[Spusa-announce] Make socialism a part of your holidays

[natsec at sp-usa.org]

Comrades,

This holiday season I hope you'll consider making a contribution to
the Socialist Party USA.

The corporate media is once again drumming up consumerism.  They tell
us it is our patriotic and religious duty to go shopping.  The
economy depends on us spending money, or so they say.  But who's
economy benefits?  We all know that in fact there are two Americas.
There is a tiny minority who owns the engines of the economy, and
then there's everyone else.  For regular people, the more substantial
economic threat is personal debt and our inability to save.  Whether
it comes from student loans, credit cards, or mortgage rates, our
ability to save is being rung out of us.  On the other side of the
money squeeze is the soaring cost of living.  Overspending arises not
only from an expanding culture of consumerism, but the rising cost of
rent, food, health care and gasoline.  At the same time tax reforms
are cutting services and pushing costs onto low income people.  The
need for a socialist response is urgent.

While we often renew our commitment to the separation of church and
state at this time of year, we should also be calling for the
separation of religion from capitalism.  Some of the best religious
values and traditions are under direct attack by consumerism.  We
ought to reject the commercialization of holidays and instead
maintain our focus on celebrating with family and community, serving
the less fortunate, and building a more tolerant, forgiving and
peaceful world.  Unexpected gifts can make a much stronger impression
than those bought out of an obligation to consume.  Small acts of
generosity and thoughtfulness throughout the year are the best way to
strengthen personal relationships and nurture the communal spirit
that we will need to build a new society.

Consider building a new tradition with friends and family this year
by making donations in their names to organizations that address
their concerns.  Many charities will send your loved one information
about how your donation is doing good work throughout the year.  And
now the Socialist Party USA is doing the same through our new
Sustains Club.  2008 will be an important year for us, as we defend
immigrant rights, oppose war, support union struggles and organize
our own national conference as a springboard for activism and the
Moore-Alexander presidential campaign. You can read more information
about our work and the Sustainers Club on our website, or make a
contribution at http://www.sp-usa.org/joinus/supporterform.html/.
Please email me at PeopleUnite at verizon.net, if you would like to make
your contribution a gift for someone.

Happy holidays!

Sustainers Club: http://www.sp-usa.org/joinus/supporterform.html/
Contributions: http://socialistparty-usa.org/contribute.html
Renewals: http://www.socialistparty-usa.org/joinus/paydues.html

~Matthew Andrews