It is very important to note that Congressman John Conyers is pushing a "jobs bill" which he has intentionally mis-named a "full employment" bill.
I am all for supporting Conyer's legislation but it must be referred to as a "jobs bill" not a "full employment bill" because it is very modest in its goals and objectives as compared to the real unemployment AND under-employment we have in this country at this time which requires so much more.
I am all for supporting Conyer's legislation but it must be referred to as a "jobs bill" not a "full employment bill" because it is very modest in its goals and objectives as compared to the real unemployment AND under-employment we have in this country at this time which requires so much more.
I would also note that as far as single-payer goes, Conyers betrayed us on single-payer in the same way he betrayed us on prosecuting the Bush and Cheney gang (he also had Cindy Sheehan arrested when she showed up with a crowd at his office simply for insisting that he make good on his promise to seek the prosecution of Bush and Cheney). Conyers let the war criminals go free and had the proponent of peace arrested.
Conyers' political career is coming to a very sad ending after decades of participation in progressive struggles because he and his wife have been engaged in some of the worst kind of political corruption and bribery. (His wife was convicted and given a very light prison sentence and Conyers was not prosecuted--- probably because in return he refused to seek the prosecution of Bush and Cheney and in return for his betrayal of single-payer (HR 676) when his continued support would have really mattered.)
Conyers' political career is coming to a very sad ending after decades of participation in progressive struggles because he and his wife have been engaged in some of the worst kind of political corruption and bribery. (His wife was convicted and given a very light prison sentence and Conyers was not prosecuted--- probably because in return he refused to seek the prosecution of Bush and Cheney and in return for his betrayal of single-payer (HR 676) when his continued support would have really mattered.)
Nothing Conyers pushes receives much support--- not even from his own Congressional Progressive Caucus let alone the rest of Congress and Obama.
In J. Edgar Hoover's words directed towards Conyers in his earlier years--- Conyers has been successfully "neutralized" at the time he and his wife succumbed to corporate bribes.
I wouldn't be surprised if Conyers and his wife were intentionally offered the bait (the bribes) in order to undermine his credibility and to "neutralize" them; but, the facts are what they are--- they took the bribes as his wife admitted.
I did contact Conyers' office about the mis-naming of his jobs bill and his aide told me it was a "matter of semantics and one's perception." Another of his aides contacted me last week to ask me about the "21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity." I told her that Conyers would be the very last person I would want to discuss this with.
I have personally known John Conyers for many years and it saddens me to have to say these things about him but as far as his usefulness as a progressive politician, and a leftist at that, those days are over.
Conyers has, willingly, become part of a thoroughly rotten and corrupt political system.
In fact, there isn't one single member of the U.S. House or U.S. Senate who can be counted on to bring forward the "21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity" (or whatever it might be called). We need to build the movement which creates and brings forward a new kind of people's politicians from within the ranks of grassroots activists to bring forward and push this kind of legislation. Given such a movement, we could probably convince a few members of the House and Senate to support such measures but a three fingered man who lost his other fingers in an industrial accident could probably still count those members of the House and Senate on his three-fingered hand.
As the most progressive member of the Minnesota State Senate, David Tomassoni, told me: "We have to work our way out of this economic mess." Full employment is key to solving our numerous problems, including the economic problems which come with massive unemployment--- all of our problems resulting from Wall Street's greed which is part and parcel of this political corruption.
I believe you will find there are very few people around--- other than Wall Street's over-paid pundits and bribed politicians--- who will disagree with the concept of what is embodied in this suggested "21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity; but, like everything else in this country there is a massive chasm between what most Americans want, the kind of country they want to live in--- and what we are getting out of the present Wall Street government: a kick in the head.
I would note that with the Canadian New Democratic Party, we not only have an example of an alternative kind of politics, but a very honest and un-corrupted kind of politics in spite of its many problems derived from ideological controversies.
If anyone wants to read about what an honest government really looks like, I would suggest reading the book by Howard Pawley, the former Manitoba Premier: "Keep True; my life in politics." Honest government amidst corporate Wall Street and Bay Street corruption and rule is possible. And numerous real reforms from which working people's lives are improved is possible. Just as real health care reform is possible--- provided the right kind of struggles are waged by the right kind of organizations, unions and political parties.
No matter what criticisms anyone may have about Canada's socialist New Democratic Party which is now on the precipice and verge of taking national political power--- the NDP has provided honesty in government. And given the corruption in North American politics today, this is a very major achievement--- a true people's victory over political corruption which proves that the people united can move forward even when dirty money seems to be in complete control and domination of the political process.
As the most progressive member of the Minnesota State Senate, David Tomassoni, told me: "We have to work our way out of this economic mess." Full employment is key to solving our numerous problems, including the economic problems which come with massive unemployment--- all of our problems resulting from Wall Street's greed which is part and parcel of this political corruption.
I believe you will find there are very few people around--- other than Wall Street's over-paid pundits and bribed politicians--- who will disagree with the concept of what is embodied in this suggested "21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity; but, like everything else in this country there is a massive chasm between what most Americans want, the kind of country they want to live in--- and what we are getting out of the present Wall Street government: a kick in the head.
I would note that with the Canadian New Democratic Party, we not only have an example of an alternative kind of politics, but a very honest and un-corrupted kind of politics in spite of its many problems derived from ideological controversies.
If anyone wants to read about what an honest government really looks like, I would suggest reading the book by Howard Pawley, the former Manitoba Premier: "Keep True; my life in politics." Honest government amidst corporate Wall Street and Bay Street corruption and rule is possible. And numerous real reforms from which working people's lives are improved is possible. Just as real health care reform is possible--- provided the right kind of struggles are waged by the right kind of organizations, unions and political parties.
No matter what criticisms anyone may have about Canada's socialist New Democratic Party which is now on the precipice and verge of taking national political power--- the NDP has provided honesty in government. And given the corruption in North American politics today, this is a very major achievement--- a true people's victory over political corruption which proves that the people united can move forward even when dirty money seems to be in complete control and domination of the political process.
By bringing people together--- liberals, progressives and leftists--- around the most unifying issues of our times confronting our most pressing problems we can make real change. Something like the "21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity" can help us build this kind of required movement.
Those people who decide to stand by politicians like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Conyers will not be part of any movements for real change.
Minnesotans had great hopes for Congressman Keith Ellison. Once again, those hopes have been dashed by another Democrat posing as a "progressive." Ellison is in a perfect position to bring forward real Full Employment legislation and he refuses to do so. If Congressman Ellison would push such legislation as vigorously as he has supported Obama's drive to wars we would have a piece of legislation to unite people around. Such is not the case so we have to initiate the movement and write the legislation and elect a new kind of politician to public office as we mobilize people to take to the streets with this kind of demand insisting this is the kind of country we want to live in. Only peace can provide full employment--- Democratic Congressman Wright Patman pointed this out as did Progressive Party candidate Henry A. Wallace as they, along with the left-led unions of the CIO and a broad-based people's movement pushed the "Full Employment Act of 1945." Their activities accomplished a great deal--- forcing the United States Senate to support the Act. Now we have to complete this task.
Those people who decide to stand by politicians like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Conyers will not be part of any movements for real change.
Minnesotans had great hopes for Congressman Keith Ellison. Once again, those hopes have been dashed by another Democrat posing as a "progressive." Ellison is in a perfect position to bring forward real Full Employment legislation and he refuses to do so. If Congressman Ellison would push such legislation as vigorously as he has supported Obama's drive to wars we would have a piece of legislation to unite people around. Such is not the case so we have to initiate the movement and write the legislation and elect a new kind of politician to public office as we mobilize people to take to the streets with this kind of demand insisting this is the kind of country we want to live in. Only peace can provide full employment--- Democratic Congressman Wright Patman pointed this out as did Progressive Party candidate Henry A. Wallace as they, along with the left-led unions of the CIO and a broad-based people's movement pushed the "Full Employment Act of 1945." Their activities accomplished a great deal--- forcing the United States Senate to support the Act. Now we have to complete this task.
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Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council
58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell: 651-587-5541
Primary E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net
E-mail: alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com