The real "shift" should be in challenging Wall Street for political and economic power.
To suggest that the "shift" should be from electoral politics to BDS is counter-productive and leaves the Democrats free to support the Israeli killing machine. BDS should be part of an electoral strategy challenging Wall Street for political and economic power and this means not supporting these Dumb Donkeys.
Democratic Party politicians would just love it if we moved from electoral politics into a movement focused solely on BDS but still support them because the Republicans are so bad.
Part of the BDS movement should be withholding votes from any politician supporting the Israeli killing machine.
Supporters of the Israeli killing machine would like to bully and browbeat us into silence in a way that makes our movement ineffective in electoral politics because they understand that once people begin to think about this issue in terms of what they can do they will come to the conclusion that these politicians should not be supported.
Obviously supporting Israel and supporting the Israeli killing machine with policies intended to annihilate the Palestinian people are two different things and this is why the big-business MainStream Media is loath to report on Israelis who have taken to the streets to protest the Israeli pogrom being carried out in Gaza.
The real future of Israel lies with Israelis and Palestinians who understand the two peoples have to live in peace.
Many of the Israelis who have been demonstrating against the Israeli killing machine are working class families of Jews and Palestinians who have married.
Like all over the rest of the world, it is the imperialists who foment racial, ethnic and religious hatreds and this needs to be understood and rejected.
A big part of this rejection is refusing to vote for any politician giving support (and our tax dollars) to the Israeli killing machine.
Just as Wall Street's Military-Industrial Complex stands in stark contrast to everything that is decent about the American people--- most of whom detest these dirty wars, the same goes for the Israeli killing machine--- it neither represents the best of the Israeli people nor what is decent.
Any politician who is halfway decent should be able to reject supporting the Israeli killing machine which no more is supported by the Israeli people than the support given by the American people for the Military-Industrial Complex and all these dirty wars.
That any of these wars and bloodshed continues makes a mockery of democracy since most people are for peace and for living in harmony with one another no matter their national, racial, ethnic or religious differences.
How any politician, or anyone else for that matter, can support the Israeli killing machine and then call themselves--- or be called by others--- liberal, progressive or left defies all logic and reasoning.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/30/even-left-wing-congressmen-can-t-quit-israel.html
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
How much longer will working people tolerate middle class intellectuals perpetrating and perpetuating the myth of a "Middle Class America?"
Mr. Dane Smith of Growth and Justice and Minnesota State Representative David Bly;
I have listened to the interview, read ALL the links provided in this e-mail.
Quite frankly, you are basing your premises on sheer myth.
The myth being that the United States ever had this huge "middle class." There has never been a bigger big lie fabricated... not even the myth that the United States is the world's greatest bastion of democracy is a bigger big lie.
Not once do either of you confront the problem of class which is at the very root of the capitalist inequality.
Not once do either of you confront the issue of militarism and wars which are squandering the wealth of our Nation which has been created by the working class; wealth which should be earmarked for national universal social programs that would create tens of millions of decent, good-paying real living wage jobs providing people with the quality of life and standard of living every single working class family is entitled to according to the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights--- neither of you mention that:
* A National Public Health Care System would put twelve to fifteen Americans to work providing people with free health care... publicly financed, publicly administered and publicly delivered just like public education.
* A National Public Child Care System which would employ three to five million workers providing working class families and everyone else with quality and safe free child care... again, like a National Public Health Care System, all publicly financed, publicly administered and publicly delivered just like public education.
The American people give up these two much needed universal social programs--- and for what in return? Wall Street's continued militarism and wars and to pay additional billions for Israel's genocidal pogroms against the Palestinian people forced to live on a small strip of land like so many Native Americans living on Indian Reservations?
Not once do either of you confront the issue of militarism and wars which are squandering the wealth of our Nation which has been created by the working class; wealth which should be earmarked for national universal social programs that would create tens of millions of decent, good-paying real living wage jobs providing people with the quality of life and standard of living every single working class family is entitled to according to the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights--- neither of you mention that:
* A National Public Health Care System would put twelve to fifteen Americans to work providing people with free health care... publicly financed, publicly administered and publicly delivered just like public education.
* A National Public Child Care System which would employ three to five million workers providing working class families and everyone else with quality and safe free child care... again, like a National Public Health Care System, all publicly financed, publicly administered and publicly delivered just like public education.
The American people give up these two much needed universal social programs--- and for what in return? Wall Street's continued militarism and wars and to pay additional billions for Israel's genocidal pogroms against the Palestinian people forced to live on a small strip of land like so many Native Americans living on Indian Reservations?
Not once do either of you so much as mention the Cost-of-Living Crisis each and every working class family in this country is now forced to endure with state and federal governments using their political and economic levers to enforce poverty so employers--- large and small--- can continue to reap super profits from this cheap labor.
Neither of you would be able to live on the $9.50 Minimum Wage you supported or the $10.10 Democrats give lip-service to advocating as an election ploy.
Are those who will make $9.50 going to be part of your "middle class?"
Are those who will make $9.50 going to be part of your "middle class?"
Neither of you support the enforcement of Affirmative Action. It would be very simple for Minnesota legislators to stipulate that every bonding proposal from which the bankers reap tremendous profits should be tied to the mandatory enforcement of Affirmative Action; thus assuring people of color, women and the handicapped gain access to decent, good-paying jobs.
You fail to mention that most working people have no representation at the table where real decisions are made because of the Draconian and undemocratic "At-Will Employment" legislation the majority workers in Minnesota and across the country are subjected to. Why haven't you two proposed ending "At-Will Employment" here in Minnesota and across the country?
You want us to fantasize along with you and "socialist" Joseph Stiglitz in memory of the great "liberal" Hubert Humphrey about a great "middle class America" while you sit in silence as workers experience very specific problems ranging from poverty wages to unjust firings to government spending on militarism and wars to this Cost-of-Living Crisis... all the result of a class divided capitalist society now at its imperialist apex which has spun a powerful web trapping working class families; a web spun by Wall Street that is held together by racism, anti-Communism and corruption protecting Wall Street's quest for maximum profits no matter the harm that results to humans and Mother Nature--- labor is exploited, Mother Nature is raped.
I have a link I hope you will read. This is an article written by the former socialist Governor of Minnesota, Elmer Benson, because it explains a type of politics you are trying to foist upon us without dialog, discussion or debate:
http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/47/v47i04p154-161.pdf
You want us to perceive your fairy-tale of a "middle class society" as something that is achievable when it is not simply because Wall Street and its capitalist system will not permit it; and, even if it were permissible, it would still leave tens of millions of working class families languishing in poverty because, as you yourselves state, poverty amidst such tremendous wealth would still remain; and since you offer no programs that include the enforcement of Affirmative Action--- the only known specific remedy to racist employment practices--- racism would continue to plague our country along with discrimination against women and the handicapped when it comes to employment--- jobs for everyone at real living wages in line with cost-of-living which is the key to ending poverty which goes along with racism and these dirty wars all of which are the most prominent features of capitalism in its imperialist stage.
You want us to fantasize along with you and "socialist" Joseph Stiglitz in memory of the great "liberal" Hubert Humphrey about a great "middle class America" while you sit in silence as workers experience very specific problems ranging from poverty wages to unjust firings to government spending on militarism and wars to this Cost-of-Living Crisis... all the result of a class divided capitalist society now at its imperialist apex which has spun a powerful web trapping working class families; a web spun by Wall Street that is held together by racism, anti-Communism and corruption protecting Wall Street's quest for maximum profits no matter the harm that results to humans and Mother Nature--- labor is exploited, Mother Nature is raped.
I have a link I hope you will read. This is an article written by the former socialist Governor of Minnesota, Elmer Benson, because it explains a type of politics you are trying to foist upon us without dialog, discussion or debate:
http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/47/v47i04p154-161.pdf
You want us to perceive your fairy-tale of a "middle class society" as something that is achievable when it is not simply because Wall Street and its capitalist system will not permit it; and, even if it were permissible, it would still leave tens of millions of working class families languishing in poverty because, as you yourselves state, poverty amidst such tremendous wealth would still remain; and since you offer no programs that include the enforcement of Affirmative Action--- the only known specific remedy to racist employment practices--- racism would continue to plague our country along with discrimination against women and the handicapped when it comes to employment--- jobs for everyone at real living wages in line with cost-of-living which is the key to ending poverty which goes along with racism and these dirty wars all of which are the most prominent features of capitalism in its imperialist stage.
I am sure there is no shortage of millionaire labor "leaders," those from the foundation-funded crowd along with Wall Street bribed politicians who would like to provide a "liberal" and even "socialist" cover for Wall Street's agenda as long as there is no discussion of building a progressive movement with the intent of challenging Wall Street for political and economic power.
As far as suggesting, as you do Mr. Smith, that we have to find common ground with conservative Republicans in order to get any kind of change, this is one more fallacy.
As far as suggesting, as you do Mr. Smith, that we have to find common ground with conservative Republicans in order to get any kind of change, this is one more fallacy.
Democrats have had ample opportunity with veto-proof majorities to implement real change.
Who stopped Democrats in Minnesota from implementing a real living Minimum Wage in line with the actual and real cost-of-living? Not Republicans; it was Democrats.
Liberals crafted the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights conveniently leaving out any means of enforcement just like Democrats today have shrewdly relied on George Lakoff to properly "frame progressive policy directives" while intentionally leaving out specific remedies to the problems so well articulated in order to trick people into voting for Democrats who over and over again side with Wall Street when it comes to implementing legislation.
The main "building block" is peace. As long as our Nation's wealth is being squandered on militarism and wars we have no decent present or future.
What we need is a "21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity;" this should be our main "building block."
We need to recognize that we create jobs through massive universal social programs solving our problems. We need the money now financing militarism and wars from which Wall Street profits to be directed towards providing for human needs.
We need 800 U.S. military bases around the world on foreign soil like we need holes in our heads--- we need health care and child care instead. Jobs putting people to work solving our problems.
Democrats in Minnesota put 44,000 people to work. The problem is these 44,000 Minnesotans were put to work in loud, noisy, smoke-filled casinos at poverty wages and without any rights or a voice at work.
And now Democrats with your support Mr. Smith... and your vote State Representative David
Bly have pushed working class Minnesotans further into poverty with your $9.50 Minimum Wage that won't go into effect until after the Cost-of-Living Crisis is worse than it is today. After all, any thinking person knows that you will be able to purchase less on $9.50 an hour when this legislation goes into effect than what you can purchase today on $7.25 an hour.
In the meantime, working people remain caught in this two-party trap with both Democrats and Republicans bringing us nothing but poverty and wars. Obama's wars, like Republican wars, are creating poverty.
Tell us Mr. Smith and Representative Bly; why isn't peace one of your main foundation "building block?"
Alan L. Maki
On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 4:05 PM, Growth & Justice <info@growthandjustice.org> wrote:
Home About Issues Media Publications Facts & Fixes Blog Contact
As the summer heats up with political debate, Growth & Justice is playing a constructive role, making the case that big breakthroughs in public policy can reduce racial and economic inequality, build human capital, and promote business growth. Here are some highlights.
Dane Smith appeared on WDSE-TV’s Almanac North to discuss how smart public investments help boost business growth. This appearance followed our recent commentary, For business, grass is greener — here, which was picked up by statewide media outlets. The column cites a new report praising Minnesota’s outstanding rankings in both economic competitiveness and improving socioeconomic conditions.
- Minneapolis will soon host The National Conference of State Legislatures’ annual Legislative Summit, where legislators and staff from across the country will “tackle critical problems and find solutions that work.” As a preview to the event our latest Capitol Report op-ed, Finding the framework for restoring the middle-class dream, discusses the mounting interest in developing a more coherent middle-class policy agenda.
- Our July 11 Capitol Report column, The wisdom of Stiglitz: Widening inequality is not inevitable, builds on a powerful op-ed by Nobel laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz about how policy choices over the last 30 years created much of our growing inequality crisis. We urge Minnesotan’s not to accept widening racial and income inequality as inevitable.
- A recent Harvard Business School paper headlined Reinventing the local education ecosystem analyzes the Strive Together network, which aims to improve educational and economic outcomes through community collaborations. Take a look at our June 12 Capitol Report column to learn more about how communities in Minnesota are reinventing their own education “ecosystems” to close attainment gaps by income and race.
Growth & Justice | 2324 University Ave. West, Ste 120A | Saint Paul, MN 55114 | 651-917-6037 | info@growthandjustice.org
Alan L. Maki
58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Cell: 651-587-5541
E-mail: alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com
Thursday, July 24, 2014
We pay a heavy price for not understanding the nature of Wall Street's imperialist agenda and the peoples of the world struggling for justice will pay the ultimate heaviest price of all with the loss of life.
Here is one of the big problems we confront:
All these liberal, progressive and left organizations that condemn Israel and even call for boycotts, sanctions and divestment from Israel and even condemn the U.S. Congress--- House and Senate--- for voting their support and funding of the Israeli killing machine refuse to call for the creation of a new progressive working class based people's party that would vote to end financial support for Israel. Instead these groups by-and-large limit themselves to calling on members of Congress to condemn Israel.
On July 11, the House passed -- by voice vote with no objections -- House Resolution 657, expressing "United States support for the State of Israel as it defends itself against unprovoked rocket attacks."
On July 17, also by voice vote without objection, the Senate passed the nearly identical Senate Resolution 498.
The sad truth is that your senators and representative--- all a bunch of Wall Street bribed crooked and corrupt Israeli supporting warmongers--- went along with those disgraceful votes.
Do you think these morons will care one iota if you call or write them or even talk to them in person?
Sure, they may humor you and make you think they sympathize with you. But, their records are crystal clear. They have voted to support this barbaric Israeli killing machine over-and-over-and over again no matter how bestial the acts of Israel are in carrying out these genocidal mass pogroms against the Palestinian people--- acts of bestiality every bit as horrendous and anti-human as the atrocities carried out by the Hitlerites. Anyone who doesn't believe this knows nothing about the Warsaw Ghetto resistance or the atrocities carried out by Hitler in Lidice.
By the time the Senate voted, the violence had killed one Israeli and more than 200 Palestinians.
Congress condemned the Hamas rocket attacks but refused to voice the slightest criticism of the Israeli government for dropping thousands of tons of bombs on people in Gaza.
And many of these liberal, progressive and even leftists groups fell for the Obama line that these Hamas rocket attacks are "inexcuseable."
Should we be telling members of Congress that we want a single standard of response when civilians are slaughtered?
Where is there any "slaughter" being carried out by the Palestinian people?
It is Israel, and Israel alone (with support from the United States and European Union), carrying out the slaughter of Palestinians.
Israel -- armed at U.S. expense and emboldened by U.S. support -- has been attacking people trapped in Gaza, a densely populated strip of land between Israel and the sea.
In Gaza, the Israeli military has killed hundreds, wounded thousands, and bombed hospitals, schools, media outlets, children, the injured and the elderly.
Yesterday, the New York Times put the death count at over 700 Palestinians (as far as we know, all of these dead are civilians--- there has been no proof to the contrary); a few Israeli soldiers are dead and couple Israeli civilians. Each of those deaths is a senseless tragedy. They will continue to mount unless Israel’s enablers take a different course and these imperialists supporting Israel will never deviate from the course they have set for Israel as being their beachhead in the Middle East fomenting constant and unrelenting turmoil which maintains the Middle East as a powder keg always ready to explode.
We need to be concerned with challenging these Wall Street imperialists for political and economic power not wasting our time trying to influence these morons to do what is right because the only thing these bastards understand is power and its use to keep the profits flowing... no matter the outcome. Human lives mean nothing to these Wall Street imperialists and once again this Israeli pogrom being carried out against the Palestinian people proves this... not to mention there is big money to be made from such bestiality in pursuit of Wall Street's agenda to dominate the entire world--- we pay; they profit... the Palestinians die.
The road to peace lies in working class political and economic power... the socialist alternative to capitalism.
We can no longer evade this very simple truth.
We must challenge Wall Street for political and economic power if we want to end imperialism.
The Wall Street merchants of death and destruction, these barbaric masters of war who have thoroughly corrupted politics, must be brought to justice in people's courts which are the products of people's power.
George Armstrong Custer got what he so legitimately deserved--- justice needs to be meted out to the orchestrators and facilitators of the Israeli killing machine for their crimes against humanity and their war crimes.
All these liberal, progressive and left organizations that condemn Israel and even call for boycotts, sanctions and divestment from Israel and even condemn the U.S. Congress--- House and Senate--- for voting their support and funding of the Israeli killing machine refuse to call for the creation of a new progressive working class based people's party that would vote to end financial support for Israel. Instead these groups by-and-large limit themselves to calling on members of Congress to condemn Israel.
On July 11, the House passed -- by voice vote with no objections -- House Resolution 657, expressing "United States support for the State of Israel as it defends itself against unprovoked rocket attacks."
On July 17, also by voice vote without objection, the Senate passed the nearly identical Senate Resolution 498.
The sad truth is that your senators and representative--- all a bunch of Wall Street bribed crooked and corrupt Israeli supporting warmongers--- went along with those disgraceful votes.
Do you think these morons will care one iota if you call or write them or even talk to them in person?
Sure, they may humor you and make you think they sympathize with you. But, their records are crystal clear. They have voted to support this barbaric Israeli killing machine over-and-over-and over again no matter how bestial the acts of Israel are in carrying out these genocidal mass pogroms against the Palestinian people--- acts of bestiality every bit as horrendous and anti-human as the atrocities carried out by the Hitlerites. Anyone who doesn't believe this knows nothing about the Warsaw Ghetto resistance or the atrocities carried out by Hitler in Lidice.
By the time the Senate voted, the violence had killed one Israeli and more than 200 Palestinians.
Congress condemned the Hamas rocket attacks but refused to voice the slightest criticism of the Israeli government for dropping thousands of tons of bombs on people in Gaza.
And many of these liberal, progressive and even leftists groups fell for the Obama line that these Hamas rocket attacks are "inexcuseable."
Should we be telling members of Congress that we want a single standard of response when civilians are slaughtered?
Where is there any "slaughter" being carried out by the Palestinian people?
It is Israel, and Israel alone (with support from the United States and European Union), carrying out the slaughter of Palestinians.
Israel -- armed at U.S. expense and emboldened by U.S. support -- has been attacking people trapped in Gaza, a densely populated strip of land between Israel and the sea.
In Gaza, the Israeli military has killed hundreds, wounded thousands, and bombed hospitals, schools, media outlets, children, the injured and the elderly.
Yesterday, the New York Times put the death count at over 700 Palestinians (as far as we know, all of these dead are civilians--- there has been no proof to the contrary); a few Israeli soldiers are dead and couple Israeli civilians. Each of those deaths is a senseless tragedy. They will continue to mount unless Israel’s enablers take a different course and these imperialists supporting Israel will never deviate from the course they have set for Israel as being their beachhead in the Middle East fomenting constant and unrelenting turmoil which maintains the Middle East as a powder keg always ready to explode.
We need to be concerned with challenging these Wall Street imperialists for political and economic power not wasting our time trying to influence these morons to do what is right because the only thing these bastards understand is power and its use to keep the profits flowing... no matter the outcome. Human lives mean nothing to these Wall Street imperialists and once again this Israeli pogrom being carried out against the Palestinian people proves this... not to mention there is big money to be made from such bestiality in pursuit of Wall Street's agenda to dominate the entire world--- we pay; they profit... the Palestinians die.
The road to peace lies in working class political and economic power... the socialist alternative to capitalism.
We can no longer evade this very simple truth.
We must challenge Wall Street for political and economic power if we want to end imperialism.
The Wall Street merchants of death and destruction, these barbaric masters of war who have thoroughly corrupted politics, must be brought to justice in people's courts which are the products of people's power.
George Armstrong Custer got what he so legitimately deserved--- justice needs to be meted out to the orchestrators and facilitators of the Israeli killing machine for their crimes against humanity and their war crimes.
Friday, July 18, 2014
The Israeli killing machine must be stopped now!
We
have seen this same scenario over and over again... Israel goes into
Gaza, does its dirty deeds and the Western politicians make their
pilgrimage to Israel under the guise of "diffusing" the violence urging
all sides to talk.
Apparently these imperialist bastards keep some kind of scorecards tracking civilian casualties over which they deem public sentiment will not tolerate any more.
1,400 to 1,500 hundred Palestinian civilian deaths seems to be the "magic number" at which point these morons pretend to try to "talk sense" to Israel.
The intent is quite obvious: To beat the Palestinian people into submission by slowly eradicating them and making their lives a living hell which is their penalty for seeking justice.
Apparently these imperialist bastards keep some kind of scorecards tracking civilian casualties over which they deem public sentiment will not tolerate any more.
1,400 to 1,500 hundred Palestinian civilian deaths seems to be the "magic number" at which point these morons pretend to try to "talk sense" to Israel.
The intent is quite obvious: To beat the Palestinian people into submission by slowly eradicating them and making their lives a living hell which is their penalty for seeking justice.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
The "Good Start" crap from the Democratic Party front groups... all over again... an e-mail exchange.
From: Alan Maki
Date: Thu, Jul 10, 2014 at 6:27 AM
Subject: Re: FOR INFO: [NJFAC] Building the Movement for Full Employment - Wed. July 9 @ 10 am.
To: "Goldberg, Trudy"
Cc: Philip Harvey, Helen Ginsburg , njfac@njfac.org, loganmartinez2u@yahoo.com, "uniting_people@lists.riseup.net" , ZZZ Ellison Keith , joe.sathe@state.mn.us, MN08RNIMA@mail.house.gov, rep.phyllis.kahn@house.mn, rep.tom.anzelc@house.mn, sen.david.tomassoni@senate.mn, Al Franken , Alice Hausman , Andrea Kieffer , Andrew Falk , Anna Wills , Barb Yarusso , Ben Lien , Bob Barrett , Bob Dettmer , Bob Gunther , Brian Johnson , Bud Nornes , Carlos Mariani , Carly Melin , Carolyn Laine , Chris Swedzinski , Cindy Pugh , Connie Bernardy , Dan Schoen , David Bly , David Dill , David FitzSimmons , Dean Urdahl , Debra Hilstrom , Debra Kiel , Denny McNamara , Diane Loeffler , Duane Quam , Erik Simonson , Erin Murphy , Ernie Leidiger , Frank Hornstein , Gene Pelowski , Glenn Gruenhagen , Greg Davids , Jason Isaacson , Jason Metsa , Jay McNamar , Jean Wagenius , Jeanne Poppe , Jeff Howe , Jenifer Loon , Jerry Hertaus , Jerry Newton , Jim Abeler , Jim Davnie , Jim Newberger , JoAnn Ward , Joe Atkins , Joe Hoppe , Joe McDonald , Joe Radinovich , Joe Schomacker , John Benson , John Lesch , John Persell , John Petersburg , John Ward , Joyce Peppin , Karen Clark , Kathy Brynaert , Kathy Lohmer , Kelby Woodard , Kim Norton , Kurt Daudt , Kurt Zellers , Laurie Halverson , Leon Lillie , Linda Runbeck , Linda Slocum , Lyndon Carlson , Marion Oneill , Mark Anderson , Mark Uglem , Mary Franson , Mary Murphy , Mary Sawatzky , MaryLiz Holberg , Matt Dean , Melissa Hortman , micah hines , Michael Nelson , Michael Paymar , Mike Beard , Mike Benson , Mike Freiberg , Mike Sundin , Nick Zerwas , Pam Myhra , Pat Garofalo , Paul Anderson , Paul Marquart , Paul Rosenthal , Paul Thissen , Paul Torkelson , Peggy Scott , Peter Fischer , Raymond Dehn , Rena Moran , "rep.ann.lenczewski@house.mn" , "rep.dan.fabian@house.mn" , "rep.joe.mullery@house.mn" , "rep.patti.fritz@house.mn" , Rick Hansen , Rod Hamilton , Roger Erickson , Ron Erhardt , Ron Kresha , Ryan Winkler , Sandra Masin , Sarah Anderson , "Sen. Amy Klobuchar" , "sen.bev.scalze@senate.mn" , "sen.bill.ingebrigtsen@senate.mn" , "sen.bobby.champion@senate.mn" , "sen.carla.nelson@senate.mn" , "sen.chuck.wiger@senate.mn" , "sen.dan.sparks@senate.mn" , "sen.dave.thompson@senate.mn" , "sen.foung.hawj@senate.mn" , "sen.greg.clausen@senate.mn" , "sen.jeff.hayden@senate.mn" , "sen.jim.carlson@senate.mn" , "sen.jim.metzen@senate.mn" , "sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn" , "sen.kathy.sheran@senate.mn" , "sen.katie.sieben@senate.mn" , "sen.kent.eken@senate.mn" , "sen.kevin.dahle@senate.mn" , "sen.lyle.koenen@senate.mn" , "sen.matt.schmit@senate.mn" , "sen.melisa.franzen@senate.mn" , "sen.melissa.wiklund@senate.mn" , "sen.michelle.benson@senate.mn" , "sen.rod.skoe@senate.mn" , "sen.roger.chamberlain@senate.mn" , "sen.roger.reinert@senate.mn" , "sen.scott.dibble@senate.mn" , "sen.terri.bonoff@senate.mn" , "sen.tony.lourey@senate.mn" , "sen.vicki.jensen@senate.mn" , "sen.warren.limmer@senate.mn" , Shannon Savick , Sheldon Johnson , Sondra Erickson , Steve Drazkowski , Steve Green , Steve Simon , Susan Allen , Tara Mack , Tim Bohl , Tim Faust , Tim Kelly , Tim Mahoney , Tim ODriscoll , Tim Sanders , Tina Liebling , Tom Hackbarth , Tom Huntley , Tony Albright , Tony Cornish , Will Morgan , Yvonne Selcer , Zachary Dorholt , "ddjohnson@startribune.com" , "dtice@startribune.com" , "jfriedmann@startribune.com" , jill geroy , Jill Stein , Cindy Sheehan , Rocky Anderson , Rick Spisak
--
Date: Thu, Jul 10, 2014 at 6:27 AM
Subject: Re: FOR INFO: [NJFAC] Building the Movement for Full Employment - Wed. July 9 @ 10 am.
To: "Goldberg, Trudy"
Cc: Philip Harvey
Here we go again with this "good start" crap.
Wall Street gets what it wants when it wants it from these politicians... including the ones participating in your conference but working people are supposed to endure the poverty being imposed on them through unemployment and poverty wages.
Wall Street gets what it wants when it wants it from these politicians... including the ones participating in your conference but working people are supposed to endure the poverty being imposed on them through unemployment and poverty wages.
I am very familiar with this H.R. 1000. It is one more scheme and a scam that will leave millions of workers unemployed and in poverty wage jobs.
A "good start" would be legislation making it mandatory that the president and Congress be legislatively responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment with real living wage jobs.
We have heard this "good start" crap before from these Wall Street bribed politicians and foundation-funded outfits posing as liberal, progressive and leftist think-tanks (they provided Obama a cover for his Wall Street agenda) when it comes to raising the Minimum Wage to a real living wage. During the political campaigns to get these politicians elected to office their campaign rhetoric is perfectly fine-tuned and properly framed to present progressive sounding policy directives in line with the thinking of George Lakoff but they are careful, as advised by George Lakoff, not to bring forward any specific progressive solutions to our problems which include massive unemployment and millions forced to work for poverty wages.
Then after getting elected things change from this nice sounding rhetoric to passing legislation in a "bi-partisan" manner without any regard for the rhetoric used during the campaign... hence we get these "good starts" where instead of real living wages which are wages in line with the real and actual cost-of-living we get more poverty wages of $9.50 and $10.10--- not now (just like Jobs Now!) but over time on the installment plan.
Just like "$15 Now!"... but, again, what is meant is years later.
Everything is pushed as wanting it "Now!" during the press conferences passed off as "struggle."
But some how "Now!" turns into not now but a "good start."
We had "Single-payer Now!," too. And what did these "coalitions" cobbled together by millionaire labor leaders, preachers paid $250,000.00 a year and the directors of these foundation-funded outfits do to that? They accepted a "good start" with Obamacare which justifiably should be called the "Health Insurance and Pharmaceutical Industry Bailout and Profit Maximization Act of 2010."
"Good start."
How much longer do you think the U.S. working class which is being pushed further and further into poverty by wars, monopoly price-fixing and Wall Street seeking super-profits through poverty wages is going to fall for the Democrats' agenda of "good starts?"
How much longer do you think the U.S. working class which is being pushed further and further into poverty by wars, monopoly price-fixing and Wall Street seeking super-profits through poverty wages is going to fall for the Democrats' agenda of "good starts?"
There is a reason so many people are not happy being stuck in Wall Street's two-party trap.
You may be some kind of "students of history" but instead of merely consulting text books written by others working off foundation grants who understand that if they tell the truth about history from a working class, class struggle perspective they won't be receiving any more foundation grants as these foundations rely on the great Wall Street "philanthropists"--- the Wall Street warmongers, exploiters and robber barons--- for their funding.
You may be "aware" of the "Full Employment Act of 1945" as "historians" but you certainly have done nothing to promote it and the idea that the president and Congress must be made legislatively responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment with full employment being a state where anyone who wants a job has a job at real living wages in line with actual cost-of-living factors.
Never mind "historians;" any school child can tell you that in a capitalist society which lacks respect for working people, any worker without a job and any worker paid poverty wages is going to be poor.
I imagine your solution to ending poverty is more campaign rhetoric like, "End Poverty Now!" as you bring forward H.R. 1000 which has few teeth and by the time these Democrats get done preparing it for "bi-partisan support" it will be completely toothless.
To get your conference on the road to a really "good start" I would suggest that you distribute this article by former Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party Governor Elmer Benson. It might help place things in a better historical perspective:
http://collections.mnhs.org/
To get your conference on the road to a really "good start" I would suggest that you distribute this article by former Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party Governor Elmer Benson. It might help place things in a better historical perspective:
http://collections.mnhs.org/
I really think you should distribute both the Benson article and the entire Congressional Hearing transcript for the "Full Employment Act of 1945" to those attending and participating in your "Jobs For All!" Conference so you get a really "good start" with everyone thoroughly understanding the treachery and betrayal of the Democratic Party.
Thanks for your response--- the dialog and discussion is another "good start." But clearly what is being offered is a meatless bone. How much longer will you encourage working people to accept the campaign rhetoric with "properly framed progressive policy directives" in place of real progressive solutions?
How much longer will you try to pass off conferences and press conferences as "struggle" instead of as actions required to mobilize millions of people to take to the streets and take action at their places of employment until we get full employment with real living wages?
The legislation you are promoting will leave millions of people unemployed and millions more working for poverty wages... I suggest you ask those workers who will be living in poverty if they think this is a "good start."
Alan L. Maki
On Thu, Jul 10, 2014 at 12:46 AM, Goldberg, Trudy <trudygoldberg@njfac.org> wrote:
Dear Alan Maki,Thank you for your message and for your recommendation that we consult your blog.Be assured that we are students of history, well-acquainted with the 1945 full employment bill that passed the Senate and was later defeated in the House. We have also pondered the reasons for its defeat. We believe that the current H.R. 1000, The Humphrey Hawkins Full Employment and Training Act that we have had a hand in drafting is a good start and that it is closer to jobs for all than the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act of 1978 (Humphrey Hawkins Act).We are also students of the Great Depression, the job creation programs of the New Deal, their strengths and weaknesses and of FDR's Economic Bill of Rights that began with "the right to a useful and remunerative job" which he considered "the most fundamental [right], and one on which the fulfillment of the others in large degree depends" (1945, Annual Message to Congress).
We invite you to visit our website, njfac.orgSincerely,Trudy GoldbergSincerely,Trudy Goldberg
On Wed, Jul 9, 2014 at 8:32 AM, Alan Maki <alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com> wrote:
I regret I am unable to attend your "Jobs For All" conference.
However, I would encourage you to bring forward the idea first developed around the original "Full Employment Act of 1945" that it should be made legislatively mandatory for the president and Congress to attain and maintain full employment--- full employment being anyone who wants a jobs gets a job at real living wages; wages in line with actual cost-of-living factors not these phony figures of $9.50 or $10.10 politicians pull from their hats for political expediency and to satisfy the needs of employers looking to keep their profit margins high through cheap labor.I would encourage you to check out my blog which has the complete transcript of the Full Employment Act of 1945 Congressional Hearing.
I think it is imperative we study the past in order to gain an understanding of where we want to go with a movement for full employment.Here is my blog:
http://fullemploymentnow.blogspot.com/
I am also including two other links which may be of interest to you:
http://www.newprogs.org/I would be interested in receiving any materials coming out of your July 9 & 10 conference.
I do find it interesting that so many organizations will allow the very politicians who campaign on a platform of "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs" are let off the hook simply because they mouth the "correct" progressive policy directives but then when provided the opportunity once elected they do absolutely nothing to implement full employment in practice.
Specifically, I am interested in knowing if your organization is going to be bringing forward legislation similar to the Full Employment Act of 1945 fully updated to take on the new problems workers and working class families are experiencing.
I also hope your conference will be addressing the "Cost-of-Living Crisis" every single working class family in this country is experiencing.Alan L. Maki
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael McGEE <michael.mcgee.1@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 8, 2014 at 12:24 AM
Subject: FOR INFO: [NJFAC] Building the Movement for Full Employment - Wed. July 9 @ 10 am.
To: Alan Maki <alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: National Jobs for All Coalition <njfac@njfac.org>
Date: Mon, Jul 7, 2014 at 5:01 PM
Subject: [NJFAC] Live! Jobs for All for Goes to Washington! Wed. July 9 @ 10 am.
To: GoodJobs <goodjobsforall@googlegroups.com>
--Live! Jobs for All for Goes toWashington! Wed. July 9 @ 10 am.Here's the link for the stream. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfaqVIx6vaU Jobs for All!Enacting Job Creation LegislationandBuilding the Movement for Full EmploymentNational Conference July 9 & 10, 2014Washington D.C.Join us for a strategy discussion on job creation andbuilding a national movement for full employment.This meeting will kick off two days of dialogue among national and grassroots jobs creation advocates for the purpose of developing a coordinated national strategy for job creation.Featuring Members of:The Congressional Full Employment CaucusWednesday, July 9, 201410:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.2226 Rayburn House Office BuildingJobs for All Strategy BriefingRepresentative John Conyers, Jr. (MI)Representative Frederica Wilson (FL)Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH)Representative Barbara Lee (CA)Rev. Rodney S. Sadler, Jr., Ph.D.Moral MondayAssociate Professor of BibleUnion Presbyterian SeminaryDebby SzeredyExecutive Vice President, American Postal Workers UnionKevin BradshawPresident, Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco, Workers& Grain Millers UnionLocal 252GKellogg's Workers in Memphis, TN have been off the job since October 2013.George H. Lambert, Jr.President and CEO of the Greater Washington Urban League,Philip HarveyProfessor of Law & EconomicsRutgers School of LawExecutive Committee, National Jobs for All CoalitionJosh NassarLegislative Director, United Auto WorkersChris HortonWorcester Unemployment Action Group (MA)Voices of Unemployed WorkersDeborah WeinsteinExecutive Director, Coalition on Human NeedsGertrude Schaffner GoldbergChair, National Jobs for All CoalitionProfessor Emerita of Social Policy, Adelphi UniversityJessica SchiederPolicy Associate, Center for Effective GovernmentLunch with Witness Wednesdays, the critical effort to renew extended unemployment benefits, will be at the Triangle on the Capitol Hill lawn.Witness Wednesdays for July 9 will be hosted by Representative Barbara Lee (CA) and will feature the stories of unemployed African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and Native Americans.Strategy Session A, July 9, 20142226 Rayburn House Office Building2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.Chuck Bell , FacilitatorNational Jobs for All CoalitionRobert CreamerDemocracy PartnersMiriam PembertonInstitute for Policy StudiesBill BarclayChicago Political Economy GroupAndrea MillerProgressive Democrats of AmericaLocal ReportsKae HalonenSouth East Michigan Jobs with JusticeSheena FosterWorker's Interfaith Network, Memphis, TNRev. Glencie Rhedrick
Mecklenburg Ministries, NCClinton SmithGray Panthers, Austin, TXJoel SegalProgressive Democrats of America, VAFormer Senior Legislative Assistant, Representative John Conyers, Jr.Leonard MellNational Jobs for All Coalition, VALarry BreslerOrganize OhioMore, TBA____________________________________________________________ ______ Thursday Morning Panel, July 10, 201410:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.2226 Rayburn House Office BuildingLogan Martinez, FacilitatorMiami Valley Full Employment Council and National Jobs for All CoalitionFrank PetersonUnemployed VeteranOther panelists, TBAThursday afternoon we will be meeting members of the US Congress regarding job creation legislationConference Host: National Jobs for All CoalitionCo-sponsorsGray PanthersSocial DemocratsProgressive Democrats of AmericaPeople's Empowerment Coalition of OhioJobs For All CampaignWorcester Unemployment Action GroupIf you are able to attend the meeting, please RSVP using our online formFor more information Contact:Trudy Goldberg, National Jobs for All CoalitionLogan Martinez, Miami Valley Full Employment Council (Dayton, Ohio) loganmartinez2u@yahoo.com / 937-260-2591The National Jobs for All Coalition is dedicated to the propositions that meaningful employment is a precondition for a fulfilling life and that every person capable of working should have the right to a job. The Coalition not only fights to make these propositions facts of life, but it publishes invaluable research by noted scholars to support them.
--
National Jobs for All Coalition
http://www.njfac.org/
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Alan L. Maki58891 County Road 13Warroad, Minnesota 56763Cell: 651-587-5541E-mail: alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com
Alan L. Maki
58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Cell: 651-587-5541
E-mail: alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com