England's poll tax revolt threatens Thatcher gov't

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... Lithuania SOCIALIST ACTION APRIL1990 13 A wave of protest is sweeping Britain as the most regressive tax code in modern history goes into effect. In villages, small towns, and cities residents are rallying in protest. They are shouting, "We can't pay! We won't pay!"

Cause of the outcry is Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's "community charge." This is a scheme to make the working people bear the financial burden of local government. Up to now municipal governments have depended on property taxes for much of their revenue. Known as "rates," these taxes take more money from residents of stately mansions than from workers in their modest cottages.

About three years ago Mrs. Thatcher decided to ease this burden on the wealthy. The tax on property would be abolished, to be replaced by a "community charge." The syster works this way: The city council estimates the annual cost of police, local schools, and all the other services the community provides. They subtract the grants supplied by the national government. The balance left, the community charge, is divided evenly among all the residents of the town.

Every person over 18, rich or poor, pays the same tax. This has properly been called a poll tax, similar to the poll tax formerly levied against voters in the South. The British poll tax is collected whether a resident votes or not.

The Scottish example Fearing considerable opposition, Thatcher first introduced the poll tax into Scotland a year ago. She hoped it would gradually gain acceptance there, so it could be introduced painlessly into the rest of the United Kingdom.

(continued from page 1: “Lithuanians confront an escalating war of nerves”) voked that evening. A U.S. reporter pointed out to me that the ban was motivated in part by the fact that young Lithuanian-Americans had been coming into the country and getting involved in the independence The next morning, I made my way to the parliament building. As with most public buildings, the hammer and sickle symbol had been pulled down and replaced by the gold, green, and red Lithuanian flag.

I entered and sat in on a briefing for members of the press corps. A member of the Lithuanian parliament, Algimantas Chekolis, referred to the fact that the Soviet government had just asked Lithuanians to of nerves, and he is losing."

Chekolis said that he looked to North America and Western Europe for support. "International pressure will stop the killers from Moscow," he concluded.

But his trust that the capitalist world would rush to aid Lithuania proved to be an illusion. Even after Soviet troops stormed two hospitals in Vilnius in order to round up 23 Lithuanian army "deserters," all remained quiet on the front of Western diplomacy.

The Bush administration, while mildly urging Moscow to use "retraint," refused to recognize Lithuanian independence. "The general feeling is that the Lithuanians have pushed a little too hard, too fast," said one Post Office Box 404830 Brooklyn, NY 11240-4830 718-855-2140 But the poll tax has not gained acceptance in Scotland. Its unfairness has become more and more obvious. When a city council sends out a typical tax bill of over £300 ($500), it means each member of the household over 18 must pay £300. Often the 18-year-old is still at school, earning nothing. Only old-age pensioners and a few others are excused from paying the full amount.

Faced with these exorbitant charges, a million and a half Scots have cried, "I can't pay! I won't pay!" Thousands of "final" notices have been sent out—without effect. The law says that ultimately a delinquent's household goods may be sold to collect the taxes, but hundreds of protesters have appeared when such sales have been attempted.

LAISVI CB U.S. official. "They've been forcing a confrontation that no one—not in Moscow or here-wants right now."

The United States is only too happy to grant the Soviet Union the right to "keep order" in this part of the world. At the time of the uprising in Romania, for example, the Bush administration said it would "understand" if Moscow sent in troops. In exchange, of course, the United States claims the right to invade Panama or other countries within its alleged "sphere of influence."

Independence leaders compromise As we go to press, the Lithuanian government has made several conciliatory moves in the face of escalating military threats.

There- I said Iwould unite The Scottish experience has not made life easier for Margaret Thatcher. It has intensified the outrage of the voters, and given time for opposition tactics and strategy to be worked out. Unfortunately Labour Party leaders have opposed effective tactics, such as a tax strike, and offered little else. But the firestorm of revolt that is sweeping Britain is putting pressure on them.

More disastrous effects Experience in England and Wales has been even more disastrous for Thatcher and the Tories. Municipal councils are now adopting their budgets and sending out tax bills to be paid after April 1.

The Tories had claimed the community charge would be less than the previous propPlans to set up its own border patrols and customs service have been put off. In addition, the parliament has urged all citizens to turn over their weapons to the interior ministry.

In fact, throughout the crisis, the pro-capitalist leadership of the independence movement (which now rules the republic) has been reluctant to ask the Lithuanian people to mobilize in the streets to defend their rights. Instead, the leaders have sought to dicker with Gorbachev behind closed doors.

The Soviet foreign ministry frequently repeats that "Lithuania cannot stand on its own feet." It is true that Lithuania depends on fuel, fertilizer, and other capital goods that it receives from the other republics at low subsidized prices.

In some ways, however, integration into the Stalinist-ruled Soviet Union has served to impede development in Lithuania. As a sovereign state, Lithuania would no longer be tied into the bureaucratic labyrinth that passes for "state planning" in the USSR.

In fact, in recent years—despite the bureaucracy—Lithuania has surpassed the Soviet Union as a whole in its rate of increase of general production in industry and agriculture, labor productivity, and national income. • One thing is certain. An independent Lithuania would require a massive infusion of investment from abroad to rebuild its economy. As it is, industrial production consumes 1.5 to 2 times as much energy and metals as in Sweden or Finland.

Most organized political parties here, including the majority Sajudis independence movement, speak vaguely of constructing an economy on "the Swedish model" of welfarestate capitalism. First, agriculture and then, most industry will be reprivatized.

Few government leaders are bold enough, however, to admit to the problems of unemployment, factory shutdowns, and an erosion of social-welfare programs that are common in capitalist countries.

The working class has not been fully heard from yet, with its own demands and an independent organization. For now, most erty tax, especially in Tory-run boroughs. They unwisely published the estimated tax for the major towns and counties. The actual tax has proven to be from £50 to £100 higher than promised. So now Tory taxpayers are also up in arms.

The indignation of the British people has been expressed at mass rallies in even conservative villages and rural counties. Londoners in working-class boroughs have invaded city halls and tried to stop the municipal machinery.

The timidity of Neil Kinnock and other Labour Party leaders has opened the way for ultralefts to take the lead. They are inclined to favor stunts, such as throwing bags of flour at unpopular councillors, instead of drawing in the broadest layers of the population possible.

The slogan "Don't pay. Don't collect. Don't implement!" adopted by many anti-poll tax groups effectively draws in the labor movement. It involves unionized city hall employees who are refusing to send out tax bills, and others who fail to enforce the law.

The spirit of non-compliance has reached Parliament. Twenty-eight Labour MP's have publicly declared they will not pay. This revolt has engendered panic in Tory ranks. Members see that their Parliamentary careers are in danger. Some suggest that Mrs. Thatcher resign before an election must be called by June 1992.

Damage control difficult

Damage control is difficult, even though the Tories have a 100 vote majority. Parliament has power to take over some of the financial burdens of local governments— the cost of local schools for instance. But that would lead to higher income tax, while the hated poll tax was still in place. The national sales tax is 15 percent. How much higher can it be pushed?

The tax revolt presents the Labour Party with the prospect for returning to power. Unfortunately the vote today would not reflect enthusiasm for Labour, but revolt against the Tories. The timid policies espoused by Labour leader Neil Kinnock is no answer to the crisis facing the British people. But the tide of protest is reawakening the British workers, reinvigorating the Left, and opening serious ideological struggle in the ranks of the Labour Party.

working people are backing the Sajudis independence leaders—determined to keep the Lithuanian flag flying over the buildings of govemment.

table The First Amendment rights of all Minnesotans were attacked on March 21 when an officer of the St. Paul Police Department flipped over a Socialist Action literature table on the public sidewalk outside Hamline University, damaging books and pamphlets as horrified students looked on.

Socialist Action members Steve Argue and Brian Schwartz had been peacefully displaying their literature to interested students for over an hour when the police officer approached their table accompanied by a member of the university security. After asking who was in charge, the officer told the two socialists that campus security had already told them to leave. Argue tried to explain that no one had asked them to leave and that they believed they had a democratic right to be there.

In response the cop said, "There's your democratic rights!" and flipped the table over. He told the two that he would be back in a few minutes and if they were still there they would be "taken downtown."

Plans are underway for a campaign to demand that the police make restitution for the damaged property and that the officer be punished. Protest letters can be sent to St. Paul Mayor James Scheibel, Room 347 City Hall, St. Paul, MN 55102 or call (612) 298-4323. Tentative plans include organizing a protest meeting at Hamline University on Wednesday, April 4 at 11:00 a.m. For more information call (612) 430-1476.

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turn in their hunting rifles. "It shows that Gorbachev is afraid," he said. "There is a war

IMPACT ISUALS

NO. NO NO TO POLLIAX

the Nation! Trag

St. Paul cop attacks Socialist Action