Don't you just hate it when salespeople tell you something that isn't true just to sell you something?

I sent this to both Gander Mountain and Columbia.

Notice; I will be placing this exchange on my blog.

---------- Forwarded message ----------











From: Alan Maki 
Date: Tue, Oct 18, 2011 at 5:59 PM
Subject: Re: I bought these hiking boots at Gander Mountain in Forest Lake, Minnesota on Saturday [Incident: 111017-000020]
To: Columbia Sportswear Customer Care


James,

Taking these boots back is not an option.

I live in Warroad, Minnesota over 400 miles from the store I purchased them at. 

I tried taking them back to Gander Mountain in Bemidji, Minnesota and they told me they would not refund my money because "it was your responsibility to know what you purchased." The Bemidji store is over 140 miles from me--- one way.

Either way, an exchange would cost me more in gas than what I paid for the boots.

If you advertise something as "waterproof" (according to the salesman WP stands for "waterproof") the boots should be waterproof at least to the point where one can walk through the damp early morning grass.

I went to purchase hiking boots for fall hunting and ended up with boots that did not serve the purpose I specifically stated I wanted them for.

You should see to it that I am refunded a portion of my money in line with a comparable pair of boots that are not waterproof. In no place is there anything in the box or on the box explaining your coding as to what is waterproof and the limitations of waterproofing.

Alan L. Maki

On Tue, Oct 18, 2011 at 3:46 PM, Columbia Sportswear Customer Care <columbia@custhelp.com> wrote:

Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.

We will assume your issue has been resolved if we do not hear from you within 96 hours.

Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.

Subject
I bought these hiking boots at Gander Mountain in Forest Lake, Minnesota an Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011
Discussion Thread
Response (James)	10/18/2011 01:46 PM
Hi Alan,  I am sorry to hear about your boots. I am sure that Gander Mountain has a return policy, especially since these shoes are such a new purchase. As far as the Coretek Boot itself, the material is indeed meant to be waterproof. However, it doesn't have a waterproof membrane, meaning that if water penetrates the outer material, your feet end up getting soaked.  So in essence, the material on your boots is waterproof, but I would recommend buying something that has an Omni-Tech or OutDry membrane, meaning that even if water penetrates the outer material, your feet will remain dry.  I understand your frustration as a consumer, and don't want you to feel like you don't have any options. I would encourage you to take the footwear back to Gander Mountain and see what they can do for you. If they are not too much help, contact us and we will get you taken care of.  Regards,  James Customer Care
Customer (Alan Maki)	10/17/2011 05:09 AM
I bought these hiking boots at Gander Mountain in Forest Lake, Minnesota an Saturday, October 15. The salesman told me these boots were waterproof. He told me the "WP" stood for "waterproof." I walked through the moist grass this morning and they got soaked through. I obviously wasted $79.00.
Question Reference #111017-000020
Date Created:  10/17/2011 05:09 AM Last Updated:  10/18/2011 01:46 PM Status:  Waiting First Name:  Alan Zip/postal code:  56763 Country:  Phone:  218-386-2432 Last Name:  Maki  Style # Columbia Coretek WP

-- 

Alan L. Maki

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/

Should an occupation of the Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant be considered to save it?

• 
  

  The Flint Sit-Down Strike won union recognition for autoworkers--- can similar tactics be used to save the U.S. auto industry, plants and jobs?

  From my FaceBook posts...

  
  

  Alan L. Maki

  Occupying this plant to save it would make more sense than occupying a park or public square--- and no doubt generate more public support and participation. Something for Occupy Minnesota and Occupy Wall Street to consider--- are the "occupiers" up for a real rumble with one of Wall Street's greediest icons?
  
  http://www.twincities.com/ci_19132694?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com

  

  St. Paul Ford plant: Developers licking their chops over prime real estate - TwinCities.com

  www.twincities.com

  The Twin Cities Assembly Plant that has been cranking out cars and trucks since J.A.O. Preus was Minnesota

   ·  · Share · 5 minutes ago

  
  
• 

  Alan L. Maki

  Eighty-six years of government subsidies in St. Paul and Ford packs up and moves its Ranger operation to Thailand:
  
  http://www.twincities.com/ci_19134908?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com

  FORD Motor Co.: Eighty-six years in St. Paul - TwinCities.com

  www.twincities.com

  FORD MOTOR CO.: EIGHTY-SIX YEARS IN ST. PAUL

   ·  · Share · 9 minutes ago
• 

  Alan L. Maki

  Ford Motor Company announces its Christmas present for workers and the Twin Cities:
  
  http://www.twincities.com/ci_19132527?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com

  

  Ford puts date on St. Paul plant closing: Dec. 19 - TwinCities.com

  www.twincities.com

  Workers at the Ford Motor Co. plant in St. Paul got the word Monday: The 86-year-old facility will close Dec. 19.

   ·  · Share · 12 minutes ago

  • 
    

Now is the time to bring back the "Rebuild America Act" and the push for "peace dividends."

The claim that the Occupy Wall Street movement is the "first populist movement" on the "left" since the 1930's is not really true.  Those who push this view want to discourage today's activists from building on the struggles of the past.

The peace movement has been a "populist movement" for many years now. 

The Occupy Wall Street movement could build on the struggles of the peace movement by reviving the progressive "Rebuild America Act" first proposed by left-wing labor leader William Winpisinger that found tremendous support among liberals, progressives and the left.

Since the AFL-CIO has entered the Occupy Wall Street movement, and this movement is growing by leaps and bounds, we need to find ways to help keep it growing. This would be the perfect time to talk with the leaders of organized labor about its responsibility for what Obama is doing by virtue of Organized labor's support for Obama and his phony "jobs legislation" by bringing forward the "Rebuild America Act."

The Occupy Wall Street movement could also start pushing for a "peace dividend;"end militarism and wars, fund human needs.  

The AFL-CIO should not be pushing Obama's phony "American Jobs Act" that only creates more troughs for Wall Street's fat pigs to profit from.

What ever happened to William Winpisinger's "Rebuild America Act?"

The AFL-CIO should bring back to life its committee on conversion from military spending to spending on human needs; William Winpisinger worked hard to establish this committee.

Richard Trumka and Elizabeth Warren should do what they said they would do: Hold Obama's feet to the fire. They could do this by running against Obama and Biden promoting William Winpinsinger's "Rebuild America Act."

The Occupy Wall Street movement might have the political strength and muscle to put the progressive "Rebuild America Act" back on the table so we can begin to talk about "peace dividends" again.

How is Barack Obama's Wall Street war economy working for you?

Racism in Minnesota elections exposed

My comment on this article... Something to think about:

The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association has spent tens of millions of dollars over the last 20 plus years in campaign contributions and there isn't one single Native American sitting in the Minnesota State Legislature. This is not democracy. These politicians elected with the money from Indian Gaming don't even know how to say the word "poverty" let alone do anything to end poverty.

If they use redistricting to continue splitting the Native American vote there should be a federal lawsuit filed because the pattern of racism in public employment proves racism is a very serious problem. Native Americans pay out a lot in taxes yet get none of the jobs when taxes are spent. The Bemidji Regional Events Center is a perfect example of racism in employment. Over 60 million tax-payer dollars were spent and Affirmative Action was not enforced. Not one single politician receiving campaign funds from the Indian Gaming Industry would raise their voice and insist that racist hiring be brought to an end through Affirmative Action.

Anyone who becomes involved in the Democratic or Republican Parties quickly find they have entered an extremely racist environment and these racists work in collusion to make sure the problems of Native Americans are ignored.

At a bare minimum, Senate District 4 and House District 4-A should be redistricted to assure the election of Native American candidates. I mean really, is there any legitimate reason why there shouldn't be Native American voices in Minnesota with a large Native American Indian population plus the millions of dollars spent on campaign contributions coming from the Indian Gaming Association? This money should be for the use of Native American politicians.

Ribs is a "yes man" for John McCarthy. Anyone who attends a Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party State Convention sees this right away... John McCarthy is constantly telling Ribs how to vote. Ribs has not uttered one single word in defense of jobs and ending poverty at any state convention. Not once has he insisted on accountability from the DFL when it comes to health care, housing, environmental issues.

Northern Minnesota residents speak up on redistricting at hearing

Keeping American Indian tribes at the forefront of the decision-making process was a plea heard frequently by five judges Monday evening. By: Anne Williams, Bemidji Pioneer

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/article/id/100032210

• Image

A special panel of judges appointed by a Minnesota’s Supreme Court chief justice held a public hearing on redistricting in Bemidji Tuesday evening at the Beltrami County Administrative Building. Though a serious issue for many who spoke at the hearing, Judges John R. Rodenberg, left, Edward L. Lynch and Wilhelmina M. Wright found humor in Mike Simpkins’ opening remark. Pioneer Photo/Monte Draper

Keeping American Indian tribes at the forefront of the decision-making process was a plea heard frequently by five judges Monday evening.

A public hearing was held in Bemidji in which a panel heard the opinions of 14 northern Minnesota residents about how new congressional and legislative district lines should be redrawn.

Bemidji was one of eight cities chosen to host a public hearing on redistricting. Redrawing district lines is a federal requirement every 10 years to keep all districts’ population the same.

The judges plan to release their decision on Feb. 21, unless the state Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton agree on their own maps.

Several people who spoke at Tuesday’s hearing were in favor of keeping American Indian bands together in congressional or legislative districts.

Kathryn Beaulieu, a member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, asked the panel to consider not splitting up American Indian reservations.

“We should never, as a state, split up any reservation,” she said. “Until such time as American Indians are truly represented on all levels of government, no matter how you dice up the congressional or legislative maps, we refuse to be the forgotten American.”

Sally Fineday, a representative with the Native Vote Alliance of Minnesota, said fair redistricting for American Indians could mean the White Earth, Red Lake and Leech Lake Reservations should be included in the same Senate and Congressional districts.

She also suggested the three reservations plus the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe be included in one congressional district.

“I encourage you to take a stand, to be fair by including American Indian tribes at the redistricting decision table,” Fineday said.

Eugene “Ribs” Whitebird, the District 3 representative with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, was not in favor of keeping all American Indian bands in one district.

“As for congressional districts, I do not believe the interest of Leech Lake or other Native Americans in northern Minnesota are well served by being in one single Congressional district,” he said.

He added the district lines should be drawn to include the entire Leech Lake Reservation in one House district and, if possible, to include Bemidji in the same district.

City Councilor Ron Johnson, who is also on the Bemidji Regional Airport Authority committee, said it would be in the Bemidji Regional Airport’s best interest to have district lines drawn similarly to how they currently exist.

“The proposed congressional map puts Bemidji in the same district as Duluth,” Johnson said. “While we work closely with the Duluth airport, we also compete directly with (them). We feel we have better representation with being in separate districts like we are now.”

If Bemidji continues to be split into two congressional districts as it is now, Johnson added, he prefers the airport be included in congressional district 7.

Mike Simpkins, a resident of Beltrami County, said because Bemidji is split between two congressional districts, it gets two Congress members, which he said is a bonus. However, he added, “Bemidji has more in common with Congressional District 7.”

Steve Engel, a resident of Guthrie Township in northern Hubbard County, suggested that all of Hubbard County remain in the same congressional district and that the county be placed in the same Senate and legislative district.

“We find it is difficult having in our county two different Senate districts and two different legislative districts,” he said. “People are confused. I believe it would also be easier and preferable for county officials to deal with one set of legislators.”

Bud Stone, president of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, and Joe Silko, superintendent of the Grand Rapids Public School District, also spoke at the hearing, as did others from around northern Minnesota, including the city of Cohasset.

Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright of the Appeals Court presided over the panel. The other four judges were Ivy S. Bernhardson of Hennepin County, James B. Florey of St. Louis County, Edward I. Lynch of Dakota County and John R. Rodenberg of Brown County.

Members of the public are invited to submit written comments to the panel. Written statements must be received by the panel no later than Friday, Oct. 21. More information on submitting written comments can be found on the panel’s website, www.mncourts.gov/?page=4469.

The Democrats bring the smoke-filled backrooms of corrupt politics to FaceBook

By Alan L. Maki as posted on FaceBook; Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 6:01am

Has anyone noticed how so many of the Democratic Party's groups here on Wall Street--- whoops, I mean FaceBook--- are going to "closed" and "secret" status?

Isn't it is nice to know that we have people who want to engage in politics in secret little groups free from dialog, discussion and debate--- what used to be referred to as "smoke-filled backrooms"--- where they can discuss and manipulate the rest of us free from being challenged?

Where any challengers to their big-business, neo-liberal thinking they proclaim to be "progressive" get "blocked" and booted out.

They want our money; they want our votes. They want us to work their phone banks. They want us to walk the neighborhoods and put up their yard signs, where their buttons and t-shirts and place their bumper-stickers on our cars.

But, when we say we want peace and jobs they bring out the duct tape to put over our mouths.

And they have the unmitigated gall to boast to the world that this is "democracy."

Now these Democrats meet in their "secret" FaceBook rooms when they aren't meeting in the smoke-filled casinos of the Indian Gaming Industry where people are forced to work at poverty wages and without any rights as a "gift" to the mobsters who own the slot machines who then turn around and make big financial contributions to their dirty, corrupt political campaigns.


Quite the system and way of doing things, eh?

Some more thoughts about the Occupy Wall Street movement

I assume my comments are welcome by the Occupy Wall Street movement whether there is agreement or not--- part of the democratic participation we are all striving for; correct?

The Occupy Wall Street movement suggests, and correctly so, that "democracy" with full participation of the people (99%) in the decision making processes (I assume full participation means social, political and economic?)is the objective yet it seems some solutions to problems are not being considered. Why not put everything on the table for discussion, dialog and debate and let people decide?

We want a participatory democratic process where working people (the majority of the 99%) are involved at all levels of society in ways where our participation actually allows us to make decisions affecting our lives instead of being trapped into thinking that our role is to rubber stamp the actions of Wall Street's two-party scheme and scam; right?

"They" is referred to in this "Declaration" < http://nycga.cc/2011/09/30/declaration-of-the-occupation-of-new-york-city/ > of the OWS movement, and this is called "Occupy Wall Street," yet Wall Street has not been declared our common enemy and obviously this "Declaration" is so vague you do not interpret it to be a statement against capitalism and its most decadent stage, imperialism. Not a single Wall Street office has been occupied--- at least not yet.

The grievances are stated but where are the solutions to these problems stated?

Who are these grievances being presented to for solution?

What is being demanded of government?

Will methods be found to present these grievances to those who have the power to resolve these problems?

Above in my comment I have presented a "people's program for real change" which BEGINS to address many of the specific grievances that are listed in this "Declaration"
< http://nycga.cc/2011/09/30/declaration-of-the-occupation-of-new-york-city/ > you provide us a link to.

We need solutions (reforms) to our (the 99%; mostly working people) problems that are financed by redistributing the wealth of this 1% (Wall Street).

The Occupy Wall Street movement is a very important development only to the extent that it brings people into struggles for very specific reforms (personally, I hope OWS is preparing the ground to get rid of capitalism sooner rather than later) as we challenge Wall Street for power which will take struggles in the streets combined with electoral struggle and occupations of mines,mills and factories where employers lock out workers in an attempt to evade collective bargaining and where Wall Street (corporations/banks) decide to close down factories and ship jobs to low wage/cheap resource areas. Student occupations of colleges and universities demanding free higher-level education while negotiating lower tuitions, etc. Occupations of welfare offices when these arrogant bureaucrats deny people the help they are entitled to. Occupations of Congressional offices demanding peace, the prosecutions of war criminals like Bush, Cheney, Obama.

Occupations of public parks and public squares are good for the purpose of holding discussions about what needs to be done but let us not delude ourselves or anyone else that these occupations of public parks and public squares are going to lead to reforms getting our grievances resolved--- let alone revolution.

Change simply isn't going to come through one big occupation of a park or a public square or even the occupation of hundreds of public parks or public squares.

Begin to occupy Goldman Sachs, congressional offices and dogging Barack Obama on the campaign trail insisting on real reforms intended to solve the very real and very specific problems people are experiencing and we take this movement to a higher level which will assure this movement will not be manipulated and controlled by Obama and the other Wall Street bribed and owned politicians.

If out of these discussions taking place during these occupations we agree to organize a political movement to free ourselves from Wall Street's two-party trap, a political movement capable of articulating these grievances and their solutions, and we elect people's politicians from the ranks of those involved in and supporting the OWS movement we bring together a massive anti-monopoly coalition that can challenge Wall Street for power (take power away from Wall Street and make "power to the people" a reality) we will then have a movement against "them" ("They")--- Wall Street.

The New York Times advises Barack Obama to engage in a demagogic populist rhetoric using the grievances articulated by the OWS movement... are WE (99%) going to allow THEM (Wall Street- 1%)to get away with this--- without so much as solving one single one of our problems?

Again, here are some ideas I put forward for discussion, let's discuss how this fits in with the grievances and what kind of specific legislation, etc. it is going to take to get our (99%) problems solved--- this is our common goal and objective, is it not? Let's call this our "revolutionary road;" reforms on the road to revolution:

A people’s program for real change...

* Peace--- end the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and shutdown the 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil protecting Wall Street’s interests.

* A National Public Health Care System - ten million new jobs; free health care for all.

* A National Public Child Care System - three to five million new jobs; free child care for all working families.

* Works Progress Administration - three million new jobs; repair, restore and build new infrastructure.

* Civilian Conservation Corps - two million new jobs protecting and restoring to health our ecosystems.

* Public Ownership of the 58,000 mines, mills and factories closed by Wall Street – twenty-five million good paying, decent union jobs.

* Tax the hell out of the rich and cut the military budget by ending the wars to pay for it all which will create full employment.

* Enforce Affirmative Action; end discrimination.

* Raise the minimum wage to a real living wage.

* What tax-payers subsidize in the way of businesses, tax-payers should own and reap the profits from.

* Moratorium on home foreclosures and evictions.

* Defend democracy by defending workers' rights including the right to collective bargaining for improving the lives and livelihoods of working people.

* Roll-back and freeze the price of food, electricity, gas and heating fuels; not wages, benefits or pensions.

* Defend and expand Social Security.

* Wall Street is our enemy.

Let's talk about the politics and economics of livelihood for a real change.

The time has come for working people to break free from Wall Street’s “two-party trap.” We need a working class-based progressive people’s party.

Peace + tax the rich = millions of new jobs at real living wages putting people to work solving our social problems which will solve our economic problems… Redistribute the wealth. Put people before Wall Street profits.

The OWS movement needs to have a real dialog with the American people beginning with asking the question:

How is Barack Obama's Wall Street war economy working for you?

This is a most basic and fundamental question requiring an answer because from the way people answer this question we find get to the specific problems and what it is going to take to agree on solutions.

Primarying Obama and electing activists from the Occupy Wall Street movement to local, state and federal offices on a third party ticket should also become a part of this movement--- just look at the base of support for these candidates there would be. Occupy public offices with candidates prepared to fight Wall Street for power.

You say you want a revolution.. but want to forego reforms; dialog with a one of the leaders of the "leaderless" Occupy Wall Street movement

This is a post made on FireDogLake--- my comment is at the end.

In my opinion, it is strange to first talk about occupying Wall Street then occupying a park near Wall Street and then not talking about the need to occupy the mines, mills and factories that the Wall Street coupon clippers own.

Are we talking about building a movement capable of challenging Wall Street for power or are we simply talking about creating a militant looking front that plays well for Barack Obama's re-birthed and perverted sense of populism aimed at getting himself re-elected so he can kick us under the bus as he continues to carry out Wall Streets thoroughly reactionary Wall Street agenda of more wars abroad paid for through austerity measures imposed on the working class here at home.

Here we go again with a new New Left agenda under the guise of "occupy everything" as long as it's a public square or public park; when what we need is to re-build the historic popular front of working class liberals, progressives and leftists fighting and struggling for real change as we prepare the ground to put and end to capitalism and bring forward the socialist alternative.

What the moment requires is a strong anti-capitalist, anti-monopoly coalition--- recognizing the parasitical exploiters, profiteers and warmongers of Wall Street as our enemy--- struggling in the streets, in our communities, in our schools and in our places of employment backed up by a progressive people's party carrying forward an anti-monolpoly agenda aimed at taking political and economic power out of the hands of Wall Street coupon clippers.


Alan L. Maki

http://my.firedoglake.com/luckymw/2011/10/08/occupy-wall-street-defining-the-undefinable/#comment-124

« Try And Catch The Wind

Occupy Wall Street: Defining The Undefinable

By: LUCKYMW

Saturday October 8, 2011 12:48 am

"Occupy Everything" (Photo: Yung GrassHopper)

Occupy Wall Street is about revolution, not reforms.

The movement is about creating a democracy based on mutual respect, compassion, and looking out for each other’s best interests.

It is all-inclusive to people of any political party and all voices are welcome to the debate as to how to replace the existing corporate/government co-dependency which results in 99% of the people being excluded from the opportunity to succeed on a level playing field.

We have a list of grievances that was generated by Occupy Wall Street in NY, and those issues are all on the table for discussion in a democratic fashion in order to create solutions.

We have only a horizontal hierarchy to prevent one person’s agenda from skewing the needs of the group.

This is not a political movement, it’s a social movement in which we are now first getting to know one another while we’re beginning a national conversation to rectify the position we’ve been put in by the monolithic Wall Street machine that has purchased our representative government.

We are aware that this movement will take time to grow and for that conversation to synthesize the specific changes we democratically choose to take effect.

We are committed to no set timetable, we’re here for as long as it takes and for as long as people stay unified in this shared vision.

Right now we are engaging in direct non-violent action so that we can show our sense of strength and purpose in order to attract more voices to the conversation.

This is not an anti-capitalist campaign, nor do we seek to destroy capitalist institutions.

The goal is to create a new paradigm in which we all enjoy the promises made to us in the Constitution, not just the crumbs left to us by the privileged class.

We are only seeking to benefit from our labors and protect our rights to liberty, health, education, and the pursuit of shared prosperity.

My response---

Alan Maki 

October 9th, 2011 at 6:09 am «

LUCKYMW,

Could you post the complete “list of grievances” you have referred to?

I travel quite widely and often through the Great Lakes Region talking to working people about their problems and the solutions to these problems.

You talk about “occupying” everything. Shouldn’t we be concerned with “occupying” public offices with politicians who will advance an alternative to Wall Street’s agenda of imperialist wars abroad paid for through austerity measures here at home?

I find it interesting you unequivocally state that this is NOT an anti-capitalist movement and on the other hand you claim this is a revolutionary movement and not about reforms.

You say you are prepared to occupy for as long as it takes. Fine. But, can people being evicted from their homes wait that long? Can people who are unemployed “wait” for a job until your, as so far claimed but not stated “list of grievances” are addressed and resolved?

By the way, I really have to wonder what kind of “grievances” you have if these “grievances” don’t include reforms aimed at solving the problems working people are experiencing.

Quite frankly, what you have written here demonstrates that you don’t understand the relationship between reforms and revolution nor do you seem to understand that working people need a political party to advance their agenda relating to what they struggle and fight for in the streets, in their communities and at work.

You talk about “occupying everything” but I don’t see any suggestions that closing mines, mills or plants be “occupied” to prevent lockouts in labor disputes nor when mines, mills and plants are designated to be closed while Wall Street ships the jobs to low-cost labor areas overseas.

Wall Street’s Ford Motor Company has determined— without community and worker participation— that it will close the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant here in St. Paul, Minnesota later this year as it has begun production of the Ford Ranger in Thailand. Has Occupy Wall Street discussed occupying this plant to save it from the wrecking ball to make way for a housing project that only the well-heeled Wall Street coupon clippers will be able to afford?

I think it is quite clear this Occupy Wall Street movement has all the traits and earmarks of an anarchist operation the Obama supporting trade union leadership just loves to promote to “prove” its militancy as it tries to shove Wall Street’s Obama down our throats for a second shafting.

I find it interesting that a movement claiming to be in opposition to Wall Street hasn’t mouthed one single word in opposition to Wall Street’s hand picked and financed president without so much as asking the American people the question: How is Barack Obama’s Wall Street war economy working for you?

How interesting you call for broader participation in the decision-making process by the people but fail to acknowledge that Wall Street manipulates and controls us to their profit seeking, profit gouging end through the control they have in the corporate boardrooms and through its control of our public institutions including local, state and national public office.

I don’t think you know what the hell you want.

Most people in this country do see Wall Street as their enemy. Most people— working people— have a pretty good idea of the kind of country they want even if you don’t want to acknowledge what most Americans want because it doesn’t fit in with your stated ideas of “revolution without reforms.”

I do know what most people in this country want. And I challenge you or anyone else to prove me wrong. In fact, I challenge you to place this before your “General Assembly” for discussion to see what people have to say. This is nothing more than what I have written down in my notes from talking to people in their homes, at work, in grocery stores and at gas stations. Place it before the “General Assembly” for discussion to see if people agree:

A people’s program for real change…

* Peace— end the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and shutdown the 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil protecting Wall Street’s interests.

* A National Public Health Care System – ten million new jobs; free health care for all.

* A National Public Child Care System – three to five million new jobs; free child care for all working families.

* Works Progress Administration – three million new jobs; repair, restore and build new infrastructure.

* Civilian Conservation Corps – two million new jobs protecting and restoring to health our ecosystems.

* Public Ownership of the 58,000 mines, mills and factories closed by Wall Street – twenty-five million good paying, decent union jobs.

* Tax the hell out of the rich and cut the military budget by ending the wars to pay for it all which will create full employment.

* Enforce Affirmative Action; end discrimination.

* Raise the minimum wage to a real living wage.

* What tax-payers subsidize in the way of businesses, tax-payers should own and reap the profits from.

* Moratorium on home foreclosures and evictions.

* Defend democracy by defending workers’ rights including the right to collective bargaining for improving the lives and livelihoods of working people.

* Roll-back and freeze the price of food, electricity, gas and heating fuels; not wages, benefits or pensions.

* Defend and expand Social Security.

* Wall Street is our enemy.

Let’s talk about the politics and economics of livelihood for a real change.

The time has come for working people to break free from Wall Street’s “two-party trap.” We need a working class-based progressive people’s party.

Peace + tax the rich = millions of new jobs at real living wages putting people to work solving our social problems which will solve our economic problems… Redistribute the wealth. Put people before Wall Street profits.

How is Barack Obama’s Wall Street war economy working for you?

What is the movement against Wall Street really all about?

What is the movement against Wall Street really all about? The New York Times assigned one of its top reporters to "clarify" what the movement in opposition to Wall Street is all about. The NYT reporter, Mark Landler, went even further in attempting to falsely explain: the ideology behind our movement, our goals and objectives and how we are going to get what we want. I would note that over the past weeks the NYT first tried to ignore our movement against Wall Street, then tried to claim the movement was "leaderless" without any ideology and there were no concrete demands that could be addressed--- of course this was all just the typical hypocrisy that is normal and typical for the NYT which always pretends not to know what working people want because the NYT is Wall Street's voice--- owned lock, stock and barrel by the Wall Street coupon clippers who hire "the best" capitalist Sooth-sayers

and apologists for capitalism's highest stage, imperialism, the money derived from the exploitation of the working class can buy. Mark Landler in his article below has proven himself well suited and equipped for the task required by his Wall Street bosses. Check out Mark Landler's background then read what he wrote... below Landler's article in the New York Times I will explain why Wall Street is our enemy, what we think, what we want and how we are going to get what we want. Our vision is very clear as anyone can see for themselves; but, the New York Times never lets us state our vision, what we want and how we are going to achieve what we want even as it's editors and reporters continually--- and hypocritically--- boast that the United States is the world's greatest bastion of democracy even though 99% of the people are denied a voice through the MainStreamMedia while the 1% always get their say because they own the MainStreamMedia the same way they own the mines, mills and factories. As usual, this article from the New York Times uses "kernels of truth" to convey its falsehoods in an attempt to manipulate and control the "news" to suit the aims of Wall Street and the politicians--- like Barack Obama--- who they own and control just like their newspapers, radio and television stations... and even the Internet Service Providers and FaceBook. And of course, this manipulation and control of the media is conveniently called: democracy.    

Here is my response to this article from the New York Times.

Here are my thoughts about this movement against Wall Street; I hope Obama backers will pass on my thoughts to their "leader:"

http://movementagainstwallstreet.blogspot.com/2011/10/what-is-movement-against-wall-street.html

Alan L. Maki