Racism in the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party is orchestrated by the Governor

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton stacks an audience with workers color to promote his jobs bill---

In announcing his new bonding proposals which Dayton calls his "Jobs Bill," Dayton, at his press conference had a packed "audience" at this press conference. The audience was mostly workers of color.

For some reason, after I challenged what he was doing with this hand-picked "audience" which was supposedly most construction workers of people of color by asking a very simple question--- the photo has now been removed. Here is the question I asked under the picture:

If one goes out to any construction site in the state of Minnesota, where do you find this mix including so many workers of color?

Obviously, this "good liberal" governor who refuses to enforce Affirmative Action, knew that anyone could see the validity of my comment--- and the intent of the comment which was: come on Governor Dayton, enforce Affirmative Action like you promised so when people see Minnesotans at work, they actually see what this picture was meant to convey--- a fully integrated workforce as a result of the enforcement of Affirmative Action.

So, what was the governor's response to my comment? Our "good liberal" Minnesota Governor, Mark Dayton, removed the photo from his FaceBook page.

This has got to be one of the most vile acts of racism any public official has ever engaged in by trying to make people believe there isn't a problem of racism when it comes to employment practices in Minnesota. Totally vile. Totally disgusting. Instead of correcting this racist injustice here we have Mark Dayton, the Governor of Minnesota, trying to cover the problem up.

Needless to say, along with the photo being removed, my comments on the photo were also removed--- talk about "democracy."

Shouldn't Mark Dayton be forced to respond by explaining his despicable racist behavior?

Come on Governor Dayton, we need more than "proclamations" to end racism; we need the enforcement of Affirmative Action.

Mark Dayton appointed the racist bigot Mark Phillips to head up the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and now Dayton has turned around and reneged on his campaign promise to enforce Affirmative Action and close all the loop-hole enabling its enforce in Minnesota.

Come on, Governor Dayton. We need more than nice sounding proclamations; we need ACTION to end racism in employment.

This is the letter you received from me as a direct request from Micah Hinds to place my proposal to you in writing. Now you don't even have the courtesy or common human decency to respond:A letter I sent to Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton insisting he enforce Affirmative Action per our agreement while he was running for office:

Proposal for a Minnesota Governor’s Advisory Committee for the Enforcement of Affirmative Action

Goal and objective: A level playing field.

All the talk about a new Vikings’ Stadium, the need for infrastructure development and repair, talk of light rail and other large-scale public works and joint public-private initiatives and projects begs the question: What will be done to end racism in employment here in Minnesota that has historical roots combined with present indifference?

Fact: People without jobs are destined to be poor.

Unemployment, under-employment and poverty-wage jobs are the root of poverty.

Poverty is more than statistics. For living, breathing human beings, poverty means going without adequate food, clothing, health care, education, housing, and transportation.

When unemployment rises well beyond the “normal” levels for people of color, women and the handicapped, Affirmative Action as articulated and defined by Federal Executive Order Number 11246 must kick in unless we end up with large pools of unemployed in communities--- and on Indian Reservations--- of people of color which hurt us all, but no where near as much as it harms the victims of racism in employment.

These large pools of the unemployed serve to push down wages and living standards for everyone.

The enforcement of Affirmative Action will help make sure Minnesotans get the jobs funded by Minnesota tax-payers rather than workers from other states.

The enforcement of Affirmative Action will lead to encouraging and strengthening small businesses and entrepreneurship among minorities as minority contractors help recruit people of color through the enforcement of Affirmative Action.

Politicians who pander to the voices of bigotry, racism and hate often claim that advocating for the enforcement of Affirmative Action is so controversial that its enforcement creates divisions in society which tears apart our social fabric. In fact, issues like a new Vikings’ Stadium, as we have seen, are themselves very controversial.

Politics embodies controversy.

The Governor of Minnesota has the responsibility to provide leadership in the just struggle for the enforcement of Affirmative Action in a way that guides Minnesotans to creating a level playing field for everyone.

Governor Mark Dayton should establish “The Minnesota Governor’s Advisory Committee for the Enforcement of Affirmative Action” and this Committee shall consist of: one member representing the Governor, one member each from the AFL-CIO & Change To Win, one member each representing the following firms: public relations, architectural, engineering, general contractors and minority contractors, with two members representing each of the following communities: Black, Native American and Hispanic with at least one member from each of these communities being among the unemployed; three women and one handicapped representative--- 18 members in total.

All members of this Advisory Committee shall participate, together, in at least one training session explaining the history, goals and objectives ofAffirmative Action and must be made aware of the present problems relating to how racism in employment has led to current social and economic problems in the specific communities of people of color, women and the handicapped.

This Advisory Committee shall present concrete goals and objectives in reviewing all public funding where there is any type of state involvement in funding and financing including proposals for bonding bills and any joint public-private ventures in which more than $20,000.00 in public funding is involved and/or more than 15 employees hired.

The loop-hole preventing enforcing Affirmative Action must be closed by the Governor and State Legislature refusing to participate in any township, city, county, state, park’s commission, school district, college or university where there is not an Affirmative Action Policy in place being enforced.

Affirmative Action must kick in when any project is first publicly proposed or there is significant public-private cooperation towards project development--- whichever occurs first; long before the first shovel is sunk into the ground.

It is up to the parties involved to implement Affirmative Action in a timely manner so as to prevent project delays which might lead to additional costs incurred by tax-payers. Where this is not done, any costs relating to project delays should result in fines levied at the direction of the Advisory Committee on the parties responsible.

Affirmative Action is the law of the land. For the victims of historic racist employment practices continuing today which results in the need for the enforcement of Affirmative Action, Affirmative Action is both a Human Right and a Constitutional Right.

The Governor of Minnesota has a Constitutional responsibility to see to it that Affirmative Action is enforced. This Advisory Committee provides the Governor with the tools to achieve the enforcement of Affirmative Action.

People should not have to resort to law suits, direct action and other means of protest in order to have their right to employment protected.

Everyone has the right to seek employment from a level playing field.

A means to enforce Affirmative Action on the Vikings’ Stadium (and all other projects stated above) in line with stated goals and objectives must be found before planning for this project proceeds any further.

I am submitting this “Proposal for a Minnesota Governor’s Advisory Committee for the Enforcement of Affirmative Action” for consideration to Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton upon request from Micah Hines, General Counsel to Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, who requested I submit this proposal in writing to Governor Mark Dayton.

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

Contact information:

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541

E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Blog: http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/alan.l.maki

Copies provided to:
NAACP
Urban League
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council
AFL-CIO
Change To Win
Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party
Republican Party
Green Party

Posted to:
FaceBook... http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150474417745086
Blog.......... http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/proposal-for-minnesota-governors.html


Preliminary response from Governor Dayton:

Thank you for contacting the Office of Governor Mark Dayton. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions about how we, together, can build a better Minnesota. A member of our staff will read your message promptly.

Note: Further responses will be shared. Please share your own concerns on this issue with Governor Dayton. Contact information:

To contact Governor Mark Dayton, please write, phone, fax or e-mail.

Mailing Address:
Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

Other ways to reach our office:


Telephone: 651-201-3400
Toll Free: 800-657-3717
Minnesota Relay 800-627-3529
Fax: 651-797-1850

Contact the Governor's Office by e-mail:
http://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/form/

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

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell: 651-587-5541

Primary E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net
E-mail: alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com

Blog: http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

thoughts from podunk
thepodunkblog.blogspot.com

When will liberals, progressives and leftists become seriously and fully engaged in the electoral process?

When will liberals, progressives and leftists actually become fully engaged in the electoral process?

http://my.firedoglake.com/alanmaki/2012/01/14/when-will-liberals-progressives-and-leftists-actually-become-fully-engaged-in-the-electoral-process/

By: Alan Maki Saturday January 14, 2012 12:39 pm

Rocky Anderson and Jill Stein have just as much of a chance of being elected as Ron Paul. And so does Darcy Richardson.

You know, losing is losing; it really doesn't matter how much you lose by if you leave behind an organized movement ready to meet the next electoral challenge.

Ron Paul is a fascist but he and his John Birch Society are not exactly a bunch of dummies--- after all, they have hoodwinked what looks to be thousands of progressives across this country into building a fascist base for them. People who were first hoodwinked into supporting Obama and now, disappointed with Obama, hoodwinked again to support this rotten racist Bircher Ron Paul.

The important difference between supporting Ron Paul and supporting Rocky Anderson, and most notably Jill Stein and Darcy Richardson, is that you are participating in building a progressive movement that will bode us well beyond 2012.

If you really want Ron Paul to have a chance at winning why don't all of you Ron Paul supporters just order publications from the racist and anti-Semitic John Birch Society to pass out since Ron Paul's victory would require a mass fascist base?

Obviously the likes of PDA, Progressives for Obama, Campaign for America's Future are really NOT for building a progressive base in the Democratic Party as they claim or else they would get behind the campaign of a real progressive Democrat like Darcy Richardson who is challenging Obama in the primaries; plus Darcy is not only a true progressive, he is a proven vote-getter.

While those of you who are spending your time (actually wasting your time organizing a fascist movement that stands in opposition to everything you say you are for by supporting Ron Paul), Darcy Richardson needs 8,000 signatures by January 31 to get on the ballot in Wisconsin.

We are talking Wisconsin here. I'm sure everyone knows what has been happening in Wisconsin.

This would require only 80 people collecting signatures for one weekend.

In terms of dollars this would only cost about $7,000.00 to $9,000.00. This would cover gas, leaflets, food and lodging for 80 people for one weekend of petitioning.

For less than $10,000.00 we can put someone like Darcy Richardson on the ballot in Wisconsin.

For less than another $50,000.00 we can then develop real progressive opposition to Obama in the Democratic Primary in Wisconsin.

Think about this: 600 people contributing $100.00 each could punish Obama in Wisconsin and simultaneously be building the progressive movement; not only in Wisconsin but serve as an example of what progressives can accomplish across the country.

If the Wisconsin Democratic Party really believed in just the concept of democracy they could have placed Darcy Richardson's name on the Wisconsin primary ballot at no cost to them or anyone. But, the Democratic Party doesn't believe in democracy. What a dangerous thought; that voters casting their ballots at a primary election should actually have more than one person to vote for. Wouldn't that be just the pits to have more than one candidate in a Primary Election?

When the Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Mike Tate, was asked to place another name on the ballot his response was, "Only Obama's name will be on the Primary ballot... if you don't like it, sue me." I suppose someone is going to ask me to prove this by providing a link?

Does anyone except Obama supporters who believe Obama has delivered us into a "Wonderful New World" have any reason to believe Darcy Richardson's name should not be placed on the Wisconsin Primary ballot? If anyone has a reason I would like to hear it.

If there are no reasons not to put Darcy's Name on the ballot then what are we waiting for?

All it would take is 900 people contributing $10.00 each to put Darcy Richardson's name on the ballot by January 31.

Are any of you Ron Paul supporters willing to put up the money?

How about it? Are you willing to pull $10.00 out of your pocket?

I am guessing that if FireDogLake made a special appeal as was done for OWS and the New Progressive Alliance were to join in and we all made pitches on our blogs, facebook pages and put our e-mail lists into action along with make some quick visits to a few friends we could do this.

No one would be paid; all we would be doing is covering the expenses for 80 people for one weekend.

Wisconsin law stipulates that a minimum of 1,000 signatures (and no more than 1,500) MUST come from each one of the 8 Congressional Districts in Wisconsin.

If someone will volunteer to take on the responsibility of raising the money, I will volunteer to recruit 80 people to go to Wisconsin to place Darcy Richardson's name on the Primary ballot.

Of course, we could just forget about the fundraising and 80 to 120 people could come together in Wisconsin to help put Darcy Richardson's name on the Wisconsin Democratic Party Primary Election Ballot.

Come on; are we willing to give real progressive politics a chance?

Interested? Give me a call---

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

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell: 651-587-5541

Primary E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net
E-mail: alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com

Blog: http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

The differences between the 2008 and 2012 Elections

The differences between the 2008 and 2012 Elections
By: Alan Maki Thursday January 12, 2012 5:19 pm	Tweet

The 2008 Election was about the “peace” candidate Obama versus the dangerous warmonger McCain.

The 2012 Election seems to be shaping up as the voice of the “venture” capitalists’ Obama versus the the “vulture” capitalist Mitt Romney.

Are you getting the picture here of what is taking place, or should I draw a picture?

Should we be afraid of Romney?

I just posted this on my FaceBook Wall:

Alan L. Maki

I hope no one takes this that I support Romney, because I don't; I will most likely be voting for either progressive Jill Stein or liberal Rocky Anderson from the new Justice Party. I still think the best ticket we could have are the two strongest peace, social and economic justice activists in this country: Cynthia McKinney and Cindy Sheehan. For whatever reason they have both indicated they won't be running. Unfortunate, but that's life.

I think it is unfortunate, too, that liberals, progressives and the left aren't pushing Jill Stein and Rocky Anderson to form a united electoral front under the banner of the new Justice Party because this is what people seeking change really want. We try to unite people in all our other movements so why shouldn't we be working towards a united slate at the polls as part of our movement for change? I think it is short-sighted of both Stein and Anderson they aren't working for this.

What is going on with liberals, progressives and the left in this country, anyways? 

There is this outfit called "Progressives for Obama;" the very name of the organization is an oxymoron led by complete idiots and the most opportunist morons--- Tom Hayden who served as AIPAC's poster boy providing a "left" cover for the Israeli killing machine, and this left-wing imposter, Carl Davidson, who enthusiastically supported the butcher Pol Pot. 

Why aren't we getting out to support Democratic Party activist, Darcy Richardson, a true, long-time progressive who has a long history of supporting everything we are for, as he challenges Obama in the Primaries? As far as I can tell, only the New Progressive Alliance has supported Darcy. What gives? I don't understand how it is that we demand change and then we can't even put our fingers to our key-boards to support him after his many years of activism trying push a progressive agenda inside and outside the Democratic Party. Look at these hypocrites in PDA and MoveOn.org. They  say they are for pushing a progressive agenda inside the Democratic Party--- yet, not a peep from either group about Darcy Richardson's courageous challenge to Obama as he tries to force the issues to the forefront.

But, getting back to Romney.

I strongly and vigorously disagree that Romney is to be feared as someone more right-wing than Obama.

Where are the facts to back this up? 

We shouldn't be buying into this Obama hype. It just isn't true.

First, like I said, it simply isn't true that Mitt Romney is further to the right than Obama. 

If anything, Romney is articulating a position that is pretty much identical to what Obama is actually doing.

Obama is a master of linguistics using the left-wing terminology he learned from his mentor, Frank Marshall Davis. Frank Marshall Davis, the noted Communist who was the popular voice for the people's front movements for the New Deal era--- see "Frank Marshall Davis, A Voice of the Black Press." Actually, the book is inappropriately titled because Frank Marshall Davis was the voice of the entire working class. Frank Marshall Davis must be reeling in his grave seeing how his star pupil, Obama, has managed to twist and pervert everything he taught him.

Obama has managed to twist and distort through the use of language the selling of his thoroughly reactionary Wall Street agenda--- complete with all these dirty imperialist wars and the associated austerity measures forced down the throats of working people. While using a left terminology, Obama has even managed to gain support for the most brutal and savage murders--- including the elected leaders of other countries which is clearly illegal under our own laws. Obama is a mean and cruel beast of the worst kind as he carries out the instructions handed to him by Wall Street.

In fact, Romney is pretty much running on a platform of what Obama is doing--- presenting the Wall Street 1%, not us the 99%, a win-win situation.


With Obama or Romney, we, the people, get the dirty end of the stick; Wall Street gets the profits.

As liberals, progressives and leftists, we shouldn't be fostering fear of either Obama or Romney--- we should be concerned with challenging Wall Street for power.

A new poll just out (http://www.zogby.com/news/2011/10/18/ibope-zogby-poll-public-favor-split-occupy-wall-st-movement-60-say-demonstrators-lack-clear-goals/) clearly shows that the majority of the American people believe; that persistent organized protests can win real change. And guess what, the people are correct. Why shouldn't we have candidates articulating in the electoral arena what is being struggled for in our workplaces, in our communities and through our protests in the streets?

When we say we "fear" Obama or Romney, we are sending the message to our Wall Street enemies that we are afraid of them. What message does this send other than let's prepare them so we can gorge on them at the public trough.

Liberals, progressives and leftists shouldn't be sucked in to playing this game of one of Wall Street's politicians is more right-wing than the other because the only thing this does is make the Wall Street coupon clippers more arrogant in thinking they can bully and badger us into submission.

Obama must be punished at the polls because he, like Bush, is escaping the required punishment he so justly deserves from the courts.

I never met Mitt Romney, but I knew his dad, George Romney very well. If Mitt Romney is only half as decent as his dad, this country will be better off with him than with Obama. It is possible that Romney, in spite of his rightist talk to appeal to the Tea Baggers, will end up legislating in a far more decent way than what we have gotten from Obama.

Quite honestly, I found George Romney a far more decent human being that 95% of the Democrats who were in the Michigan Legislature at the time--- he supported an end to racist covenants in housing and he strenuously enforced affirmative action. George Romney even called for a fair trial for Angela Davis. And George Romney even added his voice for ending the War in Vietnam. George Romney even worked towards integrated public schools.

Even when George Romney served as Nixon's head of Housing and Urban Development, his door was always open to organizations like the NAACP--- more than I can say for that little wimp Kucinich who agreed to meet with us on school integration in his own district and never showed up for the meeting. I would note that Obama has refused to enforce Affirmative Action.

I never voted for George Romney and told him to his face I would never vote for him or any other Republican; I would never vote for Mitt Romney, either. But, I sure as heck have no reason to be afraid of any candidate Wall Street throws at us; and I don't know why anyone would--- what we should do is stand up and fight for peace and for what is socially and economically just--- and get behind candidates like Darcy Richardson, Jill Stein and Rocky Anderson--- and we should be pushing for the three of them to work together. 

Every single day I am chased out of casinos in our organizing campaigns by mobsters who tell me things like they will put a bullet in my head and stuff me in a trunk if I come back... working people keep on struggling for justice in spite of the threats of violence from their bosses--- why should we cower in the face of their politicians? 

We shouldn't be afraid of these right-wing bullies--- and make no mistake, Obama is one of these right-wing bullies; we should not fear them; we should unite and fight them.

I don't support Romney but I'm not afraid of him either because all the polls show, and all the people I talk to every day tell me, that the majority of the American people are opposed to these right-wing Wall Street agendas both the Democrats and Republicans are trying to shove down our throats.

Did you ever watch a Rabbi try to fatten up a chicken for butchering by forcing food down its throat before slitting its throat? Even the chicken struggles.

IBOPE | Zogby IBOPE Zogby Poll: Public Favor Split for Occupy Wall St. Movement, 60% Say Demonstrato

www.zogby.com

-- 

Alan L. Maki

Director of Organizing,

Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road 13

Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432

Cell: 651-587-5541

Primary E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

E-mail: alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com

Blog: http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

Are you fed up with this "blame the Republicans" crap when the Democrats are no better?

I think it is a lot of nerve for the Democrats to be playing this "blame the Republican card" seeing as how the Democrats had two years to do whatever they wanted to do.

The American people gave the Democrats the Presidency and both houses of Congress.

Then the Democrats turned around and blamed their own Blue Dogs when Obama resurrected Joe Lieberman's political career.

There are a few Democrats worth supporting--- Obama isn't one of them--- but not more than a few.

Now until Election Day we are going to be hearing how afraid we should be of the Republicans and how we need to vote for these worthless Democrats.

Moveon.org can take their fundraising and shove it.

And then these Democrats are going to tell us Obama stopped the war in Iraq as he pushed us to the brink of World War III with Iran and China as U.S. tax-payers are expected to pick up the tab for private mercenaries who will try to prop up Obama's puppet government in Iraq costing us a good 20 times the price-tag for U.S. troops. 

Of course, Obama has assured his Wall Street business backers that it won't be long before the U.S. working class is on its knees begging to be paid in line with Jamaican, Puerto Rican and Chinese workers as he "challenges" the Wall Street multi-nationals to "bring the jobs back."

Obama and the Democrats deserve to be punished at the polls; Romney won't be any worse.

In 2012 we have two good candidates running for president--- progressive Jill Stein and liberal Rocky Anderson so there shouldn't be any need to even give Obama a second thought.

Besides, Obama can't win anyways... he has been a loser from Day One.

Please note: We need this resolution brought into every precinct caucus in every party---

 

http://mnasap.org/resolution.html

 

 

Endorsers

Organizations

The following Minnesota organizations have endorsed the MN ASAP Resolution

• Faith Mennonite Church: (Minneapolis, MN)
• St. Luke Presbyterian Session: (Wayzata, MN)
• Veterans for Peace, Chapter 27:  (Minneapolis, MN)
• Holy Trinity Peace and Justice Committee (Minneapolis, MN)
• Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer (Minneapolis, MN)
• 211 members of the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church (Minneapolis, MN)
• Women Against Military Madness (WAMM), (Minneapolis, MN)
• Minnesota Peace Project (Leadership Team), St. Paul, MN
• Chisago County DFL
• Senate District 17 unit of the DFL
• DFL Progressive Caucus
• Veterans for Peace, Chapter 80: (Duluth,MN & Iron Range)
• Peace United Church of Christ Coordinating Council & Just Peace Committee: (Duluth, MN)
• Minnesota Citizens Federation, North East: (Duluth, MN)
• MN Health Care Coalition (MN Statewide Organization)
• Northland Anti-War Coalition: (Duluth, MN)
• Loaves and Fishes: (Duluth, MN)
• Community Action Duluth: (Duluth, MN)
• Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth: (Duluth, MN)
• Duluth DFL Convention: (Duluth, MN)
• Duluth / Superior Religious Society of Friends: (Duluth, MN
• College of St. Scholastica Center for Just Living: (Duluth, MN)
• College of St Scholastica Campus Ministry: (Duluth, MN)
• College of St Scholastica Earth Action: (Duluth, MN)
• Twin Ports SOA Watch: (Duluth, MN)
• UMD Students for Peace: (Duluth, MN)
• Grandmothers for Peace - Northland Chapter:  (Duluth, MN)
• Occupy Duluth

Community Leader Endorsements

• Rep. Bill Hilty, MN House District 08A
• Sharla Gardner, Duluth City Council President
• Steve O’ Neil, County Commissioner, Second District MN
• Joel Sipress, Duluth DFL Executive Board
• Daniel Fanning, 8th Congressional District (MN) Candidate.
• Jim Northrup, Anishinaabe Author and Vietnam War Vet.

 

 

Minnesotans speak out on military spending---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvtER3YMHTk&feature=related

Don't forget to check out the New Progressive Alliance website:
http://newprogs.org/

We have to make it clear that liberals, progressives and leftists have had it with Obama and the Democratic Party.

My response to Barbara Ehrenreich and others; supporting Obama versus voting for real liberals or progressives

Note; many people were involved in this discussion on FaceBook on Barbara's Wall


[Image] 

Barbara Ehrenreich The only reason money rules politics is that some people are dumb enough to base their votes on campaign ads. If you're relying on paid advertisements for information about the issues or the candidates' stands, you should be disqualified from voting.

[Image]
Alan L. Maki 
And what about your own role, Barbara, in convincing people to vote for this warmonger Obama? Right now Obama has us on course for war with Iran and perhaps even China. Your deceiving people into thinking that Obama deserved--- deserves--- the support of progressives was every bit as deceptive as any commercial paid for by these Wall Street billionaires backing Obama. Interesting how you blame others but won't confront your own role.

[Image]
Alan L. Maki
And I should point out your buddy Tom Hayden who you partnered with to create the "Progressives for Obama" is now encouraging liberals, progressives and the left to support the racist, anti-Semitic, John Birch Society loving Ron Paul.
 
[Image]
Barbara Ehrenreich
Hey, I was supporting Obama 4 years ago! May vote for him again, but I will do so stealthily, probably incognito. 

[Image]
Lisa Elaine Scott
But this is my point exactly, Alan. What's a voter to do? I will absolutely vote for Pres. Obama because...I have no other choice. I could just stay home as many people will do exactly because they can't stomach either alternative. This is a really sad state of affairs when a third party candidate CANNOT be anything other than a spoiler. And I just want to throw out there that donors not only give to those they want to win, they also give to those who WILL win. In other words, when you have a politician in a safe seat, you find donors give them money because they know that this candidate will win, and they are buying themselves a guaranteed seat at the table.
 
[Image]
Alan L. Maki
Well Lisa and Barbara; we have two very good candidates for progressives to support--- Jill Stein and Rocky Anderson. I suggest you put your efforts into supporting real progressives. 

[Image]
Alan L. Maki
By the way, Barbara; I don't consider your response to be in the way of "stealth."

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Alan L. Maki
Well, Lisa; both Jill Stein and Rocky Anderson are suggesting exactly what you are proposing.

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Alan L. Maki
Lisa; I find your "logic" very interesting as you claim I don't understand. On the one hand you say you are prepared not to vote at all and then you turn around and say you aren't prepared to vote for third party progressives. Yes, there is something I don't understand here.

[Image]
Alan L. Maki
Well, Obama is at this very moment pushing us towards World War III with his new sanctions on Iran... if he is so stupid to take action against China to enforce these sanctions we are into very dangerous territory. I fail to see where Obama's policies differ in any way from the Republicans--- his rhetoric that he learned from Frank Marshall Davis is used to give credibility to his thoroughly reactionary imperialist Wall Street agenda. If one votes the "lesser of two evils," you would have to vote for Mitt Romney simply because his dad was a half-way decent guy hoping that Romney's policies would be more like his dad's if elected.

As for Tom Hayden supporting Ron Paul; here is a link to his own page:
http://tomhayden.com/home/ron-paul-a-force-for-peace.html

Being Jewish, I am insulted that under the guise of "progressivism" anyone claiming to be progressive would provide this kind of credibility to this half-assed, two-bit fascist John Birch Society loving creep--- Ron Paul.

Hayden makes the point, that Obama should be forced to chase Ron Paul on the question of peace. This is the most feeble and pathetic position I have ever heard. It is right on line with the thinking of Norman Thomas who led his "socialists" into an alliance with the fascist Hitlerites who were the America First movement.

[Image]tomhayden.com - Peace Exchange Bulletin - Ron Paul, A Force for Peace tomhayden.comSupport the PJRC for continued original analysis on ending the wars, funding domestic priorities, and preserving civil liberties. 

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Alan L. Maki
Yes; Bernie Sanders would be good but he won't run. Plus, he will most likely endorse Obama... what a shame.

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Alan L. Maki
Six months with Obama was more than enough.  

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Alan L. Maki
How about just punishing deceiving liars like Obama at the polls by defeating them.  

[Image]
Alan L. Maki
Money will always be a problem in politics as long as we have capitalism capitalists are going to find ways to finance their candidates. But, all over the world working people break free from capitalists dominating politics by building their own political parties without backing reactionary Wall Street politicians like Obama.

It seems to me what is being missed is the responsibility of the left to be a catalyst for bringing liberals and progressives together to organize a political party capable of freeing us from this two-party trap that has been built by Wall Street.

Now, along comes Barbara claiming that people are stupid when she is backing Obama and has played a MAJOR role in confusing people through her role as one of the PRIMARY initiators of the "Progressives for Obama" when there is nothing at all progressive about Obama.

In fact, Tom Hayden, who has been AIPAC's "left-wing" poster boy for the Israeli killing machine was brought out of retirement to work with the Pol Pot supporting "leftist," Carl Davidson to initiate this "Progressives for Obama" and Barbara was just as stupid and gullible to fall for this scheme and scam and here she is calling people "dumb enough to believe campaign ads." Is not the "Progressives for Obama's" website one big scam aimed at misleading people about Obama beginning with a picture of Obama prominently placed on their web site insinuating that Barack Obama is the candidate for peace when all he is is one more Wall Street warmonger pushing austerity measures down our throats to pay for what Mark Twain called, "dirty imperialist wars?"

Now Barbara says she will be supporting Obama in some kind of "stealth" sand "incognito" manner. Come on; get real--- your name is right there as one of the founders of the "Progressives for Obama." What is "stealth" or "incognito" about this?

There are two candidates more worthy of her support; the progressive Jill Stein and the liberal Rocky Anderson.

And as for all these arguments about "win-ability;" what is "won" by electing Barack Obama? Obama is the best Republican.

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Alan L. Maki
I would further point out that it is not like leftists have no base to work from. Here is a recent PEW survey; obviously since liberals, progressives and leftists have a strong current of support for socialism, there has to be the basis for building a political party reflecting this by focusing on the problems and their solutions without stooping to supporting Wall Street's Barack Obama:
http://www.people-press.org/2011/12/28/little-change-in-publics-response-to-capitalism-socialism/

[Image]Little Change in Public’s Response to ‘Capitalism,’ ‘Socialism’ | Pew Research Center for the People www.people-press.orgOverview The recent Occupy Wall Street protests have focused public attention on what organizers see as the excesses of America’s free market system, but          

Workers Struggle For Justice In Minnesota Indian Gaming Industry

Workers Struggle For Justice In Minnesota Indian Gaming Industry

" Before our white brothers arrived to make us civilized men, we didn't have any kind of prison. Because of this we had no delinquents. Without a prison, there can be no delinquents. We had no locks, nor keys and therefore among us there were no thieves. When someone was so poor that he couldn't afford a horse, a tent or a blanket, he, in that case receive all as a gift. We were too uncivilized to give great importance to private property. We didn't know any kind of money and consequently, the value of a human being was not determined by his wealth.  We had no written laws laid down, no lawyers, no politicians, therefore we were not able to cheat and swindle one another. We were really in bad shape before the white man arrived and I don't know how to explain how we were able to manage these fundamental things that (so they tell us) are so necessary for a civilized society."                                                                                                                                                       -John (Fire) Lame Deer, Sioux Lakota 1903-1976 

By Pancho Valdez

The history of the American Indian Gaming Industry goes back over 20 years as a "means of addressing" poverty, alcoholism, massive unemployment, poor educational opportunities, poor housing, lack of health care services, all very prevalent social problems on the reservations where many Native American people continue to reside. While the intent may have been good, the reality is that the casinos where over 40,000 Minnesotans work have proved to be a bandaid for the aforementioned problems and in of themselves, another social problem for members of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Lower Sioux Community, Grand Portage Band of Chippewa, Shakopee Ndewakanton Sioux Community, Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa, Prairie Island Indian Community (Sioux) , Upper Sioux Community, White Earth Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa. The different bands and tribes are "owners" of the casinos and have formed their own trade association called the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA). 

According to Alan Maki, Director of Organizing for the Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council workers at these casinos are for the most part women, about 65%, about half of the total workforce are people of color with about 7,000 of which are Native American, are for the most part under age 35 and earn an average annual income of around $10,500, hardly a living wage in today's economy. Maki went on to say that the workers are exposed to high amounts of noise and cigarette smoke as the casinos are exempt from regulation by any municipal, state or federal enforcement agencies including OSHA, EEOC, NLRB and the U.S. Department of Labor. Because these gaming facilities are on Indian reservations, federal laws grant them sovereignty from all regulatory enforcement agencies except law enforcement.(Minnesota is one of few states where Minnesota law enforcement has jurisdiction on the Indian reservation) Upon applying for an accepting casino jobs, workers must sign a pledge that states they will not join a union and if they do, they are subject to being fired for such. Maki stated that paying workers less than minimum wage, denying them over time for work performed over 40 hours and other laws and regulations that protect other American workers have no standing in the casinos. 

Rank and file casino workers began organizing their own union in 2000 as unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO refused to assist them. Maki attributes this reluctance to organize the Native American casino workers to three things: 1) the workers are not covered by existing labor relations agencies, 2) The campaign funding from the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association to the Minnesota Democratic Farm-Labor Party (the name of the Democratic Party in Minnesota also known as DFL ) The DFL has very close relations with organized labor in Minnesota and the AFL-CIO will not do anything to "offend" the DFL. 3) Racism towards the Native American peoples from both the DFL, the AFL-CIO, organized crime and John McCarthy, the MIGA executive director. According to Maki, the Teamsters and AFT pension funds are among the largest investors in Indian Gaming operations. The Building & Construction Trades have a "sweetheart agreement" with the Indian Gaming Association to hire union labor however the workers do not enjoy the protection of a union contract or Project Management Agreement. Again neither state or federal building, health and safety inspectors are permitted onto the job sites and Affirmative Action is not enforced. Aside from low wages and the lack of on the job democracy casino workers in MIGA sanctioned facilities are subjected to high exposure of smoke from patrons smoking cigars, cigarettes and pipes. The former head of Indian Health Services under President Bush described casino operations "the modern day equivalent to small pox laden blankets!" Maki went on further to say that neither the American Cancer Society, the American Heart or American Lung Associations raise any fuss on these deplorable working conditions as all three receive contributions from the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association.

The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association has developed strong ties to politicians of both the Minnesota Republican and Minnesota Democratic Farm-Labor Party. It is these ties that make obtaining justice for the over 40,000 casino workers almost an impossible task as these politicians do not and will not do anything contrary to the interests of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association because of MIGA's political contributions to both parties. The irony of MIGA is that while it appears to be "Indian owned and Indian controlled" the reality is the opposite. John McCarthy a white man is the executive director of MIGA. McCarthy is also the owner of Tony Doom Supply Company an enterprise that produces political campaign materials like yard signs, buttons, etc. The company also sells business forms, office machines and furniture, and produces promotion materials for businesses such as coffee mugs, clothing, caps. 

While the Native Americans own the casinos and the debts that are incurred, the mob owns the slot machines and table games through what Maki describes as "a complex maze of franchises." The mob takes in anywhere from 30-80% of everything that goes into the slot machines and table games. Maki traces the ownership of the slot machines and table games back to an Alvin Malnik out of Florida who inherited the "family business" from gangster Meyer Lansky who used to own casinos in Cuba prior to the revolution in 1959. The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) works with the mob through the slot machines and table games as well as contracting mobsters like the Fertitta family to "manage" some of the casinos. Through this kind of arrangement the Fertitta family is assured 85% of all profits from the new Gun Lake Casino in Michigan through a contract with the Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi, formerly known as the Gun Lake Tribe. The Fertitta family is known to the Justice Department as one of the "first families" of organized crime. Frank Fertitta and his people have been involved with casino operations in Kansas City, Las Vegas and California. With such arrangements it becomes easy to see how the gaming industry isn't as beneficial to the Native American peoples as the NIGA would have the public believe.

According to the website of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association funds from the casinos is divided up as follows: 28% for healthcare, 22% for government operations (no specifics), 20% for education, 13% for housing/economic development, 10% for human services, and 7% for infrastructure. Despite the fact that the casinos have been in operation since the late 1980's, Native American peoples in Minnesota continue to live in extreme poverty, sub-standard housing, receive inadequate healthcare services and less than adequate education for their children. According to a Harvard University study in 2005, living conditions "improved" more for gaming tribes than non-gaming tribes in the years 1990- 2000. Unfortunately no one knows exactly how much of the revenue is going into the reservations as tribal leaders refuse to divulge this information even to members of the tribes. The Red Lake Tribal Council insisted that the Red Lake Gaming Enterprises be audited by a reputable auditing firm, Touche and Anderson. When auditors arrived to conduct the audit they were denied access to the information by the Chief Financial Officer. According to Alan Maki  records for three casinos, a hotel, a motel, two restaurants and an indoor water park were kept in shoe boxes at the home of the Chief Financial Officer! This is a major factor why Meyer Lansky began the Indian Gaming Industry as he knew that no municipal, state or federal agency could hold the casino owners accountable for the finacial records of the gaming businesses. 

The Minnesota Indian Gaming Industry's website also posted the following unmet needs that the tribes in Minnesota face on a daily basis: 1) Native American life expectancy is 2.4 years shorter than other Americans, 2) Native Americans are three times more likely to die from diabetes related complications, 3) Native Americans are six times more likely to die of alcohol related causes, 4) Native Americans are five times more likely to die of tuberculosis, 5) Native Americans are five times more likely to be victims of homicide, 6) Native American adults are twice as likely to commit suicide, 7) Native Americans under 18 years of age are three times likely to commit suicide, 8) Native American infants are twice as likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), 9) Native Americans are three times likely to die from motor vehicle accidents. 

Conclusion/Possible Solutions: Clearly the situation of indigenous people in the state of Minnesota is neither acceptable or just. One can only imagine that similar or worse conditions exist in other states including Texas where the Kickappoo and Alabama-Coushatta tribes own and operate casinos. (According to the web, the state of Texas successfully sued and shut down the Alabama-Coushatta casino) 

For Minnesota, Alan Maki has assisted in organizing the casino workers into a democratic union of their own choosing. He said that when casino management was prepared to recognize the Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council, the AFL-CIO stepped in and offered the bosses a "better deal."This offer is clearly a violation of the worker's right to self determination as well as highly unethical. Only through a union of their choosing will the wages and working conditions improve. Workers employed at Indian Gaming enterprises deserve to have the same protection as other American workers. While sovereignty of the Indian nations should be respected and continued, sovereignty should not be an excuse to exploit and oppress workers. With improvement in the wages the conditions on the reservations will also improve. 

Maki has also advocated for a joint venture between the state of Minnesota and the Indian Tribes that would entail a slot machine manufacturing plant that would employ around 2,000 Native Americans in good paying jobs and also be instrumental in ridding the Minnesota Indian gaming industry of the organized crime element. With the absence of the mob, all proceeds would go directly into benefitting the various tribes to improve the delivery of health and human services, schools and economic development on the reservations. However along with the mob the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party and the Minnesota AFL-CIO remain the chief opponents of such a joint venture. 

Maki also went on to mention that some (not all) of the tribal governments have been corrupted and are not interested in making working conditions and pay better for the casino workers. Unfortunately they have learned that for them as individuals, capitalism is a good thing and the situations of the other members of the tribes are of no consequence to them. Corruption of local tribal governments along with corruption in the Bureau of Indian Affairs is common and a festering issue amongst various indigenous tribes not only in Minnesota, but across the nation!

Other solutions would entail for the federal government to improve upon funding for the Indian Health Services program as underfunding has resulted in less than adequate healthcare for the workers and their families. Maki mentioned that the health benefits offered by the casinos is not that good and in fact many physicians and dentists in the northern part of Minnesota will not accept the casino health plan due to slow processing of payments. 

For the 41,700 gaming industry workers the situation is clearly grave and depending on those entitities created to address the issues is near hopeless! By getting the word out it is this author's sincere hope that the wheels of justice will begin turning in favor of the workers, their families and their communities. Anyone wishing to learn more about this situation can contact Alan Maki, Director of Organizing, Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council: alanmaki1951@gmail.com 

 

=Pancho Valdez is a veteran civil rights, labor and peace activist of more than 45 years. He can be reached at: 210-422-8000 or at: mestizowarrior59@yahoo.com