[X] Condemn them. These individual police were no threat to the Revolution, but now they serve as a martyr. In addition, with the mechanism of justice largely in control of the people, there were better ways to handle it, ways that would not reflect badly on the movement. Increased relations with the Right, increased support among moderates, temporarily reduced number and effectiveness of militias. +1 Influence
[X] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong. -[X] Try to explain to him that the strike has become much bigger than the SPA, that you've been getting overwhelming support from cities you merely have a presence in, let alone "control" like Chicago. The best way to protect the strikers now would be to give them official protection, because trying to call off the strike would only weaken them, not stop them.
- [X] Threaten to make his decision making public, something which will likely see him lose the upcoming election one way or another.
[X] Condemn them. These individual police were no threat to the Revolution, but now they serve as a martyr. In addition, with the mechanism of justice largely in control of the people, there were better ways to handle it, ways that would not reflect badly on the movement. Increased relations with the Right, increased support among moderates, temporarily reduced number and effectiveness of militias. +1 Influence
[X] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Threaten to make his decision making public, something which will likely see him lose the upcoming election one way or another.
-[X] Threaten to expel him from the party.
[X] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Try to explain to him that the strike has become much bigger than the SPA, that you've been getting overwhelming support from cities you merely have a presence in, let alone "control" like Chicago. The best way to protect the strikers now would be to give them official protection, because trying to call off the strike would only weaken them, not stop them.
-[] Be firm in telling him, privately censure him if he keeps backing down.
Yeah, I wish that was an option, or we could use the threaten to go public only as a last resort.
Like, yeah, the biggest thing I can think of to convince him, given how he was talking, would be to point out that regardless of whether the threat of army intervention is a bluff or not, the Strike is happening. It happened a day early because the population is just that riled up, and it's not going to stop just because the SPA isn't backing it. If he wants to keep the strikers safe, the best way to do so is to give them a degree of legal cover.
An outright threat kinda feels like the thing where he might be willing to burn his chance of re-election if he thinks it'll prevent a massacre, so I think the best thing to do would be to emphasize that this Strike is already happening, and it's not going to stop simply because the SPA is pulling out. If anything, that'll make the Army marching in with guns more likely.
New write-in to try and convince the Governor that even if we wanted to, we couldn't stop the strike from happening. Our best option is to give the strikers as much protection as we can.
[X] Condemn them. These individual police were no threat to the Revolution, but now they serve as a martyr. In addition, with the mechanism of justice largely in control of the people, there were better ways to handle it, ways that would not reflect badly on the movement. Increased relations with the Right, increased support among moderates, temporarily reduced number and effectiveness of militias. +1 Influence
[X] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Try to explain to him that the strike has become much bigger than the SPA, that you've been getting overwhelming support from cities you merely have a presence in, let alone "control" like Chicago. The best way to protect the strikers now would be to give them official protection, because trying to call off the strike would only weaken them, not stop them.
-[X] Threaten to make his decision making public, something which will likely see him lose the upcoming election one way or another.
[X] Condemn them. These individual police were no threat to the Revolution, but now they serve as a martyr. In addition, with the mechanism of justice largely in control of the people, there were better ways to handle it, ways that would not reflect badly on the movement. Increased relations with the Right, increased support among moderates, temporarily reduced number and effectiveness of militias. +1 Influence
[X] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Try to explain to him that the strike has become much bigger than the SPA, that you've been getting overwhelming support from cities you merely have a presence in, let alone "control" like Chicago. The best way to protect the strikers now would be to give them official protection, because trying to call off the strike would only weaken them, not stop them.
-[X] Threaten to make his decision making public, something which will likely see him lose the upcoming election one way or another.
[X] Condemn them. These individual police were no threat to the Revolution, but now they serve as a martyr. In addition, with the mechanism of justice largely in control of the people, there were better ways to handle it, ways that would not reflect badly on the movement. Increased relations with the Right, increased support among moderates, temporarily reduced number and effectiveness of militias. +1 Influence
[X] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Try to explain to him that the strike has become much bigger than the SPA, that you've been getting overwhelming support from cities you merely have a presence in, let alone "control" like Chicago. The best way to protect the strikers now would be to give them official protection, because trying to call off the strike would only weaken them, not stop them.
-[X] Threaten to make his decision making public, something which will likely see him lose the upcoming election one way or another.
[X] Condemn them. These individual police were no threat to the Revolution, but now they serve as a martyr. In addition, with the mechanism of justice largely in control of the people, there were better ways to handle it, ways that would not reflect badly on the movement. Increased relations with the Right, increased support among moderates, temporarily reduced number and effectiveness of militias. +1 Influence
[X] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Just tell him that, and leave the decision up to him.
-[X] Be firm in telling him, privately censure him if he keeps backing down.
[X] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Try to explain to him that the strike has become much bigger than the SPA, that you've been getting overwhelming support from cities you merely have a presence in, let alone "control" like Chicago. The best way to protect the strikers now would be to give them official protection, because trying to call off the strike would only weaken them, not stop them.
-[X] Threaten to make his decision making public, something which will likely see him lose the upcoming election one way or another.
I need 5d100 please. One for Long, one for the Federalists, one for the Committee, one for Canada, and one for the strike.
Scheduled vote count started by notbirdofprey on May 10, 2021 at 12:38 AM, finished with 34 posts and 10 votes.
[X] Condemn them. These individual police were no threat to the Revolution, but now they serve as a martyr. In addition, with the mechanism of justice largely in control of the people, there were better ways to handle it, ways that would not reflect badly on the movement. Increased relations with the Right, increased support among moderates, temporarily reduced number and effectiveness of militias. +1 Influence
[x] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Try to explain to him that the strike has become much bigger than the SPA, that you've been getting overwhelming support from cities you merely have a presence in, let alone "control" like Chicago. The best way to protect the strikers now would be to give them official protection, because trying to call off the strike would only weaken them, not stop them.
-[X] Threaten to make his decision making public, something which will likely see him lose the upcoming election one way or another.
[X] Condemn them. These individual police were no threat to the Revolution, but now they serve as a martyr. In addition, with the mechanism of justice largely in control of the people, there were better ways to handle it, ways that would not reflect badly on the movement. Increased relations with the Right, increased support among moderates, temporarily reduced number and effectiveness of militias. +1 Influence
-[X] Threaten to make his decision making public, something which will likely see him lose the upcoming election one way or another.
[x] Be silent. You cannot judge the oppressed for striking back at their oppressors, and if this costs you the support of some few...were they ever going to support you? Reduced support among moderates.
[x] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Threaten to make his decision making public, something which will likely see him lose the upcoming election one way or another.
[x] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Try to explain to him that the strike has become much bigger than the SPA, that you've been getting overwhelming support from cities you merely have a presence in, let alone "control" like Chicago. The best way to protect the strikers now would be to give them official protection, because trying to call off the strike would only weaken them, not stop them.
[x] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Just tell him that, and leave the decision up to him.
-[X] Be firm in telling him, privately censure him if he keeps backing down.
Scheduled vote count started by notbirdofprey on May 10, 2021 at 12:38 AM, finished with 34 posts and 10 votes.
[X] Condemn them. These individual police were no threat to the Revolution, but now they serve as a martyr. In addition, with the mechanism of justice largely in control of the people, there were better ways to handle it, ways that would not reflect badly on the movement. Increased relations with the Right, increased support among moderates, temporarily reduced number and effectiveness of militias. +1 Influence
[x] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Try to explain to him that the strike has become much bigger than the SPA, that you've been getting overwhelming support from cities you merely have a presence in, let alone "control" like Chicago. The best way to protect the strikers now would be to give them official protection, because trying to call off the strike would only weaken them, not stop them.
-[X] Threaten to make his decision making public, something which will likely see him lose the upcoming election one way or another.
[X] Condemn them. These individual police were no threat to the Revolution, but now they serve as a martyr. In addition, with the mechanism of justice largely in control of the people, there were better ways to handle it, ways that would not reflect badly on the movement. Increased relations with the Right, increased support among moderates, temporarily reduced number and effectiveness of militias. +1 Influence
-[X] Threaten to make his decision making public, something which will likely see him lose the upcoming election one way or another.
[x] Be silent. You cannot judge the oppressed for striking back at their oppressors, and if this costs you the support of some few...were they ever going to support you? Reduced support among moderates.
[x] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Threaten to make his decision making public, something which will likely see him lose the upcoming election one way or another.
[x] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Try to explain to him that the strike has become much bigger than the SPA, that you've been getting overwhelming support from cities you merely have a presence in, let alone "control" like Chicago. The best way to protect the strikers now would be to give them official protection, because trying to call off the strike would only weaken them, not stop them.
[x] They are bluffing. Go on ahead. Terrible consequences if you are wrong.
-[X] Just tell him that, and leave the decision up to him.
-[X] Be firm in telling him, privately censure him if he keeps backing down.
Flora took the pile of letters and began to sort them, dropping them into stacks. She moved like a bird, her hand the beak and the letters juicy grubs. "Junk, junk, threat, junk..." she murmured, picking out the ones that weren't worth reading.
There were dozens of those. She and some of the other junior staff liked to use them as napkins when they went out drinking...on days when she could go, anyway. Her boss kept a busy schedule, and so she did as well. Then she found a letter that was...concerning. Her lips moved as she struggled to understand the sloppy handwriting, and then her eyes traced across the official-looking letterhead.
The Party was in her blood. Her mother and father had met at a Party-sponsored dance, she had spent her childhood playing with blocks and old dolls in the corner of an office. And even if she had been utterly ignorant of how things worked, months as the Chairman's secretary in Chicago and New York and Washington, DC had taught her plenty. She could read between the lines of the Speaker's "friendly" letter to his "esteemed colleague."
As if to confirm her worst suspicions, the next three letters were all from SPA Congressmen letting Reed know that the committees they were on were trying to kill the new bills. The plans of the capitalist parties were visible to her, as understandable as a Torah scroll to a rabbi.
Comrade Reed strolled in a few minutes later, weary but defiant, determinedly striding forward. "Good morning Flora," he greeted her.
"Good morning, Comrade Reed. Here are the important letters you got today...it seems the capitalists are trying to stop the general strike."
He listened solemnly as she summarized what she had read and what she thought it meant, and favored her with a smile once she finished.
"They are trying to stop it, yes. You figured out their plan, but here's why it won't work."
She listened attentively as he outlined his plan, then sat down behind the desk and began taking dictation.
Rumors and News
Once more news is dominated by a single event - the General Strike and people's reactions to it. Huey Long's condemnation of it appears to ring hollow, and as he tries to explain how he is different, events elsewhere undercut him.
The Federal government has made noises about accepting some of the demands of the strikers. Several bills have been introduced into the House and then been sent to die in Republican-dominated committees, but enough news has been generated by the apparent "surrender" of the federal government, both positive and negative, that a motion has been proposed to end the general strike. It was quickly defeated, but it's a worrying sign.
The fact that the strike appears to have worked has left Long under fire from multiple directions - he is both too radical and not radical enough.
Meanwhile, in Canada, the suppression of labor unions continues. Parliament has announced the establishment of an organization for "the gathering of intelligence to protect His Royal Majesty." Letters from syndicalists north of the border suggest that this organization is being primarily used to infiltrate and attack their unions and parties.
Elsewhere, Honduras is blockaded by the U.S. Navy seeking to maintain the Monroe Doctrine as the revolutionaries turn on each other, and the leftists are defeated.
But in better news, the Union of Britain has taken steps to secure their internal democracy through restoring a second house to their legislature, and rumors suggest that the oppressed peoples of Africa are receiving Communard support as they prepare to throw off the imperialist yoke.
[Sharp gain in support, primarily in urban areas.]
Plans from Subordinates
The Committee has badly flubbed the expansion of the policing program, and from the vague, wishy-washy report they have sent they seem to be covering their backsides, albeit in a productive way, by changing the topic to infrastructure.
With the Governor no longer objecting, the Strike Protection Act passes to the applause of the legislature as John speaks of the admirable courage of the workers which inspired him to push past his own fear of "a federal government caring only for the money corporate bosses shovel into its pockets, willing to use the bullet and bayonet to deny people their share of wealth."
You have 6 Influence and 2 Authority total. 0 Authority and 0 Influence are committed to ongoing actions. You are not currently taking any Focuses.
Mandates: Provide state-level relief or job programs in 3 months (from The Center).
Party Actions
Hold a Rally: It's a classic for every political party for a reason. There's nothing quite like a grand rally with banners waving and people cheering to make you seem unstoppable and to gather more support. The demonstration of the energy and might of the working class will have the capitalists shaking in their boots. It is a message to your supporters as well, that all the power of the SPA stands behind them. Here is what it says: Let your foes try and stop you. They will be ground under your heel. Cost: 1 Resources and a risk of backlash and hostile interruption. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/50/85/120. Results: Variable change in support, chance of intimidating your enemies. Can synergize with other actions.
Wave the Red Banner: The Red Banner is not the only SPA-affiliated or favoring publication, but it is the only one produced by the Party itself. And it is immensely popular. New ones go out constantly, but you could write an article of your own and make a special edition. This would receive extra attention and possibly some new readership, allowing you to make your opinions heard and sway the hearts and minds of others. You could shape the narrative on something, make an argument for or against a particular course of action, attack an enemy or uplift an ally. The possibilities of the written word are limitless. Cost: 2 Resources and a risk of backlash. May be additional costs depending on the topic. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/25/50/75/100/150. Results: Variable change in support or party factions, results depend on topic. Topic must be written in. Some examples: "The importance of unity in the socialist cause," "The corruption of the Hoover administration," "Why feminism and socialism must go together," and "Why Farmer-Labor should unify with the SPA." Can synergize with other actions.
Send Social Agitators To: Nearly every street corner in Chicago, New York City, and Seattle has a man or woman standing on a crate and telling the passerby of the virtues of the cause and encouraging them to donate. They are often beaten brutally by the bourgeois or by police (and just as often protected by their listeners), but they nevertheless persist, determined to gain recruits and funds for the cause. Some of these agitators are amateurs doing it in their spare time, but quite a few are dedicated and skilled speakers. Sending these speakers in significant numbers to an area can turn your foe's supporters against them, especially if it is followed up upon with meaningful organization. Cost: Risk to the lives and health of the agitators depending on where they are sent to. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/Variable/Variable. Results: Write in an area (such as New York state, the Midwest, New Orleans, etc. The bigger it is, the more diffuse the impact) and reduce Federalist and AFP support there.
Create Shadow Government: You have had a brilliant idea: Though you lack power at the federal level, the Socialist Party has substantial control of many mayorships, county governments. You even effectively control some states of the Steel Belt. Creating a forum to help these various governments cooperate and resolve disputes will be useful, especially if you have further requests of these governments. You have only discussed this concept briefly, but the idea of the Interstate Committee of Socialist Governments (name subject to change) has dazzled many. Especially since it will help you gain influence over their legal codes, voting laws, and National Guard armories. Cost: Significant and dangerous backlash from within and without the Party, probable legal challenges. Time: 3 months. DC: 80/155/230/300. Results: Various states and lower-level governments integrated into a coordinated body, many new possibilities available, although the body could be unwieldy.
Condemn Reactionary Judges: The situation in many streets resembles a powder keg. There are gathering crowds, ready to strike. They are growing hungrier. They are growing angrier. Even your soup kitchens can stave that off for so long...and judges are preventing relief. Speaking on this matter will ensure the people's ire is properly directed and may inspire some changes of heart. Cost: Risk of backlash. Time: 1 month. DC: 5/15/30/45/60. Results: Legal challenges for relief laws cleared away.
Support Faction: The party is more than a little divided, even if everyone is determined to stick together, they still clash frequently, with each other and with you. Spending some time and effort backing a particular faction in these debates could gain you some gratitude, which is always a valuable currency. Cost: Risk of losing Influence or Authority. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/Variable/Variable. Results: Increase Relations and Strength of selected faction, chance of gaining Influence.
Make Changes To Subordinates: You do not have the time or capability to make all the decisions involved with bringing the Revolution to America, and so you have trusted subordinates to help. Occasionally, you will need to redirect their efforts, invest more in their success, or even replace them immediately. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: Make any change to 1 subordinate. Can be taken multiple times.
Party Donation Drive: Your income comes from party dues and a cut from the incomes of the union's that make up the CSA. And it is proving insufficient for all the demands placed on your party. Asking for additional voluntary donations on a one-time basis would help ease the strain and buy time for you to begin finding additional sources of revenue. And doing it once shouldn't make you look too bad. As long as you make it clear you are asking. Cost: Very low chance of loss of support or Influence. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/10/20/30/40/50/60/70/80/90/100/150/200. Result: One-time increase to Resources, amount is dependent on roll.
Open Investigation: If a subordinate is unpopular or incompetent, you can begin publically looking into their performance. This can wash off some of the reflected stink, particularly if you find something, but if there is no evidence of wrongdoing or fraud that can only make the situation worse or lead to questions of your judgement. Cost: Chance of -1 Influence. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/Variable/Variable. Result: Some chance of finding problems with chosen subordinate, options to deal with problems, chance of +1 Influence.
Support Subordinate: Expressing confidence in a subordinate, either by offering direct aid or by giving material support, can boost their performance, especially if there isn't a structural reason for their failures. Cost: Write-in. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Result: Positive modifier to chosen subordinate.
Acquire Expertise: You are only one man, you cannot know or do everything. Having trusted subordinates who can do part of the work helps, but so too does having trusted advisors, people who can offer you advice for dealing with things you don't quite understand. Cost: -1 Influence. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/Variable/Variable. Result: Find assistant for chosen subject who can give bonuses and penalties to rolls and other situations.
Union Actions
Send Union Organizers To: While agitators can disrupt other political organizations and explain why you are better, to actually gain support of the kind that makes people spend blood and gold and sweat on your behalf requires a different approach. Establishing that takes time, but sending union organizers to an area can make for a start. In many ways, the risks these organizers take is even greater than that of the agitators, especially if there is sufficient hostility to socialism already. Some have literally been tarred and feathered...Cost: Risk to the lives and health of the organizers depending on where they are sent to. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/Variable/Variable. Results: Write in an area (such as New York state, the Midwest, New Orleans, etc. The bigger it is, the more diffuse the impact) and gain temporary support there.
Appoint Union Representative: There are dozens of unions, many with hundreds or thousands of chapters. A rare few even have branches in Canada, with a rarer few having branches in Mexico. The Combined Syndicates serves as a forum to allow them to coordinate and cooperate, but the vagaries of time and travel mean that the larger meetings are often sparsely attended. Electing (although your influence will help make it an effective appointment) a representative to help manage the syndicates, smooth over disputes, and ensure all voices are heard would reduce the growing pains the CSA is suffering from. However, the notion is not entirely popular...Cost: Chance of -1 Influence. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/Variable/Variable. Result: Subvote to determine who you will support for Union Representative and how much to invest in them.
Expand Soup Kitchens: The urban masses are being fed, but only a few cities (Seattle, New York City, and Chicago) have anything like enough kitchens to provide for the sheer overwhelming number of people who must be fed. If you build even more kitchens and provide them with as much food as possible, you might just be able to keep the entire population of the cities fed. This expansion will cost a great deal of money and the amount it will cost to keep them all supplied is enormous, but the political and moral benefits are just as enormous. Especially if you can improve your messaging...Cost: 10 Resources, -4 Resources per turn. Time: 3 months. DC: 0/50/75. Result: Massive expansion to the food kitchen program.
Establish Community Gardens: The cities of America are filled with vacant lots and crumbling buildings. Reclaiming the buildings will have to be part of a larger effort, but the lots can be used to the benefit of the people by establishing gardens. Though they will take many months, the fresh vegetables will improve the quality of the food served by the soup kitchens...and hopefully reduce expenses. Cost: 5 Resources. Time: 1 month. DC: 30/60/90. Result: +1 Resources per turn after 3 months.
Mutual Aid Foundations: While directly expanding the soup kitchens would benefit many, a less costly alternative would be the establishment of mutual aid organizations to ensure that people are fed. Since they are less directly dependent on the SPA buying food for them, they will be cheaper for you to maintain, but still serve to provide relief to the struggling masses and help expose them to socialist ideals. The examples of such institutions being created in Chicago have helped show the way. Cost: 2 Resources, -1 Resources per turn. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/80/100. Result: Medium expansion to the food kitchen program.
Union Donation Drive: Your income comes from party dues and a cut from the incomes of the union's that make up the CSA. And it is proving insufficient for all the demands placed on your party. Asking for additional voluntary donations on a one-time basis would help ease the strain and buy time for you to begin finding additional sources of revenue. And doing it once shouldn't make you look too bad. As long as you make it clear you are asking. Cost: Very low chance of loss of support or Influence. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/10/20/30/40/50/60/70/80/90/100/150/200. Result: One-time increase to Resources, amount is dependent on roll.
Union Charities, Donations: The unions of the CSA have their own individual strike funds and incomes, used for various events. These funds are often rather significant in size, and could be used to supplement the charitable endeavors of the SPA. Doing so would ease the logistical strain providing for so many causes, but not every union is entirely dedicated to socialist ideals, especially not when it comes to the outsiders who will inevitably come seeking aid. Cost: Increased risk of corruption. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/100. Result: +X Resources per month.
Union Charities, Fundraising: The unions of the CSA have their own individual strike funds and incomes, used for various events. These funds are often rather significant in size, and could be used to supplement the financial resources at your command through direct donations and holding fundraising events. It may somewhat aggravate your supporters, but as long as you are using the money for their benefit there won't be more than grumbling. Cost: A new mandate. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/80/120. Result: +X Resources per month.
Participate in the General Strike: Millions of workers will down their tools in Chicago. The city will come to a stop. And then it will resume, under the direction of the people. They will manage garbage disposal and traffic direction and the delivery of goods. It will be a glorious beacon of what is possible under socialism, the merest ghost of what the future could hold. And you could join in...partaking in the Seattle Commune helped set your star to rise, and it could be a good experience to do so again...and maybe you could even take the family, it will help Hannah understand why you are a socialist. Cost: Must commit at least 2 Influence for the duration of the general strike. Time: Until the strike ends. DC: No roll. Result: Opportunity to participate in the general strike, increased benefits from the strike.
Falling Off the Truck: Thousands of tons of food are processed in American factories where unionized workers work. They send food off to be sold in grocery stores then destroyed when no one actually buys it while their bellies are empty. Begin a program of encouraging workers to "donate" some of this food to the food kitchens. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/30/45/60. Result: Increase to income.
Militant Actions
Additional Weapons: The armaments of your "regular" Red Guards are highly irregular, and the "irregulars" who sometimes join in during protests or strikes are even worse off. Beginning to create armories of weapons will help equip both. The first step will be to acquire things like billy clubs and batons, both to avoid attracting unfortunate attention and because stockpiling guns in the current climate is needlessly risky...Cost: 3 Resources. Time: 2 months. DC: 15/30/45/60. Result: Create stockpiles of "non-lethal" weapons for the use of the Red Guards.
Instilling Discipline, Pt.1: (Benefits from Veterans in the Red Guards) Every branch of the Red Guards contains at least a few who do it more or less full-time. These are some of your most dedicated and radical supporters, and when the time comes they are the ones who will form the hard core of the Red Army. So they are the ones who need training and discipline the most. Based on what you saw of the Bolsheviks in Russia, the first thing that men who wish to be soldiers must be taught is discipline. And so that is what the training shall begin with. Regrettably, the fury in them at the moment will make it harder to convince them not every rich man is their mortal enemy. Cost: 2 Resources. Time: 4 months. DC: 30/70. Result: Improve discipline of Red Guards.
Encourage Veteran Recruitment: The recent veterans from the Legation Cities have not all signed up to join your ranks. And there are a fair few older veterans of other wars and "police actions" who could be perhaps convinced to join you. They have heard of the Payment Army and they are angry. Their experience and familiarity with combat will help stiffen and strengthen the Red Guards, although some could be traitors...Cost: Small loss of Relations with the Right and Left. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/40/80. Results: Recruit veteran soldiers, bonuses to other actions.
Go Hunting: (Benefits from Veterans in the Red Guards) In every city and town of America you face enemies. Hostile police forces, reactionary militias, mercenaries and Pinkertons hired by capitalists, and more. They all seek to oppress and suppress the workers. This cannot be borne. While the Red Guards continually battle in the streets, protecting protests, defending meetings, guarding agitators and organizers, they only rarely go on the offensive and keep it strictly to retaliatory strikes on those most responsible for attacks. Asking for a more general attack would help weaken opposition, and perhaps see some justice done. Cost: Reduces support, reduces relations with the Right and the Social Democrats, chance of it going badly. Time: 1 month. DC: 30. Results: Red Guards begin attacking class enemies, chance of gaining Resources, Support, Influence...
Street Medics: (Benefits from Veterans in the Red Guards) One of the tactics used by the heroes of the Shanghai Uprising was the establishment of street medics, noncombat members of the Left-KMT who helped keep injured members in the fight and provided aid and comfort before the soldiers of the Legation Cities resorted to bloodier measures. Implementing such measures could be useful...Cost: 5 Resources. Time: 3 months. DC: 40. Results: Red Guards gain street medics, help reduce casualties.
Anti-Strikebreaker ForceBenefits from Veterans in the Red Guards) Pinkertons and police have been used to break many strikes, often injuring or killing innocent men and women who wanted nothing more than fair treatment and rarely suffering consequences for that. This cannot be tolerated any further. While such behavior can now be legally punished in many states, that doesn't always discourage it. More drastic measures must be taken. Find the best and most determined members of the Red Guards who are willing to do it full time and shuttle them around the country to protect major strikes. They will need some training and equipment of course. Cost: 3 Resources, - 0.5 Resources per month. Risk of backlash. DC: 0/25/50/100. Results: Form small force of semi-professional troops who will be automatically deployed at major strikes and similar actions.
Take the Docks: In many cities, the powerful Dockworker's Unions could stop the transfer of goods at will, or smuggle goods in past customs inspectors. While this is mostly used for their own benefit, it could be a potent measure to increase the party's resources and power. Cost: Risk of backlash, will likely increase corruption. DC: 0/30/60/90. Results: Gain income, easier smuggling, new options unlocked.
Cultural Actions
Christian Socialism: Most Americans are Christians, and despite the words of the Constitution it is widely considered a Christian nation. Given that many churches are staunchly opposed to socialism while socialism is a staunchly secular ideology, this could be troublesome. Fortunately, this Gordian knot can be cut rather easily. The concept of "Christian socialism" and claiming that Christ himself would be a socialist is simple enough, with ample support for this notion coming directly from the Bible. Combining this message with a few displays of piety will help reduce criticism from the pulpit, although significant portions of organized religion will doubtless remain hostile. Cost: Loss of Relations with the Left, loss of support from Jews and other religions. Time: 2 months. DC: 15/45/90. Results: Increase in support from Christians, increased ease of recruitment.
The American Revolution, Pt.2: The first connections are drawn, the first pieces of theory are created. Now it's time to poke holes in them and see where it doesn't hold up, either to your ideals or to reality. Your ideas are published, but now it's time to see how people have torn them apart so that you can make them better. Cost: Chance of -1 Influence, chance of increased stress. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/35/70/120. Result: Refine the results of The American Revolution, Pt. 1
Organize Education: Education is a necessity for workers. Reading, writing, 'rithmetic, critical thinking and understanding history, the skills and knowledge so they can labor and explain why they labor, all these are vital. American schools are fundamentally capitalist institutions, but alternatives can be established. Cost: -3 Resources, -1 Resources per turn. Time: 6 months. DC: 0/25/50/100. Result: Create system of cheap socialist private schools.
Organize Childcare: A problem that has been found in the general strike is what to do with young children. Traditionally, it is the mother who takes care of them, but a revolutionary society cannot contain such outdated ideals. The current system in Chicago is an ad hoc network of nannies, but the system could be further organized or improved. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/30/60/90. Result: Design a better system for handling childcare.
Songs of the Revolution: The Internationale. The Preacher and the Slave. This Land is Your Land. Solidarity Forever. Many are the songs of the socialist movement. Let everyone hear them. Establish choirs and wandering musicians and every other way to spread your message through song there is. Cost: 3 Resources, -0.5 Resources per turn. Time: 1 month. DC: 10/30/50/70/90/ Results: Easier recruiting, increase to morale among the party.
Unity In The Melting Pot: The Socialist Party and the IWW have long used multilingual speakers to reach out to immigrants. With the end of the Weltkrieg and the defeat of the Bolsheviks, thousands from Eastern Europe have flocked to America's shores to find conditions no better, while others have come north with Central and South America. Reaching out to those groups will be essential. The multilingual program will be expanded, to begin. Cost: None.
Time: 3 months. DC: 5/45/90. Results: Easier recruiting, increased support among immigrants.
Socialist Radio Networks: Huey Long has used the radio to spread his reactionary babble to thousands of Americans. We can do the same. Through speeches and interviews, your message can be broadcast. While some may turn off the radio rather than hear the truth, the more you reach the more you can convince. The first step will be to purchase...whatever it is that produces radio waves for broadcasts. That was never something you needed to learn in school. Cost: 3 Resources. Time: 3 months. DC: 5/25/50/75. Results: Significantly easier recruiting, increased support.
Posters and Pamphlets: The speeches you give reach only those who hear you. Your speeches written down reach all who can read...but they are a bit too long for a poster discreetly put up or a pamphlet smuggled behind a boss's back. Beginning to create and produce snappy slogans and logos for posters and pamphlets will help you in the propaganda war, especially given the number of virulently anti-socialist publications that will smear you and your movement in any way possible. Cost: 1 Resource. Time: 3 months. DC: 10/50/90. Results: The creation of posters and pamphlets to help spread your message, ease of recruiting.
Political Actions
Impeachment: If President Hoover has been unable to leave the White House grounds for two months, he is clearly no longer fit for office. The two-thirds majority impeachment requires is veritably impossible to achieve, but even making noises about it could help you gain support and allies, especially if you are high-profile enough. Some in your party consider it nothing but a waste of time, others feel it is a tactical error. Cost: Loss of Relations with the Center. Time: 1 month. DC: 5/20/50/160. Results: The Socialist Party initiates an impeachment motion for Hoover, chance of gaining legislative allies or support.
Ally With Farmer-Labor: Farmer-Labor is in many ways the party closest to you, but there are significant differences. Their left fringe overlaps heavily with your right fringe, and they are a primarily agrarian party with different concerns, but the instability in the market and the chaos it's causing among their supporters have left them looking for solutions. They may be willing to begin working with you, although they will likely balk at the prospect of a revolution. Cost: Unknown. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/40/70. Results: You make some form of alliance with some or all of Farmer-Labor
Poach the Democrats: The Democrats have traditionally been a party pulled in many directions - Bourbon conservatives, progressives, Southern populists, and union members, political machines - and while a significant portion of all these factions have left, there are always remnants, such as the Roosevelt family. The party as a whole rejects you wholeheartedly, but individual members can be convinced to change their allegiance. Cost: Unknown. Time: 1 month. DC: 45/80/120. Results: You convince some members of the Democratic Party and aspects of their political machine to switch allegiance to you.
Press the Progressives: The Progressive Party is now the second-weakest in America. Even the newly formed America First Party has surpassed them. They hold a few scattered seats in the west and Midwest and little more. This weakness is also what makes them vulnerable. They will collapse as a national party without intervention, you suspect. And you can offer this intervention. Cost: Unknown. Time: 1 month. DC: 15/40/70. Results: You convince some members of the Progressive Party to switch allegiance to you.
Pro-Worker Legislation: It would ordinarily be unlikely to pass, at least on a federal level, but demanding it will make a statement in and of itself. And you will not just push this legislation on a federal level. These laws will focus on the things workers have fought for. Better wages, workplace safety, price caps for company stores...with the stroke of a pen, they can be spread across the country, and it will be the SPA that will take the lion's share of the credit. And with the current partial capitulation, it should be relatively easy to pass. Several bills that are at least adequate are already in Congress, although all are intended to die in Committee. Cost: Loss of Relations with the Left. Time: 1 month. DC: 10/15/50. Results: You pass worker-protection laws on the state and possibly federal level and can gain varying amounts of support.
State-Level Strike Protection: You know better than to even try legitimizing strikes on the federal level, and the state-level laws you are putting into practice will certainly face federal challenges. In some states, you don't have the full control that passing your Platonic ideal of a striker-protection law would require. So you will spend some time speaking with judges and statesmen and encouraging members of the SPA to do the same to get some form of the rules you want passed. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/30/80. Results: You accelerate the passing of striker-protection laws of varying usefulness in many states and ease the way for their defense in courts.
Party Lawyers: Many potentially vital laws are being held up in the courts. And frankly, you have a shortage of good lawyers. There are some willing to work for free from dedication to the cause, but most lack the wealth for that or are entirely uninterested in working for you. But enough filthy lucre can solve that problem. Cost: 1 Resource, -1 Resource per turn. Time: 1 month. DC: 45. Results: Hire some lawyers to help defend the laws you get passed.
Appoint a Party Whip: You have gained fifteen seats in the Senate and far more in the House. While you generally don't have to deal with congressional revolts, there may be occasionally controversial legislation you will have to deal with. Furthermore, having someone handle the day-to-day matters of making sure everyone is read up on the bills, helping your congresspeople manage their staff and campaigns, and coordinate filibustering would free up some more time you could use.Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: Subvote to determine who the Party Whip will be and how much to invest in them.
Intellectual Actions
The Legacy of John Brown: John Brown was a revolutionary martyr who fought for freedom. Abraham Lincoln sought to bring freedom to the enslaved. They would support you in your struggle to bring liberation to all. You will insist on it. You will quote them to say so. You might have to be a bit selective in doing so, but it won't matter. Cost: None... Time: 1 month. DC: 5. Result: Increased efficacy of The American Revolution actions.
Create an Educational Program: Designing a socialist education program will be just one of the many questions you have to answer after the revolution. There are important differences in content and teaching style and likely other things as well. Begin looking into who is an expert in such things and start drawing up the broad strokes of what a curriculum will cover. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 20/40/60. Result: Begin designing an education program.
A Socialist Structure, Pt. 1: How will the economy work? Will currency be abolished? How will you ensure racial equality? Though there are examples to look forward to from Britain and France, you will need to begin creating your own answers to these questions. Plans must be made, although they will be by necessity vague. But creating the most basic framework for what form American socialism will take will help ease your path forward. Cost: Probable loss of relations, chance of -1 Influence. Time: 6 months. DC: No roll. Result: Begin coming up with a more detailed roadmap for socialist America, begin unlocking actions to create small-scale imitations/programs related to this.
Who Supports Who?: If you looked out the window to see New York City, you would think nine in ten supported you. You are not fool enough to think that, of course. The Payment Army alone disproves that, let alone the bullying your daughter has experienced, the endless attempts at suppression, the thousands of letters denouncing you. Beginning to get an accurate count will be vital for effectively directing your efforts. Cost: 2 Resources. Time: 1 month. DC: 30/60/90. Result: Get a general idea of where your support is strong and weak and what people are concerned about.
Questions and Answers: There are always a few common refrains against socialism, like that it is un-American, it is undemocratic and will involve socialists stealing your shoes. Answer and rebut these fallacies to help your agitators and organizers counter the narratives of the reactionaries and the establishment. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: 5. Result: Begin countering common attacks against socialism.
Against the Socialism of Fools: Anti-Semitism is a virulent problem in this country. Father Coughlin spews anti-Semitic bile, many claim Jews are behind every problem and especially behind the syndicalists, even some of your party members and unionized workers mislike them. Countering these narratives may cost, but it is a worthy effort. Cost: Likely loss of relations, chance of -1 Influence. Time: 1 month. DC: 10/50/100. Result: Counter anti-Semitic narratives, increase in support from Jews, small chance of +1 Influence.
Proletarian Unity: The workers of the world must be united. There are false divisions embedded deep into the American psyche. Racism is the greatest but by no means the only one. Target these divides, weld them together as best you can. Make promises of restitution and justice, publicize what you stand for. It will be difficult and potentially dangerous, but you have to start somewhere. Cost: Likely loss of relations, chance of -1 Influence, chance of losing support. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/75/125. Result: Counter racist narratives, increase support from minorities, small chance of +1 Influence.
Create a Curriculum: For a socialist school system to exist, there must be a socialist curriculum, Having students elect their teachers seems faintly ridiculous, but there can be other ways for them to be exposed to the SPA's ideals from a young age, and there should certainly be a different emphasis on what is taught. No gender divide for one. Cost: None. Time: 3 months. DC: 20/40/60/80. Result: Creation of curriculum, improved results and lowered difficulty for Organize Education.
Intrigue Actions
Siphon Party Funds: The first step in performing covert actions is to acquire funds to do so. Simply taking money directly from the party treasury strikes you as a bad idea, as the resulting vanishing will be wide open for anyone who looks. So instead you will arrange for a few dribbles of cash to vanish into an account you can use for off-the-books problem-solving. Cost: -0.1 Resources per month. Risk of discovery. Time: 1 month. DC: 0/35/70. Result: +0.1 Resources per turn goes into a dark fund you can draw upon for covert ops.
Siphon State Funds: With nearly unfettered access to many state governments and party loyalists being installed in treasury departments across the nation, you have an opportunity to enhance the party's financial position by arranging for subtle fund transfers from the government funds. There will likely need to be some sort of...shell to hide the directness of the money transfer. Cost: Risk of discovery. Time: 1 month. DC: 25/50/75/100. Result: Increase to income.
Hire an Assistant Secretary: You need someone who is good at this sort of thing. Someone trustworthy, loyal and competent. That's going to be really hard to find...but at the same time it is undeniably necessary. How would you even begin to find that? Cost: Risky...and you will have to commit an Authority to them. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/??/??/????. Result: Find some potential spymasters, can delegate Influence or Authority to them.
Foreign Assistance: The success of the French and the British (and the Italians and Mexicans) gives you hope, both because they prove it is possible for socialism to triumph (you almost despaired of that after Russia) and because it means that you can call on them for assistance. Funds, trainers, spies...you don't know what you can get till you ask. Cost: Risk of discovery, possible favors. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/??/??. Result: Gain some form of foreign support.
Sending Spies: Particularly given your purging of the police and the increasing difficulties the capitalists are having with oppressing the workers in areas dominated by syndicalists, there is something of a low-level exodus going on from the north, which means there is an opportunity to get eyes and ears in the lower level of the National Guards, U.S. Army, and hostile militias, to name a few possibilities. Cost: Risk of discovery, risk to the spies. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/???/???. Result: Write-in where you send the spy.
Newspaper Analysts: With the increasing influx of information, often heavily conflicting, getting an idea of what is going on in the country grows more difficult every day. Arranging for a few party members to subscribe to dozens of newspapers and compare them so they can brief you will be child's play compared to some of the things you have organized. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Result: Improvement to Rumors and News section.
Revolutionary Guards: People have been threatening to kill you and your family and other leaders for a long time. You have developed protection against overt attacks, but perhaps it is time to begin developing a more covert sort of protection as well. Cost: - 2 Resources per month. Time: 3 months. DC: ???/???/??. Result: Create organization of plainclothes bodyguards for you, your family, and other important figures. Unlock additional counterintelligence actions.
Send Covert Organizers: Unions cannot operate openly everywhere. Particularly in the South and Midwest, efforts to organize are met with bombs, knives, and bullets. Or worse. You have vivid memories of the results of your trip to Wilmington...But people still organize, they still fight. Sending covert assistance can lead to an increase to your strength in an area, and help increase the chances of more overt intervention. Cost: Risk to the lives and health of the agitators depending on where they are sent to. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/Variable/Variable. Results: Write in an area (such as New York state, the Midwest, New Orleans, etc. The bigger it is, the more diffuse the impact) and reduce Federalist and AFP support while increasing your own support there.
Covert Investigation: Quietly looking into the behavior of a subordinate might allow you to remove them before they can become an embarrassment, or simply confirm their innocence without risking giving the impression they have lost your confidence. Cost: Risk of discovery. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/??/??. Result: Find any wrongdoing for chosen subordinate.
Ears in the Party: To better keep abreast of movements in the Party and the doings of your subordinate, cultivating a small network of...trusted friends to let you know what they hear could be managed. Flora will probably have to be the one managing them, but you feel she is trustworthy. Cost: Risk of discovery. Time: 1 month. DC: ??/??/??. Result: Lower difficulty of actions involving intelligence within the SPA.
Personal Actions
Work Overtime: Although your heart and mind ache at the thought, the cause needs you. It will be stressful, it will be upsetting to your wife and daughter, you can feel your very soul revolting at the thought of spending even more hours working...but you must. The workers of the world demand it! No matter what it costs you. Cost: Severely stressful, unhealthy, bad for your family. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: +1 temporary Influence.
Personal Attention: If you spend a few hours working on a particular task, it will likely go smoother. It will cut into the time you would normally spend with your family or your books, but it is a sacrifice you will have to make. Cost: Stressful, not great for your family. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: Small dice and narrative bonus to chosen action.
Exercise: You have gotten slightly out of shape thanks to the stress of the election. Getting back in shape would be good for your health and your image...and if you ever get the chance to punch Huey Long in his fat face or strangle MacArthur, it will help then too. Cost: Not great for your family. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: Decrease in stress, improvement to health.
Spend Time With Your Family: Your daughter Hannah misses you, as does your wife Louise. Spending some extra time with them this month will make up for all the times you missed doing it during the campaign season. Cost: None. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: Major decrease in stress, good for your family.
Write: You have been working on another book about your own thoughts and beliefs about socialism and syndicalism, as well as on a few poems, memoirs, and some other odds and ends. Spending some time working on that will help order your thoughts and ease your burdens. Cost: Not great for your family. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Results: Decrease in stress, possibility of new traits.
Free Actions
Tweak a Subordinate's Priorities: While those who are working with you are scattered across the country, between the train and the telegram they are within reach. Requesting a minor change to their priorities is a simple matter. Cost: May pick only once per turn. Time: 1 month. DC: No roll. Result: May make 1 change to 1 subordinate's priorities (change order, add one, remove one).
Choose A Focus: You are currently taking The Struggle Carries On!. There are two months left.
The Union Forever! - Through the most difficult and darkest days, it was the unions that kept the revolutionary spirit alive. Let the unions stand forever. No reactionary or capitalist can defeat the people, united. Time: 3 months. Effect: Gain national spirit The Union Forever (Effect: +1 Strength to the Left faction per month).
The Struggle Carries On! - Though the Party is determinedly advancing to socialism, we need more. We need to organize the masses and reach out to those not yet willing to follow us! Time: 3 months. Effect: Gain National Spirit The Struggle Carries On! (+1 Strength to the Center of the Party per month)
Political Alliances - Victories must be won not just on the battlefield, but in the halls of the rich and powerful. They must be convinced to side with you against Long's insanity and MacArthur's tyranny. Time: 3 months. Effect: Gain the national spirit Political Alliances (Effect: +1 Strength for the Right faction per month).
[ ] Plan Protect the Chicago Commune
-[ ] Expand Soup Kitchens: 1 Authority (10 Resources)
-[ ] Participate in the General Strike: 2 Influence
-[ ] Encourage Veteran Recruitment: 1 Authority, 1 Influence
-[ ] Anti-Strikebreaker Force: 2 Influence (3 Resources)
-[ ] Appoint a Party Whip: 1 Influence
-[ ] Spend Time With Your Family
[ ] Plan The Unions Forever!
-[ ] Expand Soup Kitchens: 1 Authority (10 Resources)
-[ ] Appoint Union Representative: 2 Influence
-[ ] Encourage Veteran Recruitment: 1 Authority, 1 Influence
-[ ] Anti-Strikebreaker Force: 2 Influence (3 Resources)
-[ ] Appoint a Party Whip: 1 Influence
-[ ] Spend Time With Your Family
Alright, I have two plan drafts here. Both Expand Soup Kitchens in order to fulfill the Center Mandate, do Falling Off the Truck to get more Resource income (though the boost we've already gotten to income makes me wonder if perhaps we can take that out for something else).
Then both actions go for Anti-Strikebreaker Force and Encouraging Veteran Recruitment. I'm hoping that these actions will synergize with both each other, and our actions to support the Payment Army. Also, we Appoint a Party Whip so we can start delegating some issues to our subordinates. And of course, spending time with our family is non-negotiable to me.
The big difference is whether or not we participate in the General Strike ourselves. Protect the Chicago Commune does so, while The Unions Forever! goes for Appointing a Union Representative for more Subordinate stuff. Though, that doesn't take into account any new actions we can do that might reinforce the General Strike's momentum.
EDIT: Actually, instead of going for Union Representatives, I could see us doing another edition of the Red Banner, this time pointing out how the Government, despite its fancy words, still hasn't actually fulfilled its promises and sent all of its "reform" bills to die from the Republicans. And also taking away Falling Off the Truck for an Influence on Encourage Veteran Recruitment to hopefully get the highest DC. Our income has already gone up a bit from last turn, likely from the rise in support we've got.
Come to think of it, our health is a little low right now, so I'm leery on directly joining the General Strike.
EDIT2:
Actually, a third plan I came up with:
[ ] Plan Stoke the Flames
-[ ] Wave the Red Banner: 2 Influence (2 Resources)
--[ ] Subject: Focus on the worthlessness of the "promises" that the Federal Government has made, on how every bill they've created to appease the Strikers was sent right into a Republican-dominated committee to be quietly smothered instead of passed, on how despite all the noise they're making, not a single demand of the Strike has actually been fulfilled. Encourage the Strike to continue until its demands are fully met and enforced, or a list of victims that starts with Sergeant Adam Smith will have been murdered for nothing.
-[ ] Expand Soup Kitchens: 1 Authority (10 Resources)
-[ ] Encourage Veteran Recruitment: 1 Authority, 1 Influence
-[ ] Anti-Strikebreaker Force: 2 Influence (3 Resources)
-[ ] Appoint a Party Whip: 1 Influence
-[ ] Spend Time With Your Family
In this case, rather than joining the General Strike ourselves (I feel like we can do that on May Day next turn), we print out an edition of the Red Banner focusing on countering the Federal narrative.
In any case, this is possible since we can take from our income this turn, though it'll leave us with only 4 Resources next turn and we'll have to dedicate effort to upping our income then. I'd also like some more feedback on my Subject for the Wave the Red Banner and if anyone can think of a better description for its Subject.
Oh, and I'm also hoping that the Red Banner Edition specifically mentioning the Payment Army will help with recruiting Veterans. Give them a message that the Chicago Commune and the SPA are fighting for them.
I thought our chosen Focus was on The Struggle Carries On?
The strike went better than I thought, no federal troops shooting protestors, but ultimately it's accomplishing nothing. The capitalists in power make it sound like they're making concessions only for it all to lead back to status quo.
Alright, I personally think Stoke the Flames is the best out of my three proposed plans. However, I would very much like it if I could get some feedback from people rather than just a slew of votes on Plans.
In particular, I'm wondering if Wave the Red Banner is the thing we want most, and if so, whether or not what I've put in as the subject will actually create the results we want. So please provide me with some feedback here.
[X] Plan Stoke the Flames
-[X] Wave the Red Banner: 2 Influence (2 Resources)
--[X] Subject: Focus on the worthlessness of the "promises" that the Federal Government has made, on how every bill they've created to appease the Strikers was sent right into a Republican-dominated committee to be quietly smothered instead of passed, on how despite all the noise they're making, not a single demand of the Strike has actually been fulfilled. Encourage the Strike to continue until its demands are fully met and enforced, or a list of victims that starts with Sergeant Adam Smith will have been murdered for nothing.
-[X] Expand Soup Kitchens: 1 Authority (10 Resources)
-[X] Encourage Veteran Recruitment: 1 Authority, 1 Influence
-[X] Anti-Strikebreaker Force: 2 Influence (3 Resources)
-[X] Appoint a Party Whip: 1 Influence
-[X] Spend Time With Your Family
Our Health isn't that great right now, so I'd like to spend an action on exercising in order to get back into shape before we go joining the General Strike. I imagine that's the kind of thing that may take its toll on Reed. And no way we're doing it this turn, because this turn we need to fix things up with Reed's family.
Also, there's something to be said for joining the General Strike next turn, possibly on International Labour Day.
Pro-Worker Legislation: It would ordinarily be unlikely to pass, at least on a federal level, but demanding it will make a statement in and of itself. And you will not just push this legislation on a federal level. These laws will focus on the things workers have fought for. Better wages, workplace safety, price caps for company stores...with the stroke of a pen, they can be spread across the country, and it will be the SPA that will take the lion's share of the credit. And with the current partial capitulation, it should be relatively easy to pass. Several bills that are at least adequate are already in Congress, although all are intended to die in Committee. Cost: Loss of Relations with the Left. Time: 1 month. DC: 10/15/50. Results: You pass worker-protection laws on the state and possibly federal level and can gain varying amounts of support.
Wait, actually, hold on. Do we maybe want to try to go for this Pro-Worker Legislation while the Federal Government is in a semi/fake capitulation mode?
I want 2 influence on anti-Strikebreakers because I feel that given the chance of backlash, we want to make sure it rolls high.
Songs of the Revolution costs another 3 Resources. That would leave us with almost nothing in the bank for next turn, so I want to wait on that until we can build up our income again.
EDIT:
[ ] Plan Seize the Advantage
-[ ] Wave the Red Banner: 2 Influence (2 Resources)
--[ ] Subject: Focus on how the Federal Government has sent every bill of "capitulation" to die in Republican-dominated committees and how it proves that the Strike needs to hold firm until every demand is met in full, otherwise the government (which is making its promises in bad faith) will retract all its offers and promises the moment it thinks it can get away with it.
-[ ] Expand Soup Kitchens: 1 Authority (10 Resources)
-[ ] Encourage Veteran Recruitment: 1 Authority
-[ ] Anti-Strikebreaker Force: 2 Influence (3 Resources)
-[ ] Appoint a Party Whip: 1 Influence
-[ ] Pro-Worker Legislation: 1 Influence
-[ ] Spend Time With Your Family
I made an alternate plan (@notbirdofprey can you tell me what the likely effects of this Wave the Red Banner will be?), trading 1 die on Encourage Veteran Recruitment for pushing for Pro-Worker Legislation while the Federal Government is reeling.
Alternatively, I could trade it from Anti-Strikebreaker Force, but I'm not sure about that. Anti-Strikebreaker Force definitely feels like a place where a low roll for a single die could really hurt us from the backlash.
EDIT2:
[ ] Plan Support the Strike
-[ ] Wave the Red Banner: 2 Influence (2 Resources)
--[ ] Subject: Focus on how the Federal Government has sent every bill of "capitulation" to die in Republican-dominated committees and how it proves that the Strike needs to hold firm until every demand is met in full, otherwise the government (which is making its promises in bad faith) will retract all its offers and promises the moment it thinks it can get away with it.
-[ ] Expand Soup Kitchens: 1 Authority (10 Resources)
-[ ] Encourage Veteran Recruitment: 1 Authority
-[ ] Anti-Strikebreaker Force: 2 Influence (3 Resources)
-[ ] Organize Childcare: 1 Influence
-[ ] Appoint a Party Whip: 1 Influence
-[ ] Spend Time With Your Family
Another alternative plan made for Organizing Childcare, since it's mentioned as an issue the Strike is facing.
Benefits from Veterans in the Red Guards) Pinkertons and police have been used to break many strikes, often injuring or killing innocent men and women who wanted nothing more than fair treatment and rarely suffering consequences for that. This cannot be tolerated any further. While such behavior can now be legally punished in many states, that doesn't always discourage it. More drastic measures must be taken. Find the best and most determined members of the Red Guards who are willing to do it full time and shuttle them around the country to protect major strikes. They will need some training and equipment of course. Cost: 3 Resources, - 0.5 Resources per month. Risk of backlash. DC: 0/25/50/100. Results: Form small force of semi-professional troops who will be automatically deployed at major strikes and similar actions.