Michigan House Democratic Legislators are set to follow Governor Granholm's lead and vote to approve the Gun Lake Casino "Compact" next Wednesday...

… Even though they have not demonstrated one iota of concern for the health and well-being of the 1,800 workers who will be employed at poverty wages in this smoke-filled casino without any rights under Michigan, Federal, or Tribal labor laws.

So much for all the talk about human rights and workers’ rights.

Most Michigan Legislators have told me they do not have to talk to me because I am not their constituent.

However, the Fertitta Family’s “Station Casinos” the Gun Lake Band is fronting for is not a constituent of any Michigan legislator, either.

Michigan Legislators just continue on completely oblivious to the truth:

• There will be no $40,000.00 a year jobs for casino workers;

• Casino workers will work in smoke-filled casinos without any rights;

• Casino workers will have no voice at work;

• Without rights in the workplace, casino workers have no rights in the communities where they live;

• Young women casino workers of child-bearing age will suffer the worst health related problems of second-hand smoke;

• Heart, lung, and cancer related health problems associated with second-hand smoke afflict casino workers more than workers in any other industry by a ratio of more than eight to one;

• Workers will be fired for attempting to organize a union--- this is the Fertitta Family track record;

• The Fertitta Family operates a string of non-union casinos and has used the most violent and dirty union busting methods to keep their casinos union free.

So far, not one single Michigan Legislator has challenged the proponents of this Gun Lake Casino “Compact” to come forward with documentation supporting the outlandish claim that these jobs will be paying $40,000.00 a year. The only thing they would have to request is a listing of each job and what the job will pay on an hourly basis and what that job will pay for the year.

Michigan Legislators have allowed the claim of “forty organizations and unions” supporting this Gun Lake Casino to stand without even asking for a list of those endorsements from those making this claim.

Forty seems to be the number the proponents like to claim… $40,000.00 a year jobs; 40 organizations backing this “Compact” which will continue to deprive casino workers of their human rights… claims without any substance to back them up; and, not one single Michigan Legislator asks for proof of any kind.

Working through the big-business controlled media like the Grand Rapids Press which stands to make millions of dollars in advertising revenues, the Southwest Building and Construction Trades Council headed up by Hugh Coward has shamefully worked hand-in-hand with the Fertitta Family, the Gun Lake Band Council, and the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce under the cover of darkness in creating, fabricating, and manufacturing a very distorted and dishonest scenario for the public to consume.

Tax-payers will ultimately be stuck with horrendous health care costs for treating health problems of casino workers relating to second-hand smoke because workers developing these job related health problems are fired by these casino managements.

The racism inherent in this “Compact” is overwhelming as Native American working people who have been the victims of racist hiring practices in other industries for many years are now used as the primary source of cheap labor, and forced to work under the most Draconian conditions of "at will hiring, at will firing."

The labor-backed Democratic majority of Michigan Legislators pushing for approval of this compact have not demonstrated any understanding, compassion, or empathy towards the plight of casino workers.

The dirty and under-handed manner in which this “Compact” has been brought forward calls into question the very basic premise and underpinnings of our democracy as questions are prevented from being asked; discussion is stifled and limited at both the grassroots level and the Legislative level to only those who support this “Compact;” all adding up to making a complete mockery of our democracy.

Please read the following blogs and distribute them widely:


http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/2007/07/governor-granholm-and-michigan.html

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541
E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Check out my blog:

Thoughts From Podunk

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/


*********************


Communication with another Legislative Assistant of a Democratic Legislator in the Michigan House---

----- Original Message -----

From: Alan Maki

To: jshaski@house.mi.gov ; lwise@house.mi.gov ; gdubovich@usw.org ; nnosal@uaw.net ; lgerard@usw.org ; 'Gary Garbarino'

Cc: barbarafarrah@house.mi.gov ; cknape@grpress.com ; 'Michael Johnston'

Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 11:18 AM

Subject: Re: Gun Lake Casino resolutions

Mr. Shaski and Ms. Wise;

The Chair of the House Regulatory Reform Committee refuses to provide me with information on the two resolutions to be voted on next Wednesday (August 8, 2007).

Hopefully, you will read my blogs on this issue very carefully:

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/2007/07/governor-granholm-and-michigan.html

Mr. Shaski tells me the United Steelworkers are in support of these two resolutions… I would like proof of that.

I would like the complete list of all organizations and unions supporting HCR 39 and HR 158.

The minutes of the Regulatory Reform Committee are wholly inadequate and are a disgrace to the democratic process.

Not one question regarding wages and working conditions was asked by any member of the Committee.

Mr. Shaski, Representative Cook’s Legislative Assistant, tells me he previously was employed at the casino in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and was happy with his employment even though he knew he would be fired from his job should he try to organize a union, and he sees nothing wrong with an employer having the right to fire an employee for trying to organize. I would suggest Mr. Shaski continue working in smoke-filled casinos rather than his present smoke-free environment where he has rights.

Perhaps Mr. Shaski should have testified at the hearing and provided the Regulatory Reform Committee with his first hand experiences working as a “lead bartender” in the casino industry. Mr. Shaski refused to tell me what his income was working at the casino. Mr. Shaski is the Legislative Assistant to a member of the Committee.

I find it very interesting that neither Representative Farrah, nor any other member of the House Regulatory Reform Committee, made an attempt to solicit testimony from those presently employed in the casino industry regulated by these “Compacts” in order to find out what is wrong with these “Compacts” as far as the rights of working people are concerned.

It is shameful and disgusting that everything possible, including denying information, is being done by Michigan Legislators and their Legislative Assistants to deny casino workers the right to actively participate in the political process on this issue.

Again, for the record, I insist on answers to the questions I have raised which continue to, by intent, go unanswered. It is shameful that the Fertitta Family has more say in the Legislative process in Michigan than casino workers.

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541
E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Check out my blog:

Thoughts From Podunk

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/



-----Original Message-----

From: Alan Maki [mailto:amaki000@centurytel.net]

Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 1:27 PM

To: 'jshaski@house.mi.gov'; 'lwise@house.mi.gov'; 'gdubovich@usw.org'; 'nnosal@uaw.net'; 'lgerard@usw.org'; 'Gary Garbarino'

Cc: 'publicrelations@kewadin.com'; 'barbarafarrah@house.mi.gov'; 'cknape@grpress.com'; 'Michael Johnston'; 'GVLNpaper@aol.com'

Subject: Re: a correction.... FW: Re: Gun Lake Casino resolutions

To all concerned;

Mr. Shaski just called me. He was very irate that I spelled the name of the city Sault St. Marie wrong… I apologize for this misspelling.

I find it unfortunate that Mr. Shaski does not have the same concern for casino workers and their lack of rights while employed in smoke-filled casinos at poverty wages that he demonstrates for proper grammar and spelling. I think this “concern” on the part of Mr. Shaski for a spelling error, and no concern regarding the rights of casino workers, says a great deal about the legislative process now underway surrounding HCR 39 and HR 158--- the resolution on the Gun Lake Casino “Compact.”

Mr. Shaski has refused to provide me with the information I requested.

The arrogance of Mr. Shaski in supporting these casino managements as he gave up his job in the smoke-filled casino at Sault St. Marie (hope I got the spelling correct this time) in order to work as a political hack for an uncaring and insensitive legislator on this issue and has refused to ask even the most fundamental, basic, and elemental questions is simply par for the course.

Again, I am requesting of Mr. Shaski to provide the information I requested concerning the proposed Gun Lake Casino; including:

1.] The list of all jobs and their pay schedules with projected yearly incomes for hourly employees;

2.] The complete list of all known organizations and unions supporting HCR 39 and HR 158;

3.] Proof that the United Steel Workers union has endorsed HCR 39 and HR 158.

As helpful as Mr. Shaski’s spelling lesson has been… HCR 39 and HR 158 are still shrouded in darkness and secrecy.

When I was a kid I used to go out and pick night crawlers on a warm damp evening before going off to fish… dealing with Mr. Shaski and Michigan’s Democratic Legislators on this issue has been reminiscent of hunting night crawlers in that every time a little light is shined on these Legislators and their political hacks they slither back into the darkness of their holes.

I call upon Mr. Shaski to detail, for Michigan Legislators and their Legislative Assistants, the conditions under which he, and his co-workers, worked at the Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Again, my apologies to the people of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan for spelling the name of their city incorrectly.

It has been amazing how Michigan Legislators and their Legislative Assistants have concocted every excuse imaginable in order to evade providing answers to the three questions I have asked. Perhaps if the proponents of the Gun Lake Casino are not going to provide specific employee pay information, the management of Mr. Shaski’s former employer, Kewadin Casino and Resort, will provide their complete employee payroll information. As you can see, I have sent this e-mail to Kewadin management.

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541
E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Check out my blog:

Thoughts From Podunk

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/



-----Original Message-----

From: Alan Maki [mailto:amaki000@centurytel.net]

Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 7:02 PM

To: 'Eric Esch'; 'gdubovich@usw.org'; 'nnosal@uaw.net'; 'lgerard@usw.org'; 'Gary Garbarino'; 'rmcclary@house.mi.gov'; 'lwise@house.mi.gov'

Cc: 'jshaski@house.mi.gov'; 'miaflcio@voyager.net'; 'Michael Johnston'; 'cknape@grpress.com'; 'local340ironworker@sbcglobal.net'; 'Mike Jaros'; 'rep.bill.hilty@house.mn'; 'representativesak@house.mi.gov'; 'rep.neva.walker@house.mn'

Subject: Re: Minutes of the July 24, 2007 Regulatory Reform Committee Meeting

Mr. Esch,

I spoke today with John Shasti, Legislative Assistant to Rep. Scott; and he tells me he was present at this Committee meeting where there was a hearing and vote on the Gun Lake Casino “Compact.”

Mr. Shasti tells me many more people testified then what the minutes you have provided “on line” indicate and what you led me to believe in our telephone conversation. The secretaries of high school student governments take better minutes of meeting than you do.

I would like the names and contact information as well as how they testified, pro or con, of each person testifying.

A person should not have to be present at a Committee Meeting/Hearing in order to glean the facts and the truth of what took place… the minutes should convey an honest record; and, as you have published the minutes “on line” they do not.

For you to not include this information in the minutes is highly unethical, and quite possibly illegal, if you have falsified these minutes with the intended purpose in order to mislead the public, and those wishing to take part in the decision making process.

I insist on receiving this information immediately in order to be able to take part in the decision making process on behalf of casino workers.

Specifically, I would like to know how the representative(s) of the United Steel Workers union testified--- pro or con; as well as any other representatives of labor unions present.

We are not now speaking of some of the Fertitta’s thugs having a license to beat each other up in “Martial Arts Events” as people pay to watch these human “dog fights” which the Committee and House have now approved… we are speaking of the rights of working people to be employed in healthy and safe working environments while receiving real living wages.

Since the Chair of the Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee, Representative Barbara Farrah, does not want to respond to me on this matter and has refused to keep me informed as promised… I suggest that you give her a message from me to relay to the Fertitta Family: The Gun Lake Casino will not open until a contract is signed providing every single employee a pay check the equivalent of $40,000.00 a year while working in a smoke-free environment. I expect that the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, the Michigan AFL-CIO and Change to Win affiliated unions along with the other organizations which have supported this “Compact” will honor our picket lines and appropriate activities in doing what it will take to see to it that the $40,000.00 a year income testified to before the Committee is lived up to.

I will be contacting those unions representing performers and musicians which we will be the opening acts and informing them what has gone down here.

The Fertitta Family will not be opening another--- fronted--- non-union casino.

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541
E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Check out my blog:

Thoughts From Podunk

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/


*************


Note: John Shaski--- a Legislative Assistant to a Democratic Party member of the Michigan House, after attending a conference organized by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy--- a rabid right-wing, anti-labor, racist, anti-democratic, big-business think-tank--- apparently has bought their line that “at will hiring, at will firing” in some way benefits casino workers because he used this to justify unjustified firings of casino workers during our telephone conversation. What is going on here? This Legislative Assistant to a Democratic member of the Michigan House who receives massive campaign contributions from organized labor finds “at will hiring, at will firing” a completely acceptable employment policy as used by Casino managements.

Note: John Shaski--- a Legislative Assistant to a Democratic Party member of the Michigan House, one of nine members of the House Regulatory Reform Committee dominated by five Democrats--- explained to me, in reference to the fact that casino workers will have no rights while employed in this new Gun Lake Casino, that casino workers must sign a statement--- a mandatory step in the employment process--- acknowledging that their terms of employment are contingent upon accepting “at will hiring, at will firing;” therefore, according to Mr. Shaski, these casino workers understand that they will have no rights.

Mr. Shaski then went on to say, “No one is forcing anyone to take a job in a casino. People voluntarily take these jobs and most people enjoy working in casinos.”

Well, Mr. Shaski enjoyed his job working in a smoke-filled casino surrounded by friends and fellow employees receiving poverty wages being treated like dog poop on management’s shoes so much he jumped at the chance to work in a smoke-free environment paying real living wages for a state legislator who has had no problem with taking campaign funds from unions who spent the dues of their members supporting a politician who would hire a political hack whose outlook on life with such twisted and outrageous views towards working people--- their rights; and, their health; views shaped by casino managements and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

According to the minutes of the Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee the Democratic Legislator Mr. Shaski works for refused to insist on having the “$40,000.00 a year income” substantiated with empirical documentation; and, she refused to insist on having a complete list of the forty organizations which are allegedly supporting this casino venture for which the Gun Lake Band is fronting for the Station Casinos owned by the Fertitta Family which boasts of owning a string of casinos and resort properties--- all non-union.

Union organizers attempting to get the Fertitta Family to the bargaining table have been met by thugs and violence. Interesting, but true--- not one member of the Michigan Regulatory Reform Committee, in spite of having a majority of Democrats on the Committee--- all heavily backed and endorsed by organized labor--- not one of these Democrats asked what kind of track record the Fertitta Family has regarding labor-management relations in regard to union organizing drives.

I really like this idea spun by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy and accepted without questioning by Mr. Shaski that working people are “voluntarily” taking these poverty wage jobs in smoke-filled casinos without any rights.

“Voluntarily” is the key word here.

Do workers really take these jobs “voluntarily;” or, are working people forced into taking these jobs due to economic circumstance?

Mr. Shaski and the adjuncts of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy may want to ponder this question. To my way of thinking, Mr. Shaski and the adjuncts of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy have a very lop-sided, narrow, and distorted way of viewing the world--- although, by coincidence and chance, their views serve the goals and objectives of these casino managements and the Fertitta Family very well... and a Michigan Governor and State Legislature who would continue to ignore the plight and human rights of casino workers.

Ok, so this is the way this rotten system of casino capitalism works… but, how does one explain away the “skimming” of these casinos… just chalk that up to casino capitalism, too?

But, now, what Mr. Shaski and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy have to explain in reference to their favorite term “voluntarily,” is why workers aren’t “free” to organize into unions in order to negotiate a smoke-free working environment and to attain the $40,000.00 a year jobs that have been so widely publicized and promised.

Here is another interesting question: How come the Gun Lake Band and the Fertitta Family have had no problem coming to an agreement with Hugh Coward and the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council; but, they have a problem with casino workers being members of a union seeking to protect their right to living incomes and a voice at work through collective bargaining?

Does anyone really believe Hugh Coward, the President of the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council when he says he never realized casino workers are employed under terms of "at will hiring, at will hiring" without any rights?

To listen to Mr. Coward the "deal is done" and "it is too late to change anything."

Well, Mr. Coward, is this the way democracy works? You and the Gun Lake band and the Fertitta Family meet in secrecy, work out your "deal" and now you say it is too late to consider the plight of casino workers?

If, in a democracy, it is "too late" to overcome an injustice this is a very sad state of affairs. If democracy is not adaptable to modifying an agreement to include justice for all workers, including the 1,800 workers who will be employed under terms of "at will hiring, at will firing" who had no place at the table where Mr. Coward, the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce, the Gun Lake Band, and the Fertitta Family created the "deal" Michigan politicians are supposed to buy into without questioning--- I question what kind of democracy we are talking about... it seems to be a very perverted kind of democracy if you ask me.

In fact, look around at all the casinos… how do these casinos get the funds to continually remodel, expand, and rebuild? Mr. Shaski and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy don’t like being pressured to explain any of this; in fact, they get highly offended and bristle in being asked this question.

These casino empires making money hand-over-fist finance all of this on the backs of poverty wage paid casino employees being ruthlessly exploited. Labor creates all wealth; and, in the case of casino workers, are rewarded with poverty wages, heart and lung problems and a myriad of cancers in return.

In fact, what ever revenue the State of Michigan receives from the Gun Lake Casino will not cover the public funds required for building the infrastructure and its continual maintenance this casino will need.

I know this isn’t the way Mr. Shaski and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy want me to look at things… but, to me this all looks like working people getting screwed and tax-payers getting ripped off while the Fertitta Family walks off with the profits and the Kansas City Mob squirms away in darkness with everything they can “skim.”

Oh, the virtues of “free enterprise,” “freedom,” and “democracy.”

By the way, I have invited every single member of the Michigan Legislature and their political hacks, including Mr. Shaski and Mr. Garbarino and Representative Barbara Farrah, to respond in writing to what I have to say rather than crying about my “unconventional methods of intervention which throw a monkey wrench into the normal political process;” all have refused.

Ahh, yes; if only working people would understand that their place in life is to submit to injustice, keep their mouths shut, and let the bosses and their political stooges do their thinking for them things would run so much more smoothly. Stick your hand out, grab an unmarked envelope stuffed with cash... and just forget about thinking... the American way of life... ain't it great?

Isn’t it terrible that Michigan Legislators have had to do the unconventional, and have been torn from their normal routine of business as usual due to my “rude behavior”--- they have been forced to think about the plight of casino workers.

To just look at some of these Legislators you kind of wonder if they are even competent to think… they have been trained to just stick out their open hand anticipating receiving a plain, unmarked envelope filled with cash… they never knew thinking--- let alone thinking about the rights and the plight of working people--- was actually a part of the political process... and their job.

Yes! Michigan!… A new day has arrived! It is taking Michigan politicians some time to adjust to this new and strange world where these politicians get their hands slapped when they reach for the stuffed envelope from the Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council.

Michigan politicians have taken the stuffed envelopes from the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce, the Fertitta Family, and the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council… now, when confronted with the issue of the rights of casino workers they are in a quandary; they find themselves confronted with a moral and ethical dilemma.

What will Michigan politicians do next Wednesday?

Something to think about around the kitchen table---

Are Michigan’s Democratic Party legislators capable of overcoming the down payments they have received from the Fertitta Family and the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council in making an ethical and moral decision based upon the plight of casino workers who refuse to pay them off?

Will Michigan Legislators sign off on the rights of casino workers and abandon their mandate to uphold the human rights of casino workers as Governor Jennifer Granholm has done?

Or, will Michigan Legislators reject this "Compact" in its present form and tell the Governor to go back and renegotiate a "Compact" that includes rights for casino workers like all other workers enjoy in Michigan under state and federal labor laws?

What will the Michigan AFL-CIO do?

The time has come to tell these casino managements to take their "at will hiring, at will firing" and go to hell.

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

Controversy continues to swirl as Michigan Legislators look at another casino "Compact"

Note: please see my previous blog for additional information on this issue: http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/2007/07/governor-granholm-and-michigan.html

I received an e-mail from Victor Rocha accusing me of being a "closeted racist" for forcing Michigan Legislators to consider the lack of rights for casino workers in these "compacts."

Here is my response to Mr. Victor Rocha:

Mr. Victor Rocha who has managed to make a living as a front for organized crime in promoting so-called “Indian Gaming” has decided that my talking about the rights of casino workers is an act of “closeted racism;” when in fact, it is Native American workers who are hurt the most by these mobsters being fronted for by Native American bands like the Gun Lake Band.

Forcing people who can not get employment anyplace else to work in smoke-filled casinos at poverty wages, without any rights makes the distribution of small-pox laden blankets appear to be a real gift from heaven.

Mr. Rocha makes no bones about it, he is looking for a pay-off in the “time honored tradition” of the gaming industry. I am sure Mr. Rocha has been well rewarded for his dirty deeds of covering up the human rights abuses casino workers across this country have been, and continue to be, subjected to by these casino managements.

Interesting, Mr. Rocha never gets any compliments from working class tribal members telling him how grateful they are for the “great” jobs his publication has helped them to secure.

Anyone ever read about the “little” skimming operations which rob these casinos and ultimately the bands--- and workers--- of the lucrative share of the profits they have been promised.

Anyone who has ever stepped foot in any of the 400 or so “Native American owned/operated casinos” in this country has to wonder why there would be a single case of poverty involving malnutrition, unfit housing, joblessness, lack of educational or health care access on any reservation or Native American--- rural or urban--- community in the United States.

As any school child understands, poverty can not be eliminated as long as poverty wages are being paid by these casino operators employing people in these smoke-filled casinos without one iota of concern for the health of casino workers employed at poverty wages without any rights under state, federal, or tribal labor laws.

I am sure Mr. Rocha and his publication has made it much easier for reporters like Chris Knape of the Grand Rapids Press to peddle more lies about these casino operations.

It would appear to me Mr. Victor Rocha has found a way to live a lavish lifestyle as a result of his intentionally ignoring racism in the casino industry and the human rights abuses casino workers are subjected to twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three-hundred and sixty five days of the year.

Not once has Mr. Rocha looked for the underlying problems creating racism in the casino industry.

Just goes to show who Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm and the Democratic Party rely on their support from.

By the way, ever notice the lack of Native American workers on the construction sites as these casinos are being built, remodeled, and undergoing gigantic expansions?

Where are the affirmative action programs in the “deals” worked out between these casino managements and the building and construction trades unions? Perhaps Mr. Hugh Coward, the President of the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council would like to enlighten us all on this matter?

Anyways… here is Mr. Victor Rocha’s little “plea of poverty” on the World Wide Web as he looks for another hand out; I am confident the Fertitta Family and Station Casinos would like to slip this poverty stricken gentleman some more “spare change”:

Dear friends,

Since the passage of California's Proposition 5 in 1998, Pechanga.Net has provided critical news and commentary on Indian and gaming issues throughout the country. The results have been remarkable. The website gets about 1.5 million hits a month. It has helped elect officials, pass or block legislation, and raise money for worthy causes. Every day tribal leaders, politicians, lawyers, business executives, and journalists tell me how Pechanga.Net makes their jobs easier.

But financially the picture is less rosy. The economic slump has caused cutbacks in advertising revenue. Computing, server fees, and other expenses continue to mount. Plans to expand the site and offer new services are on hold. These factors limit Pechanga.Net's ability to present the most extensive, up-to-date information people have come to expect.

As you know, Pechanga.Net offers its service free, and I'd like to keep it that way. The site's independence means it doesn't have to slant its editorial policy to satisfy funding sources. If you find Pechanga.Net a valuable resource and want to help this effort, please consider contributing whatever you can. Your donations will ensure we have enough funds to continue providing the essential news and commentary for Indian Country.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Victor Rocha
victor@pechanga.net

*********


Following is my response to Mr. Garbarino who is employed by the Democratic Leader of the Michigan House:

-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Garbarino [mailto:Ggarbarino@house.mi.gov]
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 3:12 PM
To: Alan Maki
Subject: FW: Re: our phone conversation this A.M. Please click on the link below to my blog...

Mr. Maki,

I will respond to your e-mails in depth in a separate e-mail. However, the e-mail that you expected me to forward to all Democratic Representatives accused them of taking bribes. I will not forward it, and I suggest that unless you have proof of such actions, you refrain from making such accusations. Taking a bribe in exchange for a vote is a crime.

Gary Garbarino

Office of Representative Steve Tobocman


...

-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Maki [mailto:amaki000@centurytel.net]
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:09 AM
To: 'Gary Garbarino'; 'gdubovich@usw.org'
Cc: 'cknape@grpress.com'; 'Michael Johnston'; 'miaflcio@voyager.net'
Subject: RE: Re: our phone conversation this A.M. Please click on the link below to my blog...

Mr. Garbarino,

I have posed some very simple and basic questions concerning workers’ rights and this “Compact.”

So far, you say you will respond, yet you have not.

You can easily distribute my response to the Grand Rapids Press article and my essay on ethics and morality in governmental decision making to all members of the Michigan Legislature’s Democratic Caucus. Feel free to edit as you see fit since the questions I am posing are very legitimate and stand on their own--- with or without--- my commentary as to the perception of bribes. I think you fully understand my concerns relating to the rights of working people.

If you have not received comments concerning the rights of workers as I have raised from other unions, I would suggest that you might want to contact them for their input. There is the possibility I was not the only representative from labor who was not informed of the hearing before the Regulatory Reform Committee. In fact, I know I was not. At least two locals from the Building and Construction Trades Union in the Upper Peninsula who had opinions differing with the statement in support from the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council had requested to know about this hearing as they intended to introduce testimony regarding the Island Casino addition near Escanaba.

Other than having been “bribed,” what other reason would there be for the members of the Regulatory Reform Committee of the Michigan House not to have asked any of the questions I raise in my response to the article from the Grand Rapids Press?

When I talked to people in the area around where the casino is going to be built, more often than not, the comment I would receive from people was a motion; they would rub their thumb against their fingers… an obvious indication they felt this all revolves around politicians getting something in return for their votes.

What is it you think these people are referring to? I would remind you that in politics perception is just about everything.

Once people begin to look at the history of the Fertitta Family and the lack of any questions concerning the rights of working people, do you really think the perception is not one of massive amounts of cash exchanging hands in an illegal manner in order to obtain the needed votes?

I think I have a very legitimate reason to publicly voice the concerns many people harbor concerning the way this “deal” is going down.

You might want to spend an evening viewing the movie, Casino; I understand the Fertitta Family is featured very prominently in this movie, although not by name.

Do you really believe that the public will not understand that when “skimming” a casino is at issue, bribes to politicians are not involved?

However, you are using this issue of “bribes” as a clever way to continue skirting the issue of workers’ rights. Let me assure you, Mr. Garbarino, there is no way you and your legislative caucus can continue to skirt this issue… members of your caucus can follow the lead of Governor Granholm and the Regulatory Reform Committee and vote for this casino; however, now that these questions are coming into the open in various ways I think many people are going to wonder “why” so many Democratic legislators who are backed and supported by organized labor would ignore these issues relating to workers’ rights and the conditions casino employees will labor under.

Anyone with the least little bit of intelligence and common sense is going to be asking why these questions have not come forward. I spoke with several labor leaders, including the President of the union representing the hourly workers for the City of Grand Rapids who is supporting this casino, but is now doing so with grave reservations about the rights of workers who will be employed in this casino.

Please keep in mind, Mr. Garbarino, that simply because people may not have thought about this issue, does not mean that once the issue is placed before them they continue to think about this issue in the same manner. I hope you will consider this because now that the issue has been raised, the proverbial “genie” is out of the bottle and no one can confine her again; even if the Grand Rapids Press chooses to ignore these issues.

I believe this is one of those issues so integrally connected to peoples’ perceptions about ethics and morality in government that the Democratic Party and the Democratic Legislative Caucus will not be able to shake off the ramifications of giving this “Compact” its approval.

I have sent this to a number of unions presently looking at organizing casino workers.

One last thing; the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council alluded to this casino having the support of at least 40 other organizations. I assume that great friend of organized labor--- the Kalamazoo, Michigan Chamber of Commerce--- was one of the 40 organizations. As for the others, I do not know who they might be. Could you provide me with that list? It concerns me that a union, any union, would only be looking out for the interests of their own members and what they might get out of this casino venture without taking into account the workers who will be spending a good portion of their lives employed in this casino. I trust, being the friend of labor you say you are, this would be of considerable concern to you.

Please feel free to read, and re-read my blog on this issue… judging from the responses I am receiving, many other people are.

I do await your response,

Alan L. Maki

Director of Organizing,

Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council



58891 County Road 13

Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432

Cell phone: 651-587-5541

E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net


Check out my blog:

Thoughts From Podunk

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

...

Mr. Garbarino,

Hopefully it has now been impressed upon you that many others share our concerns over this “Compact” with the Gun Lake Band which Michigan legislators are considering approving.

I have now been in communication with a number of labor leaders, elected labor officials, rank and file activists, and those in Michigan concerned about workers’ rights and social justice who share our concerns about this “Compact” with the Gun Lake Band.

I have yet to hear back from you even though I am, quite literally, hearing from union activists all over the United States now who are saying, “Yes, Michigan! It is a good place to bring this issue forward; and, the timing is right.”

I hope you are conveying these sentiments to all the members of the Democratic Party Legislative Caucus who have, until now, demonstrated a very flippant and uncaring attitude towards the rights of these casino workers.

I just got off the telephone with the President of the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council--- Hugh Coward, and, he assures me he shares the same concerns I am voicing to you regarding the rights of the 1,800 workers who will be employed in this casino. He assures me he is no ogre concerned only about his own members but is concerned about all workers. AS you can see, I have forwarded this e-mail to President Hugh Coward at: local340ironworker@sbcglobal.net

My suggestion would be that before any vote is taken, the House Democratic Caucus should meet together with the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, the Michigan AFL-CIO, Change to Win, our Organizing Committee, and any other labor unions who have a concern that casino workers are not being adequately represented in this “Compact”… that agreement on a clause be reached assuring casino workers will have the same rights as all other workers under Michigan and Federal labor laws including the protection of their right to organize, and that the Governor, and members of the House and Senate meet with the Gun Lake Band to include this in the “Compact” and the new agreement should then be submitted to the same approval process.

This is really all very simple.

In fact, President Hugh Coward of the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council assures me that the Gun Lake Band is a great and understanding group of people to do business with; and he has assured me, that if he had been aware of our concerns prior to this, [I can’t explain why he wasn’t aware of the situation with casino workers but that is neither here nor there] he would have been able to take care of this problem with the Gun Lake Band long ago.

So, Mr. Garbarino, here we are, even those who delivered testimony in support of this project during the hearing last Wednesday before the House Regulatory Reform Committee are now saying they share our concerns.

There is no longer any reason for the Michigan Legislature to proceed in voting on this issue at this time… simply send it back to Governor Granholm whom I am certain is now looking upon this “Compact” as being very deficient in the area of workers’ rights.

I think everyone can chalk this up to a learning experience and now get on with doing what is right and just.

I can’t see why the inclusion of such a clause in the “Compact” would find any opposition from any quarters on the part of anyone or any organization previously supporting this “Compact;” whoever the “some 40 organizations” referred to in President Hugh Coward’s testimony before the House Regulatory Reform Committee [ see link: http://www.house.mi.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee19-7-24-2007-4.pdf ]. I haven’t checked with the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce, but I would assume they would have no opposition. And, I can’t imagine the Gun Lake Band wanting to do the wrong thing by the casino workers they will have to get along with for many years to come.

I can see no reason why President Coward would not be able to get the Gun Lake Band to agree to this very simple, yet very important, modification of the “Compact” at this late date… after all, I am sure President Coward would be in agreement with me that we should be concerned with the rights of ALL workers who will be impacted by this casino venture and the “Compact” giving it life. I can see no reason why any of the unions who are a part of the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council would want to see this “Compact” defeated on this issue of protecting the rights of casino workers.

It might be helpful to have President Hugh Coward bring forward exactly how his members will be working under this “Compact” and how their present contract with other employers will be enforced on this casino project… the role of MIOSHA, OSHA, in enforcing health and safety issues, etc. and the role of business agents and union stewards in handling grievances on the job and other disputes arising under the terms of their general collectively bargained agreements. It would be beneficial to see where the construction firms and general contractor will be bound by general collective agreements for all private and public jobs.

Again, once you inform me of the date and time of the meeting I will be there.

I think this is the way things should be, everyone demonstrating concern for one another.

Alan L. Maki

Director of Organizing,

Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council



58891 County Road 13

Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432

Cell phone: 651-587-5541

E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net


Check out my blog:

Thoughts From Podunk

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

******

While Michigan Legislators have allowed the reference to "$40,000.00 a year casino jobs" to go unchallenged, I have insisted in accountability for this lie from: the Gun Lake Band, the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce, the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, and Michigan Legislators by insisting they bring forward a list of all positions which will be available along with the hourly pay schedules and projected annual income of each job position. This is not too much to ask since when the Michigan Legislature has previously discussed these "Compacts" the exact same outlandish figures have been tossed around only to see Michigan's casino workers making, "on average," the miserly, poverty wages of between eight and $12,000.00 a year once the casino operations are up and running; this from an industry which is making fabulous sums of money hand-over-fist.

I would note, deceptive as it remains, the testimony of President Hugh Coward refers to a "wages and benefits package" in his testimony, although no casinos in Michigan or anyplace else in the Midwest provide such "wages and benefits" averaging $40,000.00 a year. President Coward asks me to believe the Gun Lake Band is telling the truth in this matter. Neither I, nor anyone else, should have to "believe" this to be true... simply bring out the listing of "job opportunities" and the associated pay schedules for these jobs and then we can all see for ourselves the empirical data first hand; this is the only way to address this issue honestly with accountability.

That Michigan's Governor and Legislators would consider anything less is shameful.

******

Check out how the Odawa/Victories Casino and Resort in Petoskey, Michigan where the Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council has a union organizing campaign presently underway, advertises jobs:

Must be able to write legibly and be able to understand and speak English. Long periods of standing and walking required. Significant lifting up to thirty-five (35) pounds, along with bending, reaching, stooping, pushing and pulling. May encounter wet slippery floors. Moderate use of hands, wrists, and fingers as associated with carrying trays, computer and cash register usage. Exposure to loud and continual noise levels and a smoke filled environment. Must be flexible with shifts and days off. Must maintain confidentiality at all times. Must be able to meet Odawa Casino Resort's Internal training requirements. Must be able to obtain a gaming license in accordance to the regulations established by the LTBB Gaming Regulatory Commission.

"Exposure to loud and continual noise levels and a smoke filled environment"

No place are the health and safety risks associated with such a work environment posted. The American Cancer Society and the Heart and Lung Foundation should place a billboard with the risks along with the photographs contained on the packages of cigarettes sold in Canada to get the point across about the dangers of second-hand smoke.

*********

TheStreet.com columnist Brett Arends looks at where Republican presidential candidate and current primary-race front-runner Rudy Giuliani is getting some of his campaign donations.

Underreported from the first fund-raising tallies: Giuliani is by far the most popular figure in the gambling and casino industry. He's raised $94,900 from bookies of all stripes so far -- twice as much as anyone else. Las Vegas' Fertitta family, owners of Station Casinos, is among his top contributors.

Giuliani is also the cigarette companies' favorite Republican, collecting $26,050 from the industry in the quarter.

********

Hillary Clinton's long list of contributors include members of the Fertitta family, owners of a chain of neighborhood nonunion casinos.

********

Governor Granholm and Michigan Legislators Sign Away Workers' Rights by approving "Compact" for new casino in West Michigan

Michigan Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm signs onto another "Compact" with the Gun Lake Band which is fronting for the Kansas City mob and the Fertitta family empire of Station Casinos; Granholm signs away workers' rights without batting one of her hollywood eyelashes and without one iota of concern for human rights.



Michigan State Representative Barbara Farrah is leading the legislative drive to approve this new casino venture that has been distorted in every aspect by local media... which has pushed the lie that jobs will be paying on average--- $40,000.00 a year.

Representative Farrah has long been known to be closely associated with organized crime figures, big-business, and the insurance industry so it comes as no surprise to anyone that she is now the voice of the Kansas City mob in this new casino venture which will, again, see profits placed before the rights of working people.

Below is an article which appeared in the Grand Rapids Press, historically a right-wing, racist, anti-labor, Republican rag which has never failed to come to the defense of employers and the military-financial-industrial complex... and now in defense of all the corruption associated with casino capitalism.

It is no coincidence the Fertitta family has bank-rolled some of the most corrupt and reactionary politicians in this country.

Not only is this casino venture where the State of Michigan is an actual partner a threat to workers' rights; this compact will also have very detrimental effects on democracy as this dirty money will be used to finance the political campaigns of politicians who are only concerned about money and corporate profits and what they can get from the funds that will be "skimmed" by the "silent partners" in this corrupt deal, cheating both the Gun Lake Band members and the State of Michigan from needed revenues.

The Fertitta Family has a long history of being partnered with those involved in "skimming" casino funds and the murderous and corrupt dealings associated with "skimming" casinos.

The Kalamazoo Michigan Chamber of Commerce has pushed for this casino knowing that low wages paid to these more than 1,800 casino workers will push wages down in the area. It is very interesting the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement claiming widespread public support for this casino with the full and complete knowledge the public has not received the real facts concerning: 1.] Wages; 2.] Working conditions; 3.] exactly who the Gun Lake Band is fronting for.

Click on the link below to see the statement from the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce and note for yourself what facts are omitted:

http://www.mbpi.org/PDF/KzooChamberPressRelease42105.pdf

The Anderson Economic Group also did a study for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce which does not use actual wages which will be paid, nor make any reference or comment concerning the impact of 1,800 workers employed in a smoke-filled work place:

http://www.andersoneconomicgroup.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=display_aeg&doc_ID=501

I find it very interesting that no concern has been demonstrated for the rights of, and conditions of employment, by the more than 1,800 workers who will be employed in this casino.

Even the religious community, social justice organizations, and both the Michigan AFL-CIO and Change to Win labor federations and their affiliates have also remained silent at a time they could have the greatest impact.

The connections between organized crime and the Teamsters Union with previous ventures of the Fertitta Family might provide a clue as to "why?"

It is also interesting to note that the Michigan Building and Construction trades unions have allowed their members to be employed in other casino construction projects in Michigan... including those now underway in Petoskey and Escanaba even though the union members who are employed on these construction projects rely upon the general contractors to enforce health and safety regulations... something unheard of. Also, business agents are not allowed on the construction sites to enforce contracts. There is a similarity in these construction jobs where workers are paying union dues but not getting the full protections of collective bargained agreements which appear to be remarkably similar to the way organized crime "skims" casino profits.

WE can conclude that the way these "Compacts" are approved not only denies casino workers their rights, but, enables the political process to be corrupted, construction workers placed at risk, and the ripping off of Michigan tax-payers.

I challenge anyone to demonstrate where this present "Compact" with the Gun Lake Band fronting for the Fertitta Family is in the best interest of working people, the local community, or, the State of Michigan... in fact, when all facts are considered this "Compact' is a bad deal for workers, a bad deal for the local community, and a bad deal for the State of Michigan; which leads one to wonder why in the world would Governor Granholm sign such a bad deal and what would make legislators give this "Compact" their stamp of approval?

There is only one conclusion: Dirty money has created a dirty deal; and, if dirty money is demonstrating its corrupt influence at this early stage of the project, what might we anticipate from this "Compact" in the years to come? A question no one seems to want to address or answer.

Native American newspapers have also refused to address the issues of workers rights and working conditions in these casinos. They also are the recipients of casino advertising revenues, as is evidenced from this article which concerns itself with the logo for the Gun Lake Casino; but has never considered the issue of workers' rights or working conditions:

http://www.hotel-online.com/News/2007_Jun_13/k.ICC.1181839709.html

Note: My response to the Grand Rapids Press article which is riddled with lie after lie was sent to Michigan State Representatives and others... at the bottom I provide the complete list. Not one single member of the Michigan Legislature has raised any question of workers' rights and the conditions under which working people will be employed in this casino.

Note: Communications between myself and the Governor's legal counsel in all of this will be provided upon request; these communications have already been made available to the Michigan AFL-CIO and the editor of the Grand Valley Labor News as well as the editor of the Grand Rapids Press. All members of the Michigan Legislature have received these communications.

Barbara Farrah has refused to acknowledge the issue of workers' rights; human rights apply to the rights of working people, including casino workers.

My response to the Grand Rapids Press article published in its entirety.

Note: The Grand Rapids Press refused to publish my response even though it was sent to both Mr. Knape and Grand Rapids Press Editor, Mr. Lloyd.

Mr. Knape,

Interesting how you, as a reporter for the Grand Rapids Press and your Republican editor, continue to peddle the lie of $40,000.00 a year jobs in order to use the plight of unemployed people to suck them in on this casino venture in Gun Lake. But, your newspaper stands to make big money in advertising revenues off this casino, right? So, I guess we can’t expect the most objective reporting from you when millions of dollars in advertising revenue and corporate profits are at stake.

I assume you are related to the Knape family which has long exploited working people by paying poverty wages in West Michigan. Your editor sure knows who to assign a story like this to.

You show me a casino any place in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Iowa where casino workers make that kind of money “on average.” Why don’t you publish the facts; list all the employment positions that will be open and what the positions will pay? Come on Mr. Knape, what is preventing you from doing this? Absolutely nothing; except you don’t want people to know the truth--- especially not those people who are unemployed and you have them all worked up looking forward to $40,000.00 a year jobs. I suppose the next thing you are going to tell us is that this pay will be contingent on hard work and loyalty to management.

You probably don’t even make 40k a year peddling these lies for the rag you work for.

You completely evade the issue surrounding the lack of very basic labor and human rights in these casinos; never bothering to even question or raise this issue with band officials or state public officials in spite of me having sent to you and the Grand Rapids Press the exchanges between myself and the Governor’s legal counsel on this matter--- John Wernet.

You completely evade the health issue of so many workers employed in what will be a smoke-filled casino. Wait until these workers start dropping of heart, lung, and cancers at a rate of more than 8 to one in the general population and these people have to contend with home foreclosures to pay their medical bills after they get fired for not showing up for work regularly due to these second-hand smoke related illnesses.

Jobs: with no security at poverty wages in a smoke-filled casino operation… not your lies of $40,000.00 a year jobs is what awaits those who will be working in this Gun Lake Casino.

I challenge you to show me the pay stubs and W-2 forms along with the payroll records of one single casino in the State of Michigan where the average pay for hourly employees in these casinos is $40,000.00 a year. This is a brazen and outright lie you are peddling which should cause any thinking person to question the truthfulness of anything they read in your Republican rag which passes itself off as a “newspaper.”

When discussing the lives of some 1,800 workers who will be employed in this casino, who, even according to Mr. John Wermet--- Governor Granholm’s legal counsel on this matter--- employees will have not one single right in the workplace. Under this circumstance your reporting becomes even more atrocious.

I spent three weeks meeting with people in the area where this casino is going to be built… and when I showed the people the correspondence I had with Mr. Wermet, they all said they felt like they were being played for suckers and fools. But, that is what the casino industry is all about, isn’t it… playing everyone from the tax-payers to the patrons and employees for suckers and fools.

I intend to post this on my blog for all to see, along with the list of people, unions, and organizations this has been sent to listed in the “Cc.”

Mr. Knape, all I can say is: Shame on your lack of integrity, morals, and ethics in reporting.

Perhaps you should ask these Gun Lake tribal officials fronting for the mobsters who will really be operating this casino if they would like to sit down with me and negotiate a contract covering all the hourly employees since they are in such a generous mood; and, allow the employees to vote on the contract before the casino opens as a test of what kind of voice at work the employees will have and what kind of democracy there will be in this fabulous place of employment.



Grand Rapids Press article:

Gun Lake casino clears hurdle with House

Friday, July 20, 2007

By Chris Knape

The Grand Rapids Press


LANSING -- The state House appears game for a Wayland casino.

Members of the House, led by Rep. Barbara Farrah, D-Southgate, introduced a resolution Thursday that could lead to legislative approval of a Wayland Township casino.

The resolution essentially would give the House's blessing to a revenue-sharing compact agreed to by the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi and Gov. Jennifer Granholm in March.

With 57 co-sponsors and a majority of members present needed for passage, the resolution has more than enough support to win approval in the 110-member House. However, no area House members have signed on to support it.

Farrah said the resolution is not a pro-gaming measure.

"We don't decide if there is going to be gaming or not," she said. "We need to do the compact for the state of Michigan to make sure we have the revenue and regulation."

The proposed compact calls for the tribe to pay 8 percent of the take from electronic games such as slot machines to the state for its first $150 million in gross revenue. The share scales up to 10 percent if the gross exceeds $150 million, and to 12 percent if the gross is more than $300 million.

In exchange, the tribe receives the exclusive right to operate a casino within a nine-county region surrounding it. An exception in the compact would allow for a different tribe's first casino to be built in the nine-county region while preserving revenue-sharing payments.

It's unclear when the resolution might make it to the House floor. Farrah is chairwoman of the House committee where the resolution is likely to be referred.

The state Senate, which has yet to introduce such a resolution, would need to approve a similar one.

The Legislature's approval of the compact is one of the last hurdles that must be cleared by the tribe before it goes ahead with what could be a $200 million a casino off the Bradley exit of U.S. 131 in Allegan County.

The facility is expected to employ 1,800 people, with average compensation of $40,000 a year, according to the tribe.

The Gun Lake Band is the only one of Michigan's 12 federally recognized tribes not to have a gaming compact with the state.

"After six years of playing by the rules, the tribe is still asking for the same thing -- fairness," said John Shagonaby, vice chairman of the Gun Lake tribe. "The compact will also ensure thousands of good-paying jobs and millions of dollars in new revenue for local and state government, as well as the business community."

On July 30, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., is expected to receive the final written documents in a suit by casino opponents that seeks to prevent having land for the casino put into trust as the Gun Lake Band's reservation. Oral arguments and a final ruling on the case could come later this year or early next year.

Two similar suits involving casinos in New Buffalo and near Battle Creek have failed. The Pokagon Band of Pottawatomi's casino in New Buffalo is slated to open in August. Work on the Huron Band's casino near Battle Creek is expected to get under way soon.

Farrah said there was no point in waiting for the case -- which she believes the tribe will win -- to be decided before introducing the resolution.

"The process is moving. We need to move with the process," she said.


Send e-mail to the author: cknape@grpress.com

Alan L. Maki

Director of Organizing,

Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council



58891 County Road 13

Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432

Cell phone: 651-587-5541

E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net


Check out my blog:

Thoughts From Podunk

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/


The following have received all information on this "Compact," the names and e-mail addresses pretty much explain who each party is--- if you have questions, please feel free to contact me.


'cknape@grpress.com'; 'miaflcio@voyager.net'; 'gdubovich@usw.org'

'GVLNpaper@aol.com'; 'editor@indiancountry.com'; 'mnaflcio@qwest.net'; 'mlloyd@grpress.com'; 'GVLNpaper@aol.com'; 'pulse@grpress.com'; 'localnews@grpress.com'; 'mradigan@grpress.com'; 'creister@grpress.com'; 'pshellenbarger@grpress.com'; 'bvanochten@grpess.com'; 'jbauer@grpress.com'; 'ncrawley@grpress.com'; 'chair@pdwm.org'; 'lamarlemmonsjr@house.mi.gov'; 'jackbrandenburg@house.mi.gov'; 'edclemente@house.mi.gov'; 'bertjohnson@house.mi.gov'; 'andycoulouris@house.mi.gov'; 'edwardgaffney@house.mi.gov'; 'tomcasperson@house.mi.gov'; 'jeffmayes@house.mi.gov'; 'fredmiller@house.mi.gov'; 'tompearce@house.mi.gov'; 'timmelton@house.mi.gov'; 'terrybrown@house.mi.gov'; 'andymeisner@house.mi.gov'; 'stevenlindberg@house.mi.gov'; 'mikenofs@house.mi.gov'; 'barbbyrum@house.mi.gov'; 'virgilsmith@house.mi.gov'; 'franamos@house.mi.gov'; 'kimmeltzer@house.mi.gov'; 'representativesak@house.mi.gov'; 'stevetobocman@house.mi.gov'; 'davidpalsrok@house.mi.gov'; 'joanbauer@house.mi.gov'; 'craigderoche@house.mi.gov'; 'pambyrnes@house.mi.gov'; 'kevinelsenheimer@house.mi.gov'; 'billhuizenga@house.mi.gov'; 'rickshaffer@house.mi.gov'; 'matthewgillard@house.mi.gov'; 'judyemmons@house.mi.gov'; 'johnespinoza@house.mi.gov'; 'fultonsheen@house.mi.gov'; 'kennethhorn@house.mi.gov'; 'arlanbmeekhof@house.mi.gov'; 'tonyaschuitmaker@house.mi.gov'; 'glennsteil@house.mi.gov'; 'richardball@house.mi.gov'; 'briancalley@house.mi.gov'; 'repbrianpalmer@house.mi.gov'; 'marshacheeks@house.mi.gov'; 'barbarafarrah@house.mi.gov'; 'rephildenbrand@house.mi.gov'; 'ginopolidori@house.mi.gov'; 'bobconstan@house.mi.gov'; 'mikelahti@house.mi.gov'; 'hoon-yunghopgood@house.mi.gov'; 'rickjones@house.mi.gov'; 'frankaccavitti@house.mi.gov'; 'kathleenlaw@house.mi.gov'; 'andydillon@house.mi.gov'; 'colemanayoungii@house.mi.gov'; 'johnproos@house.mi.gov'; 'shanellejackson@house.mi.gov'; 'dspade@house.mi.gov'; 'darwinbooher@house.mi.gov'; 'howardwalker@house.mi.gov'; 'almasmith@house.mi.gov'; 'stevebieda@house.mi.gov'; 'johngarfield@house.mi.gov'; 'jackhoogendyk@house.mi.gov'; 'mikesimpson@house.mi.gov'; 'bettiecookscott@house.mi.gov'; 'paulopsommer@house.mi.gov'; 'davidrobertson@house.mi.gov'; 'martyknollenberg@house.mi.gov'; 'chrisward@house.mi.gov'; 'robertjones@house.mi.gov'; 'markmeadows@house.mi.gov'; 'lorencewenke@house.mi.gov'; 'paulcondino@house.mi.gov'; 'billcaul@house.mi.gov'; 'phillippavlov@house.mi.gov'; 'johnmoolenaar@house.mi.gov'; 'kathyangerer@house.mi.gov'; 'aldovagnozzi@house.mi.gov'; 'brucecaswell@house.mi.gov'; 'martingriffin@house.mi.gov'; 'nealnitz@house.mi.gov'; 'jimmarleau@house.mi.gov'; 'davidlaw@house.mi.gov'; 'johnstahl@house.mi.gov'; 'lisawojno@house.mi.gov'; 'georgecushingberry@house.mi.gov'; 'kevingreen@house.mi.gov'; 'phillajoy@house.mi.gov'; 'richardleblanc@house.mi.gov'; 'rebekahwarren@house.mi.gov'; 'johnstakoe@house.mi.gov'; 'KateEbli@house.mi.gov'; 'garymcdowell@house.mi.gov'; 'dougbennett@house.mi.gov'; 'robertdean@house.mi.gov'; 'maryvalentine@house.mi.gov'; 'morrishood3rd@house.mi.gov'; 'marccorriveau@house.mi.gov'; 'joelsheltrown@house.mi.gov'; 'mariedonigan@house.mi.gov'; 'tedhammon@house.mi.gov'; 'johnpastor@house.mi.gov'; 'gabeleland@house.mi.gov'; 'goeffhansen@house.mi.gov'; 'leegonzales@house.mi.gov'; 'richardhammel@house.mi.gov'; 'toryrocca@house.mi.gov'; 'chuckmoss@house.mi.gov'; 'brendaclack@house.mi.gov'; 'joehune@house.mi.gov'; 'daveagema@house.mi.gov'; 'danielacciavatti@house.mi.gov'; 'timmoore@house.mi.gov'; 'swilliams@metrodetroitaflcio.org'; 'divers@metrodetroitaflcio.org'; 'thill@metrodetroitaflcio.org'; 'info@mostimportantdecade.com'


This is another Associated Press article announcing that the House Committee has approved this "Compact." Please note: no comments on this article were allowed.

House starts clearing the way for Gun Lake casino

Posted by The Associated Press July 24, 2007 14:49PM

Categories: Breaking News

LANSING (AP) -- A deal letting an American Indian casino open in southwestern Michigan won initial backing Tuesday in the Legislature.

The House Regulatory Reform Committee voted 6-0 to approve a compact negotiated between Gov. Jennifer Granholm's administration and the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, also known as the Gun Lake tribe. Two lawmakers passed instead of voting yes or no.

Under the compact, the state would receive 8 percent of the casino's take from slot machines for the first $150 million, 10 percent between $150 million and $300 million and 12 percent in excess of $300 million.

The tribe plans to build a casino in Allegan County's Wayland Township, about 20 miles south of Grand Rapids. It would employ about 1,800 people and have about 2,500 electronic gambling machines and 80 gaming tables.

Supporters of the compact, which needs legislative approval, stressed it would create jobs and said it's better for state government than existing compacts because the Gun Lake tribe would have to make revenue-sharing payments unless a non-tribal casino opens within a surrounding nine-county area.

Other tribes with casinos -- including the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, which runs one of the nation's largest tribal casinos in Mount Pleasant -- stopped making payments when Detroit casinos opened in the late 1990s. The casinos were considered a violation of their deals with the state because the compacts applied to new casino competition coming from anywhere in the state, not just threats in the area where one tribal casino was located.

Opponents of the compact said the casino would be an economic drain, unfairly competing with existing entertainment venues, increasing crime and harming families.

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The Associated Press has also refused to acknowledge the problems associated with this "Compact." So, add to the other problems associated with the lack of workers' rights and what I have previously cited, the problem of fairness in the media covering this issue.

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This how the vote went in the Regulatory Reform Committee of the Michigan House Chaired by Democrat Barbara Farrah who has been pushing this casino project without any concern for the rights of working people (the Democrats are the majority):

The votes you requested are below. The minutes are not up online yet but should be available later today. They will be located at

http://www.house.mi.gov/committeeinfo.asp?lstcommittees=regulatory+reform&submit=Go


to report HR 158 with recommendation.


FAVORABLE ROLL CALL:

YEAS: Reps. Farrah, Virgil Smith, Wojno, Palsrok, Gaffney, Ward. (6/9)

NAYS: None. (0/9)

PASS: Reps. Scott, Marleau. (2/9)


to report HCR 39 with recommendation.


FAVORABLE ROLL CALL:

YEAS: Reps. Farrah, Virgil Smith, Wojno, Palsrok, Gaffney, Ward. (6/9)

NAYS: None. (0/9)

PASS: Reps. Scott, Marleau. (2/9)


Rep. Meadows was absent


For further commentary see:

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/ethics-and-morality.html

Shame on John Conyers

Some interesting thoughts have come from a variety of different viewpoints concerning the arrests of Cindy Sheehan and others at John Conyers’ office.

I join with those who say: Shame on John Conyers for using the police instead of dialogue and discussion. Shame on John Conyers’ most loyal supporter, Al Fishman of Detroit, for supporting what Conyers did. Shame on those who use red-baiting, and have tried to make this an issue involving racism, which it is not; it is an attempt by the “center” and “moderate” forces in the Democratic Party to smear Cindy Sheehan and focus debate in this country away from the real issues in a way that will permit the Democrats in the 2008 elections to evade any discussion of having to put forward solutions to our problems--- ending the war in Iraq and single-payer, universal health care, to name two.

Nobody twisted John Conyers’ arm to be Chair of the House Judiciary Committee… He wanted the position; he got it… apparently because he agreed to play on Pelosi’s team. He takes the heat that goes with the position. To think that he should be treated with kid gloves is ridiculous.

The fact of the matter is this: It was John Conyers who started all of this talk about impeachment in the first place in case Al Fishman and others have forgotten. It was John Conyers who got people all worked up that Bush and Cheney should be impeached. It was Conyers who stated, and I heard him with my own ears, “The only way to stop this gang of criminals (Bush-Cheney-Rove) is through impeachment.”

Well, what has changed now? If what Conyers stated prior was in fact grounds for impeachment, the case for impeachment is definitely stronger today.

And, if what has been published about Bush’s intent to turn our country into a fascist state by creating dirty deeds and blaming it on terrorists is true… then the case for impeachment is even stronger… personally, I wouldn’t have published this unsubstantiated piece of fear-mongering, but, many have; and it seems many believe Bush is capable of this kind of dirty deed; which, if even being considered by Bush and Cheney is a highly impeachable offense.

Obviously, Conyers was only talking impeachment because to talk this way was politically expedient at the time. Now that people all across this country have been convinced by his arguments that Bush and Cheney should be impeached, Nancy Pelosi says “no” and he withdraws; in the process telling everyone, “Just vote for more Democrats like me and Nancy Pelosi and put a Democrat in the Whitehouse.”

Apparently Conyers went on the road all across America as some kind of cute, cheap little political stunt in order to bring people out to vote for Democrats; people who voted because they really believed Conyers was sincere about his intent to initiate impeachment proceedings. Now we find it was all a hoax and a cheap little gimmick used to trick people into voting for Democrats. Naturally, people now feel offended in being used in this way.

Just what we need, another Democrat like John Conyers or Nancy Pelosi in the Whitehouse. John Conyers previously said, “Give us a House and Senate majority and I will move forward with impeachment as the Chair of the Judiciary Committee in the House.” Conyers, an attorney of some renown, didn’t move forward with what he said was an air-tight case for impeachment. What has happened to Conyers’ H.R. 676… single-payer, universal health care; it now has fewer supporters than previously. Why? Will voting for more Democrats like himself and Pelosi plus one of the candidates now running for President get us closer to having H.R. 676 come into law? How can it when all the presidential hopefuls in the double-digits are all opposed to H.R. 676 and are offering up their own schemes that will leave the insurance and pharmaceutical companies in control? And, the rest of the Democrats are leery to sign on because they know their political futures will be tied to supporting whatever scheme the Democratic President will be pushing… they sure don’t want to be accused of “waffling” by their own constituents who just might start occupying their offices in an attempt to hold them to support for single-payer.

If Conyers has been sincere in his liberal and progressive statements, I would think Conyers would welcome Cindy Sheehan being elected to Congress over Nancy Pelosi… Sheehan’s only stated purpose is helping Conyers accomplish that which he states he is for. Cindy Sheehan’s election would strengthen democracy and Conyers’ own positions. Obviously, a Republican has no chance in the district no matter how close the race would be between Pelosi and Sheehan because Pelosi has done such an excellent job pushing a progressive agenda over the years, albeit a progressive agenda which has only framed the issues without the kind of progressive solutions advocated by Sheehan; so, the argument can’t be used that this would give the Republicans a chance of winning this Congressional seat.

I think people have a right to vote for candidates of their choice who reflect their stand on issues best, and I am glad to see Cindy Sheehan taking both John Conyers and Nancy Pelosi to task.

I won’t believe much of what John Conyers ever says about anything ever again. I figured he was one of the few Democrats who could be trusted; and trusted to be compassionate and understanding with people… it would have been different if someone was threatening him or his staff with physical harm… there has been no suggestion that anything other than words were exchanged. In fact those people could have sat in his office until the proverbial “hell freezes over” and no one would have been hurt.

If Conyers is the progressive or liberal he claims to be, he would have served them all meals and told them to make themselves at home and to stay as long as they like.

There is something drastically wrong when someone like Al Fishman has to question “who” someone is, as if you have to be “someone” in order to have a say in this country… isn’t just the fact of being a person, with a thought and a concern you want to share with an elected official, enough?

I have seen much of Conyers’ campaign contributions and where they come from… he doesn’t come into politics with such open and clean hands himself… and, Al Fishman knows this, perhaps better than anyone else.

Just because Conyers himself won a tight race years ago doesn’t give him any “right” to continue to hold public office without a challenge. So what if a more progressive candidate was to challenge him and win? This is about issues; not anyone’s “claim” to an office. I would think Fishman and his peace organizations would welcome someone like a Cindy Sheehan replacing Conyers… after all, Conyers must be getting ready to retire by now… after what he has pulled, this would probably be a good time for him to give retirement consideration.

I really resent people trying to silence others through this kind of sleazy campaign pretending that something else is involved when everyone knows it is not.

I also resent Al Fishman and others trying to make us believe holding hearings to investigate everything to death is a substitute for real solutions to our country’s problems. If we are to believe the polls (and for the polls to be wrong there would have to be one heck of a margin of error) most Americans seem to believe the Democrats are not doing what they expected of them at the time they cast their votes for them on Election Day.

I don’t know anything about Cindy Sheehan other than she is voicing her concerns as a grieving mother whose son has been killed in Bush’s senseless war based upon lies and deceit which the Democratic Party has just about unanimously signed onto; initially, in providing Bush the opportunity to go to war--- then with continued funding for this carnage which sinks us deeper and deeper into a quagmire by the day as the Democrats have yet to explain how they propose to get us out.

I give Cindy Sheehan a whole heck of a lot of credit for coming forward as she has.

Shame on John Conyers; arresting progressive activists like Cindy Sheehan with very legitimate grievances and concerns is no solution to any problem.

Campaign for America's Future

I have attended several conferences organized by the Campaign for America's Future hosted by this think tank of the AFL-CIO.

I will never forget the 2001 conference organized by the Campaign for America's Future for several reasons... one is because while I was waiting for a bus not far from the Capitol Building where I had met with several members of Congress, a great big rat ran between my legs... I mean it was a huge rat... as big as a cat.

But, the main reason I will never forget this conference is because it failed to bring forward the issue of peace.

The leaders of this organization--- Campaign for America's Future, Robert Borosage and Roger Hickey--- have learned well from linguist extrodinaire--- George Lakoff--- and know how to "frame" issues prettied up with progressive sounding packaging very well in what are called "progressive policy directives."

But, anyone ever attending these conferences--- well controlled in a way not to allow any progressive solutions to problems to surface--- comes away with great disappointment, unless of course the purpose for participating is to control the progressive movement and channel progressive activity into a narrow dead end alley.

Check out the link below:

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/072307C.shtml

I was sharply critical of the Conference sponsored by the Campaign for America's Future, this "progressive think tank," for refusing to have the courage to take on Bush's vicious saber rattling at the time (several months before 9/11)... This conference was billed as "The Next Agenda... Blueprint for a New Progressive Movement".

Already, at this time if you will recall, Bush was bound and determined to go to war in Iraq... the unrelenting saber rattling was well underway... all Bush was looking for was an excuse... months later he found the pretext for war with 9/11.

It is interesting how Borosage and Hickey cleverly try to conceal the fact that this saber rattling was not addressed at the 2001 "Next Agenda Conference;" nor in their book of the same name. I have never figured out how anyone could write three-hundred and eighty six pages in a book titled, "The Next Agenda; Blueprint for a New Progressive Movement" distributed through the "Campaign for America's Future" at this conference and not mention the issue of peace.

Anyways, here is what a search on the Internet turns up about the 2001 America's Future Conference:

http://www.commondreams.org/news2001/0226-05.htm

Go ahead, click on the link... what you will find is the call for "The Next Agenda Conference" by the Campaign for America's Future; remember, this is the 2001 conference we are talking about... yet, this call has attached to it at the top an article against the war written in 2003!

This is some way to "frame" and "package" your message... or, rather, conceal that peace was not an issue at this conference; nor, in the book by the same name, "The Next Agenda," especially prepared for this conference... Not one word about peace... not one word in opposition to Bush's saber rattling which was already setting the stage for the war in Iraq and a massive increase in "defense" spending.

I never could figure out how you write a book about reordering priorities in America without clearly calling for cutting and redirecting military spending towards meeting human needs; but, leave it to Robert Borosage and Roger Hickey to cleverly pull off such a feat to meet the wishes of those who fund their think tank.

I remember this conference well, not just because of the huge rat that scurried between my legs as I waited at the bus stop to catch a ride to the National Press Club, or because of the lack of attention to peace issues at a "progressive" conference; but, because it was the last time I ever talked to Paul Wellstone in person.

Paul and I had a lengthy discussion that the issue of peace was not included in this conference... nor in the book. We talked about how it is possible to completely separate and detach the issue of peace at a time Bush was marching the Nation into war. This, at a conference billing itself as creating a "Blueprint for a New Progressive Movement."

We never agreed on an answer to this question; however, to Wellstone's credit he was just about alone United States Senate in opposing the war in Iraq... and we had a lengthy phone conversation about his opposition in which he said, "This should have been at the top of the agenda for the conference in 2001 like you said at the time."

In fact, I was told, by the conference organizers, to stop my distribution of leaflets--- because I had not secured permission for distribution in a timely manner--- a leaflet about the need for peace to be a centerpiece of any agenda claiming to be a "progressive agenda."

I was also "asked" to stop distributing a leaflet about a labor dispute at Buhler Industries in Winnipeg, Manitoba which was spilling over into the United States after the company President, John Buhler, threatened to move his operation to the "right to work" state of North Dakota during a bitter strike that was underway where members of the Canadian Auto Workers were locked out of their jobs. My leaflet made known the fact that the Winnepeg Labour council had called for the public takeover of Buhler Manufacturing... formerly owned by Ford and only saved after the Manitoba New Democratic Party government brought it under public ownership; only to later have Conservatives push for its sale to the wealthy industrialist John Buhler. This is another issue, though. Although, the way this industry was saved has some lessons for how we might save the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant.

I do find it interesting, to say the least, that some of these "progressives" are so fearful of any ideas other than their own--- which they like to package and sell--- that they will try to stifle the opinions of others.

Now, today, the war in Iraq was "the" hot topic at the Campaign for America's Future Conference called "Take Back America" held in Washington D.C. in June.

While Iraq made the agenda this time, no real solutions for ending the war in Iraq were discussed. In fact, the conference provided a "progressive" cover for those Democrats like Keith Ellison and Amy Klobuchar who have talked against the war then turned around and voted for it to continue through continued voting to fund the war.

Common sense says you can't be for ending a war when you cast a vote in the House and Senate to finance the continuation of that war.

Here in Minnesota, Klobuchar is known among progressives as Amy "Republican Lite" Klobuchar because she talks like a progressive and votes like a reactionary Republican along the lines dictated by her AIPAC backers.

You can check out the "new" Campaign for America's Future web site for yourself... here is the link:

http://tba2007.confabb.com/conferences/tba2007/details

Notice how well the issues are "framed" in order to avoid solutions to any problems.

While Borosage and Hickey helped provide the "progressive" cover to Democrats who voted for the war by refusing to allow this question to be addressed at a conference where the saber rattling for the war was well underway, they now have served as the front for these same Democrats to get away with voting for more funding to continue the war by twisting this support to mean that it was really a vote to end the war...

The only "progressive" organization to do this, that I know of. Well, there might be one other, but the members aren't to happy about it.

Who was the "progressive" voice Democrats trotted out before the media to justify voting to continue funding for the war? Robert Borosage.

Here in Minnesota, as reported in the media, one lone peace activist could be found to support Keith Ellison's vote to fund the war; just one. The media couldn't even find support for Ellison's position in the American Legion and VFW halls they visited trying to find it... all they talked to said "get the hell out of there, and get the hell out of Iraq now."

Here is the problem as I see it. This outfit, The Campaign for America's Future, would like us all to believe there is no progressive movement outside of the Democratic Party. This is a major miscalculation, which if bought into, leaves the progressive movement hamstrung because many, many progressive minded people in the United States have given up on the Democratic Party as being a vehicle to bring about change and now work outside of the Democratic Party structure and have no use for the "two party system;" Cindy Sheehan is perhaps the most prominent reflection of this.

I happen to believe that those progressives who do not see the need to continue to work inside of the Democratic Party are as wrong as those who believe the Democratic Party is the only vehicle for change. In fact, where ever there are people, this is the place for progressives to be active and involved--- provided, as progressives, we are seeking real solutions to very real problems and we are heading in a common direction. There is no reason why progressives working in the Democratic Party can't be working towards the same solutions to problems as progressives outside of the Democratic Party in a way that eventually brings these forces together. Whether the issue is ending the war in Iraq or saving the Ford Plant or working towards ending the injustices of casino workers or on the issue of single-payer universal health care, or global warming.

Properly "framing" issues in a progressive manner is only part of what we need to do; framing issues with solutions is another part of what we need to do. This all needs to be part of a process of educating the American people in a way that empowers them to take united action.

Where is this "action" around concrete solutions to our problems coming from within the Campaign for America's Future? There is none... except another conference, and another conference after that, and so on. At some point, progressives need to insist that solutions be brought forward. Robert Borosage and Roger Hickey talk a lot, but say nothing about real solutions to problems; and, they do nothing but talk.

Don't get me wrong, talking is good... but at some point that talk needs to lead to concrete progressive action.

I don't call providing the cover for allowing the majority of the Democrats to to vote for a war in the first place, a progressive action. Then, to compound this by urging a vote for continuing to fund the war as another cover under the guise of progressivism the kind of solution to the problem we need.

Think about this: Had not Robert Borosage and Roger Hickey, the voices of the Campaign for America's Future, not stepped forward and into the limelight to defend the vote to continue funding for this war in Iraq, what other progressive cover would these Democrats have had to appear as if they were really voting for peace and an end to the war in Iraq? None. Zilch.

People talk about how this was a "compromise" vote. How does one "compromise" on the issue of halting this carnage in Iraq? You can't. There is only one solution... and, that solution has to be based upon the understanding that the United States never had a legitimate reason to go to war in Iraq and there is no legitimate reason to stay in Iraq. The solution is simple; there is nothing to compromise about... you do what is necessary to get the troops on planes and boats as quickly as possible and get them back home. You don't "redeploy" them anyplace. You don't prepare for a war with Iran. You don't send them to Afghanistan.

There is still talk among major sections of the Democratic Party that this war in Iraq can be "won." This is ludicrous. There has never been anything to win except for oil and regional domination.

Anyone who considers any kind of compromise as a way to end this war should be the very first standing in line to go over there and replace those who do not want to be in uniform fighting this dirty imperialist war; and this is what this war is, an imperialist war for corporate profit in every aspect. There is no getting around this fact. I challenge anyone to tell me what there is to "win" in this war. For every single person who talks about "winning the war in Iraq," I will show you an apologist for capitalism and its most decadent, barbaric, and inhuman stage: imperialism.

Everyday this war continues it becomes harder to stop because the warmongers become more entrenched in power.

Only a complete fool would look at the present Democratic Party and believe that if these Democrats controlled the House, the Senate, and the Presidency today this war would come to an end.

Lyndon Johnson muddled along in dragging us further and further into a quagmire in Vietnam and if any of the present Democratic Party contenders for the White House manage to get get elected this war will continue on... Unless, progressives--- inside and outside of the Democratic Party--- are united in bringing it to an end.

This will require a great deal of work. There are no short cuts. The American people have to be educated and empowered to wrest power from this maniacal bunch of imperialist warmongers of the military-financial-industrial complex.

This education has to take place in our homes, in our communities, in our schools and churches, where we work... wherever there are people.

The present bunch of Democrats aren't even competent to defend our democracy by initiating the required impeachment proceedings against Bush and Cheney for what they have done.

In essence, when one listens to their arguments, be it Bernie Sanders, Keith Ellison, or Amy "Republican Lite" Klobuchar, what we have are bunch of dumb donkeys who can not walk and chew gum at the same time. Listen to them. Just click on this link and hear for yourself what they had to say about impeachment at the Campaign for America's Future conference (its just over an hour video but well worth watching and listening to; impeachment comes up towards the end of this kitchen table discussion):

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-350640067067836268

In fact, while the Democrats use the excuse that they could not deal with other problems if they proceeded with impeachment; they are not solving any of the pressing problems as promised anyways.

There isn't going to be any shortcuts to ending this mess that our country is in. We need to get on with the laborious, tedious, and time consuming work of building a liberal/progressive/socialist movement to turn this country around. We need not wait for the coming of a "new" Democratic Party to accomplish this.

If the Campaign for America's Future was in the least bit sincere they would have placed the struggle to save the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant high on their agenda because in this struggle we find every single issue the Campaign for America's Future claims to be concerned about... every single one. Neither Keith Ellison nor Amy Klobuchar raised the issue of the Ford Plant at this conference; ironically, neither did the leaders of the United Steelworkers, the United Auto Workers, nor the leaders of the Sierra Clubs.

I am guessing that if the wrecking ball strikes, the Ford Plant will be high on the agenda of the Campaign for America's Future; but, not before; unless it gets placed there by say some rank and file Ford workers.

I think we need to ask "why?"

Was it because they focussed on solving some other problem which brings these issues together in a better way in a struggle with greater chances of success? The answer in "no."

This is the problem. Without taking on a specific struggle no solutions to our problems can be found. We are not dealing with some kind of mythical or mystical concepts involving plant closings, job losses, problems of global warmimg... these are very tangible problems, very specific problems that form a very distinct pattern as the lives of very real working class families are being destroyed. We are not simply talking numbers and statistics in newspaper op/ed pieces. We are talking about the lives of living, breathing human beings... the future of families, entire communities, and life on this planet. If specific problems can't be addressed and resolved, you can't address the larger problem... in fact, it helps to have a specific problem to work on in finding solutions to the larger pattern of problems.

For those not yet aware of the situation involving the Ford Plant in the Twin Cities you can get up to speed here:

http://capitalistglobalization.blogspot.com/

It is easy, and safe as George Lakoff points out, not to engage in any discussions where you need to address specific solutions to specific problems. When dealing with generalities you can always claim your movement is gaining ground, accomplishing things, and winning because there is nothing to compare with. You simply proclaim the last election a "progressive" victory. Has it saved any jobs? Has it raised the standard of living for any working person? Has it halted the war in Iraq? Has it saved the Ford Plant? Has it reversed global warming?

While you are sitting around your kitchen table, think about this:

Isn't saving the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant along with over two thousand present jobs and thousands of future jobs really about the real campaign for America's future?

We in Minnesota--- with the exception of Keith Ellison, Amy "Republican Lite" Klobuchar, and the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party which is dominated by the Summit Hill crowd, the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, and the DFL Business Caucus--- we really are convinced that the struggle to save this Ford Plant, the jobs, and the Ford Dam which powers the Plant which has been built and subsidized by tax-payers for so many years is about the our future... we believe the campaign for America's future is tied up in the outcome of this struggle which needs to take on the likeness of a campaign.

If we can't come together as a united progressive movement to save this one plant and a hydro dam through public ownership (all other means have been exhausted)... what can we accomplish as far as solving any of the very real problems working people in this country are experiencing? This is a very legitimate question... those who evade answering this question are not being honest in projecting progressive ideas.

By the way... at the entrance to the St.Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant is a huge, huge sign placed there by management supporting this dirty war in Iraq... something else to think about and ponder while sitting around your kitchen table. Not only are the oil companies in this war for the profit, so is the Ford Motor Company.

One last thing. At this conference in 2001 I sat next to one of the most distinguished progressive op/ed writers in the country... and I said to him: "You know, compared to George Bush, Lyndon Johnson wasn't such a bad president, was he?" And, he looked at me like, "Are you nuts?" and after a long silence, he said, "What about Vietnam?" I responded, "Well, what about Iraq?" He said, "Ok, point well taken; I guess its a point we are missing at this conference." Paul Krugman understood; too bad Robert Borosage and Roger Hickey still don't understand.

Maybe if Paul Krugman writes about the struggle to save the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant in the New York Times and how this struggle is integral to the campaign to save America's future, progressives will act; I don't know.

This really isn't about liberals convening at a Campaign for America's Future conference for liberals to air differences as this article in "Truthout" states:

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/072307C.shtml

What is at issue is understanding that any alternative progressive agenda has to include real solutions to real problems.

I find it interesting that Democrats in the United States Congress and the Senate claim to be so involved in the struggle to protect us in other ways that they don't want to get involved in impeachment proceedings... is that why their overall rating in the public opinion polls has the new Democratic majorities in the House and Senate scoring even worse than Bush for the work they are doing?

Hillary Clinton accepts support from one of the worst human rights abusers in the world--- Melanie Benjamin

On November 10, 2005, United States Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton sent a letter to George Bush urging him to take up the question of human rights with Chinese government officials.

The conclusion of this letter reads:

"...Finally, regarding worker’s rights, eighteen months after rejecting the AFL-CIO's Section 301 petition alleging China's repression of workers' rights was an unfair trade practice, the Bush Administration has yet to progress in raising the issue with China. The Chinese government has failed to make any significant reforms, either in its labor laws or enforcement practices. As the bilateral trade deficit with China soars, and American workers lose manufacturing jobs, employers take advantage of Chinese workers who cannot exercise their right to form independent unions and bargain. Unfortunately, the only concrete outcome of the high-profile visit by Secretary Chao to China in the summer of 2004 was a series of letters pledging more seminars, high-level visits, and dialogues on workplace issues. But this dialogue has yielded few, if any, tangible results, on issues of crucial importance, both to Chinese and American workers. U.S. concerns over worker’s rights should be re-emphasized during this summit.

I strongly support continuing efforts to improve the relationship on all levels between our country and China. It is to our mutual benefit to work together to address the range of challenges facing both of us. However, economic and social advances will be lasting only if they are built on a foundation of respect for human rights."

This letter from Hillary Clinton to George Bush is very interesting because in 2007, the same Hillary Clinton accepted a huge financial contribution and endorsement for her presidential aspirations from Melanie Benjamin--- one of the worst violators of workers' rights; and, one of the worst human rights abusers in the world.

Given that Senator Clinton, now a Democratic Party candidate for President of the United States is boasting Melanie Benjamin as one of her leading Minnesota supporters, one has to wonder if her concerns for human rights are more for political posturing (and financial contributions) than out of genuine concern.

Using Hillary Clinton's own measuring stick, Melanie Benjamin is one of the worst human rights abusers in the world; she heads up the Mille Lacs Band's casino operations which includes restaurant and hotel ventures employing thousands of workers employed in these smoke-filled casinos, all receiving poverty wages without any rights under state, federal, international, or tribal labor laws.

Hillary Clinton's own Party, the Democratic Party, has not whimpered a peep of protest as more than 2,000,000 casino workers all across the United States are employed under similar circumstances.

In over fifteen years, the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party which welcomes the likes Melanie Benjamin who is responsible for the worst human rights abuses and violates workers' rights routinely on a daily basis, has remained silent... with the exception of one lone DFL County Unit... the Roseau County DFL which took a principled stand at its most recent County Convention calling for casino workers in Minnesota to enjoy the protection of the rights all other workers in Minnesota are protected by. Although, leaders of the Minnesota DFL have not been able to locate this resolution.

Hillary Clinton has taken the financial contributions of Melanie Benjamin and the casino managements but can't bring herself to condemn the human rights abuses twenty thousand Minnesotans are forced to endure daily...

So much for Hillary Clinton and human rights.

It is noteworthy that one of Hillary Clinton's big boosters, in addition to Melanie Benjamin, is the AFL-CIO which has not once protested the Draconian conditions under which so many Minnesotans and workers all across this country are employed in the casino industry.

It is also noteworthy that Melanie Benjamin has hired some of the most brutal thugs to harass, intimidate, and beat-up casino workers attempting to organize; thugs from the Blackwater Agency whose dirty deeds are overseen by USIS--- the premier union busting company of choice for some of the largest corporations in the world.

I wouldn't vote for Hillary Clinton for dog catcher.

I would point out as far as China and workers' rights are concerned... every worker in China has rights. Right now there are several Chinese officials awaiting having their sentences carried out for abusing workers' rights to a much lesser extent than casino workers' rights have been violated on a daily basis for the last seventeen years here in Minnesota without a single Democratic Party politician or a single leader of any AFL-CIO affiliated union taking any initiative to halt this intentional continuing abuse of working people.

Apparently the greed of these casino capitalists in quest of ever greater profits which are financing the political campaigns of Democratic Party politicians like Hillary Rodham Clinton is acceptable.

Oh... the sentence awaiting the Chinese officials convicted of violating workers' rights in China? The death sentence...

... While human rights/workers' rights abuser Melanie Benjamin is a welcomed addition to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign... yes, it is all about money, money, money.

I haven't even addressed the health problems of these workers employed in casino operations... heart, lung, and cancers from having to work daily in these smoke-filled casinos.

Shame on Hillary Clinton; Hillary Clinton needs a good dictionary to help her define human rights and workers' rights... not our votes.

No one had better come to casino workers telling us: Look at the choices for president... Hillary or a Republican; I will tell them where to go.

At some point working people are going to have to look at the pattern that has developed towards working people by the Democratic Party hacks and elected officials...

A pattern as distinct as the cancer cluster on the Iron Range... the same Democratic Party elected officials who have looked the other way as casino workers have been employed under these most atrocious and unjust conditions turned their backs on saving over two thousand union jobs and the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant which could employ thousands more working people in the years to come...

... and, they have looked the other way as casino workers get heart and lung diseases and the associated cancers.

Democratic Party legislators and political hacks projected the same lethal silence as a huge cancer cluster has been allowed to develop on the Iron Range over many years--- only in this case they told everyone including United States District Court Judge Miles Lord to keep his mouth shut because at stake were "JOBS, JOBS, JOBS"... only raising their voices in the most pathetic and opportunist manner for political expediency; rather than out of concern for the lives and well-being of working people.

Those employed on the Iron Range at Giant's Ridge would probably tell us this is all just "par for the course."

"Jobs, jobs, jobs" or "Profits, profits, profits?"

If these politicians were the least concerned about jobs and the health and well-being of working people, and their rights, these DFL politicians would have voted to save the Ford Plant where workers have struggled for years to win good pay along with fundamental protections in the workplace and healthy and safe working conditions.

Instead, these politicians will encourage Ford workers to go to work in smoke-filled casinos without any rights for the likes of Melanie Benjamin. No doubt Ray Waldron, Mark Froemke and other AFL-CIO officials will join behind Melanie Benjamin in picking up "Hillary for President" signs, parade around the state DFL convention hall like high school cheerleaders--- chanting "Hillary, Hillary, Hillary;" and, urge the rest of us to vote for Hillary Clinton and her acquiescence to the continued abuse of casino workers.

Make no mistake... a vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote to continue the deplorable working conditions casino workers are forced to endure.

Let me be perfectly clear: Hillary Clinton should be advocating the same rights for Minnesota's casino workers which she advocated for Chinese workers in her letter to George Bush. Anything less is sheer hypocrisy.

In conclusion, I point out that in less than two years since Hillary Clinton sent the above letter to George Bush, the Chinese government has made tremendous strides according to all concerned, including the International Trade Union Confederation--- the largest labor organization in the world, in bringing forward legislation protecting workers' rights, and human rights. During this same time frame, Hillary Clinton and her "dumb donkeys" have done absolutely nothing to improve the plight of Minnesota's more than 20,000 casino workers--- many of these casino workers employed by Melanie Benjamin under the most Draconian working conditions, far worse than anything in China.


*******

Minnesota Leaders Endorse Clinton

Not one of these so-called Minnesota "leaders" has ever condemned the daily abuse casino workers are subjected to. It is no wonder these "leaders" would not object to Melanie Benjamin being in their midst.

What kind of "leaders" sit in silence as 20,000 of their fellow Minnesotans are forced to go to work in smoke-filled casinos without any rights receiving poverty wages and without any voice at work.

Workers employed without any rights in the workplace have no rights in the communities where they live... I would encourage this well-heeled bunch of "leaders" to ponder this.

Mark Dayton sat next to Hillary Clinton all those years in the United States Senate and never informed her of the plight of his 20,000 fellow Minnesotans. Former Senator Mark Dayton wouldn't have taken his dog with him to work if smoking was allowed in Senate offices.

Prosecutor Gaertner wants to become the next governor of Minnesota but remains silent as twenty thousand of her fellow Minnesotans are forced to endure the most devastating working conditions causing health problems, including cancers, destroying working class families as she pontificates on radio and television her visions for Minnesota as she, too, ignores the plight of casino workers.

Yes, I am sure Hillary Clinton is grateful for the support she has received from this well-heeled bunch of uncaring politicians and political hacks who have begun to pander for favors...


6/29/2007

Minnesota Leaders Endorse Clinton

Hillary Clinton received the endorsements of more than 40 leading Minnesota officials and community leaders today.

"I sat next to Senator Clinton for six years in the Senate Chamber and I saw her experience, dedication and tremendous ability at work for all Americans," said former Senator Mark Dayton. "I know that she will be our party’s best nominee and our country’s best President."

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner said Hillary has the focus and resiliency needed to be President. "Americans are ready for change, and Hillary Clinton is the only candidate with the experience to do the job from her first day in office."

"I am grateful for the overwhelming support I’ve received in Minnesota," Clinton said. "With the help of these local leaders, we’ll take our message of change across the state and this nation."

Leading Minnesotans Endorsing Hillary Today:

* Mark Dayton, Former US Senator
* Susan Gaertner, Ramsey County Attorney
* Sandy Pappas, State Senator
* Nora Slawik, State Representative
* Sandra Peterson, State Representative
* Barbara Johnson, President, Minneapolis City Council
* Gary Schiff, Minneapolis City Council Member
* Lisa Goodman, Minneapolis City Council Member
* Dave Thune, St. Paul City Council Member, and Susan Thune, RN
* Colleen Landkamer, President, National Association of Counties; Blue Earth County Commissioner
* Ann Wynia, Former House Majority Leader
* Matt Entenza, Former House Democratic Leader
* Ember Reichgott Junge, Former Senate Assistant Majority Leader
* Joan Anderson Growe, Former Minnesota Secretary of State
* Emily Anne Staples Tuttle, Former State Senator
* Carol Flynn, Former State Senator
* Gordon O. Voss, Former State Representative
* Al Patton, Former State Representative
* Koryne Horbal, Former Ambassador to U.N.
* Betty Folliard, Co-owner Strategy Partners; Former MN State Representative
* Tom Foley, Former Ramsey and Washington County Attorney
* Joan Niemiec, Former Minneapolis City Council Member
* Vance Opperman, President, Key Investments
* Lois Quam, Business Leader
* Melanie Benjamin, Chief Executive, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
* Mohamed Jibrell, Somali Community Leader
* Hubert "Buck" Humphrey
* Jackie Stevenson, DNC Member
* Rick Stafford, DNC Member, Chair of the DNC's LGBT Caucus
* Elsa Leven, MN DFL Latino Caucus
* Mari Urness Pokornowski, Co-Chair DFL State Platform Commission
* Lynn Wilson, Chair, Olmsted County DFL
* Tammy Tesky, Vice President, DFL Feminist Caucus
* Megan Thomas, Former Chair, Stonewall DFL
* Cheryl Poling, DFL Party Activist
* Ruth Usem, Community Activist
* M. Kathleen Murphy, Women's Rights Activist
* Bill Pohlad, Film Producer & Michelle Grabanski Pohlad, Social Activist
* Susan Burns, Attorney
* Paul Cassidy, Minneapolis
* Jill Sletten, Public Policy Consultant
* Andrew Luger, Attorney; Former Candidate, Hennepin County Attorney and Ellen Goldberg Luger
* Sarah Youngerman, Minneapolis
* Rebecca Yanisch, Former MN Commissioner of Trade and Economic Development
* Lori L. Jacobwith, Consultant
* Patsy Green, Robbinsdale Area School Board Director
* Amy K. Rotenberg, Communications Consultant, and Mark B. Rotenberg, University General Counsel
* Paula Maccabee, Former St. Paul City Council Member, and Paul Maccabee, President, The Maccabee Group