in 1939, so the Democratic and Republican Parties never needed a petition. Erard had included this information in his brief, but the Judge apparently overlooked it. Erard will ask for reconsideration."
Read More
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On May 14, U.S. District Court Judge Stephen J. Murphy, a Bush, Jr. appointee, upheld Michigan’s ballot access laws for newly-qualifying parties, in a challenge filed by a Socialist Party candidate. Erard v Secretary of State, e.d., 2:12cv-13627.
Michigan requires newly-qualifying parties to submit 32,261 valid signatures this year, yet a party that polled at least 16,083 votes in November 201 automatically remains on the ballot. The lawsuit argues that Michigan is discriminating against new parties relative to old ones. In support of the contention that this is unconstitutional, Erard mentioned the U.S. Supreme Court decision Williams v Rhodes, which struck down Ohio’s laws in 1968 partly because new parties needed a 15% petition, but old parties could stay on with a 10% vote. Erard also cited Baird v Davorem, a 1972 Massachusetts case that said it was unconstitutional for Massachusetts to require a 3% petition to get on, when the vote test to remain on was only one-tenth of 1%.
The judge said because every party in Michigan had to petition to get on originally, there is no Equal Protection violation. The statement that every party in Michigan had to petition to get on the ballot is factually wrong. No party in Michigan was required to petition until the law was changed in 1939, so the Democratic and Republican Parties never needed a petition. Erard had included this information in his brief, but the Judge apparently overlooked it. Erard will ask for reconsideration."
Read More
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Reconsideration Requested in Michigan Socialist Party Ballot Access Case
31 May 2014
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On May 28, the plaintiff in the pending federal Michigan ballot access case, Matt Erard, filed for reconsideration in U.S. District Court.
The chief issue is whether Michigan unconstitutionally discriminates
against newly-qualifying parties, relative to old parties. The number
of signatures required for new parties to get on the ballot is
approximately twice the number of votes needed for old parties to remain
on the ballot. Erard is a Socialist Party candidate, although
technically the Socialist Party is not a co-plaintiff. The case is in
the eastern district, 2:12cv-13627.
The request for reconsideration was made because the initial U.S. District Court decision of May 14, upholding the law, appears to have some factual errors, and also seems to overlook key precedents."
Read More
The request for reconsideration was made because the initial U.S. District Court decision of May 14, upholding the law, appears to have some factual errors, and also seems to overlook key precedents."
Read More
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Free Elections or Business as Usual: Los Angeles News Group or Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce?
11 May 2014
Scott Tucker
Truthdig
"Emidio “Mimi” Soltysik of the Socialist Party of the United States is running as a candidate for State Assembly in the 62nd District. I have attached his own statement (see below) explaining how he was invited to the Long Beach office of the Los Angeles News Group on May 8 for a group interview of the candidates in order to decide on an endorsement. Though not able to attend in person, he participated by teleconference. Far from being given equal time to state his views and public policy positions, Soltysik was cut off repeatedly...."
Read More
Scott Tucker
Truthdig
"Emidio “Mimi” Soltysik of the Socialist Party of the United States is running as a candidate for State Assembly in the 62nd District. I have attached his own statement (see below) explaining how he was invited to the Long Beach office of the Los Angeles News Group on May 8 for a group interview of the candidates in order to decide on an endorsement. Though not able to attend in person, he participated by teleconference. Far from being given equal time to state his views and public policy positions, Soltysik was cut off repeatedly...."
Read More
Monday, April 14, 2014
SP Candidate Mimi Soltysik to Participate in CA State Assembly Candidates Forum
14 April 2014
Socialist Party candidate Mimi Soltysik will be participating in a candidates forum hosted by UCLA and Loyola Marymount University on Wednesday April 30, at 6pm. The forum will be held in Loyola Marymount's Roski Dining Room and will feature all candidates running in this year's race for California 62nd district State Assembly seat.
The event is open to the public with registration available here. The Facebook event page for the candidates forum can also be found here.
Socialist Party candidate Mimi Soltysik will be participating in a candidates forum hosted by UCLA and Loyola Marymount University on Wednesday April 30, at 6pm. The forum will be held in Loyola Marymount's Roski Dining Room and will feature all candidates running in this year's race for California 62nd district State Assembly seat.
The event is open to the public with registration available here. The Facebook event page for the candidates forum can also be found here.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Interview with 2014 SP California State Assembly Candidate Mimi Soltysik
7 April 2014
By Jen McClellan
The Socialist
"JEN MCCLELLAN: What does it mean to be running as a socialist? (What do you hope to accomplish?)
MIMI SOLTYSIK: Initially we (as in the L.A. Local and the Ventura Local folks that frequently participate in the L.A. Local affairs) wanted to use the campaign as another way to talk to the community about democratic socialism. We’re using the campaign to bring new members into the local and to help with local projects. We initially had to consider “can we even get on the ballot?” And now that we’re on the ballot, it gives us another round of opportunities to get down with the community about democratic socialism, to hear from them about what they face, what their feelings are about their working conditions, education, the environment, and things like that. It has enabled us to broaden a dialog with the community, and we are learning a lot.
JEN MCCLELLAN: Have you ever done anything like this before?
MIMI SOLTYSIK: I worked with the Socialist Party’s presidential campaign in 2012 but I wasn’t the candidate. That experience was more about looking at things on a macro level because that was a national campaign. This feels a bit more intimate because the people that we have these discussions with, engage with, and establish these relationships with, tend to be neighbors; so it is a bit different.
JEN MCCLELLAN: So this campaign is more about the experience and less focused on winning?
MIMI SOLTYSIK: We’re just trying to add another contribution toward the advance of the socialist movement. We try to use every tool we can to do that, and that can include an electoral campaign. We understand that we’re not going to fight toe-to-toe with our big-moneyed Democratic Party and GOP challengers who are going to outspend us 200 to 1. We may use some more unorthodox tactics, perhaps guerrilla tactics to narrow the gap. We are certainly being realistic about what we’re up against and who the challengers are. I was really inspired by Pat Noble’s campaign in 2012, and at the end of the day, if we can learn some new things locally, and develop closer relationships with the community, that’s fantastic!
JEN MCCLELLAN: I’ve noticed since I have begun telling people (co-workers, professors, fellow students, members of other leftist groups) the SPUSA is running a candidate it seems they’ve begun taking us more seriously. Why do you think that is?
MIMI SOLTYSIK: So many people have a familiarity with the electoral process, and this is another reason we chose to run an electoral campaign. This is a language that is widely understood, in my opinion. So part of it is involving ourselves in a relationship that people are already comfortable and familiar with. Flatly rejecting electoral politics is, to me, somewhat like saying, “I don’t care about going to where people are at.” It would be like choosing to pull yourself out of touch with what people know. So it makes sense to me that people would take socialism or the SPUSA more seriously when we talk about something they’re more familiar with. There’s a built in dialogue because they understand the language of an election. . . ."
Read More
By Jen McClellan
The Socialist
"JEN MCCLELLAN: What does it mean to be running as a socialist? (What do you hope to accomplish?)
MIMI SOLTYSIK: Initially we (as in the L.A. Local and the Ventura Local folks that frequently participate in the L.A. Local affairs) wanted to use the campaign as another way to talk to the community about democratic socialism. We’re using the campaign to bring new members into the local and to help with local projects. We initially had to consider “can we even get on the ballot?” And now that we’re on the ballot, it gives us another round of opportunities to get down with the community about democratic socialism, to hear from them about what they face, what their feelings are about their working conditions, education, the environment, and things like that. It has enabled us to broaden a dialog with the community, and we are learning a lot.
JEN MCCLELLAN: Have you ever done anything like this before?
MIMI SOLTYSIK: I worked with the Socialist Party’s presidential campaign in 2012 but I wasn’t the candidate. That experience was more about looking at things on a macro level because that was a national campaign. This feels a bit more intimate because the people that we have these discussions with, engage with, and establish these relationships with, tend to be neighbors; so it is a bit different.
JEN MCCLELLAN: So this campaign is more about the experience and less focused on winning?
MIMI SOLTYSIK: We’re just trying to add another contribution toward the advance of the socialist movement. We try to use every tool we can to do that, and that can include an electoral campaign. We understand that we’re not going to fight toe-to-toe with our big-moneyed Democratic Party and GOP challengers who are going to outspend us 200 to 1. We may use some more unorthodox tactics, perhaps guerrilla tactics to narrow the gap. We are certainly being realistic about what we’re up against and who the challengers are. I was really inspired by Pat Noble’s campaign in 2012, and at the end of the day, if we can learn some new things locally, and develop closer relationships with the community, that’s fantastic!
JEN MCCLELLAN: I’ve noticed since I have begun telling people (co-workers, professors, fellow students, members of other leftist groups) the SPUSA is running a candidate it seems they’ve begun taking us more seriously. Why do you think that is?
MIMI SOLTYSIK: So many people have a familiarity with the electoral process, and this is another reason we chose to run an electoral campaign. This is a language that is widely understood, in my opinion. So part of it is involving ourselves in a relationship that people are already comfortable and familiar with. Flatly rejecting electoral politics is, to me, somewhat like saying, “I don’t care about going to where people are at.” It would be like choosing to pull yourself out of touch with what people know. So it makes sense to me that people would take socialism or the SPUSA more seriously when we talk about something they’re more familiar with. There’s a built in dialogue because they understand the language of an election. . . ."
Read More
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
SPUSA National Secretary and U.S. Senate Candidate quoted on CNN's Michael Smerconish Program
1 April 2014
SPUSA National Secretary and 2012 U.S. Senate candidate Greg Pason was quoted on CNN's Michael Smerconish Program on April 1, 2014 in regard to the Socialist Party's position on Obamacare.
A video of the segment is available here (fast forward to 2:00 minute point).
SPUSA National Secretary and 2012 U.S. Senate candidate Greg Pason was quoted on CNN's Michael Smerconish Program on April 1, 2014 in regard to the Socialist Party's position on Obamacare.
A video of the segment is available here (fast forward to 2:00 minute point).
Socialist Party Wins New Jersey Case
1 April 2014
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On March 19, New Jersey election officials agreed to let voters register into the Socialist Party, and to keep a tally. The party will then be able to obtain a list of its registered voters. The party had sued to obtain this outcome. The state agreed, without the need for a judge to make a decision. The lawsuit had been filed July 1, 2013, and is Noble v State, Mercer County Superior Court, c-86-13. Six other minor parties also have voter registration rights in New Jersey. In all six instances, the parties had to sue the state...."
Read More
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On March 19, New Jersey election officials agreed to let voters register into the Socialist Party, and to keep a tally. The party will then be able to obtain a list of its registered voters. The party had sued to obtain this outcome. The state agreed, without the need for a judge to make a decision. The lawsuit had been filed July 1, 2013, and is Noble v State, Mercer County Superior Court, c-86-13. Six other minor parties also have voter registration rights in New Jersey. In all six instances, the parties had to sue the state...."
Read More
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
New Jersey Election Officials Will Allow Voters to Register into Socialist Party and Will Keep a Tally
19 March 2014
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On March 19, New Jersey election officials agreed that they will grant voter registration rights to the Socialist Party. This means that when anyone fills in the 'political party' blank on voter registration forms, the state will keep a tally of these voters, and then party officers will be able to learn of the existence of such voters.
Other unqualified parties that are treated this way are the Conservative, Constitution, Green, Libertarian, Natural Law, and Reform Parties. Each of these parties obtained that status by suing the state, just as the Socialist Party did last year...."
Read More
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On March 19, New Jersey election officials agreed that they will grant voter registration rights to the Socialist Party. This means that when anyone fills in the 'political party' blank on voter registration forms, the state will keep a tally of these voters, and then party officers will be able to learn of the existence of such voters.
Other unqualified parties that are treated this way are the Conservative, Constitution, Green, Libertarian, Natural Law, and Reform Parties. Each of these parties obtained that status by suing the state, just as the Socialist Party did last year...."
Read More
Friday, March 7, 2014
Tentative California List of Candidates for State Office Shows Very Few Minor Party and Independent Candidates for Legislature
7 March 2014
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"The California Secretary of State has a tentative list of candidates for state office.... The list shows no independent or minor party candidates for State Senate, except for Green Party member Jack Lindblad. For Assembly, there are four candidates who are not registered members of any qualified party, and one minor party candidate, Pamela Elizondo of the Green Party. One of the no-party candidates for the legislature is Emidio (Mimi) Soltysik. He is registered “Socialist”, but he will not have that label on the ballot because California law does not permit the names of unqualified parties to be on the ballot...."
Read More
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"The California Secretary of State has a tentative list of candidates for state office.... The list shows no independent or minor party candidates for State Senate, except for Green Party member Jack Lindblad. For Assembly, there are four candidates who are not registered members of any qualified party, and one minor party candidate, Pamela Elizondo of the Green Party. One of the no-party candidates for the legislature is Emidio (Mimi) Soltysik. He is registered “Socialist”, but he will not have that label on the ballot because California law does not permit the names of unqualified parties to be on the ballot...."
Read More
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...."
Read More
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...."
Read More
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.
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...."
Read More
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...."
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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..."
Read More
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..."
Read More
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...."
Read More
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...."
Read More
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."
Read More
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."
Read More
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Socialist Party USA Response to the State of the Union Address
29 January 2014
By Greg Pason, SPUSA National Secretary
"My name is Greg Pason, National Secretary of the Socialist Party USA, the voice of democratic socialism in the US, and I speak this evening to give the Socialist Party’s response to the State of the Union.
I probably do not have to remind you that the state of the union is not good. The policies of the Democratic and Republican parties have led to mass unemployment, extreme income inequality, endless war and cuts to social services. Neither the president nor congress is putting forward ideas to clearly address these issues.
The Socialist Party provides an alternative vision - a vision of social justice and economic democracy – let me put forward some ideas. . . ."
Read More
By Greg Pason, SPUSA National Secretary
"My name is Greg Pason, National Secretary of the Socialist Party USA, the voice of democratic socialism in the US, and I speak this evening to give the Socialist Party’s response to the State of the Union.
I probably do not have to remind you that the state of the union is not good. The policies of the Democratic and Republican parties have led to mass unemployment, extreme income inequality, endless war and cuts to social services. Neither the president nor congress is putting forward ideas to clearly address these issues.
The Socialist Party provides an alternative vision - a vision of social justice and economic democracy – let me put forward some ideas. . . ."
Read More
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
New Jersey Elections Department Undecided on Whether to Grant Socialist Party Voter Registration Rights
15 January 2014
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On January 15, a status conference was held in Noble v State, Mercer County Superior Court, c-86-13. This is the lawsuit filed by the Socialist Party to win the ability for voters to register as members of the Socialist Party. At the status conference, the state said it is still deciding whether to give the party what it desires...."
Read More
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On January 15, a status conference was held in Noble v State, Mercer County Superior Court, c-86-13. This is the lawsuit filed by the Socialist Party to win the ability for voters to register as members of the Socialist Party. At the status conference, the state said it is still deciding whether to give the party what it desires...."
Read More
Friday, January 10, 2014
Michigan Socialist Party Ballot Access Suit Wins a Partial Procedural Victory
10 January 2014
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On January 9, a U.S. District Court Magistrate denied Michigan’s attempt to dismiss Erard v Ruth Johnson, eastern district, 2:12cv-13627. The case had been filed by a Socialist Party candidate for Congress in 2012, and argues that Michigan’s ballot access laws relating to newly-qualifying parties are unconstitutional. The Report, written by Magistrate Laurie Michelson, is 71 pages long...."
Read More
By Richard Winger
Ballot Access News
"On January 9, a U.S. District Court Magistrate denied Michigan’s attempt to dismiss Erard v Ruth Johnson, eastern district, 2:12cv-13627. The case had been filed by a Socialist Party candidate for Congress in 2012, and argues that Michigan’s ballot access laws relating to newly-qualifying parties are unconstitutional. The Report, written by Magistrate Laurie Michelson, is 71 pages long...."
Read More
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Interview with SPUSA National Co-Chair on Socialism in American Politics
8 January 2014
Voice of Russia -U.S. Edition
Socialist Party USA National Co-Chair and 2014 California State Assembly candidate Mimi Soltysik was interviewed on 'Voice of Russia - American Edition' on the subjects of socialism in American politics and Socialist electoral action.
Click here to listen to the Podcast
Voice of Russia -U.S. Edition
Socialist Party USA National Co-Chair and 2014 California State Assembly candidate Mimi Soltysik was interviewed on 'Voice of Russia - American Edition' on the subjects of socialism in American politics and Socialist electoral action.
Click here to listen to the Podcast
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)