The victory of corporatism and destruction of the nominal “democratic” republic that existed before has brought to the fore the outstanding democratic and social tasks facing American society.

    In this period, the tasks of the Workers Party in America are twofold. On the one hand, our central task remains the education, agitation and organization of the working class, the building of a political movement to defeat and overthrow capitalist rule, and the establishment of a working people’s republic as the transition to a classless communist society.

    On the other hand, the current material conditions of the United States demand that we participate in movements that focus on raising and addressing the basic democratic demands that emerge from our class, with the goal of building a class-struggle alternative to the liberal- and radical-democratic currents.

    The last period has demonstrated in graphic detail the inability of the capitalists and petty bourgeoisie to do anything more than exacerbate the problems and intensify the contradictions gripping all of society. Any thought that these elements could effect any kind of fundamental change in society for the better has been all but wiped from the public consciousness.

    The coming period, marked by the growing economic crisis and an inevitable “crisis of expectations” in the Obama regime, has the potential to spark a deep political crisis in American capitalist rule that could force into existence an objectively revolutionary situation. Our two chief tasks today consist of consolidating and expanding our Party, both in its political foundations and reach of membership, and preparing ourselves to enter into any genuinely progressive struggle, no matter how partial the demands being raised are, in order to present a working-class communist perspective and alternative.

    In addition, we must be prepared for the social situation to shift and change rapidly in the coming period. History has demonstrated that the class struggle can appear relatively dormant for many years, and then explode in a rush of open struggle and revolutionary conflict. We must not allow ourselves to either be carried away by stream or be consumed by it. All possible energy and effort must go into strengthening the Workers Party in America and its membership for the struggles ahead.

    Finally, we must be ready to address and fulfill the demands our class places on us in the coming period. This means not only growing the Party but also understanding and accepting the seriousness of the work we are conducting. We must be prepared to step forward when called on to articulate our political perspective, and provide political guidance and leadership, not letting our perceived limitations hold us back. Winning political leadership is not about numbers of members, but the strength and proven correctness of our viewpoint when subjected to the class struggle and history.

    At all times, we must present ourselves as serious, professional and ready to step forward and address the objective needs and desires of our class in its fight for survival, democracy and liberation.

Working Draft adopted by the Central Committee, January 8, 2009