MIM Notes 193 
September 1, 1999

MIM gains supporters in Seattle

Dear MIM, I would be delighted to distribute MIM Notes in Seattle. 
Send a bundle of 200 and any pointers you have, if any, from past 
experience of distributors. Though I suppose the process is self-
explanatory.

I'm pleased to participate in an activity that brings a communist 
view to the light of day. Lack of an organized communist voice 
leads many potential revolutionaries into escapism (mysticism, 
eastern religion, the occult, suicide, and sports utility 
vehicles.) I've seen it happen in my own family. ...

Thanks for your offer of MIM Theory for volunteer labor. Since I 
have the money now, I'll send it to MIM as a gesture of support. 
Though in tighter times an exchange would be a welcome way to 
obtain revolutionary literature. So here's $22...

Keep up the good work. I like MIM's kung fu!

-- a new Seattle reader.

MIM responds:  All our readers should be helping to distribute MIM 
Notes in their cities to get the paper into the hands of the 
people. We encourage you to distribute them in person and ask for 
donations. Some people help to pay for the production of the paper 
this way, others go beyond that and support political education 
costs or some costs for the Books for Prisoners Program. You can 
also distribute MIM Notes by leaving them on local college 
campuses, in laundromats, record and book stores, cafes, entrances 
to apartment buildings and anywhere else that people might pick 
them up. As we free drop, we typically sell the paper along the 
sidewalks and leave revolutionary flyers on poles and phone 
booths.

MIM's call for increased distribution of MIM Notes has received 
positive responses. Our goal is to expand distribution and its 
necessary funding by 25% by the end of 1999. We have not yet 
achieved this goal, but are getting closer. Consider distributing 
and funding 100 copies of each issue. This would take 
approximately 30 minutes in a populated area and $20 each month. 
Face to face distribution would take more time, but yield better 
results and help with the funding.

Revolution best opposes imperialist death penalty

Dear MIM: A referendum to abolish the death penalty will be on the 
Missouri ballot this fall. I am aware that MIM does not 
participate in electoral politics, but would MIM recommend that 
people vote for this referendum because MIM is also anti-death 
penalty (at least now, here, for those who typically get it in the 
U$)?

-- a prisoner in Missouri

MIM responds:  The death penalty under imperialism is a 
reactionary tool in the hands of the bourgeoisie. It is used to 
increase control of oppressed nations. Abolition of the death 
penalty under imperialism is a progressive step. But reliance on 
Amerikan public opinion is not the best chance for stopping the 
imperialist death penalty. The majority of voters are white 
settler nationals. They benefit from the criminal injustice system 
and national oppression in general. Some settlers may oppose the 
death penalty. We should struggle with these to oppose the entire 
system of injustice. But MIM does not rely on the majority of 
settlers to bring about justice.

MIM would rather see revolutionaries devoting time and material 
resources toward advancing the revolutionary line. Supporters 
should build anti-imperialist organizations of the people as a 
part of the proletarian-led United Front rather than "getting out 
the vote." So we won't be organizing for the victory of this 
referendum directly by advocating electoral change.

However, as part of our ongoing anti-imperialist struggle we are 
exposing the injustice of the imperialist death penalty. This work 
by revolutionaries is the most important contribution we can make 
to the fight to eliminate the imperialist death penalty. The 
passage of this referendum will mean a little less power for the 
imperialist injustice system. We know that the work we are doing 
to fight the criminal injustice system and the imperialist death 
penalty will make this victory more likely.

We suggest that readers interested in understanding the 
relationship between revolutionary organizing and agitating on 
single issues order "What is the Maoist Internationalist 
Movement?" ($2) from MIM Distributors and check out the essay "The 
Pitfalls of Single Issue Organizing."