A selection from a review of the A Dreadful Deceit--The Myth of Race From the Colonial Era to Obama's America is worth repeating:
"To explain how racial conflict has masked power struggles for control over others' labor, Jones surveys compelled work in its many varieties, from slave labor under the lash on tobacco plantations in Maryland to mandatory overtime in unsafe and sweltering auto plants in Detroit. Racial ideologies, she argues are like mob violence, disenfranchisement and discriminatory laws--merely tactics used to secure material advantages in social contexts perceived as zero-sum"
review by Tommie Shelby in the New York Times Book Review, Feb. 16, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Saturday, February 8, 2014
War on the Low income worker
Robert Reich makes the following points about the ruling class in Congress:
1. They refuse to extend unemployment benefits.
2. They don't want to raise the paltry minimum wage.
3. They are against extending medicare benefits to millions (Congress of course has its own medical benefits.)
4. They cut food stamps in the latest farm bill.
5. They refuse to invest in education and job training.
6. They do not want to rebuild America's crumbling infrastructure, or any other job creating program.
7. They are out to bust what unions remain.
Why do they do this?
Big employers like a docile workforce who are thankful for whatever they get.
I say that this low wage policy is backfiring. Poorly paid and unemployed can't buy the products of these corporations. Weak consumer spending is hampering our recovery.
Besides, this war on the poor and working class is greedy and immoral.
1. They refuse to extend unemployment benefits.
2. They don't want to raise the paltry minimum wage.
3. They are against extending medicare benefits to millions (Congress of course has its own medical benefits.)
4. They cut food stamps in the latest farm bill.
5. They refuse to invest in education and job training.
6. They do not want to rebuild America's crumbling infrastructure, or any other job creating program.
7. They are out to bust what unions remain.
Why do they do this?
Big employers like a docile workforce who are thankful for whatever they get.
I say that this low wage policy is backfiring. Poorly paid and unemployed can't buy the products of these corporations. Weak consumer spending is hampering our recovery.
Besides, this war on the poor and working class is greedy and immoral.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Rich Farmers, Yes. Poor hungry, NO
The new farm bill assures relatively rich farmers $956 billion for the next 10 years. Taxpayers pay about 60% of the cost of insurance against low prices for farmers. Spending on food stamps for the poor and unemployed meanwhile, will be cut $8 billion.
Of course, it is good that money is added to the bill to combat fraud in the food stamp and crop insurance programs, but the whole thing is a fraud.
Of course, it is good that money is added to the bill to combat fraud in the food stamp and crop insurance programs, but the whole thing is a fraud.
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