The Freedom Socialist Party announced last week that it cannot recommend a candidate for the 2024 presidential election. Instead, the party suggests that its supporters consider casting a protest vote, specifically recommending “Free Palestine.”
In a recent article, the party explained that it cannot endorse any of the “left candidates” running for the presidency due to their specific programs, and provided an examination of several candidates and active parties this cycle. Among those groups discussed are the Socialist Equality Party, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and the Socialist Workers Party, as well as the Green Party’s Dr. Jill Stein and independent candidate Dr. Cornel West. The party also mentions the Socialist Equality Party’s Joseph Kishore by name, though the critique is primarily directed at the party itself.
While the Freedom Socialist Party maintains that revolutionary change cannot be achieved through elections, it considers them valuable for spreading socialist ideas and encouraging protest votes against “capitalist candidates.” The party previously endorsed Jeff Mackler of Socialist Action in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential election cycles.
In its review, the party primarily suggests that voters consider establishing an anti-capitalist labor party, which it regards as “one of our best organizing tools against the right wing, while at the same time providing a strong, independent political voice that could actually use elections to make gains for workers.” It also recommends writing in “Free Palestine” as a protest vote on the ballot.
Although the party acknowledges that Dr. Jill Stein and Dr. Cornel West present platforms that address the needs of working-class and oppressed communities, it finds neither candidate consistently anti-capitalist. The party further argues that the platforms of both candidates are unlikely to lead to meaningful progress without also advocating for systemic change. Similarly, the Socialist Party USA is critiqued for promoting gradual, election-driven reforms, which the Freedom Socialist Party views as increasingly unrealistic in today’s political climate.
Sharper criticism is directed at organizations the party considers “avowedly revolutionary,” such as the Socialist Equality Party, the Socialist Workers Party, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Regarding the Socialist Equality Party, the Freedom Socialist Party categorizes it as “sectarian” and accuses it of harboring regressive political views. It also criticizes the Socialist Workers Party, stating it has “fallen precipitously from its decades-long existence as the standard-bearer of U.S. Trotskyism” for taking what the Freedom Socialist Party views as right-wing positions, including its defense of Republican former President Donald Trump and its views on the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation—the final group addressed in the examination—is similarly criticized. The Freedom Socialist Party raises concerns about its ideological “Stalinism” and support for figures such as Bashar al-Assad, calling the party’s support a betrayal of the international working class. The Freedom Socialist Party also objects to the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s perceived lack of support for Ukraine.
Democrats are capitalist? Lol
A lot of rhinos aren’t capitalist either since they’re all for open borders, welfare state at home and abroad, continuous redistribution of wealth and the rest of the enshrined Fabian socialism.
Most workers I know support Trump. The unreserved disarmy of the unemployable support Kamala and other commies.
I found the Freedom Socialist Party’s solution to this year’s pathetic election choices to be thoughtful and clear. We are offered only two real choices and both represent capitalist parties. We don’t have a labor party in the U.S. nor is it even possible for a third party to be taken seriously in this democracy, yet it would be a start towards building one capable of defending the working class and fighting back against the divisions and loss of rights we can expect from Trump’s presidency. A Labor Party would be a way for the fragmented U.S. Left to work together. I say the Freedom Socialist Party has good arguments for holding no position. And writing in “Free Palestine” still makes a statement. Down with Trump, Down with Capitalism, For a United Front that can defend all workers.
To me, writing in a slogan that no state is going to count is self-indulgent navel-gazing, not actual politics.
Freedom and socialist are like oil and water.
Trots gonna trot
There are real differences between the groups, some support and receive money from Russian and Chinese imperialism, its not a Monty Python comedy skit. .FSP, when I was in Portland along with Tre Arrow of the Greens, Michael One Hand and myself organized a demo in support of Leonard Peltier and against the FBI of 400 people. I was also the organizer also as part of the Big Mountain Tour in Madison and we had 500 people in support of Big Mountain and Leonard Peltier and raised $2000 but WWP/PSL wanted to fight over the proceeds with AIM and others which was an embarrassment to me and others. WWP/PSL or any Marcy-ite party are the same pimping off the movement for decades. Who is Roy Singham? What does his web consist of? https://oaklandsocialist.com/2023/08/15/who-is-roy-singham-what-does-his-web-consist-of/
Personally, I favor the Judean People’s Front over the People’s Front of Judea!