The angry unemployed of the 1930s

A long one but a good one from the International Socialist Review:

The Unemployed Movement of the 1930s

Some inspiring history, especially if you've spent the past few years profoundly underemployed and wondered what the hell a person is supposed to do about it. There may still be time to form "unemployed councils" to agitate, say, for extended benefits, or, better, for a real stimulus that creates jobs instead of going straight into employers' pockets. (Instead of spending, banks are hoarding, instead of hiring, companies are wringing higher productivity out of current employees.)

Note all the sectarianism on the left at the time, and the disgusting abuse of the Communist Party under Stalin's direction. Note also, though, how parties and groups ended up learning from the average people affected by the Depression, who became leaders themselves.

The movement catalyzed "a profound ideological shift regarding the unemployed," reversing the direction of blame for joblessness from the individual to society.

Looking at today, the author suggests, "Perhaps our generation’s defining struggle will be for health care...the climate may be ripe for 'under-insured councils.'"

There is in fact a March for Jobs in DC on October 2, that might be worth going to. It's crucial to think creatively, and realize that organized action can in fact win.

What do you say?