Reply #17: public policy [View All]

[William Z. Foster]

Serious social and political changes require public programs, public policies.

Advocating personal lifestyle changes works against building a strong movement that could force changes in the area of public programs, public policies and therefore effect social and political changes.

Saying that the working class people are a bunch of children who will not change, and that this is why social and political change cannot occur, is a very powerful defense of the people who control our lives, the wealthy and powerful few.

The working class people are already paying too high of a price, and it is not we who should be called upon to tighten our belts yet again. We are already suffering, and should not be forced to suffer more. Nor should people be scared away from advocating social change with these fear tactics of telling people what they will need to give up or what they will lose. The working class people have little power and no voice in the direction the country is going, and should not be blamed for it.