PM John Howard is moving his war on workers and the poor into top gear. The Coalition's plans to push through pernicious legislation when it takes control of the Senate in July are clear.
Howard is drawing a line in the sand, and so must we. Green Left Weekly will be there all the way; we will support you on the picket line, in jail, or wherever the struggle to defend jobs, entitlements and civil rights takes place.
We are a voice of dissent, and proud of it. Our bias is with you, and with the struggle for a society that is democratically run to suit the majority and preserve the environment — not the current system run by a handful of politicians and their big business mates supported by an arsenal of spin doctors.
Green Left Weekly couldn't survive without your support. And we're appealing for some extra help over June and July as we launch a special campaign. We're asking you to introduce us to your colleagues, workmates, friends and family.
For 15 years, we have relied on a core of readers, subscribers, sellers and fund-raisers to keep us connected to the cutting edge issues.
Without you, Green Left Weekly would not have the broader readership represented by the 11,000 visitors to our website each day. Without you, we wouldn't be able to raise the necessary $250,000 every year to keep the paper coming off the presses. Without you we wouldn't have such interesting copy and feedback.
For those only just discovering us, Green Left Weekly is the largest circulating radical paper in this country.
We were born out of a period in international politics when much of the left began a re-examination of the possibilities for left regroupment following the collapse of the former Soviet Union. At that time in Australia, many progressive-minded people had become increasingly disillusioned with the rightward shift of the Labor Party, and had begun to discuss how to fill the political space to Labor's left.
There were a range of views on what to do: some opted to set up the precursor to the Greens; some wanted something more socialist, and others were simply unsure about launching an organisation. The sponsors of this paper decided it should try and facilitate that broad discussion.
Since 1991, Green Left Weekly has been at the disposal of those wanting to develop a cohesive left critique of politics here and overseas — those who describe themselves as "green-left".
But we're about more than simply providing critiques. We're also keen to promote action — and that's the part that brings you the good news. In these difficult times, it's important to engage with others' struggles to change this mad world.
With the media concentration in Australia becoming even more obscene, Green Left Weekly fills an important gap in people's understanding and assessment of the critical issues.
Whether it's the campaign against mandatory detention, the unjust imprisonment of union leaders, the struggles for justice in Latin America or the fight for free public education, against woodchipping and to bring the troops home from Iraq, Green Left Weekly will be there.
We have survived for 15 years, and we're hoping to do better in the next 15. If you haven't already, you can be part of ensuring this success by taking out a subscription to GLW. Your subscription provides us with greater financial security — not unimportant in today's world.
In addition, for a limited time, if you sell a year's subscription ($83 for 44 issues) you will automatically get five free issues added to your own subscription. If you sell a two-year subscription ($154 for 88 issues), you will be given 10 free issues. This offer ends on July 10.
From June 20 until July 3, Green Left Weekly's friends will be campaigning to reach beyond the usual suspects. Can you help us out? Phone the subscription hotline on 1800 634 206 (free call).
From Green Left Weekly, June 8, 2005.
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