Ten Questions for the International Socialist Organization On March 9th, the International Socialist Organization held its annual DC conference at George Washington University. The conference was titled "A World of War and Poverty: Socialism is the Alternative!" In light of the collapse of the Iron Curtain and the failure of the socialist ideology worldwide, TFP Student Action has a few questions about the "socialist alternative." 1. It seems that socialism thrives by hiding its true identity. Who are the real socialists? Was it Germany’s National Socialist Party, also known as the Nazis? Was it the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or is it the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – also known as communists? Why does the International Socialist Organization keep the socialist label that has wrought untold misery on humanity? How does it essentially differ from past and competing socialist movements? 2. Why does the International Socialist Organization, which espouses an atheistic philosophy, have an almost mystical attachment to egalitarianism? Why does it retain an almost religious reverence for Karl Marx and Trotsky who it seems to hold as being almost infallible? Why does socialism hate religion on one hand and create its own religion on the other? 3. Beyond a radical fringe, why is the International Socialist Organization so unappealing to the overwhelming majority of American workers which it wants to mobilize? Does the International Socialist Organization really have any significant support among the American working class? 4. The International Socialist Organization looks at the fiasco of the Soviet Union and says it did not represent socialism. Why does the International Socialist Organization look at the failure of Enron and says it represents the capitalist system? 5. Why does the International Socialist Organization mobilize against many democratically elected governments in Latin America, especially those who defend themselves against terrorist guerrillas (as in Colombia)? Why doesn’t the International Socialist Organization mobilize against Latin America’s only dictatorship – Cuba? Why did the International Socialist Organization participate in the World Social Forum where support for communism and Castro was so widespread? 6. Multinationals and classical liberal economics have been around for decades. Why is the International Socialist Organization so focused on globalism and neo-liberalism? Could it be that it lacks real issues? 7. The first article of the Chinese Constitution states: "The People's Republic of China is a socialist state under the people's democratic dictatorship led by the working class and based on the alliance of workers and peasants." China has one of the world’s worst records regarding worker’s rights where workers put in 16 hour days at pennies an hour. What concretely is the International Socialist Organization doing to stop or denounce this inhuman situation promoted by their fellow socialists? 8. If socialist thought is so attractive, why are many socialist parties worldwide being forced to adopt pro-capitalist, moderate or conservative platforms to be elected? 9. Why has socialism not delivered on its promises for the last 150 years? 10. Do you have a question for the ISO? Please help us with our 10th question. All questions should be submitted to our website www.tfp.org/sa. "Ten Questions" is a statement of TFP Student Action, a project of The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP). The American TFP is civic organization of Catholic inspiration that peacefully and lawfully opposes Communism and Socialism in the realm of ideas and promots the principles of Christian civilization. TFP Student Action P.O. Box 1868, York PA 17405 Phone (717) 225-7147 ext 229 Fax (717) 225-6201 Email [email protected] www.tfp.org/sa