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To Struggle and Strive: The Combined Syndicates of America in 1932. A Kaiserreich Quest

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[X] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)

[X] The General Strike should demand that President Hoover be removed as he is unfit for office. Again, the unpopularity of Hoover will help you. Curtis might well be a more dangerous opponent...but the victory of getting a sitting president removed, even one who hasn't been seen in public for nearly three weeks would be an incredible boost to your momentum.
[X] The General Strike should demand that wealth distribution laws be passed on a nationwide level. You are stealing from Huey Long and his "Share Our Wealth" movement, which might let him claim some of the credit...but it also might turn him into a temporary ally.
 
I really think we need to have a major discussion before we start voting on what the General Strike's goals should be. A Strike that fails, or one that succeeds for the "wrong" demand, could end up benefitting our enemies far more than us.

For example, do we actually want Hoover removed if it means a more capable Curtis replaces him? Or for the wealth distribution laws to go out if it lets Huey Long take some of the credit?
 
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Wait, how many demands can we include from the list?
 
Love the quest - such a good idea!

Comrades, we need to build power among the proletariat and peasants of our nation. Our strike should support the soldiers and seek a wealth tax and redistribution. The upper class will never accept it, hastening us towards revolution!
 
[X] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)

[X] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)

[X] The General Strike should demand that a Constitutional Convention be held to amend the Constitution so that elections cannot be won by a minority anymore. The fact that this would be seen as a middle finger to Hoover makes it far more likely to succeed than it otherwise would be - even a significant fraction of the Republican Party might be willing to go along with it.
 
[X] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)

1 Influence for 2 actions sounds good.

[X] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)

We need to do this the right way.

[X] The General Strike should demand that the United States recognize and begin trading with the French Commune and the Union of Britain. Here, you may again find some unlikely allies, since so many bourgeoisie have lost profits from being unable to trade with the leaders of the Third Internationale.

Trade with the Commune and UoB means it'll also be easier for the Internationale to lend us support.

[X] Plan Wealth Redustrubtion
-[X] The General Strike should demand that wealth distribution laws be passed on a nationwide level. You are stealing from Huey Long and his "Share Our Wealth" movement, which might let him claim some of the credit...but it also might turn him into a temporary ally.
-[x] The General Strike should demand the immediate payment of all American soldiers as the government has promised. This is to quite possibly the least controversial demand you could make.
 
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[X] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)
[X] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)
[X] Plan Wealth Redustrubtion
 
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Plan: Follow Through
-[x] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)
-[x] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)
--Absolutely no surrender on the race question. Proletarian unity is non-negotiable.
-[x] Write-in: Combine the following demands:
--[x] The General Strike should demand that a Constitutional Convention be held to amend the Constitution so that elections cannot be won by a minority anymore. The fact that this would be seen as a middle finger to Hoover makes it far more likely to succeed than it otherwise would be - even a significant fraction of the Republican Party might be willing to go along with it.
--[x] The General Strike should demand that wealth distribution laws be passed on a nationwide level. You are stealing from Huey Long and his "Share Our Wealth" movement, which might let him claim some of the credit...but it also might turn him into a temporary ally.
--[x] The General Strike should demand the immediate payment of all American soldiers as the government has promised. This is to quite possibly the least controversial demand you could make.
---Achieving political goals, rather than just economic ones, through strike action is the epitome of proletarian power in action. Demanding a major change to the US Constitution would represent an unprecedented concession to the working class and such a Convention could potentially allow for further Amendments. By embracing elements of Long's Share Our Wealth program we force him into an awkward position where he won't be able to attack us without undermining his goals. The demand for soldiers pay should hopefully appeal to veterans and should hopefully give us an easy win we could claim.
 
I dunno, I don't think we should combine too many of the demands together, it makes it a little too broad and dilute the power.


[X] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)
[X] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)

[X] Plan Wealth Redustrubtion
-[X] The General Strike should demand that wealth distribution laws be passed on a nationwide level. You are stealing from Huey Long and his "Share Our Wealth" movement, which might let him claim some of the credit...but it also might turn him into a temporary ally.
-[x] The General Strike should demand the immediate payment of all American soldiers as the government has promised. This is to quite possibly the least controversial demand you could make.

I think these two demands go best together, a demand for the fair distribution of wealth to all, especially those promised it for duty to their home.
 
[X] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)
[X] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)

[X] Plan Wealth Redustrubtion

Redistribution is spelled wrong, but that's part of the charm.

Though I wonder if it might be better to make the General Strike something along the lines of "getting laws passed that will assist us in subsequent General Strikes." That might be something for further down the line though.
 
[X] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)
[X] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)

[X] Plan Wealth Redustrubtion
 
I'm more concerned about getting out there and very visibly fighting for the people, all the people, for things they can easily understand as opposed to long term legislation.

Modifications aside, this is still Kaiserreich, so I fully expect to devolve into a multiparty civil war with competing governments. In that mindset, instead of pursuing long term legal strategies, I'm focused on gaining as many supporters and allies as possible to ensure the strongest starting position possible.
 
[X] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)
[X] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)

[X] Plan Wealth Redustrubtion
 
[X] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)
[X] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)

[X] Plan Wealth Redustrubtion

Hmm yeah this is KR TL, and certain chaos isn't that far off from now
 
The vote will be closing soon. My allergies left me alone long enough that I could write out the conference, albeit without as much prose and description as I would ordinarily like.

Scheduled vote count started by notbirdofprey on Apr 30, 2021 at 9:40 PM, finished with 22 posts and 11 votes.
  • [X] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)
    [X] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)
    [X] Plan Wealth Redustrubtion
    -[X] The General Strike should demand that wealth distribution laws be passed on a nationwide level. You are stealing from Huey Long and his "Share Our Wealth" movement, which might let him claim some of the credit...but it also might turn him into a temporary ally.
    -[x] The General Strike should demand the immediate payment of all American soldiers as the government has promised. This is to quite possibly the least controversial demand you could make.
    [X] The General Strike should demand that wealth distribution laws be passed on a nationwide level. You are stealing from Huey Long and his "Share Our Wealth" movement, which might let him claim some of the credit...but it also might turn him into a temporary ally.
    [X] You prefer to handle it yourself. (Actions unlocked for building up power and control in towns and cities, National Spirit Town Coordination Committee created which gives +5 to relevant actions)
    [X] The General Strike should demand the immediate payment of all American soldiers as the government has promised. This is to quite possibly the least controversial demand you could make.
    [X] The General Strike should demand that President Hoover be removed as he is unfit for office. Again, the unpopularity of Hoover will help you. Curtis might well be a more dangerous opponent...but the victory of getting a sitting president removed, even one who hasn't been seen in public for nearly three weeks would be an incredible boost to your momentum.
    [X] The General Strike should demand that a Constitutional Convention be held to amend the Constitution so that elections cannot be won by a minority anymore. The fact that this would be seen as a middle finger to Hoover makes it far more likely to succeed than it otherwise would be - even a significant fraction of the Republican Party might be willing to go along with it.
    [X] The General Strike should demand that the United States recognize and begin trading with the French Commune and the Union of Britain. Here, you may again find some unlikely allies, since so many bourgeoisie have lost profits from being unable to trade with the leaders of the Third Internationale.
    -[x] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)
    -[x] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)
    -[x] Write-in: Combine the following demands:
    --[x] The General Strike should demand that a Constitutional Convention be held to amend the Constitution so that elections cannot be won by a minority anymore. The fact that this would be seen as a middle finger to Hoover makes it far more likely to succeed than it otherwise would be - even a significant fraction of the Republican Party might be willing to go along with it.
    --[x] The General Strike should demand that wealth distribution laws be passed on a nationwide level. You are stealing from Huey Long and his "Share Our Wealth" movement, which might let him claim some of the credit...but it also might turn him into a temporary ally.
    --[x] The General Strike should demand the immediate payment of all American soldiers as the government has promised. This is to quite possibly the least controversial demand you could make.
Click to expand...
 
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Vote closed
  • Voting
    • Scheduled vote count started by notbirdofprey on Apr 30, 2021 at 9:40 PM, finished with 22 posts and 11 votes.
    • [X] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)
      [X] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)
      [X] Plan Wealth Redustrubtion
      -[X] The General Strike should demand that wealth distribution laws be passed on a nationwide level. You are stealing from Huey Long and his "Share Our Wealth" movement, which might let him claim some of the credit...but it also might turn him into a temporary ally.
      -[x] The General Strike should demand the immediate payment of all American soldiers as the government has promised. This is to quite possibly the least controversial demand you could make.
      [X] The General Strike should demand that wealth distribution laws be passed on a nationwide level. You are stealing from Huey Long and his "Share Our Wealth" movement, which might let him claim some of the credit...but it also might turn him into a temporary ally.
      [X] You prefer to handle it yourself. (Actions unlocked for building up power and control in towns and cities, National Spirit Town Coordination Committee created which gives +5 to relevant actions)
      [X] The General Strike should demand the immediate payment of all American soldiers as the government has promised. This is to quite possibly the least controversial demand you could make.
      [X] The General Strike should demand that President Hoover be removed as he is unfit for office. Again, the unpopularity of Hoover will help you. Curtis might well be a more dangerous opponent...but the victory of getting a sitting president removed, even one who hasn't been seen in public for nearly three weeks would be an incredible boost to your momentum.
      [X] The General Strike should demand that a Constitutional Convention be held to amend the Constitution so that elections cannot be won by a minority anymore. The fact that this would be seen as a middle finger to Hoover makes it far more likely to succeed than it otherwise would be - even a significant fraction of the Republican Party might be willing to go along with it.
      [X] The General Strike should demand that the United States recognize and begin trading with the French Commune and the Union of Britain. Here, you may again find some unlikely allies, since so many bourgeoisie have lost profits from being unable to trade with the leaders of the Third Internationale.
      -[x] That sounds wonderful (1 Influence is committed to the Committee. They will spend 2 actions per turn on the priorities listed here until you reclaim the influence or change their directives. They will also likely do some pork spending on their hometowns.)
      -[x] Commit to teaching orators ways to link the socialist revolution with American cultural touchstones. (Will commit a minimum of 1 Influence to The American Revolution or Christian Socialism next turn.)
      -[x] Write-in: Combine the following demands:
      --[x] The General Strike should demand that a Constitutional Convention be held to amend the Constitution so that elections cannot be won by a minority anymore. The fact that this would be seen as a middle finger to Hoover makes it far more likely to succeed than it otherwise would be - even a significant fraction of the Republican Party might be willing to go along with it.
      --[x] The General Strike should demand that wealth distribution laws be passed on a nationwide level. You are stealing from Huey Long and his "Share Our Wealth" movement, which might let him claim some of the credit...but it also might turn him into a temporary ally.
      --[x] The General Strike should demand the immediate payment of all American soldiers as the government has promised. This is to quite possibly the least controversial demand you could make.
    Click to expand...
     
  • Voting
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    January 1933 Results Pt.2
  • Threadmarks
    • The room is packed, the sheer number of bodies warming it above and beyond the dance hall you commandeered for the occasion. People in suits and fine dresses mingle with those who chose to emphasize their connections with the working class. This isn't just an opportunity for members of the Socialist Party to come together to ease the path of revolutionary transition, this is a party!

    You cannot forget the people you are fighting for - once more your eyes were treated to visions of endless suffering and misery as you traveled to Boston. But neither can you mire yourself in the thousand problems that are not solved yet.

    So you lean back and enjoy the wild jazz music and the sounds of people dancing together, swinging and shaking across the floor. You wish Lousie was here with you. She might not like this particular type of music, but she would dance with you to it anyway...

    You shake your head and then turn to leave. It will still be two weeks before the last of the delegates arrive, and you have work that needs doing in New York City. As you step out the door a familiar sense of melancholy settles over you.

    You check in every few days, holding meetings with individual delegates in the room of the hotel you have effectively bought out. When the last arrives, you reserve the conference room and overrun the feeble objections of the hotel manager. He might want to ban socialists from using his hotel, but he needs your money and fears your Red Guard. And no one else was going to be using it.

    You are one of the last to enter, taking a discreet moment to straighten your tie as you look around, ignoring the decaying room you are in. In six states you completely control their governments, with massive majorities in both houses and control of the governors. In a further eleven you have some degree of power, but not enough to be able to override the other parties. Then there are four where you do not even have that much control.

    You can practically tell who is from what by the way they carry themselves. The delegate from Texas keeps his gaze focused on the papers he brought with him, while the one from Illinois leans back with the easy confidence of someone who knows their victory is inevitable.


    "Comrades, now that we are all together, I believe it is time to begin."

    Everyone in the room straightens and looks towards you, leaning forwards like they are sunflowers and you the light. The exhilaration you have felt so often rushes through you, pushing you onwards despite your aching body and weary heart.

    "We are here today because we are winning. The workers have made their voices heard in twenty-one states, nearly half of those in the republic. Just a few years ago that would be unimaginable, but now we are striding ever-forwards, ever closer to victory. Today, we even welcome a delegate from the Socialist Party of Texas representing the men the oil workers of Texas have chosen to represent us. What army can stop us? What fortress can withstand us?"

    You are rolling relentlessly onwards.

    "I pray nightly that victory will come about peacefully at the ballot box, but I fear that the forces of reaction will strike against us before that comes to pass. But we can and will defeat them. Our task today is to decide how to use our influence in the bourgeoisie state governments to build up our movements. Given the varying levels of control we have, I propose we create three separate programs, subject to modification for local concerns and practicalities. All in favor?"
    About two-thirds of the hands shoot up. You let the debate begin, relishing the ebb and flow of words. Given the lack of crisis, you have time to argue, to come to a consensus, and after ten minutes you do.

    Then comes the discussion of what the separate programs will be.

    The general program for states where you control the governments utterly will focus on... (Choose 1 to 3)

    [] [CONTROL] Making the National Guards loyal to the workers
    [] [CONTROL] Enacting broad social-relief programs
    [] [CONTROL] Weakening and marginalizing existing reactionary groups
    [] [CONTROL] Encouraging the establishment of separate, dual-power institutions
    [] [CONTROL] Establishing mechanisms for state funds to go the workers via the Party
    [] [CONTROL] Encouraging the development of industry that will be useful to the workers
    [] [CONTROL] Using a variety of methods to strengthen the control workers have over the government
    [] [CONTROL] Write-in

    The general program for states where you have partial control will focus on... (Same deal as above)

    [] [PARTIAL] Establishing control in the lower bureaucracies
    [] [PARTIAL] Protecting worker's rights
    [] [PARTIAL] Championing social-relief programs
    [] [PARTIAL] Encouraging the development of industry that will be useful to the workers
    [] [PARTIAL] Pushing back against reactionary groups
    [] [PARTIAL] Easing the process of organization and direct action
    [] [PARTIAL] Focus on campaigning to gain more strength in the future
    [] [PARTIAL] Write-in

    The general program for states where you are weak will focus on... (1 to 3 again)

    [] [WEAK] Obstruct hostile laws
    [] [WEAK] Make legislative alliances
    [] [WEAK] Protect unions as much as possible
    [] [WEAK] Argue for worker's rights and social-relief
    [] [WEAK] Focus on campaigning to gain more strength in the future
    [] [WEAK] Write-in
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Plan: Si vis pacem...
    -[X] [CONTROL] Making the National Guards loyal to the workers
    -[X] [CONTROL] Using a variety of methods to strengthen the control workers have over the government
    -[X] [CONTROL] Encouraging the development of industry that will be useful to the workers
    -[X] [PARTIAL] Establishing control in the lower bureaucracies
    -[X] [PARTIAL] Easing the process of organization and direct action
    -[X] [PARTIAL] Pushing back against reactionary groups
    -[X] WEAK] Obstruct hostile laws
    -[X] [WEAK] Protect unions as much as possible

    @notbirdofprey Does choosing more dilute effectiveness? If so I'll go back and edit.

    Any way, this is a plan that goes all in on making prestations for the war over directly helping the people. Getting as much control as possible, organizing, interfering with reactionary efforts.
     
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    The weak one I'm worried most about diluting. I think I'll cut making legislative alliances, those are unlikely to withstand the war anyway.

    National guards is the most critical I think.
     
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    We should remember what we were told in the Coordination Planning Committee action:
    notbirdofprey said:
    Laying the foundations for the Revolution to succeed is essential. You face many, many obstacles, and so the sooner begun the better.

    A dozen of the rising stars of the Party are conscripted, mayors like La Guardia and union leaders like Muste, and asked to form the committee. Immediate, three priorities are noted.

    First, the instruments of capitalist power within the controlled towns must be dismantled, ideally in a way that will not leave a potential fifth column in the midst of the city. While simply firing all police and replacing them will be simplest, it would be preferable to co-opt them.

    Second, education and cultural institutions to counter the capitalist-realist lessons most are taught must be created.

    Third, coordination between these various cities and towns will be important. While official, legal methods are somewhat complicated, especially in places like West Virginia where your control of the state government is not absolute or across state lines, unofficial methods will work just as well.

    A fourth, lesser priority is ensuring that voting is as accessible as possible in socialist-dominated areas.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Specifically, focusing on the first priority for the immediate future: Dismantling the instruments of capitalist power wherever and as much as we can. Which to me is best done by limiting the government's ability to suppress workers, eliminating reactionary influence as best we can, and making people less reliant on capitalist institutions.

    [X] Plan: There is Power in One Big Union
    -[X] [CONTROL] Making the National Guards loyal to the workers
    -[X] [CONTROL] Encouraging the establishment of separate, dual-power institutions
    -[X] [CONTROL] Weakening and marginalizing existing reactionary groups
    -[X] [PARTIAL] Protecting worker's rights
    -[X] [PARTIAL] Easing the process of organization and direct action
    -[X] [PARTIAL] Pushing back against reactionary groups
    -[X] [WEAK] Obstruct hostile laws
    -[X] [WEAK] Protect unions as much as possible
     
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