Askov American., 1937-08-19
MARXISM OR FATALISM?
Editor Askov American:

<1ShOt fAlllSl lIdll
Marxism is based on the theory
that if we don't abolish Capitalism,
it will destroy us. The inevitable
crash of Capitalism is the ultimate
result of the inability of the producers
to buy back the full product which
they produce, because profit is al
ways being extracted in the process
of trade, and this profit being piled
up against them as capital in form
of money, land and other values, be-
sides imaginary values such as bonds,
mortgages and other debts, with the
the rest nothing, or less than nothing
to the extent of our combined indebt-
edness This theory is working out
so perfectly that most of us can see
the result; lack of buying power
amongst the many, which automat-
ically stops manufacture of commod-
tiles, results in more idleness, still
less buying power, in vicious circle,
bringing about conditions unbearable
to the masses, resulting in riots and
revolution.
Marxism points the way to mini
mize the effect and bloodiness of the
revolution but sees no way to avoid
it entirely, because it deals with the
problems in a realistic manner. The
capitalist class will try to bolster its
tottering empire with force and die
tatorship and other undemocratic
means; this is capitalism in its last
stage, and Marx points out why it
leads to destruction of our entire
civilization. If we want to save civili-
zation it is our duty to abolish that
system and replace it with another.
Several systems are advocated,
some tenderly called ''production for
use," cooperation" etc, but in the
last analysis about the same as
Marxism, namely a system which
abolishes individualism with its in
herent profit in favor of system of
collectiviZation. Everyone who be-
lieves in cooperation in voluntar-
lily entering into agreement with
his neighbor to perform a duty or
his part of that duty, with the un-
derstanding that they are to share
the full benefits of such cooperation
is at heart true socialist whether
he realizes it or not.
1t is Marxist theory that this agree
ment shall be voluntary, for the bene-
fit of all, and not compulsory for the
benefit of the few, which is Fascism
1t is also clear that we cannot escape
work and responsibilities, but this
should not necessitate force in the
form of a powerful army and strong
police force.
Why then is it necessary to have
a dictatorship of the proletariat di-
rected by representatives of the farm
ers and workers organizations with
strong army at it's service? Simply
because such a country is surrounded
by Capitalist states whose ruling
classes fear this threat to their rule
and fight it frantically by sending
their armies against them, by sending
spies and Wreckers into their coun-
try, slandering and lying through
their press and radio It is a wonder
and a real measure of the strength
of the u S. S. R. and the correctness
of Marxism that it has withstood all
the attacks of Capitalist world, and
those who bemoan the diversion from
MarXism in U.S.S.R should learn that
Marxism is not based on its power
to suppress, but on its power to bring
freedom and happiness to the masses,
including the right to make any
changes which the people wish to
make.
To nurse the conception that human
nature always will wreck any at
tempts to better conditions for the
human race smackS very much OF
Fatalism which is further away from
!, Marxism than the miscarried Social
ism so vividly described in Mr.. Simon
sens article and I urge him to watch