Labor fighting back...

Labor Fight-Back Conference.

This is a letter I sent to the initiators of the Labor Fight-Back Conference:

Attention:

Ken Riley President South Carolina AFL-CIO Donna Dewitt Retired President South Carolina AFL-CIO Charity Schmidt Co-President University of Wisconsin-Madison Teaching Assistants’ Association (TAA) Executive Board, South Central Federation of Labor, Wisconsin
Kevin Gundlach President Wisconsin South Central Federation of Labor

Re: Labor Fight-Back Conference   http://www.laborfightback.org/

We need a working class based progressive people's party in this country similar to the socialist New Democratic Party in Canada. We can build on the successes of the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party which elected two socialist governors, Floyd B. Olson and Elmer Benson along with Communist Congressman John Bernard. The Progressive Party of Henry Wallace also provides a place to pick up from.

We need to examine what workers get out of Democratic super majorities like here in Minnesota where this Democratic super majority will not even consider:

* Rescinding "At-will Employment" legislation which is the main obstacle to union organizing.

* Anti-scab legislation.

* Anti-lockout legislation.

* A living wage which is a real living wage based on all cost of living factors as monitored by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics indexed for inflation and re-calculated quarterly.

We need a plank in any program for full employment which requires the president and Congress to be responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment along the lines of the defeated "Full Employment Act of 1945;" the entire act along with the complete 1,000 plus page transcript of Congressional testimony can be found here:

http://fullemploymentnow.blogspot.com/

A working class based program for real change should include:

* Peace--- end the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and shutdown the 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil.

* A National Public Health Care System - ten million new jobs.

* A National Public Child Care System - three to five million new jobs.

* Works Progress Administration - three million new jobs.

* Civilian Conservation Corps - two million new 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

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

Climate change is like war, poverty and unemployment... without peace we aren't going to solve this problem either.

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

Hundreds of thousands of casino workers are employed in the loud, noisy, smoke-filled casinos of the hideous Indian Gaming Industry at poverty wages without any rights under state or federal labor laws in an industry where a bunch of wealthy white mobsters own all the slot machines and table games and have divided among the "families" the various associated businesses including hotels/motels, restaurants/bars, gas station/convenience stores, clothing boutiques/gift shops, golf courses/theme parks. These rich white mobsters run off with all the profits leaving Native Americans in greater poverty as they exploit all casino workers. This is an industry intentionally spun by politicians under terms of "Compacts" operating in violation of all standards established by the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights in return for lucrative campaign contributions.

An alternative to lockouts needs to be considered; one such alternative would be plant/workplace occupations.

Some form of general strikes needs to be considered as a response to reactionary anti-labor government measures.

I would like to share with you a "Letter to the Editor" I wrote that has been published in a number of Minnesota newspapers:

Once again with President Barack Obama's State of the Union Speech we got another politician hypocritically talking about "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs."

If just one job was created every time some politician opened their mouth and started talking about "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs" we wouldn't have any unemployment in this country and everyone who wanted to work would have a decent, living wage job.

So, what is the main obstacle to full employment? Accountability from the very politicians who mouth the words "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs" whenever they want to get elected, re-elected or want thunderous applause then go about their business forgetting about jobs as they go looking for their next bribe from a Wall Street lobbyist who views unemployment as the way to keep all wages down which pushes profits up.

What we need in this country is a real "Full Employment Act" which mandates--- by legislation and law--- that the President and the United States Congress must maintain full employment as part of their responsibility to the American people. 

What good is a government that gets us into war after war but can't even assure full employment for the very people it taxes?

Wars cause government debt and deficits; peace and full employment eliminate debts and deficits.

Alan L. MakiDirector of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

I would note that the New York Times refused to publish a "Letter to the Editor" along similar lines in response to this editorial:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/opinion/more-jobs-higher-pay-in-obamas-second-term.html?ref=opinion&_r=0

Any talk about jobs with living wages is meaningless unless the government is forced to become legislatively responsible for full employment; this is the only way to assure accountability.

Also, see my "Letter" in "Labor World" (September 1, 2010; page 7); in this same issue on page 1 isreference to anti-scab legislation. 

http://www.laborworld.org/documents/Sept-1-2010Av5.pdf

I would also like to call to your attention the work of the New Progressive Alliance which is in league with much of what you are advocating:

http://newprogs.org/

I also call to your attention the excellent article, "Losing Our Way" by then New York Times columnist Bob Herbert:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/opinion/26herbert.html

On a final note, but most important of all, I would like to suggest that this important Conference should concern itself with the struggle to enforce Affirmative Action since people of color, women and the handicapped are being denied jobs to which they are entitled. Here in Minnesota, where affirmative action has never been enforced since President Lyndon Johnson signed into law Federal Executive Order #11246, the Democratic Governor, Mark Dayton, who made an election promise to enforce Affirmative Action and then made a mockery of his campaign promise by appointing the vile racist, Mark Philipps, whose job it is at Krause-Anderson to assist clients in evading Affirmative Action, only to be forced into removing Philipps, has now brought forward another racist mockery of his campaign promise to enforce Affirmative Action by bringing forward unenforceable "voluntary goals." The Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party with its super majority--- Democratic Governor, Democratic House and Democratic Senate--- cannot even be relied on to enforce Affirmative Action when it comes to spending billions of dollars in public funds.

Democrat Mark Dayton as a candidate campaigning for governor on affirmative action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBuBDqQx0xI

Even Richard Nixon declared:

"A good job is as basic and important a civil right as a good education . . . which would require such [affirmative] action by law, was both necessary and right... would require federal contractors to show affirmative action' to meet the goals of increasing minority employment."

"Neither the President nor the Congress nor the conscience of the nation can permit money which comes from all the people to be used in a way which discriminates against some of the people."

It is pathetic and disgusting we can't even expect Obama or Minnesota Democrats with a super majority to take a stand at least as vigorous in defense of Affirmative Action as Republican President Richard Nixon. If this doesn't tell us why we need an alternative working class based progressive people's party I don't know what it would take.

Thanks for considering my concerns.

Yours in the struggle,

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/

My response to Robert Reich.

Robert Reich · 72,483 like this

about an hour ago ·

·         In light of the standoff in Washington -- and the continuing dysfunction in our nation's capital -- many of you are angry and frustrated. Some of you say you've had it with politics. Others feel powerless and hopeless. A number blame both parties, seeing Democrats as no different from Republicans.

All these reactions are exactly what the regressives want. This is the heart of their strategy. They want you to see all of politics and all politicians as crooks and con-artists, fools or knaves. They want you to give up. That way, they can have it all. They can turn the clock back on America. They can shred every safety net, eviscerate every regulation, prevent any investment in the health and education of future generations. They can hammer the poor and middle class with lower wages, fewer jobs, and less security, and create a plutocracy of the privileged and powerful. Get it? They want you out of the way so they have America to themselves. The showdowns and standoffs and gridlock in Washington are part of their plot.

We must not let them. The progressive forces in this country are stronger than the regressive ones, but only if we are united and determined. Don't stop making a ruckus. Don't stop writing and calling your representatives. Don't stop mobilizing others, and organizing at the grass roots. 2014 will be a key election year. We must take our democracy back.

Alan L. Maki

Yes; keep voting for these Dumb Donkeys.

Mr. Reich; what you don't explain is what we can expect even if the Democrats once again get a super majority in 2014. Come on, Mr. Reich, explain what it is we can expect from a Democratic super majority?

Can we expect the same thing we are getting from the Democratic super majority now holding power here in Minnesota?

As I recall, you, a Democrat, are the one who pushed NAFTA. And you kept your mouth shut and your pen idle when Bill Clinton, a Democrat, "reformed" welfare to correspond to Wall Street's dictate.

What we need to do is give all you Dumb Donkeys a good hard kick in the ass (pun intended) and break free from this two-party trap by establishing a working class based progressive people's party to challenge Wall Street for political and economic power.

The Democratic super majority in Minnesota has defined "hoarding" as a mental illness and a threat to societal well-being; when is the "hoarding" by Wall Street parasites going to be ended through legislative action so we can use the wealth created by labor to solve our problems?

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/what-is-alternative-to-sequester.html

What is the alternative to "sequestration?"

What is "sequestration?"

More lies from Obama being used to scare people into accepting austerity measures and supporting the military-industrial complex which should be shut down:



http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/us/politics/obama-takes-budget-warnings-to-shipbuilder.html?ref=us&_r=0

From, "Losing Our Way"

"The U.S. has not just misplaced its priorities. When the most powerful country ever to inhabit the earth finds it so easy to plunge into the horror of warfare but almost impossible to find adequate work for its people or to properly educate its young, it has lost its way entirely."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/opinion/26herbert.html?_r=0

Bob Herbert, Columnist
(former) New York Times

Now is the time we should propose a people's alternative to the "sequester" and Wall Street's very profitable military-industrial complex and imperialist wars which are making us all poor:

Here is where I would begin:

A progressive program for real change...

* Peace--- end the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and shutdown the 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil.

* A National Public Health Care System - ten million new jobs.

* A National Public Child Care System - three to five million new jobs.

* Works Progress Administration - three million new jobs.

* Civilian Conservation Corps - two million new 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

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

Climate change is like war, poverty and unemployment... without peace we aren't going to solve this problem either.

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

What we need is a government that is responsible for full employment:

http://fullemploymentnow.blogspot.com/

Don't let Obama scare you with his lies--- sequestration--- into accepting austerity measures to pay for Wall Street's dirty imperialist wars and militarization.

Peace and full-employment is the alternative to the "sequester."

Why the controversy over full employment?

Quite the discussion has taken place on the Justice Party's web site on my initial post on the issue of full employment which has garnered over 2,326 hits and generated much discussion. I am blocked from participating in my own post by folks purporting to believe in democracy; sad commentary on the state of democracy in the in a party calling itself the "Justice Party."

This is a recent exchange I had with the Editorial Page Editor of the Duluth News Tribune here in Minnesota over this issue of full employment; he too would like to prevent and restrict discussion of this issue.

I find it interesting how far so many people will go and the undemocratic means and methods these people will use to try to thwart discussion on an issue instead of engage in dialog, discussion and debate which is the way people interact in a democratic society.

I would also note that it was around the issue of making the government responsible for full employment which was the point upon which the forces of Wall Street decided it was time to restrict democracy in our country and they began massive repression against the labor movement and its leaders, including socialists and Communists, who were targeted under the Taft-Hartley Act and then Hubert Humphrey's "Communist Control Act."

And it has taken some 70 years for the issue of making the President and Congress responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment to surface again after this political repression.

And, once again, we see this issue attacked without merit and the attacks "backed up" with myths and lies like full employment causes some kind of rampant inflation (an obvious scare tactic not backed by any empirical evidence) combined, again, with the attempt to prevent dialog, discussion and debate through all kinds of devious, undemocratic methods.

The right of the American people to discuss making the government responsible for full employment is as important as the issue itself.

I would note there has been no response from Editor Frederick to my response to him; I provide my Letter to the Editor first; followed by the letter from Editor Frederick to me and my response back to him:

On Sun, Feb 17, 2013 at 11:45 AM, Alan Maki <alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com> wrote:

Submitted exclusively for publication as a Letter to the Editor of the Duluth News Tribune

Once again with President Barack Obama's State of the Union Speech we got another politician hypocritically talking about "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs."

If just one job was created every time some politician opened their mouth and started talking about "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs" we wouldn't have any unemployment in this country and everyone who wanted to work would have a decent, living wage job.

So, what is the main obstacle to full employment? Accountability from the very politicians who mouth the words "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs" whenever they want to get elected, re-elected or want thunderous applause then go about their business forgetting about jobs as they go looking for their next bribe from a Wall Street lobbyist who views unemployment as the way to keep all wages down which pushes profits up.

What we need in this country is a real "Full Employment Act" which mandates--- by legislation and law--- that the President and the United States Congress must maintain full employment as part of their responsibility to the American people. 

What good is a government that gets us into war after war but can't even assure full employment for the very people it taxes?

Wars cause government debt and deficits; peace and full employment eliminate debts and deficits.

--

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/

*********

On Mon, Feb 25, 2013 at 9:01 AM, Chuck Frederick <cfrederick@duluthnews.com> wrote:

Hello Mr. Maki. The subject line of the email containing your letter to the editor submission to the News Tribune indicated the letter was exclusively for publication in the News Tribune. Exclusively, as in ONLY submitted to the News Tribune. But I'm finding your letter already published by the Bemidji paper and already published on at least two blogs. That's hardly exclusive. So were you lying to us when you submitted your letter or did you not understand what "exclusive" means?

Chuck Frederick

Editorial Page Editor

Duluth News Tribune

Chuck Frederick

Editorial Page Editor

Duluth News Tribune 

424 W. First St.

Duluth MN 55802

cfrederick@duluthnews.com

218-723-5316

**********

February 25, 2013

Mr. Chuck Frederick

Editorial Page Editor,

Duluth News Tribune

Dear Editor Frederick,

When I did not hear back from your newspaper in a timely manner I decided to submit my Letter to the Editor to other newspapers. Your newspaper was the very first newspaper I submitted my letter to.

I think I have the right to publish my own letter on my own blogs, do I not, with it still remaining an exclusive submission to your newspaper?

Anyways, if the original ideas in my Letter to the Editor are not worthy of being published in your newspaper that is up to you.

The fact of the matter is, you repeatedly publish the views expressed by all kinds of politicians as they hypocritically talk about "jobs, jobs, jobs" and not once have you as the Editorial Page Editor of the Duluth News Tribune challenged these politicians by holding them accountable by asking where these jobs are. Nor have you ever suggested that since these politicians consider "jobs, jobs, jobs" to be the primary issue facing the country at election you don't follow up after the election asking them why they don't pass legislation making themselves responsible for full employment.

If one newspaper does not respond as to whether they will publish my letter I merely submit it to another for consideration.

Obviously I am aware my letter was on my blogs because I placed it there. I was also aware another newspaper, not the one you mentioned, published my letter--- after I had submitted my letter to the Duluth News Tribune.

What are you suggesting; I have a responsibility to notify you the letter is no longer an "exclusive" or else I become a "liar?" This seems rather petty of you.

In my opinion, you have gone way over the line as an Editor in calling one of your loyal readers a "liar" over this.

Make no mistake you are calling me a "liar" because I do know the meaning of "exclusive."

When was the last time you called Barack Obama or any politician a "liar" for saying they are for "jobs, jobs, jobs" when you know full well they aren't talking about creating jobs for every unemployed person who wants to work--- what is it now, Something like FIFTEEN MILLION unemployed people in this country and counting?

When was the last time you called any of these politicians "liars" because they continue to talk day after day about debts and deficits yet they continue funding these dirty wars for which they always manage to find the money even though this adds to debts and deficits?

In my opinion; I have not written about some kind of trivial issue. Nor have I written about something that is anything other than a very major issue that the entire Nation is focused on--- jobs and unemployment. I have not only written about an important issue; but, I have suggested a solution to unemployment by making the President and the members of the House and Senate legislatively responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment.

If these politicians are going to campaign for our votes on the basis that "jobs, jobs, jobs" are their highest priority items on their agenda then they should be held accountable once elected. Accountability can only be assured if full employment is made part of their job description and legislative duty.

Feel free to call me any names you want. You obviously have the "power" to decide whether my Letter to the Editor is published or not in the Duluth News Tribune. 

In the interest of "freedom of the press" and the right of people to have access to all ideas and suggestions for solutions to pressing problems discussed in the proverbial "public square," I am requesting you publish my Letter to the Editor in the Duluth News Tribune because it merits publication no matter how many times or where it has been published. You are certainly free to add your Editorial comments about what you think of me, or my ideas, before or after the Letter. This is what would best serve the public interest.

Perhaps one of the politicians receiving this would like to respond to my Letter? Perhaps some of your readers would like the opportunity to respond to my Letter. Perhaps since "jobs, jobs, jobs" is such a newsworthy issue you could assign some reporters to go out and talk to people in the Duluth area to see what they think about my Letter in relation to what the politicians have done to live up to their campaign promises of making "jobs" their number one priority when it comes to seeking votes but forgetting once elected.

I have noticed on the Editorial Page of the Duluth News Tribune you frequently endorse politicians who lie. And you endorse them more often than not on the basis of their lies--- "jobs, jobs, jobs" being the perfect example; drone warfare being another.

Use your power as an Editor to do as you see fit with my Letter to the Editor; not printing my Letter won't hurt or bother me; it will be your readers who will be deprived of an alternative viewpoint; it will be your readers who will pay the price in not having access to one more idea.

Let's see if there are any politicians who talk about "jobs, jobs, jobs" who might want to weigh in on this controversy of whether or not my Letter to the Editor should be published... the Duluth News Tribune has endorsed enough of them--- all liars when they talk about "jobs, jobs, jobs" being at the top of their legislative agendas.

All I ask is you not sue me nor turn me over to the authorities for punishment as the last Letter to the Editor I wrote that was published in the Duluth News Tribune ended up in the FBI's "Red Squad" file they maintain on me--- but there is another dirty little government secret like just like the drone wars killing our jobs just like they kill people we shouldn't read about or talk about.

By the way, Mr. Frederick; have you ever considered there is a reason so many people turn to blogging in this country?

I guess I can assume if I decide to run for the United States Senate there won't be any use my stopping by the Duluth News Tribune's Editorial Offices seeking your endorsement if I should choose to run on a platform of "jobs, jobs, jobs." 

Alan L. Maki


Note: I have prepared a blog specifically dedicated to the issue of full employment:

http://fullemploymentnow.blogspot.com/

For our survial, we need to break free from the two-party trap.

We have quite few successful examples of socialist politics we can build on here in the United States as we break free from this two-party trap. Tony Benn is one such example. We have to get socialism on the table for discussion here in the United States because capitalism is going down hard and it's going to collapse in a big heap right on top of us if we don't take up the struggle for the socialist alternative.

Here is one fine example of a people's politician who has never shied away from advocating socialism... as William Winpisinger, the former president of the International Association of Machinists, used to call such socialists, "seat of the pants socialist."

In my opinion, Tony Benn is right up there with our former socialist Minnesota Governors Floyd Olson and Elmer Benson and the former Premier of Manitoba, Howard Pawley who wrote a great book, "Keep True," Tommy Douglas of Canada's socialist NDP and Winnipeg Communist City Council members Jacob Penner and Joe Zuken.

Leftists in this country are going to have to stop thinking there is nothing we can learn from people's politicians around the world if we are going to break free from this two-party trap.

https://www.facebook.com/tonybennfilm

Great Gray Owl from my living room window.

Mike;

I don't think Amash was specific at all. Again, I think this vote demonstrates why we need, now more than ever, a new progressive, working class based people's party in this country. We need to bring liberals, progressives and leftists together united for:

1. Peace.

2. Full employment.

3. A National Public Health Care System.

4. A National Public Child Care and Pre-school System.

5. To combat climate change with the main culprit with the largest carbon footprint being Wall Street's military-financial-industrial complex. 

It is shameful, pathetic and disgusting that the Congressional Progressive Caucus was unanimous in its support for this dirty imperialist Resolution. 

I am contemplating running for the United States Senate from Minnesota on the Communist Party ticket in order to try to break this anti-Communist hysteria that still permeates U.S. foreign policy and its slavish allegiance to Wall Street's agenda. 

I sent Congressman Justin Amash this letter:

Congressman Justin Amash,

I support your "No" vote on the non-binding resolution; however you say other action is required.

What specific action do you think is required?

I don't think any kind of punitive action is justified. The Chinese get along just fine with North Korea and we should look to see what it is the Chinese and the North Koreans do to get along so well and implement the same relationship with North Korea.

There are no "punitive" nor "military" measures which will result in peaceful relations with North Korea. Why should the North Koreans accept being bullied by the biggest bully and most powerful country in the world (the United States)?

I would suggest you gather together a fairly large group of people from all walks of life and go to North Korea to find out exactly what it is going to take to end this insane military build-up in the Pacific Region.

Right now a brand new naval base is being constructed on Jeju Island in South Korea. This construction should be halted; the inhabitants on Jeju Island don't want it so why should our tax-dollars be paying for this naval base which can only heighten tensions between North Korea, South Korea and the United States and even China? See: http://savejejunow.org/

Anyone can see that the Jeju Island naval base is intended to be used as a base of expanded NATO operations intended as part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The fact of the matter is, North Koreans want the right to develop their country with socialism. If the facts be known, most Koreans--- North and South--- would like the freedom to develop their country, a united Korea, peacefully with a socialist political and economic system.

The United States government oversaw the murdering of tens of thousands of Koreans in the aftermath of World War II for no other reason than these people were Communists and anti-imperialists and then the United States government propped up the most undemocratic, reactionary and repressive South Korean governments to continue policies of what was best for Wall Street's greedy, parasitic interests making South Korea a haven for cheap labor for the multi-national and cheap natural resources including: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead. Not to mention huge hydro-power potential.

I would point out that those Communists and anti-imperialists who were murdered under the instructions of U.S. President Harry Truman and supervised by the United States military were the very people who helped us route the Japanese imperialists from their country.

Again, I support your "NO" vote on House Resolution 65 but note that in the name of "bi-partisanship" the House has shamefully voted in the same way to support the Israeli killing machine as it continues its murderous pogroms against the Palestinian people.

Your "NO" vote on House Resolution 65 was good but your ambiguity as to what now needs to be done to enable the American people and the North Korean people to live in peace and friendship guided by the principles embodied in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights needs to be specifically stated.

-- 

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/