Class Struggle and SF Props N and R

Propositions N and R on the San Francisco 11/5/02 ballot are complete smokescreens for a political agenda that is a direct attack on the existence and strength of the workingclass in San Francisco, and it is on that basis we must oppose both, and all debates and discussion must start with that basic understanding.

Proposition N, attacking the very lives of the homeless with its reduction in cash benefit to $59 per month and no guarantee of housing, food, and social services, and Proposition R on the same ballot, guaranteeing the removal of rent control from thousands of apartments and with that, the removal of the labor force of San Francisco, causing business in San Francisco to come to a grinding halt, are obviously completely ridiculous in terms of providing for the common good for the people of San Francisco.

We also know that the 33-year-old millionaire, pro-war, anti-public power, anti-rent control mouthpiece of the Chamber of Commerce, Supervisor Gavin Newsom, cannot possibly become mayor on the basis of his promotion of Proposition N. And the anti-abortion, pro-war, anti-public power, anti-rent control mouthpiece of the Chamber of Commerce, Supervisor Tony Hall, cannot possibly become mayor on the basis of his promotion of Proposition R.

As the Bay Guardian made clear in its October 9, 2002 cover story, “The Empire Strikes Back,” the promotion of Props N and R have been taken over by the electoral arm of the capitalist class, the Committee on Jobs and Government, to smash the strength of the workingclass in San Francisco so as to maximize the profits of the capitalist class.

The reason I felt compelled to write this is because I have been hearing about “debates” discussing the absurd details of Prop N and while on the campaign trail, I have met people who should know better say that they are against Prop R but are not sure about Prop N. To all readers of San Francisco Independent Media: Props R and N are simply the class struggle. All you have to do is ask, to paraphrase the old labor song, which side are you on?

If you are proud of the fact that:
--San Francisco led the state in opposing all the scapegoating initiatives of the 1990s,
--The achievements of the anti-war movement of the 1960s-1970s included, under its umbrella, not only legalizing abortion and homosexuality, abolishing segregation, and putting an end to the Vietnam War, but also rent control in 1979, making it possible for the workingclass to live and work in San Francisco and continue with the same kind of political organizing to this day;

then you must vote No on N and R.

Neither Supervisor Gavin Newsom nor Supervisor Tony Hall have any concept of what is to be done. They are both just props for a fascist agenda, which must be opposed every time it shows its nasty face. These two stupid idiots could not lead a horse out of a barn, much less this city through the current economic crisis as mayor, and the economic crisis will get much worse. We need rent control and as much support for the homeless as possible if we are to survive these tough times.

The Continuum of Care proposal, endorsed by hundreds of community groups, has yet to be implemented by the City of San Francisco due to lack of political will at City Hall and would go a long way to helping the homeless, whose numbers are sure to increase if Prop N passes.

Rent control needs to be expanded to include all rental units built after 1979 and the state legislature needs to pass a vacancy control measure.

The empty apartments we now have could be taken over by the city by right of eminent domain to house the homeless.

All kinds of things can be done if we have a politically-strong workingclass. That can only occur if we defeat Props N and R.

I strongly urge all the progressive readers of San Francisco Independent Media to do everything you can to assist the campaigns to defeat Props N and R between now and election day, November 5, 2002. Please go to the websites for information on how you can contribute your time and resources. We need everyone, regardless of where you live or whether or not you can vote, to literally save our homes and save our progressive community of San Francisco. This is not some abstract theory; it is our very lives. Please help NOW. See:
No on N:
http://www.nomorehomelessness.org/
No on R:
http://www.saverentcontrol.com