Sunday, January 25, 2009
What Next As The Masses Cheer? by Bruce Gagnon
Posted on January 20, 2009
by Bruce Gagnon
Organizing Notes
Jan 20, 2009
The New York Times ran a headline immediately after the inauguration today that read “President Obama Vows Era of Responsibility.” They quoted Obama as saying that with our current economic crisis we must deal with “our collective failure to make hard choices.”
Those are code words that really mean the “entitlement programs” need to be scaled back. Particularly Social Security and Medicare. There was no language in the speech about cutting the military budget or closing down bases of the empire. In fact in one flourish, where he talked about the “sacrifices” made to destroy Nazism and Communism, Obama sent out a call to the “terrorists” I presume, declaring “you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.”
Nothing was uttered about making the rich and the bankers pay back the $700 billion bailout they weaseled out of the tax payers by scaring the nation into thinking they would stabilize the economy if we just handed the national treasury over to them.
Nothing about holding accountable those who violated the Constitution by falsely leading us into war. Nothing about those who broke the law by spying on us and arresting and incarcerating innocent people without legal representation or trials.
Instead we are told to look ahead, get beyond the divisive past, forget that we’ve been used and abused, that we essentially must forgive and forget.
Many in the huge crowd cheered the words from our new president. They are happy that Bush is gone and hope that the coming change will allow them to return to more normal days.
Obama has set up a new organization to help him lobby for the policies that his administration will propose. People will get regular emails instructing them to lobby Congress on this bill or that one. One of the bills will be to help further enrich the insurance companies as the Obama team ignores strong public support for a single-payer health care system. Instead, it will be “health insurance for all” which will likely turn out to be a mandate requiring everyone to buy a health insurance policy just like we are now required to purchase auto insurance. For those who can’t afford it there might be some government subsidy available. In the end the government will facilitate the “market” and health care will remain a commodity and not a human right.
For those deeply concerned about climate change and our Mother Earth’s declining health we will have nuclear energy, “clean coal” and biofuels. We’ll see more government support for corporate control of food - genetically modified crops - promoted by Monsanto’s new Secretary of Agriculture.
In Obama’s opening words he talked about the early vision of our “founding fathers”. He intends to remain loyal to the rich white men who dreamed of their own empire - one that would challenge England’s global power. An empire that would push the Native Americans from their land, ravage the Earth for its natural resources, and move overseas to terrorize and colonize people in Hawaii, the Philippines, Guam, Latin America, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and ultimately the moon in the sky.
Days ago I read a story in the mainstream press about wealthy Americans who had repeatedly given Obama big money for his campaigns and inauguration, at every legal opportunity. The Rockefeller family was one such clan mentioned who had given hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The rich in America are proud to boast once again about the “peaceful transition of power.” Yes indeed, they have ensured that they have again successfully moved from one president to another - even one party to another - while they remain in control. That is worth a few hundred thousand dollars. It’s almost an embarrassingly cheap investment.
Alas, only in America can the rich buy a self-proclaimed progressive politician, turn him rightward, and have the adoring masses stand and cheer as the packaged new leader calls for the people to prepare to accept cuts in social spending and ready their children for another war.
Last night Mary Beth and I had an hour-long phone conversation with an activist friend from Canada who had just been physically removed from an expensive luncheon honoring a Canadian general just back from Afghanistan. The conquering general was reporting on their participation in the “right war”. Our friend attended the coronation and silently stood before the general with a sign criticizing Canada for doubling its military budget, cutting social spending, and not focusing instead on dealing with the real enemy of the people - the looming threats of climate change.
Few of our Canadian friend’s “progressive” political allies want her to be so bold. She might create the wrong image, alienate some friendly politician, turn off potential donors or supporters, instead they’d like for her to be more reserved and refined. But she has babies and she has been schooled in the reality of the future under a planet in crisis. She hears the alarms ringing in her ears and pounding in her heart. She finds it hard to turn her eyes away from the great wrecking ball. Her conscience pulls her back toward the truth and forces her out of her isolation.
It is hard to look the other way. I’ve tried and too find it awfully hard to live with myself when I do.
by Bruce Gagnon
Organizing Notes
Jan 20, 2009
The New York Times ran a headline immediately after the inauguration today that read “President Obama Vows Era of Responsibility.” They quoted Obama as saying that with our current economic crisis we must deal with “our collective failure to make hard choices.”
Those are code words that really mean the “entitlement programs” need to be scaled back. Particularly Social Security and Medicare. There was no language in the speech about cutting the military budget or closing down bases of the empire. In fact in one flourish, where he talked about the “sacrifices” made to destroy Nazism and Communism, Obama sent out a call to the “terrorists” I presume, declaring “you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.”
Nothing was uttered about making the rich and the bankers pay back the $700 billion bailout they weaseled out of the tax payers by scaring the nation into thinking they would stabilize the economy if we just handed the national treasury over to them.
Nothing about holding accountable those who violated the Constitution by falsely leading us into war. Nothing about those who broke the law by spying on us and arresting and incarcerating innocent people without legal representation or trials.
Instead we are told to look ahead, get beyond the divisive past, forget that we’ve been used and abused, that we essentially must forgive and forget.
Many in the huge crowd cheered the words from our new president. They are happy that Bush is gone and hope that the coming change will allow them to return to more normal days.
Obama has set up a new organization to help him lobby for the policies that his administration will propose. People will get regular emails instructing them to lobby Congress on this bill or that one. One of the bills will be to help further enrich the insurance companies as the Obama team ignores strong public support for a single-payer health care system. Instead, it will be “health insurance for all” which will likely turn out to be a mandate requiring everyone to buy a health insurance policy just like we are now required to purchase auto insurance. For those who can’t afford it there might be some government subsidy available. In the end the government will facilitate the “market” and health care will remain a commodity and not a human right.
For those deeply concerned about climate change and our Mother Earth’s declining health we will have nuclear energy, “clean coal” and biofuels. We’ll see more government support for corporate control of food - genetically modified crops - promoted by Monsanto’s new Secretary of Agriculture.
In Obama’s opening words he talked about the early vision of our “founding fathers”. He intends to remain loyal to the rich white men who dreamed of their own empire - one that would challenge England’s global power. An empire that would push the Native Americans from their land, ravage the Earth for its natural resources, and move overseas to terrorize and colonize people in Hawaii, the Philippines, Guam, Latin America, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and ultimately the moon in the sky.
Days ago I read a story in the mainstream press about wealthy Americans who had repeatedly given Obama big money for his campaigns and inauguration, at every legal opportunity. The Rockefeller family was one such clan mentioned who had given hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The rich in America are proud to boast once again about the “peaceful transition of power.” Yes indeed, they have ensured that they have again successfully moved from one president to another - even one party to another - while they remain in control. That is worth a few hundred thousand dollars. It’s almost an embarrassingly cheap investment.
Alas, only in America can the rich buy a self-proclaimed progressive politician, turn him rightward, and have the adoring masses stand and cheer as the packaged new leader calls for the people to prepare to accept cuts in social spending and ready their children for another war.
Last night Mary Beth and I had an hour-long phone conversation with an activist friend from Canada who had just been physically removed from an expensive luncheon honoring a Canadian general just back from Afghanistan. The conquering general was reporting on their participation in the “right war”. Our friend attended the coronation and silently stood before the general with a sign criticizing Canada for doubling its military budget, cutting social spending, and not focusing instead on dealing with the real enemy of the people - the looming threats of climate change.
Few of our Canadian friend’s “progressive” political allies want her to be so bold. She might create the wrong image, alienate some friendly politician, turn off potential donors or supporters, instead they’d like for her to be more reserved and refined. But she has babies and she has been schooled in the reality of the future under a planet in crisis. She hears the alarms ringing in her ears and pounding in her heart. She finds it hard to turn her eyes away from the great wrecking ball. Her conscience pulls her back toward the truth and forces her out of her isolation.
It is hard to look the other way. I’ve tried and too find it awfully hard to live with myself when I do.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
MNDFL and USW continue to give mining companies free reign
Question: Why are taconite plants and iron ore mines shutting down if Barack Obama is going to be "greening" our economy?
Question: Why don't working people have a say in the decision making process?
Question: Why hasn't the USW organized a fightback demanding a cut in hours to thirty hour week at forty hours pay so everyone continues working?
Iron Range Club, CPUSA
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/02/us_steel_to_layoff_3500_employees/
U.S. Steel to lay off 3,500 employees
by Bill Catlin, Minnesota Public Radio
December 2, 2008
St. Paul, Minn. — U.S. Steel is idling a taconite plant in Keewatin and two other facilities in Michigan and Missouri.
The company says about 3,500 employees will be laid off in total. Amid the global economic slowdown, prices for many steel products have fallen at double-digit rates over the past month.
In October, Cliffs Natural Resources announced it was cutting production at several Iron Range taconite plants.
Question: Why don't working people have a say in the decision making process?
Question: Why hasn't the USW organized a fightback demanding a cut in hours to thirty hour week at forty hours pay so everyone continues working?
Iron Range Club, CPUSA
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/02/us_steel_to_layoff_3500_employees/
U.S. Steel to lay off 3,500 employees
by Bill Catlin, Minnesota Public Radio
December 2, 2008
St. Paul, Minn. — U.S. Steel is idling a taconite plant in Keewatin and two other facilities in Michigan and Missouri.
The company says about 3,500 employees will be laid off in total. Amid the global economic slowdown, prices for many steel products have fallen at double-digit rates over the past month.
In October, Cliffs Natural Resources announced it was cutting production at several Iron Range taconite plants.
"Local lawmaker Tony Sertich said he and the Range delegation will do everything they can, to help during this difficult time."
What can we expect from these windbags in the MNDFL?
The MNDFL has done nothing except talk a good talk.
The time has come to nationalize the mines under public ownership. This is where the struggle to save jobs and our livelihoods needs to center.
Why haven't Sertich and the Iron Range legislators initiated legislation placing a moratorium on home foreclosures already. Our Range Cities already resemble Appalachia complete with all the poverty, unemployment and despair.
We get the pits and the social and economic problems; the mining companies get the profits.
Iron Range Club, CPUSA
http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S687979.shtml?cat=10335
Updated at: 12/03/2008 09:54:08 AM
By: Renee Passal
U.S. Steel Idles Keewatin Taconite
U.S. Steel announced they are idling several facilities, including Keewatin Taconite, in the next several week.
They would not say exactly when the shutdown will take effect, but that it would be temporary.
Steelworkers said they were not surprised, but are still nervous.
"We've been through this before. We're resilient, we'll bounce back," said Art Hamm, a Keetac Steelworker.
We caught up with a crew of Keetac Steelworkers, who were in Duluth for a meeting about pension benefits.
"It will be tough for the families," said John Finken.
"I just hope it's not long, and the company doesn't lose too much production or profitability, and we can come back and be part of a stronger economy," Hamm added.
Steelworkers said they are in the middle of some mini-shut downs for maintenance, and that they heard there would be a 60-90 day shutdown in the spring.
The company plans on concentrating their steel production at other facilities. They would not comment on production at Minntac.
Local lawmaker Tony Sertich said he and the Range delegation will do everything they can, to help during this difficult time.
As for the expansion at Keetac, sources said the company continues to plan for it. Permitting is expected to take several years. U.S. Steel wants to re-start an idled line, and add 75 jobs.
Oberstar lauds U.S. Steel... silent on Keewatin (Keetac) shutdown
As usual Oberstar has done nothing to save jobs. Not a whimper of protest from this big blowhard and windbag.
The Democratic Party has done nothing to save our jobs.
We need to consider a real workers' party.
All we hear from Oberstar and the MNDFL is "jobs, jobs, jobs." They must be talking about the 40,000 jobs lost. The USW sits on its hands talking tough while giving the corporations free reign to sow misery on the Range.
The time has come to fightback.
Iron Range Club, CPUSA
Oberstar Applauds U.S. Steel Investment in Keewatin Taconite
Friday, February 01, 2008
Washington DC – Congressman Jim Oberstar says U.S. Steel’s decision to invest $300 million in Keewatin Taconite (Keetac) is an important step towards making Minnesota taconite more competitive in the global marketplace. The project will produce 500 construction jobs over 3 years and 75 – 100 permanent jobs for the Iron Range. Production at the U.S. Steel Keewatin plant will increase from the current six million tons a year to nearly ten million tons of taconite pellets.
“Minnesota iron ore has gone global. Our taconite pellets are feeding blast furnaces from Cleveland to China,” said Oberstar. “With this announcement, U.S. Steel demonstrates it has the vision and capacity to compete world-wide. Keetac sits on one of the richest bodies of iron ore on the Range, and this investment at Keetac will create profits for U.S. Steel and long-term, full-time jobs for iron ore miners on the Iron Range. Steel production is a mainstay of American industrial productivity, and Minnesota’s Iron Range fuels that production.”
Keeping Minnesota’s taconite industry competitive has been one of Oberstar’s top priorities throughout his service in Congress. Oberstar introduced the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) which was enacted into law last year. WRDA included provisions to dredge long-neglected, harbors and shipping channels across the Great Lakes.
Shallower navigation channels cause Great Lakes ore freighters to reduce their shipments by as much as 7500 tons on each trip from Duluth to the eastern steel mills. “We have to make sure those ore boats go out with a full load to reduce Minnesota taconite costs,” said Oberstar. “If we don’t maintain our shipping infrastructure, we are giving an advantage to nations like Brazil and Russia that are competing with Minnesota taconite.”
WRDA also authorized $341 million to construct a second lock to accommodate modern ships at Sault Ste. Marie. Another $134 million is authorized to make other repairs and upgrades on the St. Lawrence Seaway.
The Keetac expansion will also embrace new technology that is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. U.S. Steel will have to make that case to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to obtain the environmental permits the company will need to move forward. Oberstar says he is confident that effort will be successful. “I am ready to work with the gifted and skilled members of the Iron Range legislative delegation on the permitting process that lies ahead,” said Oberstar.
The Democratic Party has done nothing to save our jobs.
We need to consider a real workers' party.
All we hear from Oberstar and the MNDFL is "jobs, jobs, jobs." They must be talking about the 40,000 jobs lost. The USW sits on its hands talking tough while giving the corporations free reign to sow misery on the Range.
The time has come to fightback.
Iron Range Club, CPUSA
Oberstar Applauds U.S. Steel Investment in Keewatin Taconite
Friday, February 01, 2008
Washington DC – Congressman Jim Oberstar says U.S. Steel’s decision to invest $300 million in Keewatin Taconite (Keetac) is an important step towards making Minnesota taconite more competitive in the global marketplace. The project will produce 500 construction jobs over 3 years and 75 – 100 permanent jobs for the Iron Range. Production at the U.S. Steel Keewatin plant will increase from the current six million tons a year to nearly ten million tons of taconite pellets.
“Minnesota iron ore has gone global. Our taconite pellets are feeding blast furnaces from Cleveland to China,” said Oberstar. “With this announcement, U.S. Steel demonstrates it has the vision and capacity to compete world-wide. Keetac sits on one of the richest bodies of iron ore on the Range, and this investment at Keetac will create profits for U.S. Steel and long-term, full-time jobs for iron ore miners on the Iron Range. Steel production is a mainstay of American industrial productivity, and Minnesota’s Iron Range fuels that production.”
Keeping Minnesota’s taconite industry competitive has been one of Oberstar’s top priorities throughout his service in Congress. Oberstar introduced the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) which was enacted into law last year. WRDA included provisions to dredge long-neglected, harbors and shipping channels across the Great Lakes.
Shallower navigation channels cause Great Lakes ore freighters to reduce their shipments by as much as 7500 tons on each trip from Duluth to the eastern steel mills. “We have to make sure those ore boats go out with a full load to reduce Minnesota taconite costs,” said Oberstar. “If we don’t maintain our shipping infrastructure, we are giving an advantage to nations like Brazil and Russia that are competing with Minnesota taconite.”
WRDA also authorized $341 million to construct a second lock to accommodate modern ships at Sault Ste. Marie. Another $134 million is authorized to make other repairs and upgrades on the St. Lawrence Seaway.
The Keetac expansion will also embrace new technology that is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. U.S. Steel will have to make that case to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to obtain the environmental permits the company will need to move forward. Oberstar says he is confident that effort will be successful. “I am ready to work with the gifted and skilled members of the Iron Range legislative delegation on the permitting process that lies ahead,” said Oberstar.
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