Vol. 76/No. 6      February 13, 2012

Militant subscriber Dianne Groth from Milwaukee recently sent in a check for $1,000 to the Socialist Workers Party Capital Fund. The fund helps finance the long-range work of the party.

“This is blood money gained through a government program,” Groth wrote. “Laid off in July 2010, I became eligible under the Trade Readjustment Allowances Act to receive education and/or job benefits. Because I choose to work, I have received extra money to offset my once-higher wages.”

Blood money is a special category of contributions workers are encouraged to donate to the SWP Capital Fund. It includes payments from the bosses or the bosses’ government designed to bribe workers to accept speedup, unsafe working conditions, and lower wages and benefits or to pit workers against each other, undermining solidarity.

Trade Readjustment Allowance benefits, according to the Labor Department, are for “those who were laid off or had hours reduced because their employer was adversely affected by increased imports from other countries.” The program seeks to reinforce the notion that workers should line up with the employers to defend “American jobs” against their fellow workers in other countries.

“I liked your article about lower wages and temporary work,” Groth wrote, referring to an article in the Jan. 23 issue. “I’ve been working for a temp agency since March 2011. While 90 days can get you hired, I still toil as a temp.”

“Apply the check as needed,” she said. “Your work is instrumental in leading the working class to power.”

Other workers who would like to contribute to the Socialist Workers Party Capital Fund can contact Militant distributors listed on page 8.

—SETH GALINSKY