California’s Budget – A War on Workers and the Poor
Last week, Governor Brown made his latest proposal for California’s budget. Every May, the budget is revised once the state’s revenues come in after taxes are paid. And just like the past several years, California raised less money than expected and now plans huge cuts to cover it. This year the shortfall is nearly an […]
Marriage – Gay or Straight, A Civil Right Everyone Deserves
Last Wednesday, President Obama announced that he is personally in favor of gay marriage. His announcement has opened up a constant discussion in the media. Obama and the Democrats are trying to make themselves seem like champions for the civil rights of gay Americans, while the Republicans are trying to tap into the prejudice against […]
Going into Debt Just to Survive
Student loan debt has reached record levels – over one trillion dollars – and has now surpassed credit card debt for the first time in U.S. history. The sad truth is, this isn’t even a surprise. Across the country, workers have been forced to take on increasingly more debt because we can’t even afford to […]
May Day – The One Holiday The Rich Are Afraid Of
Tuesday is May Day, or International Workers’ Day. This isn’t a holiday like the others. This is not a holiday where the politicians come out to smile for the cameras. Hallmark doesn’t sell a card and there is no cartoon mascot for this holiday. International Workers’ Day is a holiday to remember the past struggles […]
May Day – A Day For Workers’ Power – Made in the U.S.
May Day is a workers’ holiday celebrated around the world but its roots are found here in the U.S. It began in the late 1800’s during the struggle for the eight-hour day. This fight led to some of the largest strikes and demonstrations this country has ever seen. In the process this holiday was exported […]
Obama or Romney: Who Supports the Bosses More?
No matter where we look, the Presidential election is shoved in our faces. And now we’re told it has come down to only two options: Obama or Romney. Do we again elect the millionaire community organizer who pretends to represent working people while doing nothing but the bidding of the banks and corporations? Or do […]
Trayvon Martin’s Murder – There Can Be No Real Justice In A Racist Society
It has been over a month since Trayvon Martin was shot dead in cold blood on the streets of Sanford, Florida. It took all of that time, and the outrage and protest of thousands of people to finally bring his killer, George Zimmerman, up on some sort of charges. Zimmerman has been charged and will […]
Taxes are Due But What Are We Paying For?
It is April, that time when we file our Federal and State income taxes. But as the economy continues to fail our families, while schools crumble and jobs vanish, we must ask ourselves, is the price really worth the prize? We do the work, and we pay into the economy through the money taken from […]
It’s Not a Recovery For The Rest of Us
For most working people, there has been no sign of the economic crisis going away. Our lives have not gotten any easier as we are continuing to live in a crisis every day. So, why is that we’re being told again and again that the U.S. economy is recovering? Why are we hearing repeatedly that […]
Whatever the Supreme Court Decides, We Need Real Health Care
Last week, hearings began on the Affordable Health Care Act, which has become known as “Obamacare”. The Supreme Court has convened to decide if the act, which requires individuals to purchase health care, is constitutional. This debate has become almost inescapable, dominating the headlines and news shows with the constant question – Will the Affordable […]
Our World – At The Point of No Return
Today we are experiencing the most dramatic climate change in recorded history. We see it in the news everyday. Floods, droughts, wildfires, heat waves and cold snaps are becoming everyday events. In a recent survey over ten thousand scientists agreed that the cause of all this climate change is human activity. It’s clear that the […]
Trayvon Martin Murdered – We Should All Be Outraged!
On February 26 in Sanford, Florida, George Zimmerman murdered unarmed 17-year old, Trayvon Martin on his way back from 7-Eleven during half-time of the NBA All-Star game, carrying iced-tea and Skittles. Zimmerman, the self-appointed neighborhood watch captain, spotted Martin and placed a 911 call to report who he said was “a real suspicious guy” in […]
The Biggest Mass Murderers are the War Makers in Washington
For the last week, the news headlines have focused on the atrocities perpetrated by an American soldier in Afghanistan. On Sunday, March 11, Staff Sergeant Robert Bales entered two Afghan villages and opened fire on the villagers there, killing 16 people in cold blood. The dead included nine children. After killing the villagers, Bales set […]
War Destroys the Lives Of Soldiers
Since September 11, 2001, over two million Americans have been sent off to war in Iraq or Afghanistan. More than half of them have been deployed more than once, many four times, and some as high as eight times. But for those soldiers who return from war alive, the effects of the war follow them […]
Don’t Believe the Lies – No War With Iran!
Back in March 2003, when the US began bombing the people of Iraq, the Bush administration justified the war by a campaign of lies. The population of the US and the world were told over and over again that Saddam Hussein was an imminent threat to the US, that his regime had weapons of mass […]
Gas Prices: Robbing Us At the Pump
Another Spring, another robbery at the gas pump. But we aren’t being held-up at gunpoint by people in ski masks. The average price of gas has increased every day for the past thirty-six days. Currently, the average price of gas in California is around $4.29 a gallon. And we are being told to expect the […]
The Condition of Women Today
March 8th is celebrated around the world as International Women’s Day. It began in the United States but is now a day celebrated throughout the world to recognize the role women have played in history and to draw awareness to the situation of women. Despite the gains women have achieved in society, they still remain […]
Black History – It’s More Than a Month!
As the month of February (the shortest month of the year) draws to a close, so does Black History Month. This year, like most years, Black History month has been filled with the media and politicians pointing their fingers at the African Americans they select to highlight from the past. For them, they usually point […]
Immigrant Workers – Exploited One Day, Blamed the Next
Last week on Friday, workers and supporters from the community rallied in support of 200 workers who were fired from Pacific Steel Foundry in Berkeley. The firings started in October of last year, only a few months after Pacific Steel workers went on strike to protest concessions. Pacific Steel used the workers’ immigration status as […]
The San Francisco General Strike of 1934
Since the economic crisis in 2008, millions of people have lost their jobs, their homes, and are struggling to put food on the table. These are the harsh consequences of this economy, a system that puts profit before people’s needs. This isn’t a new story. In 1934, San Francisco workers also endured threats to their […]
Their Profits Are Making Us Sick
We are all becoming more sick and tired. Attacks to our health are happening on every level – whether from the boss, the politicians or the insurance companies – they all want a piece. Our quality of life is being stolen from us only to further fill the bank accounts of the rich and it’s […]
Wide World of Thieves: The Business of Sports
The Super Bowl has come and gone. Yesterday, millions watched the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots in a close game. Even for those who don’t really like football, the Super Bowl is a fun and exciting event. It gives many of us a chance to relax, eat good food, and enjoy ourselves […]
Field of Green
The Business of Sports In the past decade the business of sports has grown into a gigantic global industry, which includes everything from sports magazines to running shoes, ticket sales, TV commercials, player & coach salaries, team budgets, and even naming rights and concession prices. More and more marketing and advertising are creeping into every […]
Profiting at Our Expense!
Our lives are moving backwards. Unemployment is still worse than ever. Many, after sacrificing years on a job, are suddenly cast off like yesterday’s garbage. Students graduating with record amounts of debt are joining the unemployment line. There are 6 applicants for every job opening and long-term unemployment is growing rapidly. Most are turning to […]
Longview, Washington – An Injury to One is An Injury to All
There is a war on workers being waged by employers across the United States. The latest battle in this class warfare is being fought in the Pacific Northwest, in the port city of Longview, Washington. There is an attempt by the international grain trading consortium, EGT to break the International Longshore and Warehouse Union by […]
Who Is In the 1%? – The Rich Who Rule America
Last year’s Occupy Wall Street movement turned the world’s attention toward the suffering caused by an economic system that benefits only the wealthiest people, or the so-called 1%. But who are the 1%? You will not find their children in our overcrowded public schools that are constantly under financial attack. They also do not ride […]
Class Warfare? Yes – That’s Exactly What it is!
A new survey conducted by the PEW Research Center found that 66 percent of people in the US believe there is a strong conflict going on between the rich and the poor. This is a 19 percent jump since 2009, and the largest number who believe this since the survey was conducted in 1987. Also, […]
No Politician Can Represent Us – In 2012 We Have to Rely on Ourselves
It’s a new year, and with presidential elections coming in November, the politicians of both parties have already started to come out with their promises and slogans. It’s no question that people will be looking to see if there is a real change being offered, and for good reason because we need a change. But […]
2011 – The Opening Cracks of a Broken System
Throughout 2011, cracks have appeared in this broken system. From the Middle East to Europe to the United States, life is becoming intolerable for the majority of people. The planet is showing signs of the environmental destruction. Wars of domination continue with no end in sight. Nothing could be clearer – this system has no […]
The War on Iraq is Not Over – Don’t Believe the Lies!
Last week President Obama announced the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, after nine years of war and occupation of that country. Obama went on and on about the freedom and liberation which American military intervention brought to Iraq. During his speech, announcing the withdrawal of troops, Obama said, “Unlike the old empires, we don’t […]
Climate Change – Their System is Destroying Our Planet
In Durban, South Africa last week, a task force of the United Nations met to discuss how governments would create a policy to deal with climate-change. This conference did nothing but expose the fact that these governments represent the wealthy elite and international corporations. At every step they made deals and bargains to ensure that […]
Fighting Back Against Foreclosures
Winter is here, and within cold weather and the frigid economy, thousands of people have been thrown out of their homes. Banks have seized thousands of family homes, leaving them vacant, unused, and unsold. These are the same banks that were bailed out by the Federal government when they wouldn’t pay their bills, yet for […]
Unemployment – Their Numbers, Our Lives
Last week we were told by the politicians and the media spokespeople that we have certain signs that the economy is recovering. Forget about what our paychecks are telling us every week we struggle to get by. Instead, just listen to the politicians promise us that the worst is behind us – and it only […]
Black Friday – The Ritual of a Sick Society!
Once again Thanksgiving has come and gone. Many of us were lucky enough to come together with our families and loved ones and relax in a rare moment free from work. When the day ended and many people began to wind down, millions of others across the country left their homes to participate in the […]
Getting Squeezed – Working More, Earning Less!
The politicians and the media tell us the economy is recovering but most of us are struggling just to get by day to day. What does this even mean? For banks and corporations and the super rich, there is a recovery happening and it’s in their pocket books. Profits have never been higher in the […]
The Worldwide Debt Crisis – Imposed by the Wealthy
All over the world it seems countries are being swallowed by debt. It is as if the world were being hit by a natural disaster. If we listen to the news media and the politicians this is the picture we get – that the debt is a problem which we all must deal with equally. […]
Occupy Oakland – A Symbol For Our Times
This morning Oakland authorities made good on their threat to evict Occupy Oakland from Oscar Grant Plaza, in front of Oakland City Hall. Again, hundreds of police from across the Bay Area were amassed and sent against those camped out there. We need to ask ourselves, why is this and other occupations such a problem […]
The First Thanksgiving – Story of An Occupation
In recent weeks, the slogan, “Occupy Wall Street” has become a cry of protest against the extreme wealth and poverty in this country. With Thanksgiving around the corner, the wealthiest 1% of the population continues to profit, while the rest of us have little to be thankful for. These problems have been present since the […]
November 2nd – A Day of Protest and Celebration
On Wednesday, November 2, over twenty thousand people came to Oscar Grant Plaza in front of Oakland City Hall. People began arriving at 9:00 AM and some stayed into the night. The crowd included people of all ages, all races and ethnicities, old and young, parents with their children. It seemed like everyone was there. […]
It’s Time to Organize the 99% to Fight!
All across the world people are rising up against the attacks of the bankers and the bosses and the politicians who do their bidding. Here in this country, we are losing our jobs, being kicked out of our homes, seeing our retirements stolen, our health care benefits slashed, our wages cut, and our lives ripped […]
The Occupy Protests: The Line in the Sand Has Been Drawn
On October 25, in Oakland, in a pre-dawn raid, hundreds of police officers from 18 different police departments descended upon 200 protesters camped out at Oakland City Hall. Protesters were awakened by police in riot gear determined to wreck the place. Police fired beanbags and tear gas canisters at protesters, and arrested around 87 people. […]
The Politics of Deception and Domination
Last week Obama announced that U.S. troops would be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of this year. He said this completed his campaign promise to withdraw from Iraq. Some people might breathe a sigh of relief, believing that the war is over. The Iraqi people are not among them. They know full well what […]
October 15 – The World Protests Corporate Exploitation
It has been one month since protesters took to the streets of New York and set up a protest camp near Wall Street. This symbolic act has sparked a movement of protest against banks, corporations and the super-rich that has engaged people in cities all over the United States. And last Saturday, October 15 this […]
Struggles of the 1930’s—How Workers Fought the Great Depression
With the demonstrations and occupations that started in New York, people are realizing their potential to fight back. On Wall Street and across the world, people are mobilizing. This isn’t the first time that people have organized against an economic crisis. During the Great Depression, people also suffered and took matters into their own hands, […]
Occupy Wall Street: The 99% Begin to Fight Back
In the last few weeks we have seen a wave of popular demonstrations around the country. The biggest were in New York City, aimed at the financial giants of Wall Street, and in Washington D.C. aimed at the US government’s war machine. But there have been hundreds of smaller demonstrations around the country as well. […]
Ten Years of Death, Destruction, and War
October 7th marks ten years of war on the people of Afghanistan. In 2001, the US government used the attacks of September 11th to wage war on Afghanistan, with practically unanimous support from Democratic and Republican politicians. The politicians told us that the people of the US were in danger from terrorists, and that war […]
Some of the Costs of Ten Years of War
These so-called wars for democracy are in reality wars of terror on the people of Afghanistan and Iraq. Both countries are in ruin. Many areas are without access to electricity, water, education and medical care. This war has only killed millions and destroyed the lives of countless others. In addition to the destruction, these wars […]
Class Warfare?
For once the news media and the politicians are telling the truth – or at least part of it. They have been talking about class warfare in the US. The Republicans say the Obama administration and the Democrats are attacking the rich and powerful because they have talked about raising taxes on the richest one […]
Obama’s Job Plan – More of the Same Attacks
On September 13, the U.S. Census Bureau released a report showing the situation of American workers. Unemployment is at a record high. In the midst of this crisis, what do we see from the Obama administration? More of the same policies as before, repackaged as a so-called American Jobs Act. And behind the scenes, while […]
Their Economy and Ours
The U.S. Census bureau released a set of statistics last week showing the level of poverty in the United States. The year 2011 has been the worst for decades, with some of the highest unemployment and poverty levels in 30 years. But this isn’t the story for a few in America – the wealthy elite […]