"In a statement published in the Socialist Party NYC website today, Stewart Alexander -- 2012 Socialist Party USA Presidential Candidate -- said that the first thing that came to mind post-SOTU is the phrase 'too little, too late.'
'After spending the last few years coddling the banks and the richest 1%, Obama has the nerve to now call for 'economic fairness.' To him, this means tweaking payroll taxes and making a rhetorical call to reverse the Bush tax cuts for the rich,' he wrote...."
"We need to create a new democratic voice that helps us to make rational decisions about industry, financial institutions, and the use of our precious natural
resources. Overall, I intend to put the vast wealth of this society to work to finally satisfy human needs instead of feeding the profit hungry 1% and the
corporations that they own...."
By: Aman Batheja Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX)
(link)
"Though theirs is not a new party, the Socialists hope to get on ballots in Texas and other states. Texas Chairman Alex Mendoza of Dallas has been tapped as the
party's vice presidential candidate this year with Stewart Alexander of Los Angeles at the top of the ticket...."
The Socialist Party USA is more than a little skeptical of Texas Gov. Rick Perry's claim Sunday that President Barack Obama belongs in their ranks..... The Socialist
Party's presidential ticket consists of perennial candidate Stewart Alexander and former Marine Alex Mendoza...."
"The Peace & Freedom Party of California is entitled to its own presidential primary in 2012. That ballot will include four candidates: (1) Stewart Alexander; (2)
Rocky Anderson; (3) Peta Lindsay; (4) Stephen Durham. Alexander is already the Socialist Party nominee; Rocky Anderson will probably be the Justice Party nominee;
Peta Lindsay is the nominee of the Party for Socialism and Liberation; and Stephen Durham is the nominee of the Freedom Socialist Party...."
"I refuse to vote for a lesser of two evils. Evil is evil and no compromise should be made to let it remain.... Depending on ballot rules, I might toss my vote to
Stewart Alexander.... It would make as much of a difference to national politics if I gave my vote to Corporate Pawn One or Corporate Pawn Two...."
"There is a case to be made for a tactical vote for Obama to fend off the truly fascistic scenarios represented by a President Gingrich, Perry, Bachmann or Paul—even
while vigorously opposing him on the Web and in the streets. There is also a good case that giving the Democrats a blank check will not halt the fascistic
trajectory, and is counter-productive. If you feel swayed by the latter case—please, work for the Socialist Party candidate Stewart Alexander. Or join the
anarcho-abstentionists and work to expose the entire political process as the sordid farce that it is...."
Alex Mendoza of The Socialist Party USA ticket says that apparent offers for new jobs to unemployed individuals are deceptive. As an example he cites the
actions of governor and presidential candidate Rick Perry. '[He] has enacted economic policies which bring in a lot of new jobs, but they’re not jobs to write
home about. We have good jobs being replaced by minimum wage jobs so businesses get more work for less cost and people aren’t technically unemployed anymore.'
Stewart Alexander of the same ticket adds, 'Businesses are hiring desperate workers at low wages to sell merchandise…This is often part time work while it lasts.'
Supporting the system through governmentally-approved avenues could result in a distraction from true Occupy goals...."
By: Collin McRann
The Douglas Budget (Douglas, WY)
(link)
"Running under the Democratic Socialist ticket [sic]* is Stewart Alexander. He lives in California and has run for mayor of Los Angeles as well as many other offices.
Of course, he has has lost them all. His positions? Alexander supports single payer health care and guaranteed income, as well as many other social services.
He is also the chairperson of the Socialist Party of California, but I doubt he will gain much of an audience in Wyoming...."
By: Jacklyn Corley
The Freehold Patch (New Jersey)
(link)
"The November election marks Red Bank resident Patrick Noble's first run for office as well as his first opportunity to cast a general election
ballot. The 18-year-old is secretary of the Socialist Party of New Jersey and co-founded the Socialist Party of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Noble
graduated from the Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science in June.
'I'm running to provide a Socialist alternative to the people of Monmouth County. I think that our electoral system is flawed in all levels of
government. I'm running to give voters an alternative and different ideas that they won't find represented in other candidates,' Noble said...."
Socialist Party USA: A Dispatch from the Convention
By: Edwin Laing
The Santa Barbara Independent (California)
(link)
"The meeting was mainly for housekeeping purposes: refresh our party's vision, elect our party officers, fine tune our structure.But it was also to
name our top federal candidates, a longstanding Socialist Party practice to acquaint people with socialist ideas.A working people's slate emerged: Stewart
Alexander of California for President of the United States, Alex Mendoza of Texas for Vice President of the United States...."
Freeholder Candidates Debate Economics, Energy and Ethics
By: Jacklyn Corley
The Freehold Patch (New Jersey)
(link)
"Monmouth County freeholder candidates fielded questions on job creation, renewable energy and ethics during a debate sponsored by the League of
Women Voters (LWV) Wednesday night. Freeholder Lillian Burry, R; Freeholder Amy Mallet, D; Gary Rich, R; William Shea, D; and Patrick Noble, I,
participated in the forum held at Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan. Independent candidate Tom Markowski did not attend...."
By: Joseph Sapia
The Asbury Park Press (New Jersey)
(link)
"With two seats available on the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders in the Nov. 8 general election, a variety of things could happen:
Republicans winding up with all five seats. Democrats can pick away to get two seats, meaning motions can be easily seconded. Or an independent and Socialist may sneak in."
By: Ted Strong
The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA)
(link)
"A number of participants at the Charlottesville meeting had taken part in occupations elsewhere; New York and Washington were mentioned. Among those
at the event was Brandon Collins, a socialist running for Charlottesville City Council...."
"The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders candidates are Thomas Markowski (independent), Patrick Noble (Socialist Party USA), Gary Rich
(Republican) and William Shea (Democrat)...."
Socialist Party Taps Stewart Alexander for President
By: Darcy Richardson Uncovered Politics; Independent Political Report
(link)
"Delegates to the Socialist Party USA national convention in Los Angeles turned to their 2008 vice-presidential nominee yesterday to head the party's ticket
in the 2012 presidential sweepstakes. In nominating Stewart A. Alexander, an early frontrunner for the party's top spot, the delegates turned back a late
but spirited challenge from sociology professor Jerry Levy, a longtime activist in Vermont's Liberty Union Party...."
"On October 16, the Socialist Party, meeting in national convention in Los Angeles, chose Stewart Alexander for President, and Alejandro Mendoza
for Vice-President...."
"The Socialist Party USA is meeting this weekend at the Los Angeles International Airport Holiday Inn. Delegates from around the country will be
gathering to review the party's platform and choose candidates for President and Vice-President for the 2012 election...."
By: Joseph Sapia
The Asbury Park Press (New Jersey)
(link)
"This year's race for two seats on the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders is an odd brew - an incumbent Republican from the majority, an incumbent Democrat in the
minority, their two running mates, plus an independent and a Socialist...."
On October, the Charlottesville Tomorrow news publication interviewed SP Charlottesville, VA City Council candidate Brandon Collins. Listen to the podcast
here or read the transcript
here.
City council candidates wade into area's race issues
By: Graham Moomaw
The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA)
(link)
"Independents Scott Bandy and Brandon Collins were asked how the city could better engage its growing Hispanic population ....
Collins, a restaurant worker and self-described socialist, said engaging Hispanics has been a big part of his activism locally and around
the state, and suggested the city should do more to make sure Hispanic residents don't feel like 'outsiders.'
'I think if we can make Charlottesville a place where all documented and undocumented immigrants feel comfortable, that's going to go a long way
toward their feeling included in our society,' Collins said...."
Council candidates split over local jobs/income report
By: Graham Moomaw
The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA)
(link)
"Independent Brandon Collins, a self-described socialist candidate, had a different reaction, saying he was 'puzzled' by
the study's release and questioned what the authors were trying to achieve.... Collins pointed specifically to calls to
modify the city's zoning and planning rules to allow light manufacturing facilities in poor neighborhoods.
'They're not actually talking about human beings; what they're talking about is using it as a reason to expand business,' Collins said.
'The main thing is we shouldn't let the Chamber of Commerce use poverty as an excuse for rich people to make more money.
'
Collins has called for the creation of a downtown jobs center that would offer guaranteed employment to every city resident who wanted a job...."
"Via Kevin Drum, this poll from Winthrop University shows, among other things, that a full 74.7 percent of South Carolina Republicans
think the term 'socialist' describes Barack Obama well or very well (in addition, almost 30 percent believe he's a Muslim, and 36 percent
think he was probably or definitely born in another country). So just out of curiosity, I shuffled over to the website of the Socialist Party USA
to see how Obama-esque they are these days. The answer? Not much...."
Socialist Party candidate Brandon Collins participated in a Charlottesville City Council candidates forum, jointly sponsored by the
Charlottesville Tomorrow and Daily Progress newspapers on September 20, 2011.
SP City Council candidate Brandon Collins was jointly interviewed, together with Charlottesville VA Mayor Dave Norris, on 106.1FM - "The Corner's" Brad
Savage Morning Show on Thursday September 22nd. Click here to listen to podcast.
"Long was joined at his announcement by fellow independent candidates Collins and Williams, whom he endorsed.
'This current local election is just as important as the 2008 election for President,' said Long. 'All it takes us is 5
minutes to go into the voting booth to vote for a change in government and to get rid of the 'Democratic machine' here in Charlottesville.'
'[Collins] shares my passion for the homeless, on economic issues and also for public transit,' Long said. 'There are differences -- he goes a bit
further than I would -- I mean he is active in the Socialist Party, but having said that, a lot of what he says I agree with and I think he would be
good for Charlottesville....'"
"Six of the City Council hopefuls squared off in a Tuesday night candidates debate. The participants were Democrats Satyendra Huja
(pictured left), Kathy Galvin (pictured third from left) and DeDe Smith (pictured second from right), along with Independents Bob Fenwick
(pictured third from right), Brandon Collins (pictured second from left) and Andrew Williams (pictured right). They sparred over roads, water,
reconfiguration of the city schools, and the role of the City Police. The debate was sponsored by Charlottesville Tomorrow and the Daily
Progress."
"The Daily Progress and Charlottesville Tomorrow are co-hosting a candidate forum tonight for the eight men and women
running for three seats on the Charlottesville City Council.
The event will be held from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Burley Middle School auditorium on Rose Hill Drive. Doors open at 6:00 pm.
Seven of the eight candidates on the ballot have agreed to appear at the forum. They are socialist Brandon Collins,
dredging activist Bob Fenwick, homeless advocate Paul Long, city school board member Kathleen Galvin, incumbent councilor Satyendra
Huja, former school board member Dede Smith, and State Farm employee Andrew Williams...."
By: Hook Staff The Hook (Charlottesville, VA weekly)
(link)
"Most socialistic: City Council candidate Brandon Collins calls for the city to provide jobs at a living wage
to anyone who wants one. Collins is running as an independent and is a member of the Socialist Party...."
A 'people's' candidate: First Socialist Party member runs for City Council
By: Ana Mir Cavalier Daily (University of Virginia)
(link)
"Brandon Collins wasn't afraid to touch a politically controversial subject Monday ? providing jobs to all City residents and working toward
guaranteed employment. But the City Council candidate, whose push for more jobs struck a nerve with other City politicians, is used to being an
outsider - he is the first Socialist Party member to run for this position...."
Council candidate calls for jobs for all in city who want one
By: Sharon C. Fitzgerald
The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA)
(link)
"A member of the Socialist Party, Collins said the city should be required to give a job to every resident who wants to work and pay them
an hourly wage of at least $12.01 an hour....
'I am focused on labor and the needs of the many disadvantaged people in this town,' Collins said. 'I have lived in Charlottesville my entire life.
I know what it is to work for less than a living wage, to rely on public transportation, to need assistance. I am the only candidate who demands the
elimination, rather than the alleviation, of poverty, unemployment and ecological degradation....'"
"Monday, Brandon Collins unveiled his plan to create more jobs in Charlottesville. The Charlottesville City Council
candidate addressed a group of people outside of the Transit Center on the downtown mall in Charlottesville...."
"Participating in the event were Scott Bandy, Brandon Collins, Bob Fenwick and Paul Long. Absent were independent
Andrew Williams, and Democrats Kathy Galvin, Satyendra Huja and Dede Smith....."
Independent council candidates voice views at tea party forum
By: Graham Moomaw
The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA)
(link)
"Collins, a self-described socialist running a campaign focused on poverty and the environment, seemed to be the favorite target
when it came time for audience questions.
In the first question, and in several follow-ups, Collins was asked to share his views on illegal immigration.
Collins said immigration was one of the issues the tea party is most likely to disagree with on him because he's done "hard organizing"
for immigrants' rights.
'My view is that these are human beings. They have children here. They've come here to have a better life,' Collins said. 'Locking people
up and deporting them for having a DUI is unacceptable. We don't treat any other human being that way....'"
Independents battle Democrats, each other for City Council
By: Graham Moomaw
The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA)
(link)
"Collins, a 38-year-old musician, restaurant worker and personal care attendant, doesn't beat around the bush about where he falls on the
political spectrum.
"I am not shying away from the fact that I'm a socialist,' Collins said. 'And I think that's brought me in a lot more support than I anticipated.'
Collins favors a 'comprehensive approach' to poverty and the environment, as well as an expansion of public transportation. At candidate forums, he's
suggested that every city resident be offered guaranteed employment. During discussions of the water plan, Collins has said that no resident should have
their water turned off due to an inability to pay the bills...."
Socialist Party candidate Brandon Council participated in the Charlottesville, VA Senior Statesmen City Council Candidates Forum on August 10, 2011....
"Charlottesville City Council candidate Brandon Collins called Thursday for the immediate disclosure of the state's
new plans for the Meadow Creek Parkway and insisted that construction be delayed until after this year's election.
Collins, who describes himself as a socialist candidate, said no construction should begin in McIntire Park until any new plans
are available for review by the public and the council.
'VDOT's sudden change of location for the McIntire Road Extended is an effort to avoid a court issued injunction and suggests that
the plans for the Meadow Creek Parkway in its entirety, including McIntire Road Extended and the Interchange at the 250 Bypass, is
in violation of U.S. environmental law,' Collins said in a statement...."
Socialist Freeholder Candidate Backs Community Garden
By: Edward Van Embden Redbank-Shrewsbury Patch (Redbank-Shrewsbury, NJ)
(link)
"It's official: socialists support fresh fruits and vegetables.
Pat Noble, an 18-year-old Red Bank resident and member of the Socialist Party USA running for election onto the Monmouth County Board of
Chosen Freeholders, has endorsed the efforts of volunteers who hope to develop a community garden on a vacant lot along the Navesink River....
Noble's support of the community gardeners came following a Socialist Part of Monmouth and Ocean Counties meeting in June where Cindy Burnham,
a supporter of the community garden, handed out copies of a garden proposal and spoke about the project."
By: Graham Moomaw
The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA)
(link)
"In 2006, both the City Council and the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors approved a $142 million plan to ensure an
adequate water supply to the area for the next 50 years by building a concrete dam at the Ragged Mountain Reservoir that
would raise its pool by 45 feet. A bloc of city residents insisted that dredging the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir and making
incremental improvements to existing infrastructure would accomplish that goal without the need for a costly new dam.
The roiling controversy came to a head early this year when, in a set of split votes, the council approved a plan for an earthen
dam that would raise the existing reservoir by 30 feet.
Construction on the new dam could begin as early as mid-October, but the political battle over the issue doesn't appear to be going
away anytime soon.
Self-described Socialist Party candidate Brandon Collins, running as an independent, lists his position as 'Dredge the South Fork Rivanna
Reservoir now, don't dam' on his campaign website...."
Socialist Party Candidate Brandon Collins for was interviewed on WINA Newsradio's "The Schilling Show" about his 2011 campaign for the Charlottesville
City Council. Fast forward to the 20 minutes point to hear the interview."
To play to the podcast recording, click on the fourth listed episode within the podcast player, titled "The Local Burner: Interview with Monmouth/Ocean Socialist Party
Chair Pat Noble."
"A member of the Socialist Party of Central Virginia has announced he will run as an independent candidate for Charlottesville City Council....
'You can resist the war here in local government by taking a look at the massive amount of contractors we have here in Charlottesville, seeing
what role the city plays with those folks, and eliminating that role altogether,' Collins said at the council's April 18 meeting...."
"A member of the Socialist Party of Central Virginia has announced he will run as an independent candidate for Charlottesville City Council....
'You can resist the war here in local government by taking a look at the massive amount of contractors we have here in Charlottesville, seeing
what role the city plays with those folks, and eliminating that role altogether,' Collins said at the council's April 18 meeting...."
"Peace activist and Socialist Party Secretary Brandon Collins is running for Charlottesville City Council.
Collins announced his candidacy as an Independent, with an endorsement from the Socialist Party of Central Virginia.
Currently, he's busy collecting signatures and plans to file official campaign paperwork later this week...."
Charlottesville activist Brandon Collins intends to run for City Council
By: Chiara Canzi C-ville (Charlottesville, VA weekly)
(link)
"Another competitor is set to enter the race for one of three Charlottesville City Council seats. Local activist and musician Brandon Collins announced his intention to run as an Independent with "the endorsement of the Socialist Part of Central Virginia," of which he is the secretary...."
Socialist Party Member Elected to Detroit Citizens' District Council
Ballot Access News, Independent Political Report
(link)
"On April 5, Detroit elected members of Citizens' District Councils in non-partisan elections. The city has 19 districts for this office,
and each district elects six members every year, for three year terms. Each council has 18 members.
Matt Erard, a leader of the Socialist Party, was elected this year in the Downtown District...."
"Forgive us our presumptions, but when Patrick Noble invited redbankgreen to meet for coffee earlier this week
to discuss his Socialist Party candidacy for Monmouth County Freeholder, we imagined someone- different, yes.
Offbeat, certainly. Embittered, possibly...."
"'The Socialist Party campaign for the U.S. Senate in Ohio was a great success. We won more than 25,000 votes for socialism in Ohio,'
said Dan La Botz the 65-year old school teacher, writer and activist and the party's candidate for Senator. 'We didn't win in traditional terms,
but this was not a traditional campaign. The corporate parties want working people to wake up think about politics only on election day, and then
they want them to go back to sleep. This campaign was about creating an ongoing movement to build power to transform our society'...."
La Botz is the first member of the Socialist Party to actively campaign for the U.S. Senate in Ohio since 1940 when Socialists in that
state waged a forlorn write-in campaign for the party's presidential candidate Norman Thomas...."
"The Socialist Party's Dan La Botz has surpassed the 25,000-vote mark in Ohio's U.S. Senate race. With all but fourteen of
Ohio's 9,910 precincts reporting, the former history and Latin American studies professor and ex-journalist is unofficially
garnering 25,311 votes.
La Botz is the first member of the Socialist Party to actively campaign for the U.S. Senate in Ohio since 1940 when Socialists in that
state waged a forlorn write-in campaign for the party's presidential candidate Norman Thomas...."
"Ignoring the polls, the feisty Cincinnati weekly insisted that Ohioans deserved better and unapologetically offered the crusading La Botz as their choice
for the U.S. Senate...."
Cincinnati CityBeat endorsements include Ohio Socialist Senate candidate La Botz
By: John Michael Spinelli Columbus Examiner
(link)
"For those who actually know what socialism is, La Botz' definition should come as no surprise. His definition
centers on America's workers who will "collectively own and democratically plan and manage the major industries
and enterprises...."
"CityBeat endorses Dan La Botz
La Botz supports radical democracy, the democratic control of the economy by the majority of Americans instead of by a small
minority. Working people make the country run, he says, and working people should run the country. He sees the answers to our
national problems and international conflicts coming not from the Democratic or Republican parties but from powerful labor and
social movements he hopes to foster...."
"Among the radical ideas espoused by La Botz: the right of Americans to full-time jobs at a living wage, universal access to health care, ending
the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and opposing prejudices like racism, xenophobia, and homophobia. Yes, there's no room for this brand of nutbag
thinking in our fair corner of the world..."
By: Austin Nichols UWeekly (Ohio State University)
(link)
"'Obama excited millions of voters - and then disappointed them," he said. 'Obama and the Democratic Party have failed to live up to the idealism of those that voted
for him. People who want progressive social change - an end to the wars, a healthy environment, jobs for all, single-payer healthcare - have learned that they can't
get it through the Democrats. And, of course, they already knew they couldn't get it through the Republicans....'"
[La Botz:] We have spoken to thousands of people in the state, had our platform and positions published in many
newspapers and received radio and television coverage of the campaign. We brought a Federal Election Commission
complaint to protest our exclusion from the debates organized by the newspapers and television stations in the state.
While we hope to receive thousands of votes, we will also measure the success of this campaign by our own goals of carrying out
an educational campaign, building networks of activists, and creating a small socialist movement in Ohio...."
"U.S. Senate candidate Dan La Botz, a member of the Socialist party, also addressed the group. La Botz said he would raise
taxes on the wealthiest Americans to help put working-class Americans back to work...."
"On key issues such as health care, the environment and military spending, La Botz suggests that we
organize society around the needs of a working woman with children. 'If we took care of such a woman, we
would take care of everyone,' says La Botz. In our society today, however, 'everything is organized around
the needs of a CEO ... and we can't move forward politically, culturally or economically while we are dominated
by the corporation....'"
"La Botz told the NAACP, 'We are in the First Great Depression of the 21st century.'
He reminded the audience that unemployment in Ohio and throughout the United States was officially 10 percent, really more like 17 percent, that it
was double that in African American and Latino communities, and for youth four times that. 'Young people, white, African American or Latino cannot
find that all important first job. The Republicans and Democrats have failed to address these problems,' said La Botz...."
"La Botz said allowing only Republican Rob Portman and Democrat Lee Fisher to participate constitutes an illegal corporate expenditure for Portman and Fisher
because the debates are sponsored by the state's eight largest newspapers...."
"When asked whether he thought his motion was likely to be successful, La Botz said, 'I think we win the moral argument by pointing out that this
is illegal and what they're doing is wrong and asking them to do the right thing. I hope the FEC will intervene, but the best situation would be for the
Fisher and Portman campaigns to admit they made a mistake.' Neither Fisher and Portman have contacted La Botz, and he said that when their lawyers were
confronted with the question, they showed no concern...."
Ohio socialist senate candidate files complaint with FEC over debates
By: John Michael Spinelli Columbus Examiner
(link)
"COLUMBUS, Ohio - Dan La Botz, the Ohio Socialist Party candidate for United States Senate, charged Monday that the Ohio Newspaper
Organization (ONO) and its corporate members are making illegal corporate contributions to Rob Portman's and Lee Fisher's Senate
campaigns by holding debates that exclude him, and other minority party candidates...."
"The presidential model excluded candidates who we knew had great potential," he says. "The presidential model is a terrible model. The real issue is giving all
candidates an opportunity to present their views, and that (time) excuse is ridiculous. The American people understand our country is in a crisis, and they want to
hear opinions - all the positions that are out there."La Botz says that approval for the socialist perspective is increasing throughout the country, citing polls
conducted by major research organizations including Gallup, Pew, and Rasmussen...."
"To Dan La Botz of Clifton, the argument raging between conservatives and liberals over whether President Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress are
sliding the nation toward socialism is one that misses the point. La Botz, the Socialist candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio, believes that if there is a slide, it
hasn't gone far enough.
'Today we are trapped in a capitalistic system, with its booms and busts, its recessions and depressions,' La Botz wrote on his campaign website, danlabotz.com.
'We need to construct an alternative. That alternative is democratic socialism, a society where people control the political and economic system for the good of
all....'"
The show opens with discussion about independent politics. Guest Dan La Botz joins the show about 15 minutes after it begins and engages in a 30 minute discussion
with hosts about major political questions, about his campaign, and about the left....
"In terms of left unity, Dan Labotz is running for the US Senate in Ohio on the Socialist Party ticket. The WIL would urge workers and youth in Ohio to vote for him in the midterm elections...."
"DAN LA BOTZ: Whether you like him or not, Dan LaBotz has a point. LaBotz, the socialist candidate running for U.S. Senate against Republican Rob Portman
and Democrat Lee Fisher, has complained to the Ohio Newspaper Association (ONA), which is organizing three debates between Portman and Fisher. In essence, LaBotz
argues that since he qualifies for the ballot under Ohio law, the ONA should insist that the candidates from the two major political parties allow LaBotz to
participate in the debates. We think Portman and Fisher are afraid LaBotz might throw them off their carefully scripted answers and actually spark a true debate
on the issues, including ones they'd rather not address. The two-party system is broken and the public would be well served by including other points-of-view...."
"In 2010, candidates like Dan La Botz in Ohio, Jill Stein in Massachusetts and Howie Hawkins in New York deserve our support. Also, there is increased anger growing
among sections of the labor movement at Obama's anti-worker policies. We need to open up a discussion in the labor movement about the abusive relationship that the
Democratic Party has with working people...."
"Ohio has a socialist candidate for the U.S. Senate this November. Dan La Botz, the veteran socialist activist and author, is running as the Socialist Party candidate
because of the urgency of putting forward a political alternative in the midst of the Great Recession and the continued corporate domination of U.S. politics.
Dan is a co-founder of Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) and member of the socialist group Solidarity, and he has written extensively on workers' rights in the
U.S. and Mexico. Shaun Harkin interviewed him about his campaign and how his candidacy has been received...."
Ohio minority party candidates La Botz, Deaton to petition Brunner to expand Portman/Fisher debate
By: John Michael Spinelli Columbus Examiner
(link)
On Monday, La Botz, of Cincinnati, initiated an online petition he's asking supporters to sign that calls for inclusive political debates in Ohio, and that
will be sent to Brunner....
"The Ohio Secretary of State has the responsibility to insure fair elections," says La Botz. "So far Jennifer Brunner has done an excellent job to insure that
all parties and candidates will appear on the ballot. But, if an election is to be fair, then voters have to be able to hear all of the candidates' views' not just
the Republicans and Democrats...."
Editor's Notebook: Confusion surrounds discussions with hopefuls
By: Jim Collins
The News-Herald (Serving northern Ohio)
(link)
"The most noticeable change in the interviews this year is the influx of minor party candidates. Time was, they were all Republicans or Democrats. No longer.
This year we have Libertarians, Constitution Party candidates, Green Party candidates and even a Socialist Party candidate running for U.S. Senate.
The latter, Daniel LaBotz, a Spanish teacher who drove all the way up from Cincinnati for the interview, was one of the most articulate candidates we have interviewed in the past 28 years.
He didn't persuade me to become a Socialist, but he sure had a grip on his facts. He was very intent, intelligent and single-minded.
Judging by everything I had read, I thought he might favor the Obama health care plan. But one should never take anything for granted. He hates it.
Oh well!..."
By: John Michael Spinelli Toledo Free Press
(link)
"Predicting the nation is headed for a double dip recession, one he says will in reality be another Great Depression, LaBotz, who spent a number of
his wonder years growing up in California, said the Federal and Ohio State governments need to take dramatic action to keep the bottom from falling
out of the economy, notwithstanding the fact that many feel that horse has left the barn. Private sector jobs will continue to go and public sector
jobs with them, he laments.
Showing his fiery socialist spirit, LaBotz says Portman, a Republican, would like to cut small business taxes, while Fisher, a Democrat, will support
whatever President Obama does or fails to do. To provide jobs now, the be-spectacled, graying Socialist says the Federal government and the State of
Ohio must take steps now if people are to find work anytime soon...."
"I am running to become the senator from Ohio," he says. "I see my campaign as a way to talk about an alternative view of society that put peoples'
needs before corporate profits. I also see the campaign as a way to build a network of socialist activists in Ohio, people who walk on picket lines
to support workers and their unions, people who organize against wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, people who fight for gay and lesbian, or better,
LGBT rights, people who want to dramatically reduce the use of carbon fuels to improve our environment."
He adds, "I believe the working people make this country run and working people, not the banks and corporations, should run the country."
Editorial Letter by Dan La Botz Columbus Dispatch
(link)
Shouldn't the American public have the right to hear from all of the candidates? And shouldn't The Dispatch make it a point to inform the public about the
range of candidates, parties and platforms?
I am eager to debate the other candidates. I think Ohioans want to hear all of the alternatives...."
Ohio Socialist candidate La Botz says Republicans, Democrats useless, warns of CA open primary prop
By: John Michael Spinelli Columbus Examiner
(link)
"Like a political minnow trying valiantly to scale the cascading waters of Niagara Falls to find his spawning ground, La Botz says the labor movement
and organizations like the AFL-CIO dedicated to it, should no waste time on electing Democrats with the hope that the Democrats will create jobs, but
should instead "build that movement, like the one that created unions and forced the Democrats to create jobs in the 1930s...."
Dan La Botz, who is running the Senate in Ohio as a proud "Buckeye Socialist," argues that "none of the problems facing this country can be dealt
with unless we end the domination of banks, insurance companies and multinational corporations over both major parties and over our political
system."
So what's the Socialist fix for the banking issues that the Senate is wrestling with -- and for the broader financial crisis?
La Botz's platform declares: "Not a penny more for the banks and the bankers! Take over the banks."
Jobs for Ohio? Not from Portman or Fisher. We Need Jobs Now!
Guest Article by Dan La Botz Cincinnati Beacon
(link)
We should be organizing demonstrations for jobs at every City Hall in every city in Ohio. Will you join me in "organizing jobs demonstrations in
Ohio? Let's build a movement for jobs in our hometowns. Then take it to Columbus. And take it to Washington. We all know that in this country, the
working people only get something when they organize and fight for it. It's time to fight now...."
By: Carrie Whitaker Cincinnati Enquirer, Common Dreams
(link)
"I expect to win many more votes in the general election," La Botz said. "I also think the votes are only one measure of success of the campaign.
You want to use the campaign trail as an opportunity to organize people or inspire people to do what they ought to do; to fight for jobs for
everyone, to defend women's right to choose, to defend gay and lesbian rights and immigrant rights."...
"Today we put the corporation and its profits at the center of our nation's priorities. We need to rethink those priorities. We might, for example, think
of a single mother with a child or two to support. What would she need? Health care, education, housing, a living wage. Those should be our priorities...."
"Ohio's Socialist Senate candidate Dan La Botz describes why they were there in this video and calls on Obama to condemn Israel's aggressive action and to stop
supporting their illegal occupation of Palestinian lands...."
Read more.
"What could all of these candidates for federal office possibly have in common? They all oppose spending another dime on maintaining, or escalating, our wars in
Afghanistan and Iraq...."
Read more.
"The meeting, "Ohio Will Not Be the Next Arizona," features speeches by Dan La Botz, a candidate for United States Senate with the Socialist Party of Ohio. La
Botz is a teacher in Cincinnati, a labor activist and author...."
Read more.
5 May 2010
Fisher finishes 1st in Ohio Dem Senate race, Socialist Party's La Botz Hail Mary's Brunner voters
By: John Michael Spinelli Columbus Examiner
(link)
"The Socialist Party, has a candidate, Dan La Botz of Cincinnati, who saw the rancor that brewed between Fisher and Brunner over the months and threw a Hail Mary
pass for support in November in an open letter to Brunner, who he asked to swing her voters his way based on La Botz's belief his position and those of Brunner
were in close alignment, and that Fisher won't fight for them but he will...."
Read more.
"The second question was, 'Do you think that government in this country is too big?' I replied that the question is not is it too big or too small, but whose government
is it? We have a government today that represents bankers, corporations, insurance companies, and the very rich. We need a government by and for working people
(including unemployed working people) of this country who constitute the majority...."
Read more.
27 April 2010
OH: Socialist Party Candidate for US Senate Responds to Claims that the Democratic Party is on a "March toward Socialism
By: D. Eris Third Party and Independent Daily
(link)
"[La Botz:] The Obama administration proposes that a government run by corporations also regulate the corporations in order to save the corporations from destroying
themselves in their chaotic struggle to control our nation's wealth and resources. Obama's government, like Bush's did, acts as a kind of super-executive
committee of corporations, working to coordinate the corporations so they will be more successful in wringing their wealth from us. Socialists argue that
America's working people make the country run, and working people should also run the country. There is all the difference in the world between those two
visions and programs...."
Read more.
26 April 2010
On Socialism, Corporatism and Democratic-Republican Party Government: Of the Corporations, By the Corporations, For the Corporations
"In his reply, Mr. La Botz writes, in part:"The Obama administration, which came to power in the midst of a severe economic crisis, has demonstrated that its principal
preoccupation has been to save American capitalism, the banks and corporations. Billions of working peoples' tax money has been redistributed to banks, insurance
companies and corporations, but we have not gained any control over those institutions. On the contrary, they continue to exploit working people and to block the road
to reform...."
Read more.
26 April 2010
Third Party candidates for U.S. Senate in Ohio
By: Michael Kwiatkowski FireDogLake - The Seminel
(link)
"Those are the independent candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Voinovich. Of them all, Dan La Botz seems best suited to represent Ohioans in the
Senate...."
Read more.
26 April 2010
For Independent Candidates in 2010! - Break with the two Corporate Parties!
"La Botz, a long-time labor activist, states: 'Working people make the country run. And working people - not the banks, corporations, and politicians - should run the
country.'....These candidates deserve the support of all workers and young people as a step to building a left-wing anti-corporate pro-worker political movement.
Furthermore, the recent rise of the right-wing Tea Party movement shows the dire need for an organized, anti-corporate left that can combat this threat to working
people and immigrants...."
Read more.
"There is one socialist candidate running for statewide office in Ohio in the May primary. Daniel H. Labotz, a schoolteacher from Cincinnati, is seeking the
U.S. Senate seat now held by George Voinovich, who is retiring...[According to the Socialist Party] Socialism will establish a new social and economic order in which
workers and community members will take responsibility for and control of their interpersonal relationships, their neighborhoods, their local government, and the
production and distribution of all goods and services...."
Read more.
18 April 2010
Is the Two-Party poltical system doomed?
By Robert L. Hanafin Veterans Today Military and Foreign Affairs Journal
(link)
"We live today in a country where capitalism and the corporations provide the model for life: selfishness, competition, greed, and disdain for others.
It's a poor model, violent, and destructive," Dan said. He believes that, "as a people should take collective, social control over the largest industries and
corporations in our country. We should democratically elaborate a plan to use our wealth to provide a decent life for all. Most Americans, I believe, share this vision
of a just society. We might make our nation one where we take care of each other, where we insure that all are taken care of. We might in that process, create a
nation where one loved one's neighbor as one's self...."
Read more.
16 April 2010
Latino candidate forums educate both Latinos and the Candidates
"Running on a socialist party platform La Botz spoke passionately about equal access and opportunities for immigrants. 'I am very much in favor of
immigration reform but it will not be won by candidates but by immigrants and their friends, so I urge you to use that power and unite unions,' he said. He supports
reforming capitalistic corporations and banks to create a democratic socialist economy and taxing corporations to provide free quality education. La Botz said ending
wars in Afghanistan and Iraq will reduce the budget deficit...." ...
Read more.
5 April 2010
Development for and of the People: Bank Bailout or Abolition?
By Jesse Call Streetvibes Newspaper (Cincinnati)
(link)
"These are not democratic processes anywhere," La Botz said. "We live in a society where banks rule. I think the banks and corporations which dominate our society are institutions that
have outlived their time. We have to become the abolitionists of the corporations to become a democratic nation...."
Read more.
"The only candidate who addressed the audience in fluent Spanish was Don La Botz, a Socialist Party candidate for U.S. Senate who treated the crowd to a
passionate, bilingual speech. (La Botz offered to speak exclusively in Spanish, but master of ceremonies Jose Feliciano told him to address the crowd in English)...."
Read more.
"Dan says people reacting to the attacks from the Right are starting to draw the conclusion, 'Well, maybe I'm a socialist. If I want health care, I guess
I'm a socialist. If I think I ought to be able to go to school without having to give an arm and a leg, then maybe I'm a socialist. If I think I should have a job, then
maybe I'm a socialist. If I think gay people should have the right to marry, maybe I'm a socialist...." Read more.
5 April 2010
Ohio candidate for U.S. Senate, Buckeye Socialist Dan La Botz, offers vision for 'just society'
Ohio candidate for U.S. Senate, Buckeye Socialist Dan La Botz, offers vision for 'just society' By John Michael
Spinelli Columbus Examiner
(link)
"Change in America will come as it always has - as it did in the creation of the industrial unions in the 1930s, as it did in the civil rights movements of
the 1960s, as it did in the environmental movement of the 1970s, and as id did in the gay and lesbian movements of the 1980s, and the immigrant rights movement of the
1990s - through massive social protest and confrontations with authority. What is crucial is to provide the growing movements with a political alternative to escape
the trap of the two-party system, to break and move beyond the Republicans and Democrats to a progressive alternative on the left...." Read more
.
15 March 2010
Maybe it's Time for a Troublemaker
By Gregory Flannery Streetvibes Newspaper (Cincinnati)
(link)
"Today the corporation, like slavery, is an institution that should be abolished. Closing a factory, destroying the economy of a town, is too important a
decision to be in the hands 10 or 20 men. That is a decision society should make. Skilled tradesmen, factory workers, secretaries, electricians, millwrights,
accountants advertising people - all of those people created that wealth, and that wealth should be seen as our common property...."Read more.
18 February 2010
Dan La Botz, Cincinnati School Teacher, Socialist Party Candidate for U.S. Senate
"Dan La Botz, a 64-year old Cincinnati school teacher, has filed petitions with the Ohio Secretary of State to become the candidate of the Socialist Party
for the U.S. Senate. La Botz, who needed 500 signatures to get on the Socialist Party primary ballot, filed petitions with approximately 1,200 signatures on Thursday,
Feb. 18. La Botz, a long time labor and social movement activist, is the candidate of the Socialist Party of Ohio which is the state organization of the Socialist
Party USA...." Read more.