A Productive Convention

by Barbara Joye

The 82 delegates who gathered in Evanston for DSA's biennial convention November 13-15 were clearly energized by today's volatile political climate, with its dangers and opportunities. As NYC delegate Chris Maisano wrote, "The economic crisis that we've been experiencing over the last year has given the Left an opening to organize for its vision of egalitarian social reconstruction, but it has also given the populist Right an opening to use many people's fears and anxieties to organize for its own brand of radical politics, which looks more irrational and potentially dangerous each day."

As a recent "graduate" of YDS, Chris exemplified another strong theme of the convention: The infusion of new young blood into the organization, as the work of Youth Organizers David Duhalde (2007-8), Eric Rosenberg (2009-10) and their allies has begun to bear fruit. (See David's report for more details.) Staff Youth Organizer Eric Rosenberg and YDS activist Tatiana Guerrero (NJ) reported on YDS's many accomplishments during the past two years, notably development of a five-year strategic plan; regional structures; an excellent newsletter, blog and organizing manual; and the launching of a campaign for free higher education.

Many speakers emphasized another main theme of the convention: the urgency of growing DSA, both its membership and organizing units (locals). Executive Director Frank Llewelyn reported that more people of all ages are seeking us out on their own initiative through the website or by calling the office. Membership has grown 30 percent since 2005, to some 6,000 members. As San Diego's Herb Shore put it, "socialism is on the agenda" again for many. But to really have an impact on American politics and policy and to bring in resources that our understaffed organization desperately needs, the delegates agreed to aggressively sign up many more new dues-paying members. David Knuttunen of Boston, the outgoing chair of DSA's Finance and Budget Committee, set a goal of reaching 20,000 members before the next convention.

The combination of renewed energy and opportunity led several older DSA members to commit to start new locals or revive dormant ones when they return home - to Tallahassee, San Antonio, Albany, and New Jersey, joining the already revitalized or newly birthed locals in New York City, Wichita, and the District of Columbia, with more to come. A resolution to strengthen the flow of information about clusters of potential local members and coordination with YDS passed easily.

The plenary sessions were outstanding, although we lamented the absence of dynamic labor advocate and DSA member Elaine Bernard, who was unable to attend due to a temporary health problem.

A panel on "What is to be Done?" by National Political Committee members Theresa Alt (Ithaca), Michael Hirsch (NYC), and Joe Schwartz (Philadelphia) highlighted some issues and tactics not mentioned by the priorities resolution (such as the environment and solidarity economics), as well as the necessity for a global socialist movement to bring about and defend any truly progressive reforms. Hirsch reminded us that even the best reforms won't hold in this "rigged system" if the current disparities of power and wealth continue. Schwartz stressed that this means action, not just talk, for example around the imminent retirement crisis and the need to make taxes in this country truly progressive and raise global living standards. "There is no `resolutionary' road to socialism," he quipped. In fact, in addition to passing a small group of significant resolutions, the convention as a whole focused on building a basis for effective action and public education.

In small group discussions following the plenary, Atlanta delegate Barbara Landay remembers DL editor John Strauss (Philadelphia) stressing that "socialism puts people first." Several workshops addressed organizational issues such as how to start a local; how to keep a local viable (one suggestion: find a niche issue); how to talk about socialism these days; how to build a local, especially by creating space for YDS graduates and other "new and different folk;" and how to work in coalitions while maintaining a socialist identity. Media relations professional Valarie Denny's well-attended session on "Getting our message out" gained some urgency from Chicago Tribune reporter Ron Grossman's disappointing article on our convention - written Thursday before it really started. Issue workshops continued discussion of real universal health care, building a revitalized labor movement, and responding to the fiscal crisis of the state.

To implement some of the issues highlighted by the priorities resolution (comprehensive immigration reform will soon be added to the issues in the previously circulated draft), the convention adopted an ambitious program of public forums around an "economic bill of rights," updated from Roosevelt's (the latter memorably introduced by a speech included in Michael Moore's film "Capitalism, a Love Story"). The kickoff will take place at the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit, March 2010. A reader-friendly flier is in the works, highlighting the systemic roots of the economic crisis.

A panel on "The politics of the economic crisis: Right wing populism or left wing resurgence?" continued the discussion of "What is to be done?" with Harold Meyerson, Bill Fletcher, Jr., and Kim Bobo.

Meyerson, an op-ed columnist for the Washington Post and long-time Vice-Chair of DSA, took the lay of the land and offered his take on the Obama administration's various initiatives. Fletcher, author of Solidarity Divided and a veteran labor activist, analyzed the political and psychological profile of the new right-wing populism and forcefully argued for the need to remain engaged in the political struggles of the day. And Bobo, author of Wage Theft in America and the founder of Interfaith Worker Justice, channeled the spirit of the prophet Nehemiah to preach on a vision of social reconstruction in the United States that ended with redistribution of wealth and power. "Can I get an amen brothers and sisters?"

Saturday's plenary session featured Bill Barclay (Chicago), John Cameron (AFSCME), and Michele Rossi (NPC, East Bay) continuing the theme of crisis in the U.S. and global capitalism and our fight for equality. They highlighted the need to rein in the financial sector; establish a permanent jobs program and a national industrial policy; defend public services; and address gender, class and racial inequality through a revived public sector.

Ad-hoc sessions brought together delegates interested in reviving the Religion and Socialism Commission, promoting a "solidarity economy," and raising the profile of international issues and DSA's international solidarity. Another session brought together the many delegates active in, or in support of, organized labor.

Seven new members were elected to the NPC: David Duhalde, Stuart Elliot (Wichita), Paul Garver (Boston), Seth Hutchinson (Austin), Jason Schulman (NYC), and Maria Svart (NYC) and Rannfrid Thielle (Wichita). Three are recent YDS graduates, continuing DSA's commitment to a "generational transition." The four outgoing members; David Knuttunen, Tim Sears, John Strauss and Michael Hirsch, promised to continue working hard for DSA on both the national and local level.