Global finance crisis deepens
SP Newsletter No.222
The cost of food, petrol and household bills continues to go up. At the same time the world economy is looking gloomier everyday. Casualisation is still on the rise and we are constantly hearing Kevin Rudd tell us that the bosses can’t afford pay rises. This is modern day capitalism at work!
Unfortunately as bad as things are, this crisis of capitalism is only just beginning. For a glimpse into our future it is only necessary to look at the US where an even bigger nightmare is unfolding in the world’s biggest economy.
IndyMac, the Californian mortgage-lending bank collapsed last Friday. It was the biggest American lender to fail in more than two decades. US regulators are expecting dozens more banks to hit the wall over the coming year.
However, it is the threatened collapse of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the US’s two largest mortgage finance companies that is striking terror into the hearts of US capitalism.
Last Sunday the Bush administration asked the US Congress to approve an emergency rescue package to prevent the collapse of Fannie and Freddie, which together guarantee more than $5,300 billion in US mortgages, almost half the US mortgage market.
As the International Herald Tribune put it: “They [Fannie and Freddie] are too big to fail…If they go down, so do whole neighbourhoods. So perhaps, does the global financial system.” There is no ‘perhaps’ about it. The failure of Fannie and Freddie would result in an economic tsunami that would make the global aftershocks of the ’sub-prime’ crisis look like a storm in a teacup.
As a result, the present political representatives of US capitalism, the neo-con free market zealots who spent the last decade warning the world’s governments against the evils of state intervention, have been forced to propose that Congress extends a limitless line of credit to Fannie and Freddie.
They have also promised to step in and buy a stake in Fannie and Freddie should the crisis get worse. Like the earlier rescue of Bear Stearns bank, the risk has been nationalised, while future profits remain in private hands.
The London based Financial Times, representing the views of much of finance capitalism, argued in its editorial for outright nationalisation, saying: “It would be a cosmetic change; the government is already backing them; it is absurd they are not now on the books.”
Capitalism does not work. Its representatives are being forced to turn to state intervention on a huge scale to prop up their system.
Of course, capitalist governments are intervening, not so that workers have a home, a job or a living wage. On the contrary, both Bush in the US and Rudd here in Australia are trying to force the working and middle classes - via wage cuts and unemployment - to bear the brunt of the crisis.
Meanwhile speculators and hedge fund managers are still raking in billions by betting on where the economic tsunami will hit next.
The Socialist Party demands genuine, socialist nationalisation of the banks and mortgage lenders, not in the interests of big business, but instead run in the interests of society under democratic workers’ control and management, providing, for example, cheap and secure mortgages. Compensation should not be paid to the fat cats and rich speculators; it should only be paid on the basis of proven need.
What’s on?
Yarra Campaign Against the Tunnel (YCAT) Rally in Melbourne
Say No to the east west tunnel – Say Yes to public transport!
1pm Sunday July 27 at Smiths Reserve, Alexander Parade Fitzroy
Smiths Reserve is the park next to the Fitzroy Pool, Melways Map 2C 5C
YCAT Fundraising Gig in Melbourne
8pm Friday August 8 at The Laundry bar on Johnston St Fitzroy
This gig will be a night of dub, ska and hip hop. The exact line up will be announced soon.
News links
UNITE: Young workers, small business and the arts
http://www.unite.org.au/2008/07/15/young-workers-small-business-the-arts/
SP member standing for General Secretary of Usdaw
http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/6267
US ‘Fannie’ and ‘Freddie’ crisis causes global shockwaves
http://www.chinaworker.info/en/content/news/472/
Solidarity appeals
Nigeria: Demand the release of 24 activists!
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2008/07/15nigera.html
Sri Lanka: Money needed for USP election campaign!
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2008/07/15srilaa.html
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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 get rid of the capitalist system, the system that is at the root of all of these problems. We fight for socialism - a system that will bring an end to wars, poverty and environmental destruction. To join SP contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111 and we will send you a membership application form.
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Socialist Party contact details
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Sydney: Phone Gary on 0297287727.
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The Socialist Party is the Australian section of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI). The CWI is organised in over 40 countries across the world.
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