People Before Profit blog

Rally calls for moratorium on school closings

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 06:45:00 +0000

CHICAGO – Hundreds of teachers, parents, students, union leaders and local activists rallied here Jan. 28th at the Chicago Board of Education building against the boards plan to close, consolidate, phase out and turnaround more than 20 schools. Protesters led a march downtown chanting with signs in hand speaking out against the measure which they say will displace students and teachers, throw communities in turmoil, put hundreds out of work and undermine public education in Chicago.

“I’m a soon to be displaced nationally certified teacher,” said Daisy Sharp who has been teaching at Oliver Wendall Holmes in the Engelwood community for the last six years.

Holmes is slated for “turnaround,” which means that everyone at the school including maintenance, cafeteria workers and paraprofessionals will be laid off. “Why are they firing everyone, some who have been working here for more than 25 years,” she asked.

“The number one thing we need to do is to vote Mayor Daley out of office and squash his Renaissance 2010 plan because it’s all lies and big business.” Not only is Daley trying to privatize our schools he’s also trying to bust our union, she said.

Sandy Schultz is the educational issues coordinator with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). “We are here to protest and mourn the death of public schools in Chicago,” she said. Shultz taught in Chicago for 32 years before working for the union.

“We feel that schools can be turned around one at a time with a smart educational plan that includes proper funding, adequate supplies and books,” said Shultz. “Renaissance 2010 is part of a privatization plan to force the union out and weaken our membership.”

The CTU represents 32,000 teachers and is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers. The demonstration was organized by a coalition of nearly a dozen groups including the CTU.

CTU President Marilyn Stewart was at the rally and helped organize the protest. “This is a grassroots effort and we’re calling for an immediate moratorium on school closings,” said Stewart. “It’s not right that teachers and parents have to look for new jobs and the board should not be making decisions for our children,” she added. “Teachers are tired of being disrespected and we know we could make Chicago a model for the nation but not by proposing to close our schools.”

Critics charge Renaissance 2010 is part of a long-term privatization scheme of public education being pushed by Daley, who took control of the school system in 1995. Many believe school closings target poor neighborhoods where populations are decreasing due to destruction of public housing and skyrocketing rents.

The heart of the problem, many say, is George W. Bush’s unpopular No Child Left Behind law.

The school district contends that many of the schools in question have low enrollment and are failing academically. Yet others believe modest gains have been made in recent test scores. While others claim that such standards under No Child are a highly flawed indicator of actual learning.

Of the 400,000 students in the Chicago school system, 46.5 percent are African American, 39.1 percent are Latino and 8 percent white.

Charles Hurst lives in the South Shore neighborhood and is a member of a local school council there. He’s upset how the school board does not involve community input regarding school closings. “It’s our recommendation that Chicago Public Schools (CPS) put money into the present schools and allow them to stay in place and lessen the possibility of violence or harm to our children in the neighborhood,” he said. Hurst fears children will be in harms way if they have to travel outside their neighborhood in gang- infested areas.

Arne Duncan, former CEO of the Chicago’s school system and now Secretary of Education led the closing of nearly 70 schools since 2001. Currently there are more than 50 Renaissance schools, which receive corporate funding and are privately operated. Half of the members with the CTU could be forced out of the union by 2020 under the plan.

Since 2004, Renaissance 2010 has led to private-run charter and contract schools that push out teachers and students and outsourcing education in low-income communities targeted by City Hall for real-estate development. Educators and supporters at the protest say Renaissance 2010 fails to take in consideration what parents, teachers and students feel and does a poor job including them in the process of decision making when it comes to closing schools or turnarounds.

Maria Ibarez is in the eight-grade at Carpenter elementary on the city’s north side. Her school is on the closing list. “I’m here because I want to help save my school,” she said. “It’s our second home and it’s a community school that opens its doors to us.”

Ibarez’s father Jose Luis joined her at the rally with his family. “It’s not fair what is happening,” he said. Mr. Ibarez said they are closing his daughters’ school because there is not enough children enrolled, the building is too old and it has low-test scores.

“None of these are true,” said Mr. Ibarez. “I know the students and they are all very bright and they deserve a chance. We are one of the best schools in the city,” he said. Mr. Ibarez is hoping CPS officials will visit the school before deciding to close. “Please come and see our school and get to know the students, teachers and families before you take away the children’s education.” He added, “Don’t close our school for the sake of our children who are the future of this country.”

Meanwhile Daley recently appointed Ron Huberman as the new CEO of CPS. Huberman is a former police officer and recently served as president of the Chicago Transit Authority. Many feel he is unfit for the job and out of his league especially because he has no background in education.

The Board of Education plans to hold public hearings about the closings and is expected to make its final decisions at its meeting next month.

Rally calls for moratorium on school closings By Pepe Lozano

CHICAGO – Hundreds of teachers, parents, students, union leaders and local activists rallied here Jan. 28th at the Chicago Board of Education building against the boards plan to close, consolidate, phase out and turnaround more than 20 schools. Protesters led a march downtown chanting with signs in hand speaking out against the measure which they say will displace students and teachers, throw communities in turmoil, put hundreds out of work and undermine public education in Chicago.

“I’m a soon to be displaced nationally certified teacher,” said Daisy Sharp who has been teaching at Oliver Wendall Holmes in the Engelwood community for the last six years.

Holmes is slated for “turnaround,” which means that everyone at the school including maintenance, cafeteria workers and paraprofessionals will be laid off. “Why are they firing everyone, some who have been working here for more than 25 years,” she asked.

“The number one thing we need to do is to vote Mayor Daley out of office and squash his Renaissance 2010 plan because it’s all lies and big business.” Not only is Daley trying to privatize our schools he’s also trying to bust our union, she said.

Sandy Schultz is the educational issues coordinator with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). “We are here to protest and mourn the death of public schools in Chicago,” she said. Shultz taught in Chicago for 32 years before working for the union.

“We feel that schools can be turned around one at a time with a smart educational plan that includes proper funding, adequate supplies and books,” said Shultz. “Renaissance 2010 is part of a privatization plan to force the union out and weaken our membership.”

The CTU represents 32,000 teachers and is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers. The demonstration was organized by a coalition of nearly a dozen groups including the CTU.

CTU President Marilyn Stewart was at the rally and helped organize the protest. “This is a grassroots effort and we’re calling for an immediate moratorium on school closings,” said Stewart. “It’s not right that teachers and parents have to look for new jobs and the board should not be making decisions for our children,” she added. “Teachers are tired of being disrespected and we know we could make Chicago a model for the nation but not by proposing to close our schools.”

Critics charge Renaissance 2010 is part of a long-term privatization scheme of public education being pushed by Daley, who took control of the school system in 1995. Many believe school closings target poor neighborhoods where populations are decreasing due to destruction of public housing and skyrocketing rents.

The heart of the problem, many say, is George W. Bush’s unpopular No Child Left Behind law.

The school district contends that many of the schools in question have low enrollment and are failing academically. Yet others believe modest gains have been made in recent test scores. While others claim that such standards under No Child are a highly flawed indicator of actual learning.

Of the 400,000 students in the Chicago school system, 46.5 percent are African American, 39.1 percent are Latino and 8 percent white.

Charles Hurst lives in the South Shore neighborhood and is a member of a local school council there. He’s upset how the school board does not involve community input regarding school closings. “It’s our recommendation that Chicago Public Schools (CPS) put money into the present schools and allow them to stay in place and lessen the possibility of violence or harm to our children in the neighborhood,” he said. Hurst fears children will be in harms way if they have to travel outside their neighborhood in gang- infested areas.

Arne Duncan, former CEO of the Chicago’s school system and now Secretary of Education led the closing of nearly 70 schools since 2001. Currently there are more than 50 Renaissance schools, which receive corporate funding and are privately operated. Half of the members with the CTU could be forced out of the union by 2020 under the plan.

Since 2004, Renaissance 2010 has led to private-run charter and contract schools that push out teachers and students and outsourcing education in low-income communities targeted by City Hall for real-estate development. Educators and supporters at the protest say Renaissance 2010 fails to take in consideration what parents, teachers and students feel and does a poor job including them in the process of decision making when it comes to closing schools or turnarounds.

Maria Ibarez is in the eight-grade at Carpenter elementary on the city’s north side. Her school is on the closing list. “I’m here because I want to help save my school,” she said. “It’s our second home and it’s a community school that opens its doors to us.”

Ibarez’s father Jose Luis joined her at the rally with his family. “It’s not fair what is happening,” he said. Mr. Ibarez said they are closing his daughters’ school because there is not enough children enrolled, the building is too old and it has low-test scores.

“None of these are true,” said Mr. Ibarez. “I know the students and they are all very bright and they deserve a chance. We are one of the best schools in the city,” he said. Mr. Ibarez is hoping CPS officials will visit the school before deciding to close. “Please come and see our school and get to know the students, teachers and families before you take away the children’s education.” He added, “Don’t close our school for the sake of our children who are the future of this country.”

Meanwhile Daley recently appointed Ron Huberman as the new CEO of CPS. Huberman is a former police officer and recently served as president of the Chicago Transit Authority. Many feel he is unfit for the job and out of his league especially because he has no background in education.

The Board of Education plans to hold public hearings about the closings and is expected to make its final decisions at its meeting next month.

As layoffs spread, pressure grows to pass recovery act

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:24:00 +0000

The news that another 100,000 workers have lost their jobs sent a shock wave across the nation even as President Obama visited Capitol Hill Jan. 27 to urge quick approval of his $825 billion economic stimulus package.

“If nothing is done, the unemployment rate could reach double digits,” Obama had warned in his first radio address Jan. 24 just four days after taking office. “Our economy could fall $1 trillion short of its full capacity which translates into more than $12,000 in lost income for a family of four. And we could lose a generation of potential as more young Americans are forced to forgo college dreams or the chance to train for the jobs of the future.” Obama said his plan will preserve or create more than four million jobs.

The warning got grim validation as Caterpillar Corporation announced termination of 20,000 jobs, Sprint-Nextel 8,000 jobs, Home Depot 7,000 jobs, Pfizer 19,000 jobs and GM 2,000 jobs —all on a single day.

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, speaking at a Capitol Hill news conference sponsored by Americans United for Change, warned, “Every week that goes by brings more bad news and every week that Congress does not act, the economic hole we are in becomes deeper and more difficult to get out of.” He assailed GOP efforts to “kill or gut this economic recovery package. There is too much at stake. This package is absolutely essential to turning around this downward economic spiral.”

Anna Burger, chair of Change to Win, told the news conference Republican tax cut schemes are a recipe for “more foreclosures, more jobs lost, more pain for working families. Obama’s plan will give immediate help to local communities and immediate hope to working Americans.”

Hard-hit businesses also support the recovery package. Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Association of General Contractors, said “It isn’t every day that you can save millions of jobs, protect thousands of businesses and rebuild the American economy with a single vote.” He urged a “yes” vote in both houses of Congress.

Terry Hatch, legislative director of the National Electrical Contractors Association said, “What we need now is leadership from Congress to make energy efficient projects a reality in communities across the nation.”

The American Society of Civil Engineers released highlights of a report this week that gave a grade of “D” to the nation’s crumbling infrastructure—roads, bridges, railroads, electric power grids, water and sewer systems, schools. Andrew Hermann, chair of the ASCE report committee said the findings were released two months early “to be relevant” in the current debate on Obama’s plan. “Investing in our infrastructure will create jobs,” he said.

Yet Republican House leader John Boehner of Ohio claimed the GOP favors “fast-acting tax cuts, not slow-moving government spending.”

“Remember, we already tried the Republican tax cut plan and what did we get? It didn’t do anything to stimulate the economy, ” said Rick Doty, president of United Auto Workers Local 974 representing Caterpillar workers in Mossville, Il. The Peoria area where Local 974 is located has three major projects on the books waiting for the funding, he told the World by phone.

“These are ‘ready-to-go’ projects,” he said. “State and local governments just don’t have the funds to pay for them. President Obama’s plan will definitely help stimulate the economy.”

He said he expects the projects to be up and running within three to four months. The Obama plan, he said, could result in recall of some of the 20,000 workers furloughed by Cat as orders for earthmoving equipment have collapsed at home and around the world.

Caterpillar announced in December that their Mossville plant that manufactures 9 liter and 18 liter engines will close in February terminating 814 workers. Yet always looking at their bottom line instead of social good, Cat plans to build a new small engine plant in Seguin, Texas. The state has approved $10 million in taxpayer funds to subsidize construction of the non-union plant.

“They’re going to Texas to take advantage of low wages,” Doty said, noting that Cat workers in Mossville earn $17 an hour but in Texas the workers will earn less than $10 an hour for the same work. The UAW will launch a drive to unionize the new plant, he said.

In his radio speech, Obama said his $825 billion plan will provide $275 billion in tax cuts including $150 billion in tax cuts for low and middle income families; $550 billion for public works projects including $100 billion in private sector clean energy investments, and the doubling of renewable electricity generating capacity and a major extension of electricity transmission lines.

Unemployment compensation will be extended along with health care coverage for 8.5 million workers who have run out of their benefits. The plan also includes an expansion of the child tax credit and the weatherization of 2.5 million homes and 75 percent of federal buildings.

Immigrant rights groups urged Congress to remove an amendment that would require businesses receiving funding to use the unfair, and inaccurate Basic Pilot/E-

Verify program aimed at the arrest and deportation of undocumented workers.

greenerpastures21212@yahoo.com

Ohio town hall calls for end to raids

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:54:00 +0000

ASHTABULA, Ohio — Labor, community and religious leaders called for a united effort to end inhuman immigration raids, arrests and deportations at a town hall meeting here.

The event, sponsored by the Ohio Coalition for Immigrant and Refugees Rights, drew an audience of 100 residents at the African-American People’s Baptist Church.

Speakers included state Sen. Capri Cafaro, Ohio AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Pierette Talley and the Rev. Abraham Allende of Iglesia La Trinidad in Canton. In addition, Veronica Dahlberg, director of HOLA, a local Hispanic advocacy group, introduced two families who gave testimonials on the traumatic and life-threatening impact of the raids.

“I am proud to be here in defense of basic civil and human rights,” Cafaro declared. “We need to maintain our commitment to diversity and immigration.

“Immigrants are being exploited by employers,” she said. “They want labor on the cheap. They want to pay low wages and avoid workmen’s compensation and health and safety regulations. We must eliminate this incentive.”

Prejudice against immigrants, she said, “is based on the misconception that they represent economic competition. We need to create jobs and build economic opportunities for everyone.”

The same views were voiced by area labor leaders including Ray Gruber, president of the Ashtabula County AFL-CIO, and Gene Turner and Wally Kaufman, leaders of the Ashtabula AFL-CIO Retirees Council.

Talley, who drove through a snow storm from Columbus for the event, denounced the arrest of 27 immigrant workers in Ashtabula who were turned over to federal authorities on Labor Day weekend.

“The previous administration undermined labor standards for all workers,” she said. “We need to legalize immigration and the status of immigrant workers. The AFL-CIO is proud to stand on the side of immigrants. We need a network of support to protect the civil and human rights of all workers.”

“This is not about statistics,” said the Rev. Allende. “It’s about people.” The members of his congregation, mostly from Mexico and Central America, are hard-working members of the community.

“They get jailed for minor infractions and then are deported. Their families are broken up. What threat do they pose?” he asked, as he called for policies of compassion and brotherhood.

The human toll of the arrests was dramatized by testimonials from two families whose fathers were suddenly deported. In one case federal agents invaded a home at 4 a.m., seizing elementary school-age children from their beds and transporting them to concrete cells in Erie, Pa. “The children, now back with their mother, are no longer the same”, Dahlberg said. “They are afraid to go anywhere and suffer from nightmares.”

In the second case, the father, who had worked at a local concrete plant for 16 years, begged police, who had pulled over his vehicle, not to turn him in to immigration authorities since he was scheduled to donate his kidney to his young son. The father was nonetheless deported to Mexico and forbidden to return. Dahlberg read a statement from the boy who now is on dialysis that he hopes to go to college and become a doctor some day. The mother showed a medical report stating that she was not a match to donate one of her kidneys.

“I don’t think this is the kind of community we want in Ashtabula,” she said, calling on the audience to sign a petition to Congress appealing for comprehensive immigration reform.

Dahlberg said she was “cautiously optimistic” the Obama administration would have a different policy towards immigrants.

“We now have hope, but reform will not be handed to us. We have to fight for it.” For example, she pointed to the fact that anti-immigrant forces had inserted a requirement in the pending economic stimulus package that Social Security numbers provided by workers hired for jobs projects must be checked against federal records. The system, known as e-verify, is notoriously inaccurate, she said.

Alabama Mardi Gras in black and white

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:35:00 +0000

MovieREVIEW

The Order of Myths

Directed by Margaret Brown

U.S. 2008, 93 min., Unrated

In “The Order of Myths,” a documentary directed by Margaret Brown, we learn that in 1981, 19-year-old Black youth Michael Donald was lynched (one of the last “traditional” Southern lynchings in the United States). Brown shows two still photos of the young man, one as he hangs from the tree, neck bent and noose deadly and murderously apparent, and the other on a slab at the morgue with the noose still on.

Two Klansmen were convicted two years after the incident. Some view the lynching as revenge for the murder of a Mobile, Ala., policeman named Henry Booth, who had made a name for himself as the most racist cop in Mobile.

This terrible crime is an aside to Ms. Brown’s story, which is of the Mardi Gras celebration in Mobile. It is the oldest celebration of this type in the nation, even older than its more famous cousin in New Orleans.

In Mobile, we learn that there are two Mardi Gras celebrations — one for the Black residents of town, and one for the whites. In 2007, for the first time in the history of the event, the king and queen of the Black celebration went to the coronation of the white king and queen, and vice versa.

The white Mardi Gras queen of 2007 is the great-great-granddaughter of the last man to bring a shipload of Africans to Mobile, 10 years after the legal end of the African slave trade (though, of course, slavery was still legal in the U.S. until 1863). This ancestor bet that he could circumvent the law given his status as a notable and prosperous plantation owner.

Upon the ship’s arrival in Mobile’s harbor, he disembarked, and told the first mate to burn the ship if he did not return within 90 minutes. He didn’t return. The Africans on the ship fled into the surrounding woods, establishing the area of Mobile now known as “Africatown.”

The Black Mardi Gras 2007 queen is an elementary school teacher and great-great-granddaughter of one of these Africans.

As we celebrate the inauguration of the first Black president, “The Order of Myths” reminds us of the simmering earthquake of America’s race and class divide — both of how far we have come and how far we need to go. Despite the true look back at our past, the movie inspires us to take the necessary steps forward.

Based on the economy, things will probably get worse before they improve. Viewing the film you realize, if there is no reconciliation of class and race, we’ll never have a chance to soak ourselves in the warmth of the sun in this, the dawning of a new day.

OPINION: Senate Dems flex legislative muscle on fair pay

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 02:28:00 +0000

By a vote of 61 to 36, the Senate passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act this week, a bill that had broad support from civil rights organizations, the labor movement, and women's equality groups. In short, key Democratic Party constituencies (i.e. sections of the core forces of the working-class movement) saw this bill as a top priority, and congressional Democrats pushed it through. In 2008, the same bill stalled in the Senate on a Republican filibuster.

So was the floor fight for passage of this bill a test of how well Senate Democrats will do with their new majority? Quite possibly. The obvious difference is the shift in the balance of forces in the Senate after the Nov. 4th election. With a projected total of 59 Senators who will caucus with the Democrats (pending the court decision on the Franken-Coleman race in Minnesota), Senate Democrats should be feeling more and more confident about their power.

Still, without the 60 votes needed to block a filibuster, Democrats and their supporters expressed concerns that the Republicans would use the filibuster to stall and hamper any progressive legislation. With good reason too; Republicans filibustered a record 94 times in the previous session of Congress. They blocked bills that would have created a timeline for withdrawal in Iraq, improved funding for veterans, fair pay legislation, the Employee Free Choice Act, measures that would have invested more in renewable energy sources, better funding for anti-poverty programs, health care, and education and other reforms that would benefit working families. Imagine that.

On Ledbetter, the Republicans put up a fight. They insisted that people who sue for discrimination often make it up, and they claimed that forcing employers to treat workers fairly is actually an unfair demand to make on employers. They tried to weaken the bill with amendments that failed one after another. One Republican even tried to poison the bill with a National Right to Work amendment.

In the end, despite that fact that three Democratic Senators were missing for the vote (Kennedy is ill, Minnesota hasn't sent Franken yet, and Clinton had not yet been replaced), the bill passed comfortably. And because the House has already passed it, the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act will likely be one of the first pieces of major legislation, President Obama signs into law.

Don't get too confident, though. The Ledbetter bill's companion, the Paycheck Fairness Act, is still pending. That bill would create stiff penalties on employers who punish workers who talk with one another about their wages and would tighten restrictions on how employers can justify unequal pay for equal work. In addition, Republican Senators have expressed open hostility, rather than congenial opposition as is traditional among Senators, to the Employee Free Choice Act.

It is quite possible that the Democrats will need all 59 of their votes and one or two defectors from the other party to see these bills pass. More importantly, the core forces of the working-class movement will have to raise a stink to make sure the bill stays on the agenda. Labor unions and labor affiliated groups like the AFL-CIO and American Rights at Work have begun a massive public relations campaign on a national and state level to mobilize support for the bill, especially in states where Republican Senators might feel the heat at reelection time.

After a big people's victory on Nov. 4th and the historical celebration on Jan. 20th, there is no time or room for resting on our laurels. Struggles for passage of additional working-class legislation should not be left up to the Senate Democrats alone to wage.

Obamas stimulus plan must be passed now

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:18:00 +0000

The $825 billion stimulus plan proposed by Congress and applauded by Barack Obama should be approved immediately. Despite some noted imperfections — probably too much is dedicated to tax cuts, and even though it is the biggest rescue program in U.S. history it is likely just the beginning of the recovery effort — time is of the essence. If some concessions to Republicans on tax cuts gain speed in delivering jobs and income to American workers, then let it be so!

Most of the stimulus plan proposed by the incoming Obama administration is exactly what is needed, including aid to states, an emphasis on education, including early childhood, and investment in the nation’s infrastructure — the backbone of a productive economy. The United States has allowed its infrastructure to deteriorate to the point that dikes and bridges fail catastrophically, our drinking water suffers, our mass transit systems badly lag the rest of the world, and our broadband connectivity is slower and reaches a smaller share of our citizens than equivalent systems in Korea, Japan and other allies and competitors. The condition of many school buildings — some built in the 19th century — is deplorable and hurts the performance of teachers and students. The money in this rescue package is a small down payment on what is needed to give the U.S. the world-class infrastructure we need.

Immediate job creation is vital

The economy is virtually in freefall. Workers at unemployment agencies report applications at unprecedented levels. Some 15 million Americans are now unemployed or underemployed. The numbers worsen every month, and if state and local governments meet their budget shortfalls by cutting services and laying off employees, the pace of job losses will accelerate. Without immediate and very sizeable intervention, official unemployment could top 10 percent or more this year.

Tax cuts provide the least “bang for the buck” in terms of jobs in the current environment. (Many people used the tax rebate last summer to pay down debt, or put it away as savings. And tax cuts for business work better when the freefall stops and growth resumes). But delaying the passage of immediate job-creating and job-protecting investments will be an even greater sacrifice.

Next urgent steps

Also on the urgent agenda, but not in the initial stimulus plan, is health care reform delivering universal, affordable, quality health care to all Americans. Spokespersons for the Obama team have placed this second, after the stimulus, but ahead of energy, in their list of priorities. Health care investments will contribute immediate jobs and perhaps the greatest long-term social benefit of all.

It should also be noted that saving the U.S. auto industry — even at the current inflated price tag of $40-60 billion — will deliver the biggest “bang for the buck” of all, averting the loss of 3 million more jobs.

Bailout boondoggle?

Of greater concern than the imperfections of the stimulus plan is the direction — or lack of it — reflected in the management and distribution of TARP bailout funds. The second half of the $750 billion fund to stabilize the financial system has now been given to the Treasury Department, despite widespread popular and congressional skepticism due to serious gaps in the Bush administration’s responses to queries by the congressional oversight panel. A satisfactory accounting of public funds “injected” into AIG, Citigroup, Bank of America and others has not been forthcoming. These same firms have continued their executive bonus and retention payments, and buying other financial corporations.

Let’s be clear: if the financial system is not improved soon, then the leading banks will have to be outright nationalized. Without credit, which the banks are supposed to provide, the stimulus will certainly fail, and the Federal Reserve can do no more lowering of interest rates — they are already at 0.005 percent!

Learn from the gray wolves

Lastly, compromise with the Republicans to get this recovery package passed may come at a price many are no doubt reluctant to pay — it could make holding members of the Bush administration accountable for high crimes of illegal war, torture, abuse of power and unprecedented corruption much more difficult. Many argue that the long-range protection of our democracy from these crimes is the key to the greater empowerment of working people. Unfortunately, our economic and survival requirements are so dire that we may simply not have the time for the trials of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Perle, Kagan and others whom I would be most gratified to see doing the “perp walk.”

It’s time to unite and bind ourselves to the recovery of our economy. The gray wolves combine their efforts to survive. We can too.

jcase4218 @gmail.com

This land is our land

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Following Barack Obama on stage at the “We Are One” pre-inaugural concert Jan. 18, Pete Seeger, legendary folk singer and labor, civil rights and peace activist, joined by Bruce Springsteen and Seeger's grandson Tao Seeger, leads the crowd in singing Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.”

See a video of this historic performance on the Official Woodie Guthrie website

A new era begins: Millions celebrate Obamas call to remake America

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 05:52:00 +0000

WASHINGTON — With millions looking on, Barack Obama took the oath as 44th president of the United States, Jan. 20, and summoned the people to join in the struggle to remake America, reeling from two wars and a worsening economic crisis.

“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord,” Obama told the vast multiracial crowd that packed the Mall from the west steps of the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial.

There was an air of joy in the enormous swirling crowd on the bright, frigid January day. The nation, disfigured at birth by slavery, had now elected and sworn into office its first African American president.

Obama referred to that watershed in his inaugural speech, noting that “a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.”

Within hours, the new president moved swiftly to fulfill key campaign pledges. He issued an order suspending military prosecutions of Guantanamo detainees, initiating a review that is expected to lead to closure of the much-assailed prison.

And he ordered all federal agencies to block any pending regulations that the Bush White House tried to sneak through at the last minute.

In his speech, Obama scorned those who “seek only the pleasures of riches and fame” and assailed government policies that serve only the “narrow interests” of the few.

Instead, he paid homage to men and women who “struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.”

They “toiled in sweatshops,” “endured the lash of the whip” and “plowed the hard earth” to build the nation’s prosperity, Obama said. In a line greeted with cheers, the president spoke of “the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”

George W. Bush sat grimfaced nearby while Obama reminded the crowd of the wreckage from eight years of the Bush-Cheney regime: two wars, the economy weakened by “greed and irresponsibility,” homes lost, jobs eliminated, health care beyond the means of millions, schools in crisis and energy policies that “threaten our planet.”

He added, “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America.”

Alluding to his economic stimulus aimed at creating 4 million jobs, Obama said, “We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. … We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.”

He offered an open hand to nations around the world stating, “as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself … America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace … To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward based on mutual interest and mutual respect.”

Standing near the Washington Monument as Obama spoke was machinist James Bullock wearing his Coalition of Black Trade Unionists jacket. He had come with 62 other CBTU members from Hartford, Conn. “Look at how many young white people and Black people are here together supporting a Black president,” he told the World. “This is a chance for us to get rid of the nonsense that we are different from each other.”

He hailed Obama’s efforts to rebuild the economy. “Not everybody can go to college,” he said. “People can make a good living with a good manufacturing job.”

Peter Harnik of Arlington, Va., was wearing a green Obama button with the slogan, “Save the Planet.” He told the World, “I’ve never seen so many different kinds of people coming together on the Mall, all happy, all so optimistic.”

Harnik praised Obama’s speech as “unifying, an effort to get us beyond ‘for or against.’ He’s trying to build a coalition to moderate the human impact on the planet and at the same time protect our standard of living.”

Peter and Amy Handley had driven with their three children from Gaylord, Mich. “This is history,” Handley said. “I think Obama is our Lincoln and will change history.”

Mildred Taylor, first vice president of the Illinois Nurses Association, said she had come on a bus with 40 other members of her organization. “Today is so exciting,” she said. “Everyone is here to celebrate that we elected a Black man based not on his race but on what Barack Obama can do for our country.”

She added, “If we don’t do something, nobody is going to have health care except the rich. With universal health care, we can create more jobs because employers won’t have to cover health care costs for their employees. My organization represents both union and non-union nurses. Unions provide nurses a voice at the table. That is good both for the nurses and the patients.”

Consuela Lezama, leader of “I Am Immigrant America,” also rode on a bus from Chicago with 57 members of her group. “You can see how motivated people are after eight years of a government without conscience,” she said. “Tomorrow we’re going to march on the ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) to request that they stop the raids and move forward with immigration reform.”

The new administration took another swift step on its first day in office, launching a new White House web site, WhiteHouse.gov, to “serve as a place for the president and his administration to connect with the rest of the nation and the world.”

“Millions of Americans have powered President Obama’s journey to the White House, many taking advantage of the Internet to play a role in shaping our country’s future,” the web site’s blog says. “WhiteHouse.gov is just the beginning of the new administration’s efforts to expand and deepen this online engagement.”

greenerpastures21212 @yahoo.com

A people's inaugural

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:59:00 +0000

Huge crowds, unprecedented in U.S. history, gathered in Washington on Tuesday, to celebrate and welcome President Barack Obama to the White House. Pre-inaugural estimates of up to 3 million participants seemed on mark, with newspapers like the Washington Post calculating 2 million people on the Mall.

With many participants both with and without tickets unable to gain entry, the overall numbers are likely higher. “I had tickets and couldn’t get in,” said a New York City teacher whose story was echoed by many others.” We got here early but it was just too big.” Her family managed to watch President Obama’s speech at Union Station.

“You have to conceptualize this as a populist inauguration,” said political analyst, University of Maryland professor and long-time activist Ron Walters to the Washington Afro-American. “You have people coming here from all over the world; people coming from across the country – many bunking in with relatives – just because they want to be a part of history.”

As the millions gathered to observe the festivities, Wall Street stocks tumbled in the worst Inaugural Day plunge in a century, accenting the cloudy economic horizon and giving emphasis to President Obama's people-oriented themes. The stock market plunged over 332 points or 4 percent, wiping out January gains amid growing fears of bank instability.

The president’s speech seemed to anticipate these problems and was a continuation of themes struck during the presidential campaign. Obama said, “Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.”

Moments later, tracing the sacrifice of previous generations, he continued, “For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.”

Even the poet Elizabeth Alexander, says The New York Times, speaking after the president, highlighted working class themes: “Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.”

Still the event and speeches, with these touches and emphasis, spoke broadly to the nation about the economic challenges ahead and marked a sharp break with policies of the Bush administration and even a direct rebuke, as President Obama made particular reference to not sacrificing ideals for expediency in foreign policy. 'We reject as false the choice as between our safety and our ideals,' he said.

After the swearing-in Obama attended a traditional luncheon hosted by Congress, followed by a legislative session where several Cabinet appointments were approved. The huge outpouring of citizens from all over the country for the inaugural ceremony is sure to help hasten the approval of the president’s legislative agenda. According to press reports the first act of the new administration was to order a halt, pending further review, of all of former President Bush’s pending presidential regulations.

The inaugural parade extended into the afternoon, featuring a trade union float, representing the AFL-CIO, Change to Win and the teachers union, the first in many years at an inaugural. Over 200 workers marched and called for passing the Employee Free Choice Act.

The multicultural event, among many others, featured Irish musicians, a mariachi band, and a contingent of local Washingtonian youth playing local “go-go” music, a musical form particular to D.C.

President Obama's is to begin his day Wednesday with a prayer service followed by meetings with economic advisers and military leaders on Iraq and Afghanistan.

The president and first lady, in a promise to make government more accessible, are also to host a White House open house Wednesday.

Obama is also expected to act quickly to order the closing of the Guantanamo Bay military camp holding terror suspects, rescind Bush's ban on funding programs that support abortion and stem cell research.

Music and history light up Lincoln Memorial

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:18:00 +0000

WASHINGTON — The Lincoln Memorial, a site for many an important demonstration for civil rights, became the moving backdrop Jan. 18 for “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.”

On the eve of the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday, singers and celebrities brought to life some of the most significant events of American history, including the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Through the powerful mediums of music and television, it provided an education on history and struggle for millions of viewers. It was patriotism at its best.

The crowd went from roaring cheers and singing to stillness and contemplation. When Tom Hanks quoted extensively from Lincoln during Aaron Copeland’s “A Lincoln Portrait,” one could hear a pin drop.

“It’s quiet and calm. Everyone paid attention,” remarked Rochunda Lewis, who flew in with her husband Damany from Sacramento, Calif., to attend the inauguration. “We just couldn’t miss it,” she said. “This is a moment in time when we can tell our kids we were there. It’s renewed the feelings that we can tell our future children they can be anything they want to be.” It was a sentiment that has been echoed by many African American parents – and future parents.

Tens of thousands of people bundled up in cold-weather gear encircled the Reflecting Pool in front of the memorial, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the stage — or even one of the half-dozen JumboTron screens. Some younger men even climbed trees (before the National Park Service police could get them down) to get a better glimpse of the HBO-televised event.

Most came to be a part of the historic celebration of the inauguration of the first Black American president of the United States. The crowd was a reflection of Obama’s phrase, “Asian, Latino, Native American, white and black, gay and straight, Democrat, Republican and independent.”

Wearing a red volunteer cap, Ron Hudson, a Teamsters Union retiree, likened the moment to the time when John F. Kennedy became president. Obama, like Kennedy, he said, can bring all sorts of people together.

Hudson volunteered for Obama during the primaries, traveling to rural New Hampshire and North Carolina. “You pray for the best,” he said. Obama’s election “means more to me because he has good sense. The previous administration pissed away a lot of goodwill around the world.”

Elizabeth Storke and Javier Hernandez came from Maryland, saying, “We wanted to experience something that’s never happened before.” Storke, a dental hygienist, and Hernandez, a network engineer, said they are very hopeful about the change in the country. “Obama has big expectations too,” they noted. “He wants to see change also.” Striking a realistic note, they cautioned, “Every president is capable of doing only so much.”

Between the slices of history and tremendous performances, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and Obama spoke to the crowd, touching on the major problems facing the country — the economic crisis, unemployment, insecurity and two wars.

Biden paid tribute to the women and men across the country who work for a living. “Work is more than a paycheck,” he said. “It’s dignity. It’s being able to look your child in the eye and say it’s going to be all right.” Biden will be heading up a task force on the economy and working families.

Obama warned of “days that will test our resolve” and said meeting the challenges “won’t be easy.” Yet he expressed optimism, based on the American people. “What gives me the greatest hope of all is not the stone and marble that surrounds us today,” he told the crowd, “but what fills the spaces in between. It is you — Americans of every race and region and station who came here because you believe in what this country can be and because you want to help us get there.”

He urged the people to “help us” make the country what it needs to be and “bring everybody together.”

“It is how this nation has overcome the greatest differences and the longest odds — because there is no obstacle that can stand in the way of millions of voices calling for change,” the president-elect said.

How deep the change has already become was evident after Obama’s speech, when peace and social justice movement icon Pete Seeger took the stage with Bruce Springsteen and the two sang the full version of Woody Guthrie’s great “This Land Is Your Land.”

Tears welled up in this reporter’s eyes watching Seeger, who was blacklisted for his political views, perform for an inaugural event. “How many demonstrations has he performed at on the National Mall? And now he is at this demonstration/celebration of a movement that is changing the course of politics for decades to come,” one participant exclaimed. “You get the feeling that at the core of this change was the U.S. movement that Seeger has represented,” said someone nearby.

The event opened with an invocation by the nation’s first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson. He prayed for the safety of the incoming president. At the end a chorus of “Amens” rose through the crowd.

Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington led off the program, welcomed by applause and shouts almost rivaling the president-elect’s. “Inspired by the man we elected as 44th president” and his message that we are “all in this together,” this concert is aptly named “We Are One,” Washington said. “Music is the creative heartbeat that lifts lives and spirits and stirs our deepest emotions.”

Springsteen playing the first song — the title track from his 9/11 CD “The Rising.” The CD was a hopeful prayer for the nation after that dark time. Today, “The Rising” expressed a new kind of hope.

Tiger Woods, whose father was a lifelong soldier, gave a tribute to all the military families and the sacrifices they have borne. An unspoken subtext was the unpopular Iraq war and the burdens it has put on military families. Obama has pledged to withdraw troops within the first 16 months of his presidency.

Prominent actors presented tributes to and quotes from previous presidents — Thomas Jefferson, Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Kennedy, Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. The tribute to Theodore Roosevelt focused on his long-range environmental vision with the enactment of conservation of public lands and building of national parks.

Queen Latifah introduced a dramatic, not-so-well-known piece of history from FDR’s administration. In segregated Washington, opera singer Marian Anderson was refused a performance venue by the Daughters of the American Revolution. In response, Eleanor Roosevelt and Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes (one of the most outspoken supporters of civil rights in the Roosevelt administration) invited Anderson to perform at the Lincoln Memorial. Latifah introduced black-and-white footage of the concert showing Anderson singing “My Country ’Tis of Thee.” It segued into a rendition by operatic pop star Josh Groban, joined then by Broadway star Heather Headley.

Another moving duet came with Bettye LaVette and Jon Bon Jovi singing Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come.”

Country singer Garth Brooks got the massive crowd dancing and singing (and shouting) with a three-song medley, backed by a youth choir — “American Pie,” “Shout” and his own “We Shall Be Free.” Thousands jumped up and down from the excitement of the performance, and perhaps the cold.

Jamie Foxx got perhaps the biggest laugh with his imitation of the president-elect, followed closely behind by George Lopez with his one question, 'Anyone here from outta town?' and answer 'Well, you're all home now.”

The spirit of reggae musician and human rights activist Bob Marley made a showing with the trio of Herbie Hancock, Will.i.am, and Sheryl Crowe doing “One Love.” And rocking Stevie Wonder, Usher and Shakira fired up the crowd with Wonder’s “Higher Ground.”

Irish rockers U2 performed “Pride (In the Name of Love),” a tribute to Dr. King (and Jesus), while Bono, U2’s lead singer, gave an inspiring and unscripted message that the dream is 'not just an American dream — also an Irish dream, a European dream, African dream, Israeli dream and also a Palestinian dream.'

Mary J. Blige, dressed all in white, brought the young people, especially, to their feet with a powerful rendition of West Virginia native Bill Withers’ “Lean On Me.” Withers wrote the song based on his experiences growing up in a West Virginia coal mining town. “Times were hard and when neighbors needed something beyond their means, the rest of the community would chip in and help,” he once said.

Among the other performers were soprano Renee Fleming and pop artist James Taylor.

Beyoncé closed the two-hour event, leading the other performers in “America the Beautiful.”

At the end, one teenager turned to her mother and said with a smile, “It was all worth it.”

talbano @ pww.org

California careens toward budget cliff

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:50:00 +0000

As California’s budget continued to careen headlong toward the cliff of insolvency, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week delivered a state-of-the-state address shorn of the bold pronouncements that marked his five previous addresses.

Calling the state’s estimated $42 billion deficit by 2010 “a rock upon our chest and we cannot breathe until we get it off,” the governor told legislative leaders, “It doesn’t make any sense to talk about education, infrastructure, water, health care reform and all those things when we have this huge budget deficit.”

His speech drew wide criticism, with the head of the state labor federation calling the governor “caught in a time warp” and assailing his “slash-and-burn” budget cutting tactics.

Current budget talks to deal with the soaring deficit have been stalemated for over two months as the economic crisis deepens.

California is one of just three states requiring a two-thirds majority to pass a budget and to raise taxes. The Democrats’ legislative majority falls short of that, virtually all Republican legislators have signed a no-new-taxes pledge, and the governor, who continues to insist on cuts unacceptable to Democrats, can’t budge fellow Republicans for his own revenue proposals.

Schwarzenegger issued his proposed 2009-2010 budget on New Year’s Eve — some 10 days ahead of the constitutional deadline — in an effort to jump-start the stalled budget process. Observers said the document rehashed health and human services cuts that had already been rejected by the legislature’s budget committees.

Reaction was swift and sharp to both budget and speech.

“While the rest of the country is focused on turning the page on eight years of failed Bush economics, it’s clear that Gov. Schwarzenegger is caught in a time warp,” California Labor Federation head Art Pulaski said in a statement. “The governor’s repeated slash-and-burn tactics to balance the budget have left working families much worse off than we were five years ago,” he added.

Pulaski urged Schwarzenegger to emulate President-elect Obama “and stimulate the economy by creating, not eliminating, jobs,” and called for strengthening the unemployment system and reversing the home foreclosure tide.

Anthony Wright, executive director of the Health Access coalition, comprising more than 200 organizations, wrote that Schwarzenegger’s proposals would both directly impact the state’s health system and cost the state hundreds of millions in federal matching funds.

Wright said the governor’s budget would deny Medi-Cal (state Medicaid) coverage to more than half a million low-income working parents; cut out dental, mental health and other benefits to 2.5 million parents, seniors and disabled people covered by Medi-Cal; cut health coverage for young children, and take funds away from public hospitals and providers.

Calling Schwarzenegger’s proposals “a disaster for the students of California,” California Federation of Teachers President Marty Hittelman wrote on californiaprogressreport.org that the governor not only fails to provide adequate school funding, but also “undermines vital health and human services that students need to achieve their best.” He added, “Long-term solutions to our state’s revenue shortfall are missing, due to Republicans’ allegiance to a blind and inflexible anti-tax philosophy.”

Last week the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office warned the state could run out of cash as early as Feb. 1. The LAO said the state’s severe drop in revenues is complicated by its inability to borrow in frozen credit markets. And Controller John Chiang said that while he could still pay school and some welfare payments, he would be forced to delay over $3 billion in payments for many health and welfare programs as well as state income tax refunds.

Meanwhile, legislators returned from the holiday break to start yet another special session on the budget, while talks between the governor and legislative leaders remained stalled.

mbechtel @ pww.org

We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial slideshow

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:29:00 +0000

Hugs, happy faces and families were the main portraits at the “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.” Photographers couldn't miss any number of great shots.

40,000 at whistlestop cheer Obama on way to capital

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:11:00 +0000

BALTIMORE — Over 40,000 people braved bitter cold last Saturday afternoon to give Barack Obama a warm greeting as he passed through Charm City on his way to the capital to be sworn in as the nation’s 44th president Tuesday Jan. 20.

The crowd packed War Memorial Plaza in front of City Hall and danced for sheer joy---and to stay warm---as the Morgan State University Choir sang. It was a family affair with parents bringing their children, bundled against the 15 degree cold, to be present as “history is made.”

Obama, his wife Michelle and their daughters had boarded a vintage railroad car at Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station earlier that day for the whistlestop that retraced much of Abraham Lincoln’s journey to Washington in February 1861. Threats of an assassination by pro-Confederates forced Lincoln to travel through Baltimore incognito.

By contrast, the crowd of welcomers for Obama overflowed the plaza and filled side streets to watch Obama’s speech on big screens.

Obama told the crowd he began the journey in Philadelphia where the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence with a stop in Baltimore where patriots repelled British invaders in the War of 1812.

Today, he said, the nation faces equally daunting challenges, two wars, and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Today’s crises, he added, require the same “perserverance and idealism that those first patriots displayed.”

He called for a “new declaration of independence, not just in our nation, but in our lives, from ideology and small thinking, prejudice and bigotry—an appeal not to our easy instincts but to our better angels.”

Listening in the crowd with her sisters was Shayla Webb, a retired secretary in the Baltimore Public Schools. She was filled with the sense of history being made. “Baltimore was a stop on the underground railway,” she said, recalling that Maryland gave birth to two great freedom fighters, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. “Fugitive slaves were hidden at the Orchard Street Church,” she told the World. “It’s time for a change. We’ve had eight years of hell. People have lost their houses, their jobs, their health care, their pensions. We can’t lay this whole burden on Obama. It might take eight years turn this around. Bailouts? I wish I could get a bailout.”

A few steps away was Darrell Witherspoon, his wife and their three grandchildren. “It was very important to bring my grandchildren not just because this is history but also to see the unity. I wanted them to see what can happen when the right things come together. Look at this crowd, people of all ethnic background and ages. I think Barack Obama is the right person at the right time.” His granddaughter Taeja Dyson, 9, a 4th grader at Inner Harbor East Academy, said, “I’m really happy. Its my first Black president. I want to be a judge when I grow up.”

Kurt Teichert, his wife, Karen and their two grown children had driven down to attend the inauguration from their home in Massachusetts. “We stopped here in Baltimore thinking this would be a good chance to see Obama. We came down alongside the train,” Teichert said. “This was the first time our children voted for a president.” He shook his head in amazement at the enormous turnout on a frigid day. “Its like a sporting event or a rock concert,” he said. “Obama is so popular. I think what first attracted us to Obama is his background as a grassroots organizer, the way he managed his campaign, the fact that he was able to mobilize so many young people like our children who have been turned off by politics.”

His wife interjected, “It’s the energy. People want to get out and be part of this movement.” Teichert is a professor of environmental science at Brown University in Providence, RI. “I think we’re going to see very significant improvements in the way environmental issues are handled,” he said.

Lauren Hunt, a student in the School of Nursing at Johns Hopkins University, was dancing with fellow students to the beat of a rock band. “I think its so exciting to get people from so many different backgrounds,” she told this reporter. “My home is in Portland, Oregon. I’m glad Baltimore is a great place to study and learn because the city is a microcosm of so many of the health care problems across our nation. The health care system in our country is broken. I’m happy that Obama has so many ideas on improving the system to make it accessible to everyone.”

Angela Robinson Okoronkwo is an English teacher at Digital Harbor High School. The Morgan State Choir had just completed singing their soaring rendition of “Lift Every Voice And Sing.” With pride, she told the World, “I sang in that choir from 1993 until 1995. I graduated from Morgan in 1999. I think Obama is a leader who can pull this country together from all the chaos brought on over the last eight years.”

Obama, she added, is a good humanitarian who supports improvements in public education. “We need more school facilities, more equipment and materials, more benefits to help the teachers. It was a long, cold walk to get here. But it was worth the walk. It’s beautiful. Just look at all these smiling faces. We have truly made it to the promised land.”

Wanda Sykes on the bailout -- lol

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 06:45:00 +0000

This is comedienne Wanda Sykes on the $700 billion bailout. Truth and hilarity all in one:

The cost of living

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 06:43:00 +0000

During a recent shopping trip to Macy’s I made a simple, but possibly profound, discovery: shit costs too much, way too much. I’m serious. I keep reading about big discounts offered by retailers due to the recession so I went shopping looking for a good buy in keeping with my $10 shirt and pants policy — I don’t spent more than 10 bucks for either. Seriously. However, I’m not seeing any big change in prices as compared to, say, six months or a year ago. What’s going on?

I mean it’s true that the cost of gas has gone down by one-half and in some places close to two-thirds, though there has been a recent spike allegedly due to Israel’s razing of Gaza. However, other than that, I’m not seeing any big difference.

And I’m thinking if the cost of gas can be cut in half or even by two-thirds, then why not everything else? Let’s start off with rent. Why not a two-thirds cut? Home prices have edged down after the popping of the housing bubble; shouldn’t rent do likewise? And then basic foods: milk, eggs, a loaf of bread? And how about cars? Big auto and the Republican Party are demanding the UAW take steep benefit and wage cuts, but do you think the cost of buying a new car will take a commensurate plunge downward?

What about medical costs? Any chance those $125-a-second office visits, $750 MRIs or $1,200 emergency room visits might be lowered a tad?

Fat chance. Economists claim that today, because of the recession, one of the big dangers is deflation: a general decline of prices when inflation is below zero, along with supposedly a bigger danger of a deflationary spiral. Supposedly what might happen in a deflationary spiral is that if consumers hold back on spending looking for lower prices, this could lead to a general drop in demand, causing a drop in production, a lowering of investment and, heaven forbid, an increase in the value of money. Now, I haven’t heard any big qualms recently when prices went up, for example in the housing market. So why all the noise now?

I know one thing: wages haven’t increased at all over the last quarter century, especially over the last decade. On the other hand, productivity has increased dramatically. In fact, according to a graph I saw recently put out by Change to Win, if wages had kept pace with productivity, today the minimum wage would be $19 an hour. In addition, real wages peaked in 1972 at $8.99 an hour, and by 2006 dropped to $8.24 an hour. Consumer prices increased 4.3 percent for the same year.

Clearly there’s a very simple solution to the growing recession: restore workers’ purchasing power. Start with raising the minimum wage to $19 an hour. Cut prices by two-thirds. It’s only fair. And if that capitalist system enters into a deflationary spiral and crashes because of it, well, well maybe it’s time to reorganize things in a more rational way — ’cause right now from a worker’s point of view, it ain’t making no sense at all.

A peoples inauguration

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:54:00 +0000

Four million expected for Obama swearing-in, parade

WASHINGTON—Unprecedented. That’s what people are saying about the “people’s inauguration” of Barack Obama.

As many as 4 million people are expected to pack the nation’s capital Jan. 20 to celebrate Obama’s swearing-in as 44th president of the United States, the first African American chief executive in history.

The people are arriving on 10,000 chartered buses, by rail, air and auto from every state in the union. Many of them are veterans of the vast grassroots movement that elected Obama last Nov. 4, a landslide victory over the politics of fear and division. Millions more will participate in inaugural celebration parties in towns and neighborhoods across the country and in Martin Luther King Day of Service events on Jan. 19, King’s national holiday.

Fred Mason, president of the Maryland-District of Columbia AFL-CIO, will lead a contingent of 250 trade unionists in the Inaugural Parade marching behind a huge float that depicts workers lifting up the nation with their shoulders and arms.

“For the first time in history, there will be a contingent of workers in the Inaugural Parade, marching in their own names,” Mason told the World by phone from his office in Annapolis. “We made the application to march and permission was given. We will all be wearing the same colors, as close to United Nations blue as we could get. This effort has brought together unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO, Change to Win, and the National Education Association,” Mason continued. “We will carry a banner that says, ‘American Workers United for Change.’”

Mason said it is appropriate that unions be represented in the parade given the huge role played by the labor movement in Obama’s victory.

The contingent will also dramatize that workers are determined to win enactment of a program that provides millions of “good jobs, green jobs” to counteract the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, universal health care, quality public education and expanded union organizing rights.

Of course tens of thousands of additional union members will come on chartered buses. It includes Luisa Sanchez of New Britain, Conn., a janitor and member of the Service Employees International Union. She is going on a bus chartered by the New Haven People’s Center and the New Growth Praise Center of God in Christ.

“I am going to Washington for the inauguration because I worked for two-and-a-half months in the Obama campaign in Virginia,” she told the World by phone. “My job was to knock on doors to get people to register and get out to vote. It was 44 years since a Democrat for president won in Virginia. But this year, Obama won.”

She added, “It is historic that an African American is going to be president. We need a change. The economy is so bad! So many people have lost their jobs, their houses, their health care. People have their kids to support and no job. What are they going to do?”

Marcia Farrell, a social worker, is coming to the inauguration from Port Angeles, Wash., one of several from the Evergreen State. Last summer and autumn, Farrell was a regular participant in a project of holding up “Vote Obama-Biden” placards and waving at motorists at busy intersections in downtown Port Angeles and Sequim. “Those waves were so awesome because so many people honked and waved back at us,” she told the World. “Clallam County has been pretty conservative but I had my little part in helping Obama carry the county last November.”

As a young woman in 1963, Farrell attended a YMCA conference on civil rights. She marched in a protest against segregation in Chicago that was bombarded with bricks thrown by Ku Klux Klansmen. True to form, this past summer, she and her husband joined a march protesting ICE-Border Patrol checkpoints on Olympic Peninsula highways. Immigrants, some of whom have lived since infancy in the U.S. have been arrested and deported overnight and a climate of fear has been spread throughout the community.

“My hope with Barack Obama is that we can win racial unity and not be ruled by our petty fears but rather what we can do together,” she said. “Attending Obama’s inauguration is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The Rev. Scott Marks is a Unite-Here union organizer in Mississippi. He too will be in D.C. to attend the inauguration.

“My home is a 20-minute drive across the Mississippi River from Memphis where Dr. King was assassinated in 1968,” he told the World. “I am going to be on the Mall Jan. 20. Some people are still in shock who cannot believe we have an African American president.

“All kinds of unity is coming together, an opportunity for the people. What we do with that opportunity is the question. We can’t make the changes we need unless enough people come together to make it happen. People are coming together on the Mall that day, committing to organize like never before. This is a call to action. We’re going back to the Mall where Dr. King delivered his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech to bring the dream to life.”

greenerpastures21212@yahoo.com

'He asked for mercy and was given none'

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:47:00 +0000

OAKLAND, Calif. — In the wake of the shooting of unarmed Oscar Grant III, 22, by Bay Area Rapid Transit policeman Johannes Mehserle early New Years morning, a broad movement is growing for far greater citizen involvement in reviewing and determining police department policies.

Grant, a resident of nearby Hayward, was returning home with friends after watching New Years Eve fireworks in San Francisco. The shooting, said to have followed a scuffle on a BART train, took place as Grant, an African American, lay face down on the Fruitvale BART station platform, surrounded by police. Videos taken by witnesses show several young men sitting on the platform, not apparently resisting. Grant appears to be cooperating before two officers push him face down, followed by the shooting. Grant died several hours later.

Speaking last week on radio station KPFA, Dereca Blackmon, co-founder of the newly formed Coalition Against Police Executions, described the scene: “Our understanding is that the BART police were not present when the alleged altercation happened on the train. The train doors opened, they went in and just grabbed random individuals, accosted them, threw them against the wall. Oscar Grant pleaded for his safety and the safety of others around him and ultimately lost his life in trying to cooperate. The video clearly shows him with his hands in the air and reports say he was pleading not to be tasered before he was shot. He spoke of his four-year-old daughter and asked for mercy and he was given none.”

Though in the days after the shooting, BART’s management and Board of Directors were sharply criticized for responding too slowly, the board held three public hearings between Jan. 8 and Jan. 12.

Addressing the BART Board Jan. 12, Tracie Cooper, whose 22-year-old son was with Grant on the platform and witnessed his murder, demanded that all the officers involved be held accountable. “We always taught our children to submit in any encounter with police,” she said, “and that’s exactly what they did. They submitted to them, and one of our children was killed, murdered by a police officer. I don’t think it’s just that one police officer who was responsible, it was the whole team.”

Speaking later with reporters, Cooper said Grant, her son and the other young men “were like brothers.” They had grown up together, she said, going to the same schools, playing baseball together, vacationing together with their families. Now, she said, her son and the others are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. “They were in a war. They were held against their will and had to watch their best friend be executed.” Though she and her son are very close, she said, she can’t get him to talk with her. “He’s very angry. He can’t understand why this happened.”

Cooper said after their initial interrogation on the train platform, none have been contacted by BART or by Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff.

Ignoring community pressure to file charges promptly against Mehserle, Orloff initially claimed he would need two weeks to build “an air tight case.” After BART police presented him their report this week, he said he might move more quickly. But Mehserle, who resigned from the force last week without making an administrative statement, was arrested Jan. 13 in Nevada on suspicion of murder.

At its Jan. 12 hearing, the BART Board announced it is establishing a four-member police review committee, headed by BART Director Carole Ward Allen, whose district includes the Fruitvale BART station.

At press time, CAPE was working with clergy and other community leaders to prepare for a national day of nonviolent action Jan. 14, with rallies in 13 communities including Oakland, with the theme, “Praying for peace, working for justice.” Blackmon told a Jan. 13 press conference the Oakland demonstration was “in solidarity with a police accountability movement that has sprung up all over the country, as a result of a long history of police oppression in this country.” Among demands are Mehserle’s arrest, suspension of the other officers involved and establishment of a citizen’s police review board.

Blackmon said the Oakland organizers have had “an enormous response” from around the country and the world. “There are Oscar Grants all over this country, and we stand in solidarity with all the mothers and families that have lost their children in unjust police actions. We want accountability for all police forces around the country.”

Among community leaders pressing for charges against the BART officer and involvement of the state attorney general or the U.S. attorney’s office is Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson. Carson, who has called the killing “an execution,” said it is also essential to work out a “community-engaged process around public safety and law enforcement.”

Also last week, two San Francisco-based state legislators, Sen. Leland Yee and Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, said they would immediately introduce legislation to ensure an independent oversight body is established for BART. “Complaints and grievances against BART police officers have been investigated and adjudicated internally without any independent review,” they said. “This is a classic case of the fox guarding the hen house.”

mbechtel@pww.org

Politics, people, profits — 2008 headline review

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:43:00 +0000

There are a lot of headlines in a year.

Looking through ours, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to notice that the presidential elections and the economy topped the list. But our stories illuminated the events differently from the corporate media. Unlike them, our eyes and ears are tuned to what is going on at the grass roots and our editorial mission is to help build multiracial, all-people’s unity for progress.

Last year’s top PWW stories were remarkable for a few reasons.

First, the timeliness of our analysis. Our writers were ahead of the curve.

Note the Jan. 12, 2008, People Before Profits column headline: “On jobs it’s worse than it looks”. Author Art Perlo concludes, “Memo to candidates for president, congress, governor, legislature, sheriff, dog catcher: It is the economy … !”

Unlike many from the corporate chattering classes, we knew the economy as a dominant story didn’t just happen in September with the financial market crash. For those who live on Main Street (or King Blvd. or Broadway), it was clear the recession had already started and the subprime crisis was well under way.

And we summarized the meaning of the elections with the January headline “Fired up for change” and the February analysis “A people’s surge that could reshape our country.”

The fight against racism and the role of labor unions were central in our coverage. These factors were critical to a people’s victory in November. Back in July, our onsite reporting, “Steelworkers vow to fight racism, elect Obama,” showed that the labor movement would put the issue of race squarely on the table. We were confident that with this kind of mobilization, white workers would vote their class interest and not allow the corporations and right wing to divide and conquer.

“The speech that moved the nation” and “The science of struggle and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr.” challenged the right-wing attempt to use racism to throw sand in the eyes of white voters.

From the $700 billion bailout (“$700,000,000,000 for what?”) to the sit-in by Chicago’s Republic workers (“Sit-in! Workers take over factory, solidarity pours in, ‘Billions for Bank America, $0 for workers’”), each story bore the markings of this new political era of crisis and opportunity.

But the headline everyone worked so hard to make happen was dated Nov. 8: “Hope, unity, change. HISTORY”.

These headlines make you realize what a unique newspaper this is. You can continue making it unique. Donate today. Go to pww.org, revisit some of the headlines — and then click on the donate button. A great way to start the new year.

A 2008 sampling:

“Banks bilk homebuyers, cities say; Black, Latino families hit hardest” (Jan. 19)

“Immigration: myths vs. facts” (Jan. 19 4-page pullout)

“Climate change: what’s the problem?” (Jan. 26)

“Bailout goes to Wall Street, not Main Street” (March 22 — that’s right March!)

“Calls to close Guantanamo fueled by torture memo” (April 12)

“Story of a plant that closed” (April 12)

“Why young people should get involved with unions” (April 26)

“McCain a no-show on equal pay for women” (May 2)

“500,000 GIs suffer from ‘invisible’ wounds: End the war, fund health care” (May 2)

“What will we eat when the soil is gone?” (May 17)

“Look who’s talking about the working class” (May 24)

“Israeli-Palestinian peace prospects need ‘a miracle’” (June 14)

“‘Restructuring’ puts people on the streets” (June 28)

“Health care for all on the horizon; Nation’s mayors endorse single-payer bill” (July 12)

“Teachers union rolls out new vision for America’s schools” (July 19)

“We need a new, green New Deal!”(July 26)

“Labor’s fight against racism has impact” (Aug. 16)

“An August surprise: Russia-Georgia conflict explodes on world scene” (Aug. 16)

“Wal-Mart bullies workers on elections” (Aug. 23)

“Poultry workers: Poster-child for Employee Free Choice Act” (Aug. 30)

“Bring back the Tree Army” (Aug. 30)

“McCain’s far-right VP stirs sharp opposition” (Sept. 6)

“NATO, an idea whose time has gone” (Sept. 13)

“Ohio labor: ‘Obama will be a great president’” (Sept. 20)

“McCain-Palin attacks fall flat with Latinos” (Sept. 20)

“In bed with Big Oil” (Sept. 20)

“An insult to women” (Oct. 2)

“Marx was right” (Oct. 18)

“Nationalize the banks, employ the unemployed” (Oct. 18)

“Calls mount to ‘bring troops home’ from Afghanistan” (Oct. 25)

“First Black president? Detroit labor legend wonders if it’s all a dream” (Nov. 1)

“Flushing out the worker-wannabes” (Nov. 1)

“Unity needed after Prop. 8” (Nov. 15)

“Time to build a new mass movement for a peace economy” (Dec. 6)

“A win for workers is a win for all; Employee Free Choice Act is key to recovery” (Dec. 20)

Burris likely to be seated in Senate

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:41:00 +0000

CHICAGO — It appears that an agreement is in the works that may allow former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to be seated as the next U.S. senator from Illinois, filling President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant seat.

Burris was denied entry at Capitol Hill Jan. 6, as he tried to occupy the seat for the opening of the 111th Congress.

Burris, the first African-American elected to office in Illinois, as comptroller and later as attorney general, was appointed to fill the seat by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Blagojevich was arrested last month and faces criminal charges for allegedly trying to sell the Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Secretary of the Senate Nancy Erickson said Burris could not be seated Jan. 6 because the signature of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White was missing next to Blagojevich’s on his letter of appointment. White had said he would not sign the document due to the charges against Blagojevich.

Burris is not implicated in the alleged “pay to play” schemes, and Democratic leaders say they do not deny Burris’ impressive track record or his ability to serve in the Senate.

Obama and the Democratic leadership have said for weeks that because Blagojevich faces criminal charges his credibility as governor has been stripped and if he were to appoint someone to the vacant senate seat, it would not be legitimate. Democrats continue to press for the governor to step down. Blagojevich denies any wrongdoing and says he will remain in office and fight his case till the bitter end.

The Illinois general assembly is moving to impeach Blagojevich, which many say will be by a unanimous vote.

Burris and his supporters say that, despite the cloud hanging over Blagojevich, his appointment is legal and he should be seated. He would be the only African American in the Senate.

Talks between Burris and Senate Democratic leaders were set for this week, and it is reported that a process may be worked out that would enable Burris to assume the seat.

Don Rose, a veteran Chicago political consultant who worked with Burris dating back to the civil rights era, said Burris would be a “fine progressive vote, one of the top 10 in the Senate.”

Burris’s “heart is in the right place” especially on important issues facing working people, Rose said. “Democrats could use his vote right now.”

Blagojevich, he said, “pulled a fast one” by shrewdly appointing Burris, embarrassing the Democratic leadership.

Democrats are trying to punish Blagojevich by not seating Burris, Rose commented. “It’s all dirty tricks,” he said. “They are trying to stall the situation until Blagojevich is impeached.”

If Blagojevich does get impeached, then the appointment of Burris would be invalidated, Rose noted. But at the moment Blagojevich is legally innocent, Rose said, and therefore the secretary of state’s refusal to sign the appointment papers was unconstitutional.

He said federal authorities had acted prematurely by arresting Blagojevich. That suggestion is bolstered by the fact that prosecutors have now been granted an extra three months to seek an indictment.

plozano @pww.org

Educators call for school funding as key stimulus ingredient

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:37:00 +0000

The American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and American Association of School Administrators are urging Congress and President-elect Obama to ensure education funding is part of the 2009 stimulus package.

“Even in these tough economic times, it is imperative to invest, not disinvest, in education for the long-term health of our economy,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. In a detailed letter to members of Congress, Weingarten laid out the AFT’s priorities: fiscal relief for the states, investment in infrastructure, increased college access and a $3 billion fund for school districts to pay for activities already authorized under the No Child Left Behind Act. The No Child Left Behind Act has been called an unfunded mandate. Even part of the funding authorized by Congress was never received by the states or school districts.

NEA President Dennis Van Roeke told the House Ways and Means Committee that investing $20 billion in school repair and maintenance over five years would support 50,000 jobs. And, “when we build or modernize schools, we’re investing in our children’s future,” Van Roeke said.

There is widespread agreement that Obama’s school modernization program, if it receives enough funding, could jump-start student achievement. Studies in New York, Houston and North Dakota found that improving school and classroom environment raised reading and math scores and also improved the health of students. Mold prevention can decrease asthma, the number-one chronic illness that causes students to miss school.

And many schools in the U.S. do not have the electrical wiring to support Internet access. Obama has promised to give every student access to the Internet.

The president-elect has urged congressional leaders to move quickly to pass an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan designed to create 3 million jobs. His aides say the cost could be $775 billion. A large portion is expected go toward infrastructure projects — road and bridge repairs, water projects and school repairs and modernization. But educators are concerned about how much funding will be appropriated for schools.

The American Association of School Administrators is joining the unions in requesting money for infrastructure, but it has also requested a one-time grant to school districts to address budget shortfalls in order to prevent schools from cutting staff positions and eliminating educational programs. Twenty states are cutting K-12 and early childhood education due to budget cuts. Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Maine have cut education funding by at lease $95 per student.

Mary Kusler, lobbyist for the school administrators group, says school districts have been making cuts for several years and are past the point of making additional cuts.

Five Democratic governors (Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Ohio) are calling for $200 billion for education because of the large deficits faced by the states.

In addition, college and university leaders are calling for Congress to dedicate 5 percent of the stimulus funds to states for renovation and construction of higher education facilities. They published full-page ads in The New York Times and Washington Post supporting their request.

Student advocate groups are calling for an increase in Pell grants for low-income students, raising the maximum to $7,000 from the current $4,731.