They are easily done without, as are the capitalists they work for. But to get from here to there, the workers movement must organize politically as well as industrially. Until the majority agrees to change society along these lines the change cannot take place. A labor party with a straightforward revolutionary program will indicate the level of support reached for the program and encourage others to support it. And once it has won a majority of the electorate, the vote will be the legal mandate to transfer ownership of the industries to the people and the signal for the industrial unions to assume government authority.
Political action is thus essential to minimize violence and bloodshed.
With the new government secure and in control of the nation, the old State powers can be dismantled and with them their potential for future mischief. The New Union party does advocate this change, but the NUP does not yet have the resources to conduct an effective campaign. The best a voter can do in '92 is to vote for a third party as a protest against the two major parties, without thereby endorsing whatever reformist platform it is offering. The real work continues after election day, to bring the NUP program to America's workers through every means available. Given the rapid breakdown of the prevailing economic and political system, millions of people may well be looking for a new system rather than a new personality come the election of 1996.