Nobody wants to be unemployed.  But, if you are, you're not alone.  Today, more than 15 million people in the United States (US) are unemployed.  Many lost their jobs as part of an economic crisis that began in 2008.  American workers went from working to provide for the needs of their families to standing on an unemployment line, waiting to receive slim checks from the government. 

Why are so many people unemployed?  Who’s responsible?  What can we do about this?

Why have I been fired?
Workers have been fired because employers can no longer make a profit from exploiting their labor.  It’s as simple as this.  You were thrown out of your job.  Your family was put at risk.  Your car payment lapsed.  Your house threatened with foreclosure.  You are hounded by bill collectors.  All this because a small part of the population – the bosses - can no longer line their pockets with money created by your labor.  This is what Capitalism is all about. The situation is very clear in the United States.  In the US, 5% of the population controls 85% of the wealth.  This means that the remaining 95% of us are forced to live on 15% of the wealth.  Slim pickings, indeed.  This rich 5% would rather fire 15 million people than give up any of their wealth.

The wealth of the rich has grown.  From 1980 until today, the wealthiest 5% of the population went from rich to super-rich.  Free markets, low wages, stock market speculation, deregulation and tax breaks for the rich fattened their bank accounts.  Those on the bottom of society became poorer and those in the middle struggled just to break even.  As a result, income inequality in America is at its highest level in recorded history.  Higher even then during the Great Depression.

Unemployment helps the richest 5%.  Having a mass of unemployed workers allows employers to drive down the wages of those who are employed.  For instance, there are currently six people applying for every one available job.  Bosses use this desperation to dictate wages and work conditions. Ultimately, the bosses profit from workers’ misfortune. Capitalism needs unemployment.  The problem is, humanity does not.  Our society would be a far better place if every-one worked.

Don’t Blame Yourself
However, we never get to discuss what’s best for society, because the trick used by the richest 5% is to shift the blame from their greediness to your personal responsibility.  Though they are clearly guilty of benefiting from our unemployment, the rich tell you that you are the problem.  Being unemployed is a serious head trip.

People suspect that unemployment has something to do with a person’s moral qualities – laziness, stupidity or irresponsibility.  The unemployed are often looked down upon as a burden to society as a whole.  Much of this is internalized resulting in bouts of depression, hopelessness and even suicide.  Such developments allow the richest 5% to maintain their positions in society.  We feel bad about ourselves, stop asking critical questions and don’t fight back.

This pamphlet has a simple message – It’s not your fault!  It’s the system’s fault.  It’s the fault of the richest 5% and their political representatives.  The 15 million unemployed want to work, but need a political and economic system that allows us to make meaningful contributions to our society.  That’s where socialism comes in. 

Democratic Socialism
We believe that Democratic Socialism offers a positive alternative. Democratic Socialism has two parts to it. The first makes sure that the essentials of life are guaranteed.  Every person has a human right to things like health care, housing, food and employment.  We campaign to make these demands a reality.  We need a jobs policy that creates good paying jobs for all who want to work.  Full employment is our demand!

But, the problem with Capitalism is not just that the rich are too rich. The problem is that the economy is organized undemocratically.  Corporations are undemocratic.  CEO’s lord over workplaces while collecting fat paychecks for doing little to enhance the wealth of society.  Decisions are made from the top-down and, as we have seen during the recent economic crisis, this can lead to the destruction of trillions of dollars of wealth, mass unemployment and the looting of tax-payer money. 

The second part of socialism is, therefore, self-management.  We believe that our worksites can be run more efficiently democratically, by the workers themselves, from the bottom-up.  We believe that our communities can run more efficiently through participatory budgeting.  And, finally, we believe that running the economy democratically will put an end to the vicious cycle of capitalist boom and bust.  Socialism means workers will lead society for the benefit of society as a whole.  Not the richest 5%.

What Can You Do?
Get organized!  If you are ready, become a member of the Socialist Party USA.  During the Great Depression, socialists organized unions of unem-ployed workers and won important reforms.  We want to build on this tradition of resistance.  We want to create a space where unemployed workers can share tips about jobs, express solidarity with one another and organize to demand full employment for all those who want to work.  If you’re interested in these ideas, get in touch with a Socialist Party organizer.

Don’t give up hope! Don’t blame yourself! Demand full employment now! Fight back to make a better world for everyone!

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