Monica Moorehead realizes she will not end up in the White House
Anger-filled cries of political unfairness and the need for the end of capitalism rang out through the third floor of the Trotter House last night.
The meeting, led by Workers World Party's presidential candidate Monica Moorehead, discussed the election process and injustices toward minorities, women, lesbians and gays.
But Moorehead has no delusions about this year's upcoming elections.
"We understand that we're not going to win this election," she said. "What we want to do is inform people on how unfair the politicians are and how we should go to a socialistic government."
In Moorehead's view, capitalists pursue a "policy of only helping the wealthy class."
"We must end the murderistic system of capitalism," she said. "The current two-party system only gives the usual status quo."
Currently, the WWP is on the November ballot in 12 states, including Michigan.
Moorehead and some of her most ardent supporters tried to get her party's point across by protesting at events such as President Clinton's birthday party fund-raiser and the Third Party debate. Each event provided some short-lived yet lively debate, which ended with officials escorting the protesters from the scenes.
Ann Arbor resident Paul Lefrak agreed with Moorehead's comments.
"(The government is) destroying programs that are still very much needed," said Lefrak, head of Anti-Racist Action, a new campus organization. "Their solution is to get rid of welfare and affirmative action. They don't seem to think that it's their responsibility to help these groups in need. They believe that being poor is an evil."
Also part of the WWP's agenda is tripling the minimum wage, stopping cutbacks on affirmative action, offering free universal health care and reducing the number of citizens who are placed in jail unfairly.
Jane Cutter, WWP candidate for U.S. Congress' 13th district, hopes that imprisoned citizens, such as Mumia Abu-Jamal, are freed should socialists take control of the government.
"This is a man who was unfairly imprisoned for shooting a police officer," Cutter said. "He was put in jail only because he uncovered the corruption of several high ranking police officers. We must end the quick solution of jail sentences and replace them with real reform programs."
LSA first-year student David Taub disagreed with Moorehead and Cutter after hearing the party's platform.
"I think this is a complete joke," Taub said. "They blame all their problems on capitalism and think that changing to a socialistic country would help."
Taub said history has already passed a verdict on socialism.
"Socialism failed in Eastern Europe, there is simply no convincing proof that socialism works," he said.
JOSH BIGGS/Daily
Monica Moorehead, presidential candidate for the Workers World Party, spoke yesterday at the Trotter House. Her party is on the November ballot in 12 states, including Michigan.