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­David Rovics Concert in Madison

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by Ida Bly David Rovics and Kamala Emanuel sang a concert in Madison on September 4th.They call their duo “The Ministry of Culture.” Madison DSA and WORT-FM helped sponsor this performance. This evening of folk-style music offered abundant moments of truth-telling and authenticity. There were about 35 people in attendance, in a range of ages, at Muso on Winnebago Street. Muso hosts acoustic music events without amplification. In this case, the pleasing harmonies contributed by Kamala Emanuel greatly enhanced the songs David sang while playing guitar. Attendees responded warmly to Rovics’ songs, including his most well-known song, “St. Patrick’s Battalion,” … Continue reading ­David Rovics Concert in Madison

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Neutrality is a Lie: The Academy Under Siege

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by Dahlia Green American higher education is under assault. Research funding, whether for sciences or humanities, has been cut off. The thugs of ICE descend upon college campuses, abducting students who dared speak out against the American-backed genocide in Gaza. International students are subject to a campaign of terror and arbitrary restrictions justified on vague “national security” grounds, a paper-thin disguise for racism and a targeted anti-intellectualism. The most prestigious and wealthy universities, those that can best defend themselves, have responded to this assault by rolling over. Administrators have rushed to gag their students and faculty, to invite the regime … Continue reading Neutrality is a Lie: The Academy Under Siege

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Propaganda Hoedown: Dane County Jail Communications Contract and Scanned Mail

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by Dan Fitch [updated version of this article published in Tone Madison September 15] Let’s delve into local coverage of the jail communication contract and mail scanning, Alec K style. If you need background, get lost in the sauce with a deep dive from last month. The summary: The sheriff’s office is arguing that we need to scan mail to save lives from overdoses caused by contraband coming via the mail. The evidence for this? Nonexistent. First, let’s look at what got published in the media. Then, we have to dive into the sheriff’s two attempts to convince the citizens … Continue reading Propaganda Hoedown: Dane County Jail Communications Contract and Scanned Mail

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Summer 2025 General Meetings Review

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by a comrade On July 8th, chapter members of MADSA met for the monthly general meeting at the First Unitarian Society. While the agenda for every chapter meeting differs, July’s meeting carved out some time for some much needed discussion on how chapter members are feeling about our current political climate. Many members voiced their feelings about what it is like to be a socialist in Madison and how best they can start speaking to members of their community about socialism. For many MADSA members (and socialists in general), the task of raising class consciousness is a topic that is … Continue reading Summer 2025 General Meetings Review

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Monthly Round-Up – August 2025

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by a comrade This article is written by a DSA member and does not formally represent the views of MADSA as a whole or its subgroups. I am excited to present a new format of content on Red Madison – a recurring summary of what kind of work we’re doing in our chapter each month! My goal as a contributing author is to inform people about MADSA’s everyday efforts in a convenient and easily accessible place. The content in this publication overlaps significantly with our DSA newsletter and monthly General Membership Meetings. To sign up for the newsletter or check … Continue reading Monthly Round-Up – August 2025

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Reading Group Report Back: Vladimir Lenin’s Imperialism

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From April 20th to May 11th, comrades in MADSA completed a reading and discussion of Vladimir Lenin’s Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism. Originally written in the first half of 1916 and published as a pamphlet in mid-1917, Lenin’s work analyzing how and why imperialism emerges under capitalism remains a vital resource in developing a stronger understanding of key Marxist concepts and analyses. For most members of the group, it was their first time ever reading any literature written by Lenin. Most members felt the language of Imperialism was easy to understand and the text was a decent length with … Continue reading Reading Group Report Back: Vladimir Lenin’s Imperialism

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Reading Group Report Back: Karl Marx’s Capital

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…by a reading group member From November 2024 to March 2025, Madison Area DSA embarked on an ambitious political education project. A reading group formed to tackle Paul Reitter’s 2024 translation of Capital. The challenges of this book were clear and immense from the beginning. Marx’s words measure to a total of 710 pages with over 100 more pages of introductions and endnotes. It tackles a vast array of topics starting with a theoretical analysis of value, a mathematical assessment of the working day, and a historic review of the working class’s conditions across Great Britain. To call this work … Continue reading Reading Group Report Back: Karl Marx’s Capital

Organizing, Socialism, Wisconsin

YDSA UW-Madison Wins Five Seats in ASM Elections

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We are so pleased and proud to announce that three of our candidates have won in the ASM elections Wednesday night — Gabo Samoff for College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Student Finance Services Committee, Bobby Gronert for College of Letters and Science and Student Finance Services Committee and Tristan Englemann for College of Engineering (five seats total). Continue reading YDSA UW-Madison Wins Five Seats in ASM Elections

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The Bitter Fruits of Democratic Austerity: Reflections on Trump’s Victory

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by Blair Goodman, MADSA member, co-chair of Equador Working Group on the DSA International Committee and chair of the Training Subcommittee of the DSA Growth and Development Committee As we urgently grapple with Trump’s return to the White House, it’s crucial to swiftly understand the economic and political factors that led to this outcome. The Democrats’ failure to promptly address the real economic concerns of working-class Americans has paved the way for Trump’s populist rhetoric to once again resonate with voters. The Disconnect Between Wall Street and Main Street Despite the rosy picture painted by macroeconomic indicators – a booming … Continue reading The Bitter Fruits of Democratic Austerity: Reflections on Trump’s Victory

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OPEIU Local 39 Objects to Layoffs at America’s Credit Unions

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 29, 2024 MADISON, WI – America’s Credit Unions (formerly “Credit Union National Association, Inc.”) has informed the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 39 of its intent to eliminate lay off up to 30% of the workforce at its headquarters in Madison. America’s Credit Unions is the result of the merger between Madison’s CUNA and its primary competitor, National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU). The Company filed a notice with the Department of Workforce Development on January 12, 2024, cc’ing City of Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway: “This is a difficult decision, and we appreciate … Continue reading OPEIU Local 39 Objects to Layoffs at America’s Credit Unions