Erik Fernandez Speech 1A Steele Persuasive Speech Reform or Revolution AG: Bandaids, half-assed, preventative medicine, unsolved hunger

effort-----powerpoint Controversy/Significance: With the current economic crisis, the common American is facing conditions that once were obscured in this capitalist nation. Conditions of unemployment, social spending cuts, increase police brutality, hunger, inflation, etc., all while the richest top percent gets even richer because of the recession. These are trends that seem to reoccur through out history, which begs the question: What are the root causes and what can be done to prevent them from repeating? Credibility: For a few years now, I have immersed myself in a strategic study of past liberation struggles as well as current ones, history, political economy, philosophy, etc., to educate and prepare myself for unavoidable rebellions that the current social tensions, consequently, will produce due to the economy. I firmly believe in working towards building, strategizing and organizing for a better tomorrow. Others: Occupy movement, underground railroad project, classes/presentations... Thesis: Because of this current economic system of capitalism, that is dependent on the exploitation of the many by the very few, we, the working class should organize ourselves outside of the current political arena of Liberals and Conservatives, to create a global change that passes through the radical overthrow of a society of rich and poor, the development of a socialist sustainability to save the biosphere, the liberation of women from ancient subordination, the final overthrow of racist oppressions in the U.S., end the vicious demonization of same-sex relationships, an abrupt end to this militarized empire, the social takeover of monster banks and corporations all of which requires radically new forms of democratic control by previously powerless people.

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First, I will discuss capitalism and historical materialism to put in context where we are now and why. Next, I will present why both ideologies alike, conservative and liberal, cannot continue filling the needs of the people. And lastly, I will discuss Socialism and Communism, as an alternate form of governance to best advance society. Body: Capitalism and Historical Materialism Definition--- Dictionary.com- an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth. Adam Smith- Abstract theory of the invisible hand of the market Contradictions of Capitalism (Dialectical Materialism) Tendency towards monopoly Polarization into classes: Proletarian/Bourgoise Historical Materialism Primitive Communism Slave Society Feudalism Capitalism Socialism/Communism *All stages reflect relativity of private property Liberal/Conservative Approach Seperates society from the individual (koerner) Solution through the current system Great Depression 1929--- New Deal 1933 Meant to suppress popular dissent and demands IRS enacts revenue act of 1964---creation of 501c, meant to limit political involvement Obama

Stimulus package Hope Socialism/Communism Socialism revolution gradual transition towards planned economy raises quality of life (health, school, housing, etc.) works to minimize the need for the state Nothing should be made by mans labour which is not worth worth making; or which must be made by labour degrading to the makers William Morris Communism Stateless, classless, propertyless society Conclusion: Visualization Statement: In order to solve todays problems we dig to find the root of the problem, as the word radical implies, and I believe we should organize society in a radically new way. The occupy movement has thankfully started a conversation we havent had in awhile. And its up to our generation to continue the same conversations that the unions had in the 30s, the same that Che had in Cuba, similar to that by the Black Panther Party and former CCSF student Huey Newton, in Tahir Square in Egypt, and countless of other liberation movements. Call to Action: Read, write, converse and act. Read- independent news, revolutionary books Write- tangibly formulate your ideas and thoughts Converse- relate your ideas to the real world by taking to people Act- join an organizing (or start your own) to put your theory into practice Review: With a brief history of society, and in particular Capitalism, we come to see that inherent properties that are associated with the system. Capitalism's essential logic is antithetical to life and the only things that have made capitalism liveable exist because of anti-capitalist struggle not liberal or conservative approaches. So join me in ending the system that causes todays oppressions: racism, sexism, patriarchy, the military

empire, etc. We have a long, arduous road ahead of us----so lets be patient, humble and sharp. Final Words: We must put to action a concrete analysis of concrete conditions. Like Mao Zedong, said until then, no investigation, no right to speak.

Arnsberger, Paul. "A History of the Tax-Exempt Sector." Irs.gov. Web. <http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/tehistory.pdf>.
Koerner, Kirk. Liberalism and its critics. Oxford: Taylor & Francis, 1985. ISBN 0-7099-1551-9