"End these dirty wars. Use the money to finance real health care reforms along the lines people have been demanding and anticipated they would be getting in return for their votes... instead of maintaining 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil dotting the globe, create 800 public health care centers across the United States serving as the bases of support for the required 30,000 local community health care centers. This would create millions of jobs at good pay with good benefits with the health care workers employed in these centers becoming government employees."
Alan L. Maki, Director of Organizing, Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council
speaking in Escanaba, Michigan
From the Boston Globe...
“It’s beyond belief to me,’’ said Robert Haynes, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. While Obama and Congress inherited “a big mess’’ from Bush, Haynes said, “there aren’t any excuses anymore. If you can’t deliver health care, and you can’t deliver jobs, and if you can’t deliver [card check legislation] , and you can’t figure out how to take care of the working people of this great city and country, you don’t deserve to stay in office.’’
http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/healthcare/66053-remember-medicare-for-all-in-the-healthcare-reform-debate Remember Medicare for All in the healthcare reform debate By Kay Tillow, Coordinator, All Unions Committee For Single Payer Health Care--HR 676, Nurses Professional Organization - 11/03/09 10:06 AM ET
We are in danger of losing the opportunity to bring Improved Medicare for All, a single payer plan, before the Congress. Last July Congressman Anthony Weiner and six of his colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee attempted to substitute the real public option—HR 676, a single payer plan—for the healthcare reform in the House. Speaker Nancy Pelosi assured them that if they withdrew the amendment in committee they would have an opportunity to bring it to the House floor for a debate and vote. Now Pelosi is threatening to keep the Weiner Single Payer Amendment from seeing the light of day.If we were able to get this plan really on the table and before the nation in a meaningful way, we could win this hands down. Even Blue Dog Mike Ross, in an unguarded moment, asked why not just have Medicare for All. HR 676, the national single payer legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers, would cover everyone for all medically necessary care through an Expanded and Improved Medicare for All. The bill and its advocates have been blocked, excluded, and beaten back in the current national healthcare reform debate.Yet Medicare for All continues to raise its head. When single payer advocates were excluded from the White House kick off meeting for health care reform, doctors’ opened the door to two single payer advocates with a plan to protest at the White House gate. When Senate Finance Chair Baucus ruled single payer off the table, thirteen doctors, nurses, and others rose to protest. Baucus had them arrested. Those gutsy advocates pried open another door and won a round of publicity for single payer. But still not a place at the table.Yet support for single payer continues to grow. Its simplicity, humanity, and economic efficiency win more supporters each day. The Kentucky House of Representatives, four other state legislative bodies, scores of cities and counties, a half dozen giant religious denominations, NOW, the NAACP, and the National Conference of Mayors have called for passage of HR 676. For unions, it’s the plan of choice. At each contract deadline the double digit rise in health care costs gobbles up the lion’s share of bargaining power. For that reason, 578 unions including 39 state AFL-CIO’s and 134 central labor councils have endorsed HR 676. In September the national AFL-CIO Convention declared unanimous support for single payer as the social insurance plan necessary to achieve social justice.When Physicians for a National Health Program founder Quentin Young, testified before a House committee last June, Representative Weiner listened and was impressed. Weiner turned HR 676 into an amendment that would transform the House bill into a single payer plan. He popularized it as Medicare for All and catapulted the discussion into the national media with his feisty good humor and popular style.Now Pelosi wants to renege on her promise to Weiner. We have sent an action alert to over 19,000 unionists asking them to contact Pelosi, and Waxman (who relayed Pelosi’s commitment publicly) and Slaughter (who heads the rules committee) to assure that they allow the Weiner amendment to come to the floor.The “public option” that remains in both the Senate and the House bills is pitiful and powerless--totally incapable of providing cost control. Those bills, with their forced mandates and fines, their massive transfer of public funds to the insurance industry, and their ban on bulk buying power to rein in the pharmaceutical companies, will fail woefully to cover our people and to make that care affordable.Pelosi should stick to her promise. We’ll keep up the effort to make her do so. Either now or later Medicare for All will have to come to the table. We’ll keep building the movement to make that happen.
Source: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/healthcare/66053-remember-medicare-for-all-in-the-healthcare-reform-debate
The contents of this site are © 2009 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsisiary of News Communications, Inc.
Latinos For Peace
Latinos For Peace today calls for no escalation of the war in Afghanistan and for expedited withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as an end to the coup government in Honduras.
Latinos For Peace was started in 2005 by Latino Peace Activists to mobilize Latinos to call for an end to the war and occupation of Iraq, oppose the Bush preemptive war policies, and call for reducing funds for militarism for human needs at home and abroad.
It is dedicated to raising consciousness in our communities about peace issues and taking demonstrative, legislative and electoral action in our communities and in coalition with peace, civil right, labor, environmental and other peoples groups to these ends
You Can Join on Facebook
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“I’ve never had an insurance company even talk to me on the quality of services I delivered,” he said. “But I have been nudged by Medicare.” Government responsiveness to demands for quality, he added, had turned around the VA hospital in Butler from what was once “basically a detox center for alcoholics 30 years ago” to what is now a medical center with some of the highest quality care in the country. “And remember,” he concluded, “with the VA, you’ve got socialized medicine that reaches beyond single payer. It refutes the claim that government can’t do anything positive.”
Bob Schmetzer from the IBEW spoke up next. “People need health care. But they don’t need insurance companies taking more than 20 percent in administrative costs while single-payer plans like Medicare take two or three percent. “Real death panels exist already; they’re called insurance companies denying coverage.”
Then Schmetzer delivered the warning of the hour from labor. Referring to both the outgoing and expected incoming presidents of the AFL-CIO, he added that “both John Sweeny and Richard Trumka have been very clear. We’re going to examine every vote in Congress, and those that don’t come through for us shouldn’t expect any support when reelection time comes around.”
At this point, Altmire engaged the discussion. “When it comes to health care, first of all, I’m a ‘deficit hawk,’” he led off. “Any plan that increases our deficit, I will oppose. Any plan that doesn’t, I will give a fair hearing.” The “deficit hawk” label is one Altmire pinned on himself when he recently joined the ‘Blue Dog’ caucus of right-leaning House Democrats, a move that didn’t sit well with the local labor forces who helped his campaign.
How do we force Barack Obama and the United States Congress to pass HR 676 along with vastly expanding public health care? This is the only question remaining.
Western PA vs. Blue Dogs: Progressive Democrats Take ‘Medicare for All’ To Congressman Altmire By Carl Davidson Beaver County Blue Progressive Democrats and labor unions in the 4th Congressional District west of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania held a special meeting on health care reform Aug 20 with Congressman Jason Altmire at the Beaver County Community College Student Union in Center Township. The roundtable discussion with Altmire was pulled together by the 4th CD Progressive Democrats of America (PDA). The discussion was civil but the issues were sharply posed. If Altmire votes against the Weiner Amendment for single-payer health care (HR 676) when it comes to the floor in Congress in a few weeks, it won’t be because he hasn’t heard strong and passionate arguments for “Medicare for All.” Seated around a large conference table were nearly 20 representatives of important grassroots players in the district’s politics—the Beaver County Labor Council, United Steel Workers union, the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, the Electrical Workers Union (IBEW Local 712), Western PA Progressive Network, Western PA Coalition for Single Payer Health Care, the PA Association of Staff Nurses, PDA, Beaver County Peace Links, and several others. “We all know why we’re here,” stated Tina Shannon, 4th CD PDA Chairperson. “Our people are hurting. The economic crisis is taking away our jobs and health care, and the insurance companies are making matters worse. We want everyone here to speak their minds, so Congressman Altmire knows exactly what we want from him.” Lou Hancherick from Democracy for America in Butler County started off by denouncing the current health insurance system as a “trap of the insurance companies.” “It’s really modeled on slavery, at least for many of us. You’re bound to your employer, even if it’s a lousy job and you have better prospects elsewhere. If you’re older or have what they call a ‘pre-existing’ condition, you often can’t get insured with a new employer. You can’t start a business, so it hurts job creation as well.” Bob Schmetzer from the IBEW spoke up next. “People need health care. But they don’t need insurance companies taking more than 20 percent in administrative costs while single-payer plans like Medicare take two or three percent. “Real death panels exist already; they’re called insurance companies denying coverage.” Then Schmetzer delivered the warning of the hour from labor. Referring to both the outgoing and expected incoming presidents of the AFL-CIO, he added that “both John Sweeny and Richard Trumka have been very clear. We’re going to examine every vote in Congress, and those that don’t come through for us shouldn’t expect any support when reelection time comes around.” “I know you’ve stated your concern for health care costs,” said Tina Shannon to Altmire when her turn came. “So I’ve done some research about how single payer has been rated over the years.” She delivered a wealth of statistics and a timeline going back decades showing that proposed legislation on single payer scored better than private insurance every time for delivering wider coverage at less cost. Why does single payer win on costs, Shannon asked? “Because single payer doesn’t have to deliver profits to insurance companies. From 2000 to 2006, the insurance companies’ profits doubled. Kaiser alone reported that it paid some $96 million just to its top four consultants. For what? Think of what could have been done with that!” Shannon was followed by Dr. Joe Talarico, an anesthesiologist from Zelienople in Butler County, and chair of the Western PA Progressive Network. Talarico focused on the quality of health care, arguing that the insurance companies had little regard for it. “I’ve never had an insurance company even talk to me on the quality of services I delivered,” he said. “But I have been nudged by Medicare.” Government responsiveness to demands for quality, he added, had turned around the VA hospital in Butler from what was once “basically a detox center for alcoholics 30 years ago” to what is now a medical center with some of the highest quality care in the country. “And remember,” he concluded, “with the VA, you’ve got socialized medicine that reaches beyond single payer. It refutes the claim that government can’t do anything positive.” “It’s been downhill ever since Reagan,” followed Sandy Moore, a nurse from New Castle, PA and a member of the Lawrence County Progressive Democrats. “Under our existing privatized system, we’re faced with more sick people and fewer nurses. From the things I’ve seen with school children ill and with no insurance, doing away with school nurses is truly frightening.” Addressing Altmire directly, she concluded with, “What’s the problem with people having an option to the insurance companies?” Cathy Gatian, a PDA steering committee member and lab technician residing in Center Township, reminded Altmire of a recent painful episode in local health care, the closing of the former Aliquippa Community Hospital. “Like the No Child Left Behind Act, this legislation you’re proposing, the ‘Quality First Act,’ would reward state-of-the- art, well-endowed urban hospitals and penalize already distressed small rural and non-urban hospitals. Quality healthcare is needed in rural and non-urban areas too. In Aliquippa, we benefitted from access to a community hospital built by the steelworkers. In the current market-based medical system, this gem in our industrial community was swallowed up and spit out by UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center). Aliquippa Community Hospital is gone. It no longer exists. The building it once occupied is vacant.” “By contrast,” Gatian added, “HR676 provides for regional allocation of operating budgets, capital expenditure budgets and reimbursements to clinicians. It also establishes the Office of Quality Control. Therefore with Medicare for All, small communities like Aliquippa, rather than being punished could enjoy the highest quality healthcare service.” Next up was Janet Hill, from the USW staff and also a PDA member from Beaver, PA. “We have a healthcare emergency,” Declared Hill. “Fifty million people have no health insurance, and lack of economic security has led to even more people having their care delayed or denied. Many companies are going bankrupt, and anyone employed at a bankrupt company loses their insurance.” “Insurance companies are inefficient and wasteful,” Hill continued. “Twenty to 30 percent of health care dollars are going to administration and profit – not to health care. This is just a private tax by insurance companies on the majority of people who have health insurance. The American people wouldn’t accept that kind of overhead in charities so why should we in health care? Is there any benefit for the people being taxed? At least with gas taxes, I get to drive on the roads. No, it goes to people like Dale Wolf, the head of Coventry Health Care who made 20.86 million last year.” Randy Shannon, PDA’s Treasurer, focused on the role of health care in the economy. “About 10 percent of all jobs, and 12 percent of all wages,” he explained, “are part of providing health care and maintaining its infrastructure. But the existing setup is irrational. If we had single payer over private insurance, the extra money going to healthcare instead of insurance would create 2.6 million new jobs and $317 billion in new business revenues. Direct healthcare spending of one dollar creates three dollars in the economy.” Del Linville, a former Obama campaign volunteer, pointed out that most young adults do not have healthcare, but in other countries everyone is covered. “Where is our compassion? This is an uncaring system. Congress is not cutting costs by leaving the insurance companies in the system.” Maryanne Weaver, a Democratic Committee member from New Castle pointed out that Altmire needs to take into account the needs of the people if he wants to get re-elected. She pointed out that his election was won by a coalition that included progressive and center Democrats that he cannot afford to lose. She also condemned the waste in insurance company advertising and profits and the $1.5 million per day lobbying expenses to prevent health reform. Ed Grystar, the co-chair of the W. PA Coalition for Single Payer Healthcare, and an organizer for the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Associated Professionals pointed out that private corporations are taking over community hospitals and eliminating nursing staff and cutting pay and benefits to nurses. He added: "Real reform just can't happen under the domination of the insurance companies. They'll turn any public option into what we call 'junk insurance.' It's got so many holes in it and so pay co-pays that it'sworthless.” "Their idea of reform,” Grystar continued, “is to force those without insurance to buy ‘junk’ insurance. More guaranteed customers for insurance companies, less real coverage, and more profits. It's a welfare program for them, while we get nothing worthwhile." At this point, Altmire engaged the discussion. “When it comes to health care, first of all, I’m a ‘deficit hawk,’” he led off. “Any plan that increases our deficit, I will oppose. Any plan that doesn’t, I will give a fair hearing.” The “deficit hawk” label is one Altmire pinned on himself when he recently joined the ‘Blue Dog’ caucus of right-leaning House Democrats, a move that didn’t sit well with the local labor forces who helped his campaign. “To your credit, you’ll get an up-or-down vote on single payer” Altmire continued, referring to the recent deal struck by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with the twenty percent of Congress backing HR 676 and the movement behind them. “You’ve won that. But that also means HR 676 will be ‘scored’ by CBO, the Congressional Budget Office, as to what it would cost. They are tough, but fairly objective. If HR 676 comes out as not increasing the deficit, then I will have to look long and hard at it. But until it’s scored, we’re in a holding pattern.” “Many of you here think I’m in the pocket of the insurance companies because of their donations to my campaign,” Altmire continued, dealing with that topic. “But let me assure you, that’s not the first thing I think of when the words ‘insurance companies’ crosses my mind.” He went on to tell how he was denied coverage for reconstructive knee surgery from old sports-related injuries. Altmire also insisted he wasn’t simply a nay-sayer on health care reform. “I don’t want us to end up with nothing, for all the reasons stated here tonight.” He shared a story of a confrontation at a Town Hall session where “a very angry woman got in my face, very upset. She didn’t want to pay for anything for people who had no insurance. ‘It’s their tough luck, she said, they should have made better choices in life.’ I decided to reply by telling her that she was already paying for the uninsured, in the most inefficient and most costly way, when they showed up at emergency rooms.” “She suddenly softened,” Altmire added, “and told me she had learned that was true after examining a bill for a recent hospital procedure she had been through. ‘I checked every item, and every one was way overcharged. When I asked why, they told me they had to charge more from those who could pay, to make up for those who couldn’t pay.’ So in this way, I could find some common ground that things couldn’t stay as they are.” Despite being interesting and insightful, Altmire’s comments were hardly disarming to those at this meeting. Tina Shannon responded that the true cause of the high hospital and other medical bills is the for profit delivery of healthcare and the insurance company overhead. Charlie Hamilton responded that we have a really good single payer system already – Medicare. “We understand deficits, borrowing from the future,” said Randy Shannon, replying to Altmire’s central argument. “We also know that they’re not always bad. It’s one thing to go out and run up the credit card buying cases of beer. It’s something else altogether to spend and invest the public’s money in providing medical care and building new health facilities. The latter has a multiplier effect, adding new value and new growth in the economy that brings back two or three times the amount initially laid out.” Shannon referred Altmire to a new study on the role of health care spending as a positive economic stimulus. Marion Prasjner, a PDA steering committee member from Raccoon Township, and president of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), followed up. “It’s not just about money. All these 45 or 50 million people uninsured—this is all wrong. In the steelworkers, we learn that we help each other, and only by helping each other, do we all get ahead. There’s a moral question here. It’s terrible, all these ads they’re running on TV—Me, me, me, it’s all about ‘me.’ All then all these people getting rich from it. It’s not about cost; it’s about greed. And that makes it a class struggle. If that’s what they want, so be it. They’re not going to win that battle. But thank you for listening, Congressman.” As the session was winding down, Geri DeSena, a PDA activist from Aliquippa, took the floor. “We want to remind you that the city councils of both Aliquippa and Ambridge have passed resolutions in favor of HR 676, and they urge you to vote for it.” She handed Altmire his own official copies of the text. Although Congressman Altmire was warned by several people not to support a bill that mandates citizens to buy private insurance without a low cost public option, he did not commit to voting against such as bill. He also did not commit to supporting the Weiner amendment. When reminded that HR 676 was actually a net revenue saver, Altmire stated that previous versions of HR 676 had spending caps while the present version did not. This statement is untrue, as there has never been a limit to healthcare benefit coverage under HR 676. Altmire also stated that a health insurance co-op would have the same value as a public Medicare option, although this position has been thoroughly discredited because the coops will not have the size to compete with private insurance. Although the meeting did not move Altmire, it did show him that there was a wide and deep alliance of progressive Democrats and union members who expect him to support serious healthcare reform by expanding Medicare. It also served to strengthen the unity of the coalition fighting for healthcare reform in the 4th Congressional District. And it enabled the groups to come together and argue their positions for single payer healthcare. Through efforts like these, and more to come, the popular alliance for decent health care for all becomes more conscious, more united and stronger and keeps drawing more allies to its side. Meanwhile those on the other side are more constrained, less credible and wind up painting themselves into a corner. It’s time for Altmire to consider the class nature of the vast majority of his constituents. Their interests are not the same as the insurance companies and banks that would sabotage and deny public health care for all. Otherwise he might find that his ticket of admission to the Blue Dogs has a very steep and not-so-hidden delayed price to pay. [Carl Davidson is a National Co-chair of Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism--- a small splinter group broken from the Communist Party USA as well as webmaster for ‘Progressives for Obama’
We have to get people thinking about the need not only to try influencing the existing politicians who are nothing but the paid servants of big-capital; but, we should start talking about taking power away from these Wall Street people and replacing them with real representatives of working people.
I think we will have socialism in this country simply because there are no other solutions to our problems... wars, racism, the health care mess, climate change, poverty; to name a few.
I like the postings coming out of the Netroots Nation conference of bloggers; however, from what I have read from the reports coming out of those who attended the Netroots Nation conference, it was dominated by liberals, progressives and those on the left who still have serious delusional problems concerning Barack Obama. In my opinion, we probably are not going to break free from this slobbering over Obama until socialism becomes a hotly debated topic in this country as an alternative to the capitalist economic mess that has been forced upon us without our input or participation in the decision-making process.
Towards this end of creating this dialog, discussion and debate on socialism vs capitalism I would encourage people to begin discussing the views of Frank Marshall Davis, the Marxist, who was Barack Obama's mentor. Let's get some discussion going about Frank Marshall Davis and his views from several of his books:
"Livin' the Blues"
"The Writings of Frank Marshall Davis"
"Black Moods, collected poems"
If Barack Obama could read these writings and have access to the Marxist thinking of Frank Marshall Davis, shouldn't we all have the same access to these Marxist ideas from which we might be able to figure out who Barack Obama really is and how he used these ideas opportunistically to advance his own political career while not sharing the ideas of Frank Marshall Davis with others out of fear too many people reading these ideas would become an impediment to his own self-serving goals and objectives?
Here is the problem:
Barack Obama brought himself into a powerful position but left the rest of us behind.
All books cited above are available through your public library or through Internet booksellers.
It is unfair to say that the United States will not have socialism until all Americans have been introduced to real socialist ideas; then the decision will be made in a democratic manner as to whether or not America will ever become socialist.
Introduce your friends, neighbors and fellow workers to Barack Obama's mentor who Obama lacked the moral or political courage to fully provide his full name, and chose--- dishonestly--- to cite simply as "Frank" in his own book.
Start a branch of the Frank Marshall Davis Roundtable for Change around your kitchen table, in your union hall, church basement or community center.
I even started a Frank Marshall Davis Roundtable for Change blog on Barack Obama's own web site here:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/alanmaki
If anyone knows any other way to solve this health care mess other than through expanding the present socialized health care systems of VA, the Indian Health Service and the National Public Health Service combined with single-payer universal health care I would like to hear their suggestions... but, most importantly, I would be very interested in an explanation from Barack Obama why he isn't advocating the obvious: Expand these excellent socialized health care systems as the first step in bringing 46 million Americans healthcare who are presently without access to needed health care... this really is a national emergency that only socialism can solve.
Perhaps the real reason Barack Obama and his Wall Street backers fear socialized health care as the real solution to this health care mess is that people will get the idea that through socialism we can solve our many other pressing problems... including once and for all putting an end to poverty.
We are not talking about believing in change... we need to begin serious discussion about organizing for real change... and this requires talking about the socialist alternative to capitalism.
I appreciate all the calls and e-mails I receive relating to my blog posts... feel free to contact me in whatever way you find most convenient.
Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council
58891 County Road 13Warroad, Minnesota 56763Phone: 218-386-2432
E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net
Check out my blog:
http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/
Sometimes don't you fantasize about jumping through the TV onto a talk show set? Well, I did exactly that this Monday morning while watching MSNBC's "Morning Joe" (Joe Scarborough, former Republican Congressman). Let me explain: The early am talkfest was about the surging federal budget deficit and its meaning for the health care legislation in the House and Senate. The cast of characters, including a reporter from the NYT - Mat Bai, I think that was his name - and a couple others of the chattering class, were lamenting the growing bill that future generations will have to pay. Their advice: scale back health care reforms, stick to incremental improvements, cut the deficit. Unanimity prevailed, leaving everyone feeling very self-satisfied. It was at this point that I made my leap from Corning, NY (I'm on my way to the Chautauqua conference where I'm going to present a paper: The Communist Party: A Work in Progress in a Changing World) through the TV screen, and, amazingly, landed on "Morning Joe" set, cup of coffee in hand. Once there, I righteously reminded everyone, and of course, the television audience that 45 million Americans have no insurance and many more inadequate insurance. So let's not forget about them as we preach fiscal rectitude, I insisted. But I didn't stop there. The next thing out of my mouth to the 'Morning Joe" gang, all of whom, I'm sure, have good health care benefits and well-paying jobs, is that unemployment is over 9 per cent and most economists predict that it will soon reach double digits. "Should we also make them invisible in the name of fiscal discipline?" I queried. Then raising my voice to these pundits of the status quo, I said, "No, what we need is a second stimulus bill?" They gasp! Such effrontery! And I went on to say, "It's an economic necessity. Any real recovery has to include infrastructural spending, green investment, and job creation in the millions. And if you're so worried about the deficit: tax the wealthiest and make big surgical cuts in the military budget. Furthermore," ... and at that point stage hands dragged me off stage by the collar, but not without a triumphant look on my face. Back in Corning, I think to myself: what a way to start the bloody week and then recall what I had been about to say before those thugs interrupted my fantasy: a second stimulus bill and a heath care option with teeth are as much a political necessity as an economic one. The coalition that elected Barack Obama last year will go to the matt in next's year's election only if they see some tangible improvements in their lives.
Note: I am sure there are many people just waiting to read Sam Webb's speech: The Communist Party: A Work in Progress in a Changing World
Note: I am sure there are many people just waiting to read Sam Webb's speech:
The following letter is being circulated all over the internet and Minnesota is getting a black eye as a result.
Everyone is waiting to find out how the Democratic Party is going to answer this letter.
--- On Wed, 7/8/09, greg paquin <hotpasstheketchup@yahoo.com> wrote:From: greg paquin <hotpasstheketchup@yahoo.com>
Subject: Minnesota Senate District 4 (seat)
To: brian.melendez@usa.net
Cc: chair@dfl.org, dcassutt@dfl.org, srego@dfl.org
Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 7:15 PMWednesday, July 8, 2009 Brian Melendez, Chair, Minnesota DemocraticFarmer-Labor Party Dear Mr. Melendez, I am writing to inform you that I will be running for the Minnesota State Senate for the District 4 seat. I would like to run with the endorsement of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party in the Primary Election. As you are aware, there isn’t one single Native(Anishinabe) American sitting in the Minnesota State Legislature; not in the Senate, not in the House. This needs to change. And the change needs to take place now. Barack Obama promised change. I intend to fight on behalf of Indian(Anishinabe) people to see to it that we get the change that we assumed was coming. Real jobs at real living wages. Our children going to school, not tossed behind bars and forgotten. We lack adequate health care. Native(Anishinabe) American women suffer sexual abuse at rates far higher than the general population. Our land and our resources, the wealth of our Nations, were stolen out from under us in the most brutal manner and nothing has been done to make things right. Native (Anishinabe)Americans are the largest single minority population in the State of Minnesota and we have no representation in the State Legislature; anyone can see that this is unfair. I intend to try to change this with or without the support of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party; I would like to do this with support from the DFL if at all possible, if not, I will use other means. As a long-time union member of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA), I have always been a loyal supporter of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party. Should I not hear from you in seven days, I will decide after consulting with my campaign committee and my many friends--- Native and non-Native--- whether to seek the DFL endorsement during the Primary process and Election or run as an independent candidate in the General Election. Minnesota Native(Anishinabe) Americans, including myself, have repeatedly sought assistance from the local DFL elected public officials who we helped in every way to elect. WE now need their help on a variety of issues of importance to us from jobs to education, housing and health care and environmental concerns, we find ourselves shut out of the political and decision-making process by these same politicians who could not have been elected without the votes of Anishinabe people who are now ignoring our problems and concerns when it comes to doing things by way of finding solutions. Solutions which are often as simple as doing what is right to make sure Anishinabe people get jobs. Often we don’t even hear about jobs until the work is completed. How do others hear about jobs, even in our own communities, before we do? This is not right. I organized the “We Shall Remain” conference in Bemidji. Many Native Anishinabe and non-tribal people, from all walks of life showed up at this conference fully expecting to be able to explain and tell elected officials what our problems and concerns are. The only public official who showed up was the Beltrami County Sheriff who informed us that he didn’t know how many Native Americans worked on his staff but he knew the population in the Beltrami County Jail was more than 50% Native American. This was a figure not lost on those in attendance since the current unemployment on most Minnesota Reservations is 50% or more. There is something terribly wrong with this picture and the present DFL State Senator from District 4, Mary Olson, refuses to talk about resolving the injustices creating these problems. I want to most vigorously point out to you that the MN DFL claims to have a policy that decries discrimination; yet, for all these years the MN DFL has done not one thing to assure Native (Anishinabe) Americans are elected to state and federal offices. There is something wrong with this picture here; you want our money and our votes but you don’t want us sitting as equals with all other Minnesotans in the State Legislature or the halls of Congress. Certain measures have to be taken in order to ensure that Minnesota Indigenous,Anishinabe people get the seats they are entitled to in the Minnesota State Legislature; those measures have not even been considered, let alone taken. We are entitled to at least two seats per tribe. I am quite sure most Minnesotans will find this very reasonable. Democracy requires this. Anishinabe Native Americans are entitled to District 4, 4a, 4b, 2, 2a, 2b seats in the Minnesota State Legislature as a beginning to right this wrong of no representation. I intend to do everything I can do to make sure that Senate seat 4 is held by an Native Tribal Member citizen, because this is what justice requires. It is my hope that other Native(Anishinabe) Americans will join my efforts to secure the other five seats. Most Anishinabe, Native Americans are working people, yet you treat us as if only the cash you get from the casino managements counts for anything. This, too, will change once I am elected to the Senate District 4 seat because the people of Minnesota will be hearing the truth about gaming revenues. If these revenues can be used to elect non-Tribal Natives to political office who then turn around and ignore our problems we can find a way to make sure these gaming revenues remain in our communities being used for meeting the needs of our own people now living in dire straights as the economy declines. I know many families who need food more than politicians need campaign contributions. It is my hope you will also broach my concerns, distributing this letter, with the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party’s State Central Committee. I await your response, Gregory, W. Paquin
Hotpasstheketchup@yahoo.com
651-503-9493 cell
218-209-3157 home1511
Roosevelt Rd Se Bemidji, MN 56601
U.S. Senators Amy Kolbuchar (Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party)U.S. Senator Carl Levin (Michigan Democratic Party)U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (Michigan Democratic Party U.S. Rep. Colin Peterson (DFL-Minnesota)U.S. Rep. James Oberstar (DFL-Minnesota)April 6, 2009Senators and Congresspersons,The Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council was not informed of the March hearings on Indian health care even though each and everyone of you has been repeatedly asked to keep us apprised of hearings which relate to these kinds of issues.It is with this in mind that I request my comments here be included in the hearing testimony.You, elected officials, claiming to be public servants with the good of the public at heart in your actions, have gone out of your way to deny us casino workers the right to participate in any hearings relating to labor, health care and environmental issues; and, then, you have the unmitigated gall to preach that we live in the world's greatest bastion of democracy.As you are fully aware, our Organizing Council consists of Organizing Committees in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa assisting casino workers in their attempts to organize unions in an industry--- the Indian Gaming Industry--- which all of you have had a hand in creating through your support of the most anti-labor, most racist vile "Compacts" which have forced over two-million casino workers (and given the huge employee turnover in this industry, millions more) to work under the most disgraceful and Draconian conditions in loud, noisy, smoke-filled casinos at poverty wages without any rights under state, federal or tribal labor laws in this industry now comprising over 350 casino operations many of which include hotels/motel, restaurants, a variety of small shops and boutiques ranging from hair-dressers to artists and even water parks and various theme parks.And here you are sitting and listening to those like the spokespersons for the Red Lake Nation Tribal government--- a supposedly sovereign nation, but a government that has to ask the federal and state governments for approval before doing anything and begging for tax-dollars as casino revenues in the billions and trillions of dollars go completely without any accountability to anyone except for a bunch of mobsters who own the slot machines and table games leaving the Indian Nations stuck with nothing but a pile of debt and poverty--- talking about how the Indian Health Service is underfunded.We agree that the Indian Health Service is underfunded. But, the funds are being stolen in many cases before they ever reach the stage of their intended purpose of keeping Indian people healthy and getting them well when sick.The Indian Health Service is a model program which should be serving as a guide for the kind of socialized health care system we all need in the United States. Instead, you are allowing it to be sabotaged by greedy profit gougers at every level as your colleagues in Congress then point out "socialized health care doesn't work."A program is intentionally underfunded and then greed takes over with "administrative supervision, oversight and approval" and here we are with one big mess of sick people who can't get the health care they are entitled to.And, to make maters worse, the very people who provided this testimony from the Red Lake Nation did not tell you that the primary reason for the very substantial need to increase the funding for the Indian Health Services is the direct result of the Indian Gaming Industry.Common sense tells us that if you put people to work--- force people to work--- in smoke-filled casinos day in and day out seven days a week 365 days of the year, these employees are going to suffer serious health problems because we all know the scientific and health consequences people suffer working under these conditions.The cancers, the heart and lung diseases, the ill affect on pregnant women and the damage to their unborn children; and, in talking about health problems and risks, perhaps among no other population in America, is diabetes such a killer than on the Indian Reservations. And the medical and scientific community has long ago shown the severe adverse impact that second-hand smoke has on those with diabetes.So, while the Red Lake Nation Tribal Council has sent their representative to plead the case for an underfunded Indian Health Service, these representatives have failed to state that it is the very policies of this very Tribal Council who control Red Lake Gaming Enterprises who by allowing smoking in their casinos are contributing to the ill-health of the people of the Red Lake Nation, many, who because of the racist hiring practices of employers in northern Minnesota cannot find employment elsewhere, are forced to work in these smoke-filled casinos making them sick--- or sicker than they already are--- which in turn requires an expanded Indian Health Service, which in turn requires greater funding.Our Organizing Council and our Organizing Committees take the position that Congress should appropriate every single penny required to provide adequate health care to Indian people through the Indian Health Service.We also insist that there be accountability in gaming revenues and these revenues should be confiscated by the federal government to cover the health care problems being created by an unhealthy working environment.To add insult to injury to this racism, the Indian Health Service is not even monitoring the health of those people employed in these smoke-filled casinos.Therefore, it is our contention, that these casino enterprises like Red Lake Gaming Enterprises should be billed for the health care received through Indian Health Services for whatever treatment casino workers require for anything.Quite frankly, we consider the testimony offered on behalf of the Red Lake Nation Tribal Council to be deceitful and dishonest in not bringing forward the role the tribal government plays in making people sick. Needless to say, these representatives did not make any mention of the way present funding is abused and misappropriated by crooks and thieves.We point out that dishonesty has been a hallmark of the Indian Gaming Industry from its very inception which began with all of you taking bribes to create this industry which has now resulted in two-million workers going to work in smoke-filled casinos at poverty wages in an industry where the workers have no rights under state, federal or tribal labor laws--- truth is not one of the virtues of such thieves and those like yourselves who pander to these thieving mobsters for campaign contributions. It is rather ironic that the Red Lake Tribal Council which is wholly and fully complicit in stealing from, and abusing, their own people and everyone else in quest of greater profits... would, under these circumstances, have the unmitigated gall to come before any Congressional Committee demanding funding to solve problems they have helped to create. Might we be so bold as to suggest that you and your colleagues in the United States Congress contribute the bribes you take from the National Indian Gaming Association and the various state Indian Gaming Associations like the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association and contribute this money to the Indian Health Service?And then maybe if you would stop wasting our money on wars and maintaining military bases all over the world you could provide an expanded version of the Indian Health Service to include everyone residing in the United States including the thousands of undocumented workers employed in the Indian Gaming Industry.In closing, let me just say that we know you will take issue with the tone of this letter; but, it is your continued lack of response to our concerns over problems you created in the first place in the way you intentionally created these "Compacts" creating the Indian Gaming Industry that any thinking person would know was going to result in these problems; problem you now want to pretend you had nothing to do with their creation--- including the health care problems being experienced by Indian people. Alan L. MakiDirector of Organizing,Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council
From: Alan Maki [mailto:amaki000@centurytel.net]Sent:Wednesday,April 22, 20099:47 PMTo: Kimi De Leon; Joan KimCc:'Jim Hart';'John Kolstad';'Kip Sullivan';'Carl Levin';'Sen.Jim Carlson'; rep.bill.hilty@house.mn; rep.tom.anzelc@house.mn; rep.tom.Rukavina@house.mn; rep.tony.sertich@house.mn; ddepass@startribune.com; mmiron@bemidjipioneer.com; bswenson@bemidjipioneer.com;'Chris Spotted Eagle'; jgoldstein@americanrightsatwork.org; teresa_detrempe@klobuchar.senate.gov;peter.erlinder@wmitchell.edu; peter.makowski@mail.house.gov; esquincle@verizon.net;'Walter Tillow'; nursenpo@gmail.com; 'Steve Early'; 'Joshua Frank'; 'Ta, Minh'; 'Rhoda Gilman';'David Shove'; 'ken nash'; 'Ken Pentel';WCS-A@yahoogroups.com; MARKOWIT@history.rutgers.edu; tdennis@gfherald.com; 'Myers, John'; loneagle@paulbunyan.net; 'Thomas Kurhajetz'; mhoney@u.washington.edu;moderator@portside.org; debssoc@sbcglobal.net; 'Tom Meersman'; peterb3121@hotmail.com; laurel1@dailyjournal-ifalls.com; jscannel@aflcio.org; rgettel@uaw.net; gdubovich@usw.org; info@jamesmayer.org; mzweig@notes.cc.sunysb.edu; rachleff@macalester.edu; advocate@stpaulunions.org; elizabeth_reed@levin.senate.gov; 'Alan Uhl';'Charles Underwood'Subject: Re: Question on Indian Health Summit To whom it may concern; Could you tell me if there will be a discussion at the Indian HealthSummit---July 7-9, 2009 in Denver,Colorado---concerning the issue of casino workers in the Indian Gaming Industry and the impact to their health of second hand smoke in their workplaces? Could you advise me if there have been any discussions about this with the American Cancer Society and/or the Heart and Lung Foundation? I am very concerned since I find nothing on this important topic among any of the materials you are distributing for the Indian Health Summit. With health care costs become an important topic for discussion it would seem that this issue would at least merit some kind of mention at an Indian Health Summit considering the large number of Native Americans employed in the Indian Gaming Industry. Perhaps you would be interested in having me address one of the plenary sessions since this topic has not been considered previously. I would point out that I have contacted my of the local offices and administrators of the Indian Health Services concerning this issue and no one will speak to me. With the Indian Health Services being part of the Department of Interior and associated with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, it would only seem logical that no further casino "Compacts" would be approved unless they contain provisions banning and prohibiting smoking. I would also suggest that the Indian Health Services insist that all existing "Compacts" be re-opened so a ban and prohibition on smoking can be inserted into them. "Compacts" are nothing more than contracts and the Obama Administration has seen fit to insist that previously negotiated contracts with labor unions be re-negotiated so there is definitely a precedent that has been established for doing this and I am sure you will agree with me that there could not be a better argument made for renegotiating these "Compacts" than to protect the health of hundreds of thousands of workers employed in these casinos who, in addition to working in these smoke-filled working environments are not protected under any state or federal labor laws, which makes this problem of being employed in a work environment detrimental to human health even a more serious concern. Perhaps the Indian Health Services could make a recommendation to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Secretary of the Department of Interior that the Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, becomes involved so that the protection of casino worker's rights under all state and federal labor laws protecting all other workers in the United States be included at the time the Compacts are re-opened to protect the health of casino workers. If you have any doubts second-hand smoke contributes to an unhealthy work environment and that second-hand smoke is recognized as a leading contributor to a variety of cancers and heart and lung diseases please do not hesitate to request additional information. I will be more than happy to attend your Indian Health Care Summit with the necessary resource materials. With some two-million workers now employed in the Indian Gaming Industry we want to make sure everything possible is being done to protect the health and well-being of these workers. If I have addressed this letter to the wrong persons, would you please provide me with the name of the proper person/s and department/s this letter should be sent to. If you think this issue concerning the impact of second-hand smoke on the health of casino workers is not significant enough to be discussed at the Indian Health Summit would you be so kind as to advise me of your decision and how it was reached? Thanking you in advance for your timely consideration; Alan L. MakiDirector of Organizing,Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council 58891 County Road13Warroad,Minnesota56763Phone:218-386-2432Cell phone:651-587-5541E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net Check out my blog: Thoughts From Podunk http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/ Cc: Maggie Bird President, Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council Dr. Nathaniel Cobb’s response to me: Dear Mr. Maki: Your email (below) was forwarded to me for response, as the Agency lead for tobacco control. Thank you for your suggestions - I completely agree that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in Casinos is a serious health issue for both the employees and the patrons. Labor law is outside my expertise and purview, but I will try to address a few of the many questions you raise: 1. Can we have a session on casino workers and ETS exposure at the Indian Health Summit? - reasonable suggestion, but the practical answer is that we did invite the public to submit abstracts, that deadline has passed, and we have already finalized the agenda and cannot add another session. We do have a tobacco session scheduled, but nothing was submitted that focused specifically on casinos. 2. Have we discussed this issue with ACS, AHA, or ALA?- yes. In discussions with ACS, we have agreed that local advocacy may be the most effective way to approach this issue. 3. Can IHS work with BIA to ban smoking in Casinos? - IHS is an agency of Health and Human Services, not Interior. We have no regulatory role with regard to Gaming compacts, so no direct influence. In our advisory role with regard to health issues, we may make recommendations to another agency. Your suggestion has merit, and I will discuss it with senior leadership within IHS. I note that you have cc'd your email to your congressional delegation. The Congress has much more power to dictate terms of Indian Compacts than we do, so you should continue to work closely with them. A formal letter to a Member of Congress or to an Agency Head, with a clearly worded request, will always get a response. 4. What else can we do? - It is true that ETS exposure is a health issue, but the solutions are political. We have great respect for Tribal Sovereignty, and unless and until Tribal Leaders support a smoking ban in casinos, it is not likely to happen. So my suggestion is that you contact the National Indian Health Board and ask for a time slot to present the issue at their next Consumer Conference. That meeting is a great opportunity to influence the thinking of Indian Country leadership. Thank you for your concern, and I look forward to attending your session at the NIHB conference! If you have any educational materials or scientific studies of ETS and casino workers, I would appreciate your sending me copies. --Nathaniel Cobb MDChief, Chronic Disease BranchDivision of EpidemiologyIndian Health Service5300 Homestead Rd NEAlbuquerqueNM87110(505)248-4132 My response back to Dr. Cobb: Dr. Nathaniel Cobb, MDDivision of EpidemiologyIndian Health Service5300 Homestead Rd NEAlbuquerqueNM87110(505)248-4132 Dr. Nathaniel Cobb, Thank you for the quick response. As I am sure you must have been thinking as you wrote this response to me, I would not find it satisfactory. I have contacted all the heads of Indian Health at each of the tribes that operate casinos over the last three years on this issue--- NOT ONE SINGLE ONE has responded to my e-mail or been willing to talk to me on the phone. Quite frankly, I seriously doubt there are circumstances where the impact of second-hand smoke can be dealt with in one fell swoop. Yet, we both know this is more about casino PROFITS and the way casino PROFITS influence POLITICS. What are you suggesting, that it will take some kind of revolution in this country before an agency like yours who has a mandate to educate on this serious issue will act? I find this coming from a medical doctor such as you very strange; that on this one single issue involving human health where so many lives can be saved and health maintained you suggest that it is up to a union to take the action rather than you. What are you suggesting is that tribal leaderships motivated solely by profits are to be given into on a health care issue so adversely affecting human health as the issue of being forced to work in an environment composed of second-hand smoke because you do not want to rock the boat--- using as your excuse: "sovereignty." Is human health not an issue for a “sovereign” nation to be concerned about when it comes to the health of its own people? There seems to be a clear admission here on your part that these tribal governments involved in gaming have been so corrupted by money they don't even care about the health of their own people; let alone the health of anyone else. As you are fully aware, most of these casinos are run by outside management firms only using sovereignty to bolster their profits in escaping protecting the rights of casino workers to be free from second-hand smoke in their employment. You come up with this flimsy excuse that the issue of smoke-free casinos cannot be addressed because the details of the conference are already set and established. However, what is preventing those who will be doing the presentations on the serious consequences of tobacco from raising the issue concerning the need for these casinos to go smoke-free because it is a matter of fundamental human rights for workers not to be forced to work in these conditions that we all know are seriously detrimental to human health. You, as a medical doctor, are requesting that I should send you further information regarding the consequences of working in these smoke-filled casinos? It is almost unbelievable that you, being a medical doctor, have even written these words. That you acknowledge you have known about this problem and not insisted the politicians correct this, is a disgrace. You are the expert witness here. I find it very difficult to understand how the scientific and medical community has managed to turn out the most respected from these professions to testify: - Against the tobacco companies in law suits; - At Congressional and State Legislative hearings; - In support of smoke-free workplaces for everyone else except casino workers. But, for some reason there is complete, total, overwhelming and absolute silence when it comes to the issue coercing these casinos in the Indian Gaming Industry to go smoke-free to protect the health of two-million casino workers. At this point, since you agree this is a very serious problem; I would request that you convey my concerns---AND WHAT YOU CLAIM ARE YOUR SHARED CONCERNS--- to each and everyone of those people who will be participating in the tobacco workshops, forums or making any presentations on tobacco and request that they specifically address the problem of second-hand smoke in casinos and make suggestions and recommendations how this issue will be resolved by coercing these casino managements to go smoke-free. The Manitoba, Canada provincial government has taken the stand that they will not approve any further casino Compacts or upgrades or new licenses for any casino unless it will be smoke-free. Something is very wrong with the scenario you bring forward here. I find it kind of strange that a public official such as yourself, who has a legislated mandate to provide the leadership in protecting human health, would tell a citizen writing to you to go and do your job for you. I expect you to communicate your concerns regarding second-hand smoke (environmental tobacco smoke) to each member of the United States Congress, every single state legislator in each and every state; and, I expect that you will convey your concerns as a medical doctor and in your capacity as a public official with the specific mandate to raise this concern with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Secretary of the Department of Interior; and further, that you instruct all of those employed at the local and state levels working for Indian Health Services to immediately undertake discussions about this with their tribal governments. Sovereignty has nothing to do with this issue. Can you provide me one single instance where the human health and welfare of a nation’s people is compromised under the guise of “sovereignty” as you are blatantly doing here? No; you cannot provide any such example. How could “sovereignty” possibly be compromised by protecting the health and well-being of any people from any nation? Do you realize how utterly stupid this sounds coming from an educated man like yourself and a doctor on top of that? Your department and agency is involved in this conference. As a result, you have a mandate to bring this issue forward. I assume you do not request permission from tribal governments to raise any other issues related to human health; so, why would you conceded your mandate on this vital health issue to tribal governments with no demonstrated concern on this issue or for the human health of their own people? To suggest that this issue can wait until another conference, where both you and I know that I will never receive permission to speak on this issue, is about as insensitive and uncaring a response that anyone could ever expect to receive from a public official who has the scientific and medical background to know and understand that thousands of casino workers will lose their health while others will die from second-hand smoke they are forced to breath as forced and coerced terms and conditions of their employment. I am requesting that you carry out the mandate you have from the United States Congress and act to make sure this issue is addressed at your upcoming conference with the aim of resolving this issue once and for all. I expect to receive written confirmation that you have taken such action. I assume that President Barack Obama would not appreciate you dragging your feet on this issue since he is so concerned about health care costs; I don't think I have to lecture you, a medical doctor, about the costs involved in trying to cure cancers and heart & lung problems associated with second-hand smoke in the workplace. With all the attention now focused on accusations of frivolous government spending, I would think you would be more sensitive to the need to bring this issue forward at your upcoming conference. Respectfully, Alan L. MakiDirector of Organizing,Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council Cc: Maggie Bird President, Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council
This “Letter to Editor” (see below) that I wrote on health care reform has taken on an interesting life of its own. I am now getting calls from newspaper editors asking me if they can publish this letter even though I never sent it to them because people are asking them to print it! And several editors have initiate contact with me asking my permission to publish it telling me that the letter is just what they have been looking for to encourage readers to voice their opinions. The most recent newspaper to publish this letter is the International Falls Daily Journal from International Falls, Minnesota (see below). I am getting calls and e-mails from people that they have published this “Letter to the Editor” as a leaflet or as part of a handout at health care forums, union retirees’ groups, union meetings and peace meetings and demonstrations. One woman even wrote and said she printed it out as a “bookmark” for customers to pick up in her bookstore. I strongly encourage you to write similar letters. Feel free to use my “Letter to the Editor” as a guide in writing a letter of your own or do as others are doing, request editors of your local newspapers to publish my letter. If you would like, send me the e-mail address for letters to the editor of your local newspapers and I will submit this letter to them for publication. We cannot allow Obama, his Wall Street backers and the majority of the Democrats who are like Max Baucus to define what the “public option” in health care is without bringing forward the “public health care system” option which has been the one and only health care option without any seat or voice at the health care table… after allowing the American people to hear this option perhaps with single-payer universal health care placed as a first step--- or an incremental step--- towards this “public health care system”--- the only real “public option”--- we will strengthen the movement to win real health care reform. Several labor activists are working on turning my “Letter to the Editor” into a resolution; the Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council has long been on record supporting this approach to health care reform. Below my “Letter to the Editor” I am including the “Call” to a conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in October sponsored by Peace Councils in the United States, Canada and Mexico which I hope to be able to participate in where I will push such an approach as outlined in my “Letter to the Editor” for the peace movement to take… I hope you will consider finding a way to participate in this important conference, too. I will be requesting that the Canadian Minister of Immigration lift the undemocratic ban restricting my entry to Canada which violates my human rights… I hope to see everyone in Toronto in October. Yours in struggle, Alan L. Maki http://www.ifallsdailyjournal.com/news/letters-editor/health-care-reform-needed-106
Health care reform needed · .To the editor,
Our country is embroiled in controversy and debate over health care reform.
Focus on the purpose of health care has been lost. Health care has two purposes:
1. Keep people healthy. 2. Get people well when sick.
Our public officials squander our limited and scarce resources — during a period of a crumbling economy — financing wars in three countries; subsidizing the Israeli military machine; and spending trillions of dollars financing 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil dotting the globe; and then they tell us there is no money for health care.
Instead, we should be building 800 public health care centers stretching out across the United States providing a public health care system which includes:
• No-fees/no premiums. • Comprehensive (cradle to grave). • All-inclusive (general, dental, eyes, physical therapy, prescription drugs). • Universal (everybody in; nobody out). • Publicly funded. • Publicly administered. • Publicly delivered.
The United States is the wealthiest country in the world.
We can afford to provide a first-rate, world-class, free public health care system for our own people — if we get our priorities straight.
We need health care reform based upon: Everybody in; all the profiteers out.
Health care is supposed to be about people, a human right; not about profits.
Representing workers employed in smoke-filled casinos suffering from cancers and heart and lung problems, I know a little something about why we need health care reform now.
Alan L. MakiWarroad, MN
For Unity in Action of the Peoples of Mexico, Canada and the USA, for Peace, Sovereignty, Anti-Imperialist Solidarity and the Rights of the Working People.
Invitation to Participants from Mexico, Canada and the USA to Attend the Second Tri-Lateral Conference of the World Peace Council, October 2-4, 2009 Toronto Ontario, Canada
In 2004, the Peace Movements of Mexico, Canada and the United States met in Puebla-Mexico, for the first Trilateral North American regional meeting. It was agreed then to invite to a peace promoting meeting all interested parties, every four years. This agreement was ratified last April during the World Peace Assembly called by the World Peace Council in Caracas, Venezuela. Acting without the approval of the people, big business governments in Mexico, Canada and the USA promote the interests of a small group of transnational corporate and banking monopolies. Driven solely by profiteering these interests trample the sovereignty of the peoples, exploit their labour, besmirch their achievements in culture, language and art and ignore and violate the rights of indigenous people. Driven by greed, corporate monopolies appropriate and wantonly exploit the energy, water and other natural resources of the continent with devastating affects on the environment. These interests treat the territory of North America from the far Arctic to the Yucatan Peninsula, from the Pacific to the Atlantic as a private domain of imperial power to subjugate the peoples of North America, the Caribbean, Central and South America to project their interests globally. Committed to the global ambitions of US imperialism and without regard for the consequences of the peoples affected, these corporate interests and the governments they control, collaborate to militarize and fully integrate the economies of the USA, Mexico and Canada, destroy the home markets and subvert and exclude the democratic oversight of the people. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Security and Prosperity Partnership, (SPP) are continental and integrationist agreements foisted on the people by big business proclaiming their right to develop the economies of Mexico, Canada and the USA exclusively in the interests of wealthy investor elites. The peace, labour and democratic movements resist and challenge corporate edicts over their lives and condemn governments that fail to uphold their vital economic and social interests. In Mexico, Canada and the USA workers and farmers oppose free trade pacts that destroy domestic industries and agriculture, weaken standards of protection for workers and farmers, promote discriminatory immigration laws, adopt labour mobility agreements, de-regulate food, safety and inspection standards, divert public funding from health, education and pension funds to private hands, and divest state property at fire sale prices to private investors. The struggle of the Mexican people to defend the gas industry, to modify the free trade agreement and to safeguard the country’s integrity are clear examples of the corporatist threats facing people. Of particular danger to the peace and security of the people of Canada, Mexico and the USA are over arching military and security pacts ostensibly protecting the continent that in fact harbor aggressive first strike weapons systems and rapid deployment forces incorporating operational use of nuclear weapons that in the era of Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) includes their deployment to space. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the activation of the US 4th Fleet and extra-territorial attempts of US imperialism to impose Homeland Security doctrines on the people of Mexico and Canada, are flagrant violations of sovereignty that threaten peace and security and promote a new international arms race. The Tri-Lateral Conference in Toronto Ontario Canada, October 2-4, 2009 will address these problems, analyze the threats posed to peace, sovereignty, democratic and economic rights and present alternative solutions and programs to strengthen the anti-imperialist movements of the people. We invite your participation. An agenda will be forthcoming. The Canadian Peace Congress website, www.canadianpeacecongress.ca will publish information and documents of the Tri-Lateral Conference and exchange information, inviting contributions to the pre-Conference discussion and where registrations, travel and accommodation information can be accessed. Let Us Meet in Toronto Canada, October 2-4, 2009.
In Peace and Solidarity,
Canadian Peace Congress, MOMPADE, US Peace Council
Alan L. Maki Director of Organizing, Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council
58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541
Thoughts From Podunk
This important vote could come up this week; possibly next week… Act today.
Insist on a response in writing.
Call 800-517-5696 today to protest more war funding!
Do you want the United States government to spend tens of billions of dollars more to fund the war in Iraq and expand the war in Afghanistan?
Next week, your representative will be asked to vote on a war supplemental bill that would do just that.
Call toll-free on May 12800-517-5696
Say no to more spending on two wars. Urge your representative to use our tax dollars to
Oppose more war funding.
The U.S. government already spends $1.9 million every minute on the military — and that doesn't include funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This is the position of our Organizing Council:
All of this money could be going towards the creation of a public health care system. Any country that can spend this kind of money on wars and militarism that includes funding over 800 U.S. foreign military bases dotting the globe; subsidizing the Israeli killing machine; and fighting wars in three countries at the same time certainly can afford to provide its own people a first-rate, world-class public health care system that is comprehensive, all-inclusive and universal which is publicly funded, publicly administered and publicly delivered. Everyone in. All the profiteers out. Health care for people not for profit.
As a working class mother I did not raise my children to go fight wars and kill other people so oil companies can profit.
I voted for Barack Obama very reluctantly and this war funding is not the change I voted for.
Please call today.
Maggie Bird
President,
Two-million casino workers employed in the Indian Gaming Industry go to jobs in smoke-filled casinos getting poverty wages without any rights under state, federal or tribal labor laws.
The same government funding these wars created this injustice in the Indian Gaming Industry and refuses to right this wrong.
Midwest Casino Organizing Council
Dictionary definition of:
obstreperous Main Entry: ob·strep·er·ous Pronunciation: \əb-ˈstre-p(ə-)rəs, äb-\ Function: adjective Etymology: Latin obstreperus, from obstrepere to clamor against, from ob- against + strepere to make a noise Date: circa 1600 1 : marked by unruly or aggressive noisiness : clamorous 2 : stubbornly resistant to control : unruly synonyms see vociferous — ob·strep·er·ous·ly adverb — ob·strep·er·ous·ness noun From a passage in:Obama's Grade at 100? What About Our Grade?By: Robert Borosagehttp://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2009041829/obamas-grade-100-what-about-our-grade
But what Obama has been missing has been an independent, obstreperous citizens' movement demanding fundamental reform. Roosevelt had the labor movement... socialists and communists challenging him from the left. Johnson had the civil rights movement forcing his hand.This kind of opposition isn't easy. No president likes to face disruption, particularly from what he would consider his base. There are similar stories told about both Roosevelt and Johnson meeting with leaders of the movements and saying something to the effect of, "I agree with you, now go out there and make me do it." But in reality, Roosevelt wanted to squelch and tame labor. And Johnson repeatedly ordered Hubert Humphrey to bring the civil rights demonstrations to an end, saying that they weren't helping the cause. King got a lot of pressure —to say nothing of wiretaps and FBI investigations—to get back in step.Yet it is precisely these movements—independent, disruptive, passionate, demanding bolder reform, taking on entrenched powerful interests—that enabled Roosevelt and Johnson to achieve far more than they ever thought possible. The New Deal we remember—Social Security, the Wagner Act, Fair Labor Standards, the SEC and Glass Stegall, progressive taxation—came not in the first 100 days, but as Roosevelt, under pressure from his left, geared up for re-election. The Voting Rights Act surely would not have been passed without Selma and many other sacrifices transforming public opinion to enable Johnson to act.The absence of these movements on the left opens dangerous space for ersatz populist movements on the right. We saw that with the tea-bag parties that the Fox News Channel huckstered. We've seen conservatives conflate the trillions going to bolster the banks with vital spending in the recovery plan to get the economy going. They are weaving a corrosive message that ties big spending in Washington with Wall Street wastrels. The country would be far better served with an angry populist movement that indicts Wall Street but demands greater support for working families and Main Street. But anyone building that movement will have to understand that they might earn respect, but they won't be loved in the White House.
An obstreperous citizens' movement demanding fundamental reform starts with education. We educate our friends neighbors and fellow workers by talking about our problems and ideas. A movement for social change requires ideas and ideology. Suggestion: Start a Frank Marshall Davis Roundtable for Change in your neighborhood, workplace or school.
Let's talk about the politics and economics of livelihood.
Two great books by Frank Marshall Davis to get discussion going:
"Singin' the Blues, Memoir of a Black Journalist and Poet""Writings of Frank Marshall Davis: A Voice of the Black Press" ed. by John Edgar Tidwell; University Press of Mississippi, 2007. ISBN-10: 1578069211
Education must be part of organizing for change.
Unity is required to make us strong enough to win change.
Change requires:
Education
Organization
Unity
Action
An example of an obstreperous citizens' movement demanding fundamental reform could be built like this:
Tell Barack Obama to close down the 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil dotting the globe, stop wasting our precious resources on wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and stop subsidizing the Israeli killing machine; and, instead, open up 800 public health care centers spread out across the United States providing free health care for everyone which will create over four-million decent, good-paying jobs... providing people with jobs creating what they need to live decent lives is the way to stimulate the economy.
Ask Barack Obama:
Where's the change?
Organize for the change we need.
Alan L. MakiFounder,Frank Marshall Davis Roundtable for Change
http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/articles/?id=23155
Alan Johnston of Warroad admitted in Roseau County Court today that he underreported income to the state for the tax years 2002 through 2006. In all, the 61-year-old did not report about $117,000 in income during that period.
District Court Judge Jeff Remick ordered Johnston to pay the state $14,541 in taxes owed, as well as 250 hours of community service and unsupervised probation.
Johnston also received a two-and-a-half year stay of adjutication, meaning if he meets the terms of his sentence he will not have a criminal record after that time.
Troy Area Labor Council
The letter below was sent to the 491 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations of the AFL-CIO
Cover Letter in Adobe
Suggested Resolution
April 2009 SinglePayerNY Newsletter
May 1, 2009
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Beside the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, there is no issue more important to the labor movement than health care reform. We all know the havoc this issue causes at the bargaining table and the suffering millions of our fellow citizens are forced to endure because they lack insurance or are forced to file for bankruptcy because of medical bills.
While the discussion of health care reform goes on in the White House and in the Congress, unfortunately, what we are hearing from the media are mostly the voices of the insurance industry and pharmaceutical lobbies; and misguided politicians who think that the healthcare crisis can be solved by either taxing healthcare benefits or mandating that we purchase health insurance.
The labor movement is critical to rallying progressive forces in our country in order to win health care as a human right not tied to one’s economic status. Over 125 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations, 39 State AFL-CIOs, 20 International Unions and over 500 local unions have all endorsed HR 676, the “United States National Health Care Act”. This single payer healthcare legislation was re-introduced by Congressman Conyers and already has 74 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.
The Troy Area Labor Council adopted the enclosed resolution at our April meeting for submission to the AFL-CIO September Convention in Pittsburgh. Also, enclosed is a SinglePayerNewYork newsletter that includes Congressman John Conyers’ Frequently Asked Questions about HR 676.
We ask that your Labor Council join with us in submitting this or a similar resolution to this year’s AFL-CIO Convention. Please place the issue of single payer healthcare on the agenda of an upcoming meeting for consideration by your delegate body. The enclosed resolution has the requisite information for submission of a resolution by your Central Labor Council to the AFL-CIO.
In Solidarity,
Mike Keenan, President
Resolution for Single Payer Health Care (HR676)
Whereas the cost and coverage of health insurance has become a major stumbling block in union contract negotiations, causing strikes, lock-outs, protracted deliberations and lower monetary offers by management.
Whereas the United States spends approximately twice as much of our gross domestic product as other developed nations on health care, yet remains the only industrialized country without universal coverage.
Whereas the U. S. health system continues to treat health care as a commodity distributed according to the ability to pay, rather than as a human right to be dispersed according to medical need.
Whereas the complex bureaucracy arising from our fragmented, for-profit, multi-payer system of healthcare financing consumes approximately 30 percent of the United States` healthcare spending.
Whereas the myriad of insurance companies and their different forms and coverage criteria force healthcare providers to hire staff solely to deal with the paperwork, further driving up costs.
Whereas more than 47 million people in the U. S. are currently without health insurance, another 40 million have inadequate coverage with high co-pays and deductibles, and many others are at risk of losing coverage.
Whereas even those insured often experience unacceptable medical debt including personal bankruptcies and sometimes life-threatening delays in obtaining health care due to coverage denials.
Whereas proposals for “consumer directed health care” would worsen this situation by penalizing the sick, discouraging prevention, and burdening many working families with huge medical bills.
Whereas managed care and other market based reforms have failed to contain health care costs, which now threaten the international competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers.
Whereas we should oppose the inclusion of private insurance companies in our health care system as their interests are counter to and often destructive of ours.
Whereas a single-payer health care program would provide an effective mechanism for controlling skyrocketing health costs while covering all Americans.
Whereas HR676 meets or exceeds the AFL-CIO Health Care for America Campaign Principles.
Whereas HR676 would end deductibles and co-payments, and provide free choice of healthcare providers to patients as well as comprehensive prescription drug coverage to all.
Whereas HR676 would save billions annually by eliminating the administrative burdens, overhead and profits of the private health insurance industry and apply those savings to expanded and improved coverage for all.
Whereas HR676 would cover every person in the U. S. for all necessary medical care including prescription drugs, hospital, surgical, outpatient services, primary and preventive care, emergency services, dental, mental health, home health care, physical therapy, rehabilitation (including for substance abuse), vision care, chiropractic and long term care.
Whereas, a January 2009 study by the California Nurses Association, AFL-CIO, showed that passage of HR676 would provide a major stimulus to the economy, create over 2.6 million new permanent good-paying jobs, boost the economy with $317 billion in increased business and public revenues, add $100 billion in employee compensation and infuse public budgets with $44 billion in new tax revenues; and concluded that the broadest economic benefits directly accrue from the actual delivery and provision of health care, not the purchase of insurance.
Whereas, HR676 has been endorsed by over 500 union organizations in 49 states including 125 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations and 39 State AFL-CIOs (KY, PA, CT, OH, DE, ND, WA, SC, WY, VT, FL, WI, WV, SD, NC, MO, MN, ME, AR, MD-DC, TX, IA, AZ, TN, OR, GA, OK, KS, CO, IN, AL, CA, AK, MI, MT, NE, NY, NV & MA).
Therefore be it resolved that the AFL-CIO endorses HR676, the “United States National Health Care Act”; and
Be it further resolved, that the AFL-CIO join with and support other concerned organizations in educating and mobilizing broad public and political support for single payer health care; and
Be it further resolved, that the AFL-CIO persevere for passage of single payer health care to meet the needs of our members, our families, and all America, and not endorse or support any fallback program of mandated insurance or public option plans which include the wasteful, for-profit insurance industry; and
Be it further resolved, that the AFL-CIO actively lobby the White House and Congress for passage of single payer health care; and
Be it further resolved, that the AFL-CIO help organize and financially support a “Healthcare is a Human Right” Solidarity March and Rally in Washington, DC.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
On ________________________, 2009, the delegates of __________________________________________
___________________________ approved the above resolution for submission to the AFL-CIO Convention
and is respectfully submitted to:
Secretary-Treasurer Richard L. Trumka
AFL-CIO
815 16th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
Name and Title: _______________________________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________________________________
Date: _____________________, 2009
“The range of application of the term is broad.”
A theory or system of social organization based on state or collective ownership and regulation of the means of production, distribution, and exchange for the common benefit of all members of society; advocacy or practice of such a system, esp. as a political movement. Now also: any of various systems of liberal social democracy which retain a commitment to social justice and social reform, or feature some degree of state intervention in the running of the economy.
Dear Colleagues,
Attached is an open letter to President Barack Obama.
I don't know whether you agree with my point of view or not; but I am functioning out of the feeling that the negative aspects of capitalism are becoming obvious to people all around the world regardless of class positions, that understanding its avaricious nature brings them closer to Marx's analysis of the system which all of you can read his seminal word on "Capital." Chapter 26 which deals with the law of capitalist accumulation will give you the prototype of which the USA's capitalism is the arch example of its worst (together with the British who started out but are following along with the USA).
Globalization is a mess and everyone knows that the USA has created more poverty with its capital investments than existed before the global expansion. We know that formal colonial countries are seeing through this domination and are moving in directions which reject the control of foreign capital in their own developments. WE ARE LIVING IN A CENTURY OF EPOCHAL CHANGE. Our hope is that the change which is now developing in the form of a bipolar economic structure will continue to redevelop economies technologically and sustainably. We hope too that the ultimate resolution of differences between the double-structured world economic system will not be resolved by warfare. That is the most important struggle we must be involved with. A peaceful acceptance of epochal change and the survival of all in a better world.
Sincerely,
Sidney J. Gluck
Dear President Obama,
The world economic crisis sparked by the financial sector of our country has put the capitalist system on a defensive more openly than any other time in history. I am one of many who strongly supported your candidacy based on your vocalization of much of what we felt had to be changed in our country to make it more livable for those of us who produce the wealth and intellectual atmosphere.
You are facing the sharpest attack from the ranks of the Republican Party. We all admire your diplomatic ability to deal with those who disagree with you; but, the time has come when you must take an ideological position in order to clarify the issues involved in building a new type of economic structure in the country. This means that the dominance of the financial institutions in the political decisions affecting the majority must be defended openly against misrepresentations and manipulations which we all now know come from the unsupported defense of government that gives primacy to capital accumulation whether it be finance capital or industrial capital.
You do not have to embrace socialism. That is not the ideological position that put you in power. You were put in the White House with a promise to govern in the name of the working majority. True, you would like to have support from all sections of political and economic forces, but YOU WILL NOT GET IT.
If you continue to move along supporting the program of the financial circles in our country, your presidency is DOOMED. Listen to the needs of the majority and cater to it.
You can announce openly that you are not for socialism but you are for correcting the ills of the capitalist system and to relinquish domination of other countries allowing them to move independently as their people desire.
The Republican Party is pressing for the continuation of the kind of economic distortions that has dragged the world down. Openly facing this fact will help you reshape our country’s goals.
We are in an epoch of change. We must remove barriers and encourage each nation to resolve their day to day problems created by greed and distorted wealth accumulation. It does not make you a socialist to talk for Main Street but they need a spokesman in high places that will act for them.
You are in an enviable yet complicated position. Exposing the negative effect of unregulated finance capital which dominates humanity today would memorialize you for the next thousand years. The Bush Administration preempted the first move to deal with the economic crisis by bailing out the perpetrators who squandered every cent in bonuses and bashes. You are now faced with additional steps to bail out the industrial capitalists who have the responsibility of reshaping these enterprises into a new technological and green economy whose purpose is to raise the living standards of all.
The fulfillment of your promises requires that you take an ideological position. You will go down in history as having broken the racial barrier but it will end at that if you continue to be consumed by the economic crisis. OUR SYSTEM NEEDS CHANGE. Do what you can within that system. This means openly opposing the Republican Party’s program already on the road to capturing the presidency and congress in 2010 before they bring us further down. Don’t let them bully you with the “socialist” label.
The ball is in your court to change the situation. In your most diplomatic way you must take an ideological position to correct the problems of the system as you promised and restore true democracy which favors the needs of the majority.
The United States has 800 military bases on foreign soil... What we need--- instead--- is 800 public health care centers spread out across the United States where people can universally access, for free, all their health care needs from pre-natal care, to general health care to eye, dental and mental care right through to burial.Instead of moving in this progressive direction, President Barack Obama and the United States Congress are moving in a most reactionary direction towards establishing military bases in outer space as they seek to insure the profits of both the merchants of death and destruction and the profit-driven health care industries... talk about skewed priorities and your wacky ideas which will execerbate the problems surrounding the failing capitalist economy, and ideas devoid of common sense.In addition to these 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil, Barack Obama and the United States Congress continue funding--- with our tax-dollars--- the Israeli killing machine to the tune of tens of billions of dollars. Where is the "change?"
This is the change Americans want, and the change we need:A network of 800 public health care centers spread out across the United States would create over four-million good-paying, decent jobs--- talk about your "economic stimulus" package!
We would be redistributing the wealth as we are planting the seeds of socialism while helping to eradicate poverty by keeping people healthy and getting them well when sick.Think about this kind of solution in relation to what Barack Obama, the U.S. Congress and the Wall Street bankers and coupon clippers are offering the American people, and the peoples of the world... just what is the reason for bailing out the banks and AIG and maintaining more than 800 expensive U.S. military bases of foreign soil?The Mt. Carmel Clinic in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada offers us a glimpse at what militarization and wars continue to rob us of.The problems created by Wall Street will not be solved as long as the military-financial-industrial complex is allowed to squander human and natural resources on militarism and wars... we might just as well be dumping these resources out into the ocean... at least no one would die in wars.These merchants of death and destruction must be stopped if humanity is to survive in a livable world.The time has come to talk about working class Marxist politics and the economics of livelihood... capitalism has failed humanity miserably and left us a real mess to clean up.
Capitalism is on the skids to oblivion and unless we take a "left turn" we will continue down this road to perdition.Something for working people to think about and discuss around the dinner table... the capitalist sooth-Sayers certainly are not going to broach such solutions to the problems of working people as they hide behind the skirt of Rosy Scenario as this global capitalist economic depression intensifies while wars rage on.The times and conditions call for "building a new era of justice and peace;" this is one step in that direction; this is the change the American people voted for.Alan L. Maki
Founder,
Frank Marshall Davis Roundtable for Change
Mr. Michael Phillips, Journalist for the Wall Street Journal;
I have some questions about this article (included below in full) you wrote in the Wall Street Journal:
(Note: To see photos and slideshow click on link)
Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123454070638883495.html
First, how much, in total, did Mr. Thompson have into this home with principal, interests, fees and costs?
Second, did you attempt to find out if the mortgage holder attempted to offer Mr. Thompson and/or Ms. Rogers the home on the terms that it was sold to the banker, Mr. Jackson, for?
It seems to me you have a perfect example of the problems confronting people in terms of foreclosures here and you didn’t follow through with all the facts and draw the proper conclusions.
Would Mr. Thompson and Ms. Rogers have been able to hold on to their home if they would have been extended the same terms under which Mr. Jackson purchased this home?
I find it rather bizarre, for lack of a more appropriate word, that this mortgage holder would be willing to kick someone out of a home they have quite an investment in and then turn around and sell the same home for $40,000.00 less than what Mr. Thompson/Ms. Jackson paid for it.
How much did Mr. Thompson initially put down on this house?
What are the terms of Mr. Jackson’s mortgage?
How much did Mr. Jackson put up as a down payment on this house?
How much is the interest rate Mr. Jackson is paying?
What are Mr. Jackson’s monthly payments? (I assume his payments are substantially less than Mr. Thompson’s/Ms. Roger’s payments were?)
I am very confused here why you would provide some specifics concerning the history of this house and not follow through to the conclusion. By providing the American people with greater insight as to exactly what is going on people could better understand what kind of solutions are required.
Also, would Barack Obama’s “foreclosure” legislation have saved Mr. Thompson and Ms. Rogers their home, given their circumstances?
Again, we have a perfect example here in how you begin this story but it is like you leave us without a proper conclusion given the economic mess we are in--- of which the housing market is one of the primary problems… not the primary cause of this economic crisis; but, certainly, one of the most important aspects of this economic crisis.
I am curious about another aspect of this problem that might be related in a way to the “bailouts.”
Could you tell me if the mortgage company holding the deed to this house at the time it was foreclosed on was insured by AIG--- or one of its subsidiaries--- or a similar institution to protect itself from losses associated with foreclosures?
Thanking you in advance for your attention to my concerns and questions,
DILLON, S.C. -- Travis Jackson walks through his modest ranch house, admiring the kitchen's built-in spice rack and the red-oak floors. He draws back the curtains, and sunlight illuminates the pride on his face.
The young banker just bought Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's childhood home at a foreclosure sale.
"This is where it all happened," marvels Mr. Jackson, a 27-year-old loan officer at First Citizens Bancorp, which is down the street from the old Bernanke place. "Kind of a surreal feeling, isn't it?"
Mr. Bernanke's family sold the property more than a decade ago. It ended up on the block late last year after its former owners fell behind on their mortgage payments.
The small town that gave the Fed its chairman is suffering more than most from the financial and economic crisis he's struggling to fix. Already hit by the long decline of the local tobacco and textile industries, Dillon County is facing a fresh assault of plant closings and layoffs that have pushed its unemployment rate to 14.2% -- almost double the national average. A foreclosure wave that began in mobile-home parks is spreading to more-established neighborhoods.
Mohawk Industries has shuttered a plant that made yarn for carpeting and employed 137 people. Wix Manufacturing, a unit of Affinia Group Inc., has cut hours and a few jobs at its automotive-filter factory. Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., which makes corrugated-cardboard packaging in nearby Latta, filed for bankruptcy protection last month.
Discuss
· How has the recession impacted your area?
In an interview, Mr. Bernanke declined to speak publicly about the fate of his hometown or boyhood home, which is set amid tall, scraggly pines on East Jefferson St. "We believe that getting the credit markets going, getting banks lending again, increasing the demand for all products -- including those made in Dillon -- are part of economic recovery," he said. "That's what the Fed's trying to do."
Mr. Bernanke's grandfather Jonas, a pharmacist, opened Jay Bee Drug Co. on Main St. in 1941. His father, Philip, and uncle, Mortimer, eventually bought the drug store and became admired figures in the community, famous for their personal touch with customers.
Ben Bernanke, now 55 years old, was known around town as brainy and diligent. He played saxophone in the Dillon High School marching band and graduated at the top of his class in 1971. Before heading off to Harvard University, he worked construction on a new hospital going up in town. He spent summers waiting tables at the Sombrero Room at South of the Border, a Mexican-themed collection of souvenir stores, rides and restaurants just outside of town.
Ben Bernanke's old house in Dillon, S.C., recently sold for $83,000.
Richard Schafer, head of the family that owns the roadside attraction, says revenue at the theme park today is off more than 10% from pre-recession rates, the roughest patch since the 1973 oil crisis. "People are losing their home and jobs, and they're not traveling as much," says Mr. Schafer, 59, who attended synagogue with the Bernankes before converting to Presbyterianism. He wishes he'd kept a photo of young Mr. Bernanke in the yellow, green and red poncho-like serape that waiters wore in the old days. "I'd probably get some economic-bailout money if I did," says Mr. Schafer.
During the presidential campaign, then-candidate Barack Obama twice visited Dillon to highlight the desperate state of its schools. Once he went to Mr. Bernanke's junior high, a century-old building whose auditorium has been condemned as unsafe. Another time Mr. Obama went to Dillon High School, Mr. Bernanke's alma mater, where some 40% of those who start ninth grade drop out before graduating.
Every morning, Lynda Cottingham, Dillon's 60-year-old high-school principal, and her husband, David, pray together for Mr. Bernanke and President Obama. "Lord grant them wisdom to make good decisions," Mrs. Cottingham recalls praying recently.
Mr. Cottingham, 62, runs a business brokerage out of a building that was the final home of Jay Bee pharmacy before the Bernanke brothers sold it. "Ben Bernanke used to walk right in that door," Mr. Cottingham says with satisfaction.
These days Mr. Cottingham gets a regular flow of middle-aged executives who have been laid off and want to purchase a business because they can't find a job. Financing is tight, even when buyers and sellers are willing. "I just can't imagine the kind of pressure he's under," Mr. Cottingham says of Mr. Bernanke. "It's not just the U.S.; he's got the burden of the entire world on his shoulders."
Mr. Bernanke's 80-year-old uncle, Mort, the only Bernanke still living in Dillon, continues to run his small company selling oxygen tanks, hospital beds and other medical equipment. He figures his personal investments have lost 35% of their value. "At my age for that to happen is a terrible thing," he says.
That's not a criticism of his nephew, however. "He can stand on his head, but he can't do any wrong in this town," Mort Bernanke says.
On Sept. 1, 2006, seven months after Mr. Bernanke became chairman of the Fed -- previously he was a member of the Fed Board of Governors -- Dillon celebrated their favorite son on Ben Bernanke Day. Two dozen residents ate breakfast with Mr. Bernanke at the Kintyre House, a pub-restaurant located in the building that housed the original Jay Bee store. (The restaurant still displays a photo of the Fed chairman going through the buffet line, choosing from among the hash, sausage, eggs and canned fruit.)
Later in the day, some 700 people, almost 10% of Dillon's population, gathered in front of the county courthouse. South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford presented Mr. Bernanke with the Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest honor, and Mr. Bernanke reminisced about the lessons of a Dillon childhood.
"I remember the fellow construction worker who wanted to become foreman someday and a waitress who was saving to go to college," Mr. Bernanke told the crowd. "I was impressed by these experiences. And I think they were an important reason I went into economics, which a great economist once called the study of people in the ordinary business of life."
Among those breakfasting with the guest of honor was Charlie Vance, senior vice president of First Bank on Main St. His Troy, N.C.-based bank, a three-state institution with roughly $3 billion in assets, received $65 million from the government's Troubled Asset Relief Program. In Dillon, however, more capital hasn't led to more lending, says Mr. Vance, 61, who says he used to be the senior Bernankes' banker.
"The scary thing is nothing seems to be working," he says.
Hoping for the best, Dillon County has secured rights to 2,400 acres to locate new manufacturers who might appear in the future. "Dillon is still a great place to live," says Mayor Todd Davis, 44, an insurance agent and financial adviser who says he counted Mr. Bernanke's parents among his clients. "It's a great place to raise a family."
In 1945, Mr. Bernanke's grandparents, Jonas and Pauline -- the latter a University of Vienna-trained physician -- bought the land on East Jefferson Street for $750. Four years later, they built a single-story brick house on the property. The couple then sold the place to Mr. Bernanke's father, Philip, in 1960 for $22,000. Ben and his two siblings were raised there.
In 1976, Philip deeded the property for $1 to his wife, Edna, "for and in consideration of the love and affection" he felt for her, according to county records.
Two decades later, the Bernankes sold the house to a couple from Texas for $72,500 and moved to North Carolina. In September, 2006, the Texans put the house on the market. It caught the eye of Spec. Dwayne Thompson, a soldier in the South Carolina Army National Guard, and Sharon Rogers, his former wife with whom he had reconciled, but not remarried.
Spec. Thompson, who grew up in Dillon, remembers as a kid buying peppermints for himself and hair-care products for his mother at the Bernankes' store. Unaware that the house had a Bernanke connection, however, the couple saw it simply as a chance to "upgrade and get something better, the American dream," says Spec. Thompson, 47. The 2,383-square foot home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, with a large car port. "It was big, spacious, downtown," says Ms. Rogers, 42, now an assistant manager at a Wal-Mart store.
Landmark Mortgage, a Dillon finance company, gave the couple a 10.1%, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, well above the rate for a prime loan. Their payments on the $123,000 mortgage came to $1,088 a month, including principal and interest. Landmark transferred the couple's loan to Option One Mortgage Corp., then a unit of H&R Block Inc., which packaged it with other mortgages into an $818 million security.
Back then, Landmark's owner, Kelly Hayes, had six employees and plenty of work to keep them busy. These days Mr. Hayes, 40, works alone and struggles to find creditworthy borrowers. "I have to go through 10 or 12 applications before I can find one qualified to buy a $70,000 house," says Mr. Hayes, who keeps an autographed copy of the Ben Bernanke Day program behind his desk along with his own family photos.
A few months after the sale closed in early 2007, Ms. Rogers lost her job managing a shoe store. The factory where Spec. Thompson worked when not on National Guard duty cut back his hours. The couple fell behind on their payments, and, under financial strain, broke up again last June. Twenty-one months after they bought the house, the bank that served as trustee for the mortgage-backed security began foreclosure proceedings.
"I kept trying to pay," says Spec. Thompson. "I've never been under that kind of stress, living paycheck to paycheck, and it still wasn't enough." As he was losing his house, he volunteered to go on active duty with the Army because it paid more than his factory job. Last month, Mr. Thompson filed for personal bankruptcy.
He sympathizes with Ben Bernanke. "I know things gotta be pretty rough for him right now," he says.
In December, Mr. Jackson, the young banker, and his girlfriend, Beth Webster, a 25-year-old high school teacher, bought the Bernanke house from the bank for $83,000. Mr. Jackson grew up a block away; he can see his parents' home from his new master-bedroom window. Both he and Ms. Webster are devout Christians. They don't plan to live together in the house until they marry, an as yet unscheduled event.
Mr. Jackson, who started his career at the teller's window, jumped at the chance to own a piece of economic history. Aside from some minor redecorating, he wants to keep the house much as it was when Ben Bernanke lived there. Someday he'd like to put up a plaque noting its significance.
"It's just a great sense of pride to know that one of the greatest leaders we have in our time period walked the same floors I walk," says Mr. Jackson. "It's just sheer excitement."
Write to Michael M. Phillips at michael.phillips@wsj.com
Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page A1
Honoring Ohio’s unsung heroes of 2008 elections
From: People's Weekly World Newspaper, 02/12/09 17:32; The People's Weekly World isa publication of the Communist Party USA
Speaking to scores of activists in labor, community, farm, retiree and other progressive movements at events in three Ohio cities, Sam Webb, national chairman of the Communist Party USA, called for all out grassroots efforts to realize the potential for progressive change brought about by the November elections. The events in Cleveland, Columbus and Ashtabula were sponsored by the People’s Weekly World newspaper. In Cleveland and Columbus the paper presented Distinguished Service Awards to Unsung Heroes of the November Elections including Joe Rugola, president of the Ohio AFL-CIO, Harriet Applegate, executive secretary of the North Shore (Cleveland area) AFL-CIO, Mary Keith, president of Ohio ACORN, and Barbara Clark, president of Columbus ACORN.
The honorees were chosen, Ohio PWW Correspondent Rick Nagin said, because of the critical but generally unrecognized role of organized labor and grassroots voter registration efforts in winning Ohio for Barack Obama. The labor movement, through its massive outreach to members, retirees, their families and affiliated groups, he said, accounted for 40 percent of Obama’s votes in Ohio, while ACORN was responsible for registering 250,000 of the new voters in the election, which Obama won by a margin of 220,000. In his speeches, Webb said Obama “is more than a friend to working people. He is a people’s advocate” and said the election brought “joy and relief” to Americans and people throughout the world who are celebrating “the end of 30 years of right-wing extremism.” He said Obama’s achievements in just the first weeks of office were astounding including orders to close Guantanamo and end policies of torture, the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter bill to allow workers to recover damages for job discrimination, the rescinding of anti-labor rules enacted by the Bush administration, the setting of new car emission standards, the expansion of children’s health coverage and the economic stimulus package. “We must rally around the good decisions,” Webb said, noting that much more was needed for economic recovery and that the crisis actually calls for fundamental restructuring of the capitalist economy. This means serious consideration must be given to such things as nationalization of the energy complex and the financial corporations and national health care. Immediate action, he said, is needed to get the initial stimulus package passed in Congress. Approval of the nomination of Rep. Hilda Solis as labor secretary is “the opening gun in the fight for the Employee Free Choice Act,” which would allow workers to organize unions without fear of employer retaliation. Immediate action is also needed, he said, to stem the epidemic of home foreclosures. Webb hailed the call by Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur that people facing foreclosure should squat in their homes and “get a good lawyer,” since the “slicing and dicing” of mortgages “in outrageous Ponzi schemes” makes it impossible in many cases to determine who the actual mortgage holder is. Webb also urged immediate action to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Continuation of these wars,” he said, “would derail everything Obama is trying to achieve, just as the Vietnam War derailed the War on Poverty and the Great Society social programs of President Lyndon Johnson.” The full text of Sam Webb’s speech below posted to encourage dialogue, discussion and debate
Sam Webb, Chair of the Communist Party USA was a participant in the powerful labor led people's coalition which elected Barack Obama. Webb states his controversial views concerning the struggle ahead.
A New Era Begins
By Sam Webb, National Chair, CPUSA(From a speech delivered at a Peoples Weekly World forum in Cleveland, Ohio, January 31, 2009 [see article above])I was standing on the Washington Mall on Inauguration Day, alongside nearly two million other people, and proudly watched the first African American take the oath of office in our nation’s history. That alone made the day deeply memorable, joyful, and historic. But I couldn’t help but think – and I’m sure that millions of others had the same thought – that the transfer of power from Bush to President Obama not only tore down a barrier that once was thought near impenetrable, but also signified the fading away of one era and the beginning of another.It was hard not to think on that cold day in our nation’s capital that the worst of the past 30 years of right-wing extremist rule is behind us and that an era of progressive change is within reach, no longer an idle dream.Just look at the new lay of the land: a friend of labor and its allies sits in the White House. Larger Democratic majorities control Congress. A feeling of renewal and hope is in the air. Public opinion polls show a high favorability rating for our new President. And the labor and people’s movement that was so instrumental to the election’s outcome, after a short holiday pause, is off and running.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party, notwithstanding its efforts to distance itself from arguably the worst president in our history, is on the defensive. Its grassroots constituency is dispirited. And, its governing philosophy of “free markets”, minimal government, fear, and division, and especially racist division, is discredited.Now no one expects that the going will be easy in the coming months and years. There is, after all, eight years of extreme right-wing misrule to clean up. The multinational corporations and banks haven’t gone into hibernation. Right-wing Republicans, while badly weakened, still retain enough influence in Congress and elsewhere to block or slow down progressive measures. And the challenges facing the Obama administration are immense, and none more than the economic crisis.If there were such a thing as an economic tsunami, I would say we are experiencing it. Not since the Great Depression has the economy been in such bad shape, which leads many economists to predict that the downturn will be L-shaped, that is, deep and prolonged.Furthermore, the economic contraction is worldwide. No country or region will escape its pain and long reach. Nor can any national economy, ours included, hope to make a full recovery without global coordination and cooperation. In an integrated global economy, we either swim together or sink together.Financialization – two-edged sword
While the present economic turbulence was triggered by the collapse of the housing markets over the past two years, its underlying cause goes back to the mid-1970s.At that time U.S. economy was rocked to its core by the interweaving of seemingly stubborn and contradictory economic problems: high inflation and unemployment, declining confidence in the dollar as a means of international payment, new competitive rivals in Europe and Asia, and a falling profit rate, all of which occurred in the context of overproduction in world commodity markets. “Stagflation” was the term coined to describe this contradictory phenomenon.Faced with this unraveling of the economy and a crisis of profitability, then-chairman of the Federal Reserve Paul Volcker stepped into the breech and pushed up interest rates to near 20 percent. This spike in interest rates threw the country into a deep recession, sending unemployment rates to the highest level since the Great Depression, forcing the closing of scores of manufacturing plants and a great number of family farms, laying waste to cities and whole regions, and bringing incredible hardship to the working class, and especially African-American, Latino and other racial minorities and women workers.
The rate hike also opened the door for a many-sided attack on labor and its allies, the likes of which hadn’t been seen since the pre-Depression era. Wage and benefit concessions were demanded. New labor saving techniques and computerization invaded the workplace. Rules governing seniority, job classifications, line speed, and safety were either eliminated or routinely violated. And, the relocation of production to non-union and offshore sites became standard fare.If we thought this was only done to dramatically increase the corporate share of the value that workers create in the production process relative to what they receive, we would be wrong. It was also motivated by the overarching desire of corporate capital to cripple the social power of the labor movement and disrupt its alliance with its most durable and powerful ally—the African American people.Now we can’t leave it at this, because, in addition to the working class and its allies taking a pounding, there is another side to this intricate story—Volcker’s interest rate spike also wrung inflation out of the economy, restored confidence in the U.S. dollar in international money markets, and, especially important to us, redirected domestic and foreign investment capital (and there was plenty of it), abruptly and massively from the “real” economy—auto, steel, machine tool, construction, and so on—into financial channels and speculative ventures where returns were markedly higher.
Once in financial channels, money/speculative capital stayed there, but it did not sit on its hands. Its financial agents (banks, investment houses, hedge funds, private equity firms, mutual funds, and so on) intent on expanding their profits in an increasingly toothless regulatory environment raced at breakneck speed into a massive buying and selling and borrowing and spending speculative spree for the next three decades. And all this led to an explosion of the financial sector in terms of employment, transactions, and profits. Nearly 40 percent of corporate profits came from this sector in the early years of this decade – not to mention the salaries, bonuses, stock options, and dividends of Wall Street insiders.
Capital that produces little, destroys muchIf this transformation of the U.S. economy into a speculative casino run by the “masters of the universe,” hunkered down on Wall Street, has its roots in the unraveling of the U.S. economy three decades ago, what greased the skids during this period was the production and easy availability, seemingly without end, of staggering amounts of debt—corporate, consumer and government.
Debt is as old as capitalism. But what is different in recent decades is that the production of debt and the accompanying speculative excesses and bubbles were not simply passing moments at the end of the business cycle, but essential to evolution, interrelations, and functioning of the overall economy.Without the massive piling up of debt and speculative bubbles first in Internet technology, then in the stock market, and most recently, in housing, engineered by the Wall Street/Washington complex, the performance of the U.S. and world economy would have been far, far worse.
But, as we are painfully learning, turning our economy into a financial casino built on the pileup of massive amounts of debt and bubbles that eventually burst is a two-edged sword. While it stimulates the economy, restores profitability and enriches the corporate class on a scale never seen, it also introduces enormous instability, economic insecurity, income inequality, and imbalances and distortions into the arteries and structure of the U.S. and world economy.
In other words, the growth of the financial sector and bubble-driven economics were an unstable, bloodsucking, leech-like, and temporary fix for a sluggish, underperforming economy and the vehicle for the financial titans of U.S. capitalism to reassert their power.
But as events have shown, it could not forever mask and compensate for stagnation tendencies, declining income of working people, and the shrinkage of the material goods sector of the economy. In fact, its remedy of rerouting capital into finance and turning the financial sector and speculation into the main dynamo of the U.S. and global economy only served to postpone the crisis to a later day and, in doing so, assured that it would be on a much broader scale as we now see.A Wal-Mart economy of low wages, even when combined with financial speculation and massive debt creation is unsustainable and eventually erupts into crisis. At some point, the chickens do come home to roost.
None of this, however, could have happened without the political ascendancy of the right-wing extremism 30 years ago. If Volcker struck the first blow in 1979, it was the Reagan administration, entering the White House shortly thereafter, and then successive administrations that were the decisive ideological and political/practical agent of this reorientation of the economy, upheaval in class relations, and current economic mess.
Reaganites – main agents of neoliberalismAt the ideological level, the Reaganites said that government is best that governs least, that markets are self-correcting and efficient; that vast income inequality is a good thing, that deregulation and privatization are the best cures for what ails the economy and the “welfare state,” and that tax cuts for the wealthy trickle down to working people and lift all boats.But the Reaganites didn’t stop here. At the political-economic level, they dismantled the model of economic governance at the state and corporate level, a model that had its origins in the New Deal and then was expanded on by successive administrations in the next three decades. The previous model rested on a measure of class compromise, social benefits for the unemployed, the elderly, the young and the sick, a legal environment favorable to union organizing, the removal of discriminatory barriers to equality, the expansion of democratic rights, and expansive fiscal and monetary polices at the federal level that favored broadly shared prosperity.
In its place, the Reaganites built another model of governance popularly called neoliberalism. If Roosevelt’s New Deal favored working people, then Reagan’s Raw Deal stripped working people of income and rights, turned racism and other forms of discrimination into an instrument of practical politics and ideological mystification, and provided a feast of riches to the wealthiest corporations and families.
It was no accident that the first actions of the Reagan administration were to bust PATCO (the air-traffic controllers union), endorse the interest rate hikes of Volcker, and cut taxes for the wealthiest families and corporations. This two-bit actor turned the agencies of government that were established to protect labor, civil, and other rights into attack dogs against these very same rights.Neoliberalism, combined with an increased readiness to project military power globally, was designed to strengthen in a qualitative way the position of U.S. capitalism at home and abroad. But, as is said, the best laid plans of mice and men often come to naught, at least in the long run.If I could sum up before moving on, the present economic crisis cannot be simply laid on the doorstep of the sub-prime leading crisis. Instead it was the result of the interweaving of a short-term cyclical crisis of the economy, especially in housing, with a longer term crisis of overproduction (too many commodities and too little purchasing power) and over accumulation (too much surplus value and too few ways to absorb it profitably), and the political ascendancy of the extreme right, dating back three decades.It may go without saying, but the crisis in its short- and long-term form were driven by the system's built-in objective of amassing maximum corporate profits and power through wage exploitation (the process by which a sizeable portion of the values that workers create in the labor process are appropriated by the capitalist class) and the dispossession (usually coerced) of people’s collective possessions (for example, social security) and rights, domestically and internationally.A new New Deal
Given this situation, the Obama administration faces daunting challenges. Nevertheless, the new President, in my view, is off to a quick start. In less than two weeks he has:
In this regard, the President's stimulus bill passed this week in the House should be welcomed and supported. Despite what Republicans say, it is a good bill that will ease the pain of this crisis, create jobs, and begin to re-inflate the economy. Some economists, like Paul Krugman, say that it isn’t enough, that a trillion dollars plus and additional infrastructure spending would be better. I would agree with Krugman, but I also see the current bill as a first installment of the administration’s recovery plan. In fact, Krugman may have the economics right, but the politics wrong.President Obama in my opinion would make a mistake if he proceeded like a bull in a china shop. He’s the president of the country, not an op-ed writer for the New York Times, and thus has a different set of considerations and pressures. On the other hand, if the President agrees to too many concession demands from the Republican side it will water down the bill’s stimulus potential and come back to bite him later on.I would further add that even if Obama had introduced and passed a bigger stimulus package, there is no guarantee that a full-blooded and sustained recovery of the economy will follow. According to conventional wisdom and mainstream economists, high growth rates, near full employment, and healthy profit rates are the normal condition of a capitalist economy. Departures from this norm, it is said, are only passing moments during which capitalism removes barriers to future growth and creates the conditions for a new expansion that surpasses old peaks in production, employment and profits.There is considerable evidence to question this view. Indeed, one has to wonder what the long-run prospects of U.S. and world capitalism are. Was the “golden age” of U.S. capitalism from 1945-1973, during which economic growth rates, investment levels and living standards steadily increased, the norm or the exception to the norm? Will the last thirty years of sluggish and lopsided growth continue, but at a significantly lower level?
If the answer is that U.S. capitalism is entering a period of long-term stagnation then the economic recovery plan must include not only a sizeable and sustained economic stimulus, but also far-reaching political and economic reforms in order to restructure the economy along new lines. One without the other is not enough. Both economic stimulus and political-economic restructuring are necessary if U.S. economy is to have any chance of resuming a developmental growth path that is robust, sustainable (in a double sense: economically and environmentally) and favors the interests of the working class and its allies.If this is the case, the Obama administration and the broad coalition that supports him will almost inevitably have to consider—and they already are—the following measures:
New model of economic governance neededOr to approach the same issue in another way: Will the political-economic reforms be modest, or will they be radical in nature, and when taken together, constitute a new model of political-economic governance at the state and corporate level—a new New Deal? By that I mean a reconfiguring of the role and functions of government and corporations so that they favor working people, the racially and nationally oppressed, women, youth, seniors, small business people and other social groupings.Such a model would draw from the New Deal experience, but in the end it has to be shaped by today’s conditions and requirements for political and economic advance for the broadest sections of the American people as well as people across the globe.The new model of governance wouldn’t be socialist, but it would challenge corporate power, profits and prerogatives.Depression conditions prompted President Franklin Roosevelt and his advisers—albeit with a mighty assist from a powerful all-people’s coalition led by the industrial unions and the multiracial working class—to reconfigure the role and functions of the state to the advantage of the ordinary people. This reconfiguration wasn’t easy or done in a day.Indeed, it was a hard-fought struggle that combined unity of the Roosevelt-led coalition at every turn, mass mobilization, and a good dose of experimentation. The broad people’s movement would do well to study the New Deal experience, not in a mechanical way, but with an eye to gaining insights for today’s struggles and challenges.New casting of political actorsIn the meantime, we have some immediate struggles on our hands. The good news is that the broad movement that elected President Obama and larger majorities in the Congress is up and running.This movement, or if you like, this loose coalition in which labor plays a larger and larger leadership role, can exercise an enormous influence on the political process. Never before has a coalition with such breadth walked on the political stage of our country. It is far larger than the coalition that entered the election process a year ago; it is larger still than the coalition that came out of the Democratic Party convention in August.The task of labor and its allies is to provide energy and leadership to this wide-ranging coalition. Yes, we can bring issues and positions into the political process that go beyond the initiatives of the Obama administration. But we should do this within the framework of the main task of supporting Obama’s program of action.We can disagree with the Obama administration without being disagreeable. Our tone should be respectful. We now have not simply a friend, but a people's advocate in the White House.When the Administration and Congress take positive initiatives, they should be wholeheartedly supported and welcomed. Nor should anyone think that everything will be accomplished in one hundred days. After all, the main elements of the New Deal were codified into law in 1935, 1936 and 1937, years after FDR’s first days in office. Of course, change won’t be easy. Powerful sections of big capital (energy, military, health care, pharmaceutical, financial and others), will resist going over to a new and robust growth path, resting on green industry, jobs and technology, on military conversion to peacetime production, on rising living standards and rights for working people, and on racial and gender equality?
That said, the opportunities for working-class and people's gains are extraordinary. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.Staring us in the face are some immediate challengesFirst, we have to support the passage of the President's stimulus bill in the Senate.Second, we have to block any Republican efforts to derail the nomination of Hilda Solis, the nominee for the Secretary of Labor. This is the first round in the battle to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, which will dramatically expand the right to join a union in this country. Some may think this is a struggle of only the labor movement. But nothing could be further from the truth. A bigger labor movement in this country would strengthen the struggle on every front. No one expressed this point better than Martin Luther King toward the end of his life.Third, we have to join others in resisting evictions and foreclosures—not to mention cutbacks and layoffs at the state and city level.Fourth, the wars of occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan have to be brought to a close. As former President Lyndon Johnson realized too late, wars of occupation (in his case, Vietnam) can quickly ruin a presidency that has great promise.
In any case, we have our work cut out for us. But I think we can confidently say that change is coming. And we will build a more perfect union.
Yes, we can.
Sam Webb encourages working people to join the Communist Party USA and build Clubs in their neighborhoods, schools and where they work.
For more information on building a broad peoples coalition, check out "The People's Front" by Earl Browder, available from booksellers on the Internet. Earl Browder is widely regarded as the architect of the "New Deal" and "The People's Lobby."
Also of interest are books by Frank Marshall Davis, William Z. Foster, Paul Robeson, Gus Hall.
Information about "The Minnesota People's Bailout," which Communists support, can be found in my previous blog posting.
The headlines aren't getting any better... unemployment and poverty continue to grow as the depression sets in.There is no end in sight.Capitalism is rotten to the core and on the skids to oblivion; we are headed down the road to perdition... straight to hell with no stops in purgatory.All the while politicians twiddle their thumbs.Minnesota State Senator David Tomassoni has brought forward "The People's Bailout." So far he has gotten about as far with his colleagues as he did with legislation to save the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant and two-thousand jobs.Senator Tomassoni is going to need some help getting "The People's Bailout" passed.Maybe we should consider organizing some kind of "People's Lobby" based upon the tactics used in building the "People's Front" during the 1930's Depression.The "People's Lobby" was part of the broad based campaign which won the New Deal reforms.
Make the Minnesota People's Bailout the pattern for national legislation.
Educate!
Organize!
Struggle!Fight-back!Any thoughts?Alan L. Maki Iron Range loses 590 jobs at Minntacby Jessica Mador, Minnesota Public RadioFebruary 19, 2009U.S. Steel is laying off almost 600 workers at a plant in Mountain Iron on Minnesota's Iron Range. Despite record sales and profits last year, company officials say the economic downturn has hit the company hard, leaving them no choice but to cut jobs at the Minntac Mine. Mountain Iron, Minn. — The layoffs at Minntac amount to almost half the workforce. 500 union and 90 management workers are being idled as US Steel shuts down two production lines at the mine. A spokeswoman for U.S. Steel declined to speak on tape, but she said the layoffs are temporary. Workers will be brought back if the market improves, but orders for steel are down and she says it's impossible to know when that could happen. The mayor of nearby Mountain Iron says it won't be soon enough. Gary Skalko said news of the layoffs have hit the town hard. "We are a tough breed up here. The people will survive but it is devastating and we will stick together," Skalko said. "The biggest concern that I have is that the economy can or will turn around to get these people back to work for a long term basis." Skalko said the layoffs will have a massive ripple effect because most of the other industry in the area is mining related. In the final three months of last year, when the financial crisis hit, U.S. Steel's profit fell by two-thirds compared to the previous three months. As the economy continued to weaken, U.S. Steel idled several plants and reduced operations at others around the country. The company laid off 3,500 workers late last year after idling production at plants in Michigan, Illinois and Keewatin Minnesota. Officials with the United Steelworkers couldn't be reached for comment, but one told the Associated Press that this round of layoffs blindsided the union. Skalko worries the laid off workers won't be able to find other jobs because the entire economy is suffering. "We have got to get them back to work in a relatively short period of time," he said. "I don't even want to think of the alternative. I don't even want to think about that right now. It would be totally devastating." The layoffs at Minntac are expected to take effect over the next couple of weeks.
