Jan./Feb. 1984 RAIN Page 3 LETTERS Dear RAIN: Thanks for subscription information and the women's issue [RAIN IX:4]. I much enjoyed Margaret McCrea's article ["Women and Spirituality"] and have bought all the books she lists on page 12. I'm a little old lady living on social security, so I have to subscribe at poverty rates. I can see that RAIN is a product of love, and I am turned on to that. Love, Ramona Berine Los Angeles, CA Dear RAIN: You are very important to me. You give me courage for the future. You give me wisdom for the present and insight to our past. I want you to continue doing what you do so very well. Keep it up! Howard L. Pazdral Portland, OR To the Editor: I would like to comment on Tom Bender's article "Is Socialism the Answer?" [RAIN IX:5]. In his article Bender asserts that socialism, as it exists in the world today, has many of the same problems as capitalism, public ownership doesn't always work, and a transformation of values is essential for changing society. I substantially agree with these points. However, Bender's analysis of socialism is just half of the picture—wholly focused on the economic relations of society. An emerging view of socialism, which I call democratic socialism, emphasizes not only the economic arena but also the inter-relationship of economics and the social sphere—relations among women and men, democracy, social justice, and equality of opportunity. This view of socialism asserts that promoting values of feminism and grassroots democracy is as important as reorganizing the means of production. Public ownership by itself is certainly not the answer—it must be combined with democratic management and worker and community control. Nowhere in Bender's discussion does he talk about quality of work and control over the workplace by workers—essential ingredients for my socialism. A radical transformation of values is necessary. However, I don't believe that the positive values of cooperation, mutual respect, full realization of human potential, compassion, and unity can flourish in the milieu of a capitalist society. Capitalism and "free enterprise" promote competition, not cooperation; hierarchy, not equality; and decision making based on profit, not on meeting human needs. Yes, we need a radical change—and patching up capitalism is not sufficient. In my view countries that are "socialist" have made a serious error by adopting centralization as the primary method of organizing the economy. Appropriate economic scale, combined with community and worker control, is necessary for protecting the environment and meeting people's needs, including the basic need to participate in decisions affecting their lives. Democratic socialists have accepted the challenge of working for a view of the world that is thoroughly democratic, incorporates a feminist analysis, and recognizes the insights of the appropriate technology and environmental movements. Our vision cannot just be concerned with spinning the wheels of production. Economic relations shape the social and cultural spheres, but the reverse is true too. We need radical changes on all fronts—economic, social, cultural, and personal. One place I find theory for incorporating this understanding into viable political action is among democratic socialists. Beverly Stein (National Executive Committee, Democratic Socialists of America) Portland, OR Dear Rainmakers, Yes, indeed, I have been tardy in my renewal—thanks muchly for the reminder. But what really got me off my duff was spying your Special Anniversary Issue on the shelves at Puget Consumer's Co-op, leafing through it to see what goodies you'd packed into this gala edition, and running across my own comments about Zen and the Art ofMotorcycle Maintenance in your summary of rain's favorite books. I'm working on an article for In Context, your fascinating new progeny to the North, and I'd love to do something more substantial than subscription letters for RAIN, the granddaddy of 'em all. In fact, a suggestion: how about "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance 10 Years Later," a 1984 review of the (perceived) progress of appropriate technology in light of the 10th anniversary of the publication of Pirsig's seminal classic, using Pirsig's own standards of Quality? Sound intriguing? Give me some bounce-back, if you think so. 'Till then, send me that Anniversary Issue posthaste. I can't wait to digest the rest. Many Happy Returns, Drummond Reed
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