As the Communist Party USA gathers in Chicago this weekend, its rhetoric strikes a somewhat familiar tone as those from the city currently in national power:
From the party’s convention announcement:
Put people before profits: Help build a movement to transform this country
Announcing the 30th Convention of the Communist Party USA
June 13-15, 2014, Chicago, Illinois
The people of the United States face enormous challenges today.
We live in a capitalist system where the 99% of people struggle every day to survive and the richest 1% control the vast majority of wealth and power. Capitalism cannot meet the needs of the vast majority.
Economic inequality and job insecurity are increasing. Working families are living with less and working longer hours. The infrastructure of our cities and towns is deteriorating. Our schools are underfunded and essential public services are strapped and slashed. Home foreclosures are everywhere and millions of people are homeless and hungry in the richest country in the world. Racism, sexism, homophobia and all kinds of discrimination are commonplace. Working men and women fight and die in wars around the globe for U.S. corporate interests.
We also face an urgent threat to the very survival of life on the planet. Climate change is the byproduct of capitalism. It is working people, the poor and communities of color who face the most direct consequences of global warming and the poisoning of our environment.
The drive of the rich and powerful to gain wealth at the expense of working people is the only logic of capitalism.
But everywhere in our country people unite to fight to improve their lives, to change the world for the better.
The main obstacle to progress today is right-wing extremism. Right wing spokespeople and groups represent and are funded by the most conservative sections of the rich and powerful.
