SP Newsletter No.168
This week saw the worst school shooting incident in American history. A young gunman shot 32 people dead before turning the gun on himself. Dozens of others were wounded during the rampage at the Virginia Tech University campus in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The gunman, Cho Seung-Hui, was a 23-year-old Korean-American. Most of the media has described him as a “loner” or “weird”. It certainly seems that he was a troubled man who was riddled with mental problems, but what was done to rectify this situation. It seems not much.

Like so many others he fell through the cracks. Many obstacles stood in the way of Cho receiving help. But it was the conditions that capitalism has created for ordinary people that made Cho ill. Low pay, irregular work, increasing costs of living and debt lead to high levels of stress and leave people feeling isolated with no sense of community in their lives.

In notes he left behind, Cho reportedly ranted against “rich kids” and “debauchery” and said “You caused me to do this.” This is a small indication that he felt as though he was at odds with the system.

Never before have we seen such high levels of depression and mental illness amongst youth. The blame for this needs to be pinned fairly and squarely on the system. In a dog eat dog environment that is becoming even more competitive, it is assured that some of those who are being left behind will develop problems.

It is also questionable whether, within the US health system, Cho could have even afforded the medical help he required. When you have a health system that is run for profit that system has no interest in helping people with no money.

School shootings will not be stopped by increasing security or turning schools into fortresses. Unfortunately incidents like this are bound to happen even more frequently as the divide between rich and poor increases and the living conditions of most people get worse.

The only way to ensure that incidents like those at Virginia Tech University don’t happen is to address the social problems that lead people down this road. These tragic events only serve to highlight how necessary it is for us to remove the profit driven system of capitalism and replace it with a system that is based on compassion and human need.

Join the Socialist Party

If you agree with what you have read in our newsletter or on our website you should consider joining SP. The Socialist Party has branches in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Perth as well as members and supporters in all other states. We are involved in trade union work and student work. We also run community, anti-war and environmental campaigns. But most of all we want to build a party that will fight to overthrow the capitalist system. We fight for socialism - a system that will bring an end to wars, poverty and environmental destruction. For more information about joining in your area contact the SP National Office. 0396399111

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Become a supporter of SP today! Join our subscribers list - only $20 per year or $10 concession. You will receive our newspaper ‘The Socialist’, delivered to your door every month, and our email newsletter every week. You will also know that you are supporting a party that is at the fore of the fight back against Howard and against capitalism. Contact the SP National Office now on 0396399111 to join the list.

The Socialist

Issue 32 of SP’s monthly newspaper ‘The Socialist’ is out now! Readers can pick up a copy at our regular street stalls, from our National Office or by joining the SP subscriber’s list. This month’s paper features articles on APEC, Qantas, NSW state election, David Hicks, Iraq, a report from our councillor in Yarra, G20 arrests, and a centre page spread on the environment.

SP now on My Space!

My Space is an online forum for networking. You can use it to chat, share photos, videos and journals. SP is using it to promote our party and meet people interested in socialist politics. Check out our site here

Regional Activity

Victoria

The SP Melbourne Branch meets every Wednesday 7pm at Trades Hall in Carlton South. 1st Floor Corner of Lygon & Victoria Streets. This week the Melbourne branch will not be meeting due to the Anzac Day holiday. Come along next week to our public meeting on Nuclear Power. Is it an alternative to fossil fuels? All welcome.

New South Wales

To find out more info or to join SP in Sydney contact Gary - 02 9728 7727

To find out more info or to join SP in Newcastle contact Samantha - 02 4968 1545

Western Australia

To find out more info or to join SP in Perth contact John on – 08 9402 0728

Please note childcare is available at all SP meetings but only by prior arrangement please call ahead first.

News links just a click away –

Nigeria: After the elections, what next?
By Segun Sango, Democratic Socialist Movement, Nigeria
Click here

Nigeria: Appeal to support campaign against election rigging
Click here

Chile: Social and political crisis threatens stability
By Patricio Guzman, Socialismo Revolucionario, Chile
Click here

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The Socialist Party is the Australian section of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI).
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