2008 was a big year. We saw the end of the Bush era and the election of a Democratic president as the worst economic crisis since the 1930s began to unfold. 2008 will be looked back upon as an historic turning pointing for capitalism.

Over the past year, the branches of Socialist Alternative across the country hit the streets to engage with working people and youth about the issues we are facing. We mobilized for public meetings and participated in various campaigns.

Our Fighting Fund raised from our weekly activity increased by over 25 percent from 2007. Our figures for paper sales were up over 26 percent. These are encouraging signs both of the readiness of our members to actively organize and of the willingness of working people and youth to take working-class politics and the ideas of socialism more seriously.

Events are developing at a rapid pace, and we have to be able to respond to them. With the system of capitalism more openly discredited, there will be big opportunities to build the forces of socialism this year.

To meet the demands of this new period, our resources will need a tremendous boost and our fundraising will have to be taken to a new level. We are confident our membership is up for the challenge and our sympathizers are prepared to support the ongoing work of Socialist Alternative.

As always, our readers and supporters can donate online by clicking on the donate botton below, or send checks payable to Socialist Alternative to: P.O. Box 150457, Brooklyn, NY 11215.