Monday, April 28, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
A National Approach for Making the Minimum Wage a Living Wage
Sunday, April 27, 2014
8-10pm ET / 7-9pm CT / 6-8pm MT / 5-7pm PT
Telephone Call-in: 857-232-0157 • Access Code: 353711
Panel
Cindy Sheehan, California Peace & Freedom Party
Gubernatorial Candidate
http://www.peaceandfreedom.org/home/
Lena Buggs, Minnesota Green Party, State House District 65-A Legislative Candidate
http://www.lenafor65a.com/
Alan Maki, Director of Organizing, Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council
http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/
Theresa Sanchez, Union Steward, Local #1, Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union
http://www.local1bctgm.org/
Frank “Pancho” Valdez, retired trade unionist, Green Party activist
http://web.txgreens.org/
Curtis Buckanaga, Asst. to District III Rep. for Leech Lake, Ojibwe Reservation
http://www.llojibwe.com/
Bill Leumer, former President IAM Local 565, Labor Fightback Network Steering Committee member
http://laborfightback.org/
Luis Diaz-Perez, founding member of Chicago Political Economy Group, co-author of "A Permanent Jobs Program for the U.S.: Economic Restructuring to Meet Human Needs."
http://www.cpegonline.org/
Sally Soriano, "$15 NOW" activist from Seattle, Washington
https://www.15now.org/
Moderator:
Devon Nola, Justice Party of New York
Each panelist will give a 5-minute presentation during the first hour. The second hour will be open to discussion with Q&A between callers and panelists.
Sponsored by:
Uniting People for Peace, Equality, Full Employment, Universal Healthcare and Environmental Protection
Contact info:
Tel: (203) 402-8745
E-mail: unitingpeople1@gmail.com
Blog: www.unitingpeopleworks4us.blogspot.com
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/USlivablewage
A bold livable wage policy must be viewed as a “keystone” fiscal mechanism that will trigger subsequent structural changes in the U.S. economic system to achieve an equitable distribution of wealth and income for all members of our society.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Friday, April 11, 2014
"The first and last test of economic policy is whether living standards for ordinary families are rising."
Ed Miliband's speech on the cost of living crisis: full text
"The first and last test of economic policy is whether living standards for ordinary families are rising."
"The first and last test of economic policy is whether living standards for ordinary families are rising."
Monday, April 7, 2014
A National Approach for Making the Minimum Wage a Living Wage
Sunday, April 27, 2014
8-10pm ET / 7-9pm CT / 6-8pm MT / 5-7pm PT
Telephone Call-in: 857-232-0157 • Access Code: 353711
Panel
Cindy Sheehan, California Peace & Freedom Party
Gubernatorial Candidate
Lena Buggs, Minnesota Green Party, State House District 65-A Legislative Candidate
Alan Maki, Director of Organizing, Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council
Theresa Sanchez, Union Steward, Local #1, Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union
Frank “Pancho” Valdez, retired trade unionist, Green Party activist
Curtis Buckanaga, Asst. to District III Rep. for Leech Lake, Ojibwe Reservation
Bill Leumer, former President IAM Local 565, Labor Fightback Network Steering Committee member
Mel Rothenberg, founding member of Chicago Political Economy Group, co-author of "A Permanent Jobs Program for the U.S.: Economic Restructuring to Meet Human Needs."
Moderator:
Devon Nola, Justice Party of New York
Each panelist will give a 5-minute presentation during the first hour. The second hour will be open to discussion with Q&A between callers and panelists.
Sponsored by:
Uniting People for Peace, Equality, Full Employment, Universal Healthcare and Environmental Protection
Contact info:
Tel: (203) 402-8745
E-mail: unitingpeople1@gmail.com
Blog: www.unitingpeopleworks4us.blogspot.com
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/USlivablewage
A bold livable wage policy must be viewed as a “keystone” fiscal mechanism that will trigger subsequent structural changes in the U.S. economic system to achieve an equitable distribution of wealth and income for all members of our society.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Uniting People endorses Open Letter to Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton.
January 2014
An Open Letter . . .
TO: Governor Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party Legislative Caucus.
FROM: Your Constituents
Enough! We are not waiting any longer!
As DFL candidates, you campaigned on a promise to enact legislation that provides low-wage workers a real,living wage — not just a “minimum” wage.
Your campaign language explicitly called for “workers being entitled to living wages!” It promised a Living Wage Act, but no progress was made in your first super-majority session.
All it would take, you said, was for Minnesotans to give the DFL a super-majority. Well, we voters delivered it to you! You have it! But now, instead of advancing Living Wage legislation, the DFL is floating another “minimum wage” bill that will just perpetuate poverty wages for many Minnesota workers!
For years, the DFL leadership has claimed Republicans were the lone obstacle to establishing a Living Wage in our state. That obstacle has been removed. You are now in the driver’s seat!
We, the workers of Minnesota, gave you the legislative votes to enact the Living Wage legislation you promised us.
We expect you now to do so. You could call it “The Minnesota Living Wage Act of 2014.”
Most importantly, we need to begin with a realistic dollar amount. Living Wages need to be calculated based on realistic levels of cost-of-living. U.S. Census data suggests at least $15 per hour; while, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hourly wages of $22 and $26 at 40 hrs/week are needed to cover basic necessities. When making decisions on determining basic needs for a dignified life, the testimony from low-income Minnesotans should also be taken into consideration.
A Living Wage must also be subject to regular cost-of-living adjustments. The Consumer Price Index is our best indicator, and it should be used to adjust a new Minnesota Living Wage level quarterly or at least semi-annually.
If you should fail to enact such legislation, we will assume that you were just baiting us with nice-sounding campaign rhetoric, and that you are pulling a switch on us by simply advancing more employer-friendly “minimum wage” legislation, that does nothing to alleviate the hardships of Minnesota’s working poor.
Perhaps you think any increase is better than nothing. We don’t!
Minnesota has long been considered a progressive bellwether. Do something significant now for her working men and women. It is what everybody morally deserves — the prospect of a dignified life.
Be courageous. Lead our state — and our nation — in securing the right of every worker to earn a decent living.
It can begin with the Minnesota Living Wage Act of 2014.
You can make it happen!
Sincerely,
Your fellow Minnesotans
(as the undersigned, with our signatures attached herein)
Thursday, January 16, 2014
National Conference Call
Uniting People
for Peace, Equality, Full Employment, Universal Health Care and Environmental Protection
National Conference call; everyone invited.
Next meeting: Sunday, January 19, 2014, at 2 pm Pacific Time, 3pm Mountain Time, 4 pm Central Time, 5 pm Eastern Time
Phone Number: 1-626-677-3000
Access Code: 498531
Agenda: Building for 2014
for Peace, Equality, Full Employment, Universal Health Care and Environmental Protection
National Conference call; everyone invited.
Next meeting: Sunday, January 19, 2014, at 2 pm Pacific Time, 3pm Mountain Time, 4 pm Central Time, 5 pm Eastern Time
Phone Number: 1-626-677-3000
Access Code: 498531
Agenda: Building for 2014
Monday, December 16, 2013
The Mainstream Media and flooding in Gaza
And this is how the mainstream media is covering it:
And then there is this:
And this is kind of a "strange" statement being reported widely:
"Once the storm is over, "the world community needs to bring effective pressure to end the blockade of Gaza," said Chris Gunness, a spokesman for the main U.N aid agency in the territory. Gaza residents "must be freed from these man-made constraints to deal with the impact of a natural calamity such as this," he added."
Why "after" the storm is over and not right now?
I find it interesting how "crisis" is used to spur immediate action when it is of benefit to imperialism but we are supposed to wait for "crisis" to pass when the outcome of immediate action will be not what is advantageous to imperialism even though it is the immediate action right now which will save lives.
Wars can be unleashed with "urgency" for "humanitarian" reasons but when real humanitarian assistance is required it can be put off until another time--- and how long has this blockade been in place, already?
Wars can be unleashed with "urgency" for "humanitarian" reasons but when real humanitarian assistance is required it can be put off until another time--- and how long has this blockade been in place, already?
Manipulation of "shock doctrine?"
Obama wanted war with Syria "right now" and didn't want to wait for any facts; but, here, look at what is happening in Gaza and the world is being called upon to "wait" until the crisis passes before demanding an end to the blockade. These people know it will be much more difficult to develop pressure to end the blockade once this weather crisis passes. Once again the urgency and immediacy for action is being pushed aside... and this, coming from the United Nations. Despicable. Sickening.
Obama wanted war with Syria "right now" and didn't want to wait for any facts; but, here, look at what is happening in Gaza and the world is being called upon to "wait" until the crisis passes before demanding an end to the blockade. These people know it will be much more difficult to develop pressure to end the blockade once this weather crisis passes. Once again the urgency and immediacy for action is being pushed aside... and this, coming from the United Nations. Despicable. Sickening.
These mainstream media news reports would lead people to believe both Israelis and Palestinians are suffering the consequences of a natural disaster but it doesn't get thoroughly or accurately explained why the Palestinians suffer the most dire consequences because of the barbarity of the blockade.
It would be interesting to have a comparison of the financial, equipment, relief efforts (food, shelter) and human resources used to combat this storm in Israel as compared to Gaza coming from both the United States and other countries, relief organizations, etc.
Are dams being opened by Israel to alleviate damage and harm in Israel by turning this water loose on a trapped people as if they are nothing but rats trapped in a sewer?
This is a serious question the mainstream media doesn't want to ponder, nor do our AIPAC bribed and supporting politicians--- every single one of them in the United States Senate and not a peep from this so-called Congressional Progressive Caucus. Not a mention of this man-made (imperialist made) human tragedy; why not?
I would also note that with all the media attention focused on Nelson Mandela's passing not a word is being said about his support and solidarity with the Palestinian people:
"Apartheid is a crime against humanity. Israel has deprived millions of Palestinians of their liberty and property. It has perpetuated a system of gross racial discrimination and inequality. It has systematically incarcerated and tortured thousands of Palestinians, contrary to the rules of international law. It has, in particular, waged a war against a civilian population, in particular children." Nelson Mandela
This is a serious question the mainstream media doesn't want to ponder, nor do our AIPAC bribed and supporting politicians--- every single one of them in the United States Senate and not a peep from this so-called Congressional Progressive Caucus. Not a mention of this man-made (imperialist made) human tragedy; why not?
I would also note that with all the media attention focused on Nelson Mandela's passing not a word is being said about his support and solidarity with the Palestinian people:
"Apartheid is a crime against humanity. Israel has deprived millions of Palestinians of their liberty and property. It has perpetuated a system of gross racial discrimination and inequality. It has systematically incarcerated and tortured thousands of Palestinians, contrary to the rules of international law. It has, in particular, waged a war against a civilian population, in particular children." Nelson Mandela
Alan L. Maki
Friday, November 22, 2013
Full-employment act needed
http://mcrecord.com/2013/11/22/full-employment-act-needed/
Full-employment act needed
To the Editor:
America needs a “Grand Alliance” in order to eliminate poverty.
Poor health stems primarily from poverty. What will the Healthy Communities Collaborative do to help eradicate local poverty? Ask (HCC Executive Director) Kate Bjorge.
Have you contacted all your elected officials to ask what they are doing to lift their constituents out of poverty?
Working people without a livable wage are going to be poor.
A livable wage of $15 per hour, with cost-of-living increases, is one of the best ways to lift our citizenry out of a lifetime sentence of poverty.
The United States government must assume full responsibility for attaining and maintaining full employment. Politicians who speak of “jobs, jobs, jobs,” should support legislation requiring the president and members of Congress to mandate full employment.
I recommend everyone read “Sixty Million Jobs,” by Henry A. Wallace and research the full employment act of 1945 (not 1946).
“At-will employment” must be abolished. Workers have few rights under this plan.
We need to elect people to public office who will enact a 21st-Century Full Employment Act for peace and prosperity.
The only war the U.S. can justify is a “war on poverty.” — Robin Hensel, Little Falls
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