Letter from Ernest L. Teichert

From The De Leonist Review, September-October 1995
Letter from Ernest L. Teichert
to The De Leonist Society of Canada

"DEMOCRACY - POLITICAL AND INDUSTRIAL"

In accordance with our declared intention, reported in previous issues, we here continue reproduction of the inter-party debates on our position paper of the above title. The following is an exchange between our society and Ernest Teichert of The De Leonist Society of the U.S.

[To The De Leonist Society of Canada]

May 5, 1994

Dear Comrades:

This is my reply to your position paper (Democracy Political and Industrial).

Social problems, be they simple or complex, stem from economic and/or industrial forces. The economic forces are meshed with contemporary industrial might/ and all are inextricably intertwined/ one with the other. Resolutions of these problems must be solved from their point of origin. Since all source of wealth emanates from the various industries, the logical corrections of social difficulties would be best resolved within the Socialist Industrial Union Congress.

One of the ultimate goals of such a governmental organization is the elimination of artifical geographical lines of demarcation. They have no affinity with an industrail based form of government. Political answers rendered from geographical representatives could have no more rational under Socialism than it has under Capitalism. The necessary expertise is within an industrial complex not a geographical one.

The selection of a Socialist Industrial Union Congress, as is stated by DeLeon, will be elected by the people and for the people. In his definition there is not the slightest inference that this process will be determined by segmented constituents. If the people have a "democratic mastery of their lives", this mastery implies the right to vote by all. There can be no division in this right. The management of industrial/ economic and social circumstances must be ultimately governed by a coalesed voting citizenship based on industrial constituencies. This was true in 1904 and it is true in 1994.

Once the profit motive hindrances have been eliminated, modern communication capabilities; radio, T.V., newspapers etc. would make knowledgeable selections and decisions easily attainable by the entire working class.

At present we can only speculate how the S.I.U. Congress will 'divide itself into workable units for the most efficient and intelligent implementation of administrative matters. We have spent a large portion of our lives advocating implicit faith in their abilities to perform for the common good. Once fetters of Capitalist chicanery and deceit have been replaced by common sense, truth, and concern, mutual benefits for all can be readily attained.

You have presented no valid reason for a political arm in a future Socialist Industrial Union Government. It is with a most sincere and earnest desire you reconsider your present position on this matter.

Fraternally,

(Signed)

Ernest L. Teichert