Interview with S.F. socialist mayoral candidate

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Staff writer Suzanne Forsyth caught If landlords can't maintain property the country's resources should pay for, up with Socialist Action's San Francis- properly it would be up to the City to not military expenditures. co mayoral candidate, Joni Jacobs, who buy it up and manage it for the benefit SA: Speaking of the unemployed, out non-white workers from public was able to stop campaigning long of the City's residents. In addition, what would you do to make San Fran- jobs. How would you address the conenough to answer a few questions on abandoned or under-utilized property cisco a union town again?

SA: Where would you get the able to enjoy the fruits of their labor and live in this city as well. No City action program, with quotas, would be San Franciscans is providing shelter for JJ: There are many sources for the work would be unorganized or go to necessary. In order to fill these jobs I men, women, and children living on money, but one that immediately non-union contractors. Labor boycotts would set up job training programs at our streets. What steps would a social- comes to mind is suspending interest would be publicized and observed by the union wages. And this would strengthCity, and municipal services would be en the union, too.

SA: But won't that victimize retirees denied to employers refusing to bargain viding for people's needs would be my and other people on fixed income?

For example, the Parc 55 Hotel, would be a wasted vote? be a top priority. The way the City is owned by the richest 2 percent of Amer- which refuses to recognize the union run now, San Francisco is becoming a icans. In any case, I'd implement these and viciously barasses the workers, cycle of voting for the lesser of two resort town for the rich, rather than the measures so as not to victimize work- would come under intense public scrutiunion town it once was. New hotels are ing people or retirees, but rather force ny. I would write legislation requiring evils. We need to run candidates who going up, displacing housing and work those making profits to be accountable businesses to open their books for the truly represent our interests and keep places, while nothing is being done to for the needs of society. Of course housing is a bigger prob- afford workers' demands—-and also, system until we launch a movement public record and prove they cannot registering protest votes against the streets, parks and doorways. Concretely, lem than could be solved in San every wire, fire escape, and kitchen bad powerful enough to win. The mayor's I would introduce a strict rent control Francisco alone. I would use my better be up to code cap based on 10 percent of a person's resources as mayor to help build a No city police would be used to pro- do. To paraphrase Eugene V. Debs, income. movement to demand a national public tect scabs or prevent workers from who received over a million votes as a SA: What do you say to those com- works project to build quality affordable picketing or striking. 1 would not socialist candidate for president 70 years plaining this would force landlords to housing, schools, bospitals, etc, and at enforce unconstitutional infringements ago: I'd rather vote for what I want and the same time make jobs available to on workers rights such as injunctions not get it, than vote for what I don't JJ: Housing is a night, not a luxury. the unemployed. These are the things limiting the numbers of picketers and want and get it.

4 SOCIALIST ACTION AUGUST 1991 her electoral strategy.

Socialist Action One of the most pressing and visible issues facing money?

ist mayor take to resolve this crisis?

Joni Jacobs: As a socialist, protop priority. Therefore, housing would house the people living in the City s neglect unprofitable property? should be condemned, seized, improved, and made available immediately.

payments on bonds.

JJ: Actually 71 percent of bonds are JJ: The people who work in San same time? Francisco and make it run should be with workers. where and when they may picket.

Also, to spread around the available work, I would advocate 30 hours work for 40 hours pay.

SAr Sometimes using union contractors has been used as a way to shut cerns of unions and minorities at the JJ: I believe a radical affirmative SA: How would you answer those "pragmatists" who claim a vote for you JJ: Working people need to stop the office doesn't run this city, the workers