This Democratic Party front group set up by the AFL-CIO, Working America, sent out this letter (see below).
Please read it very closely.
In my opinion there is something very demented and perverse about this letter.
These Dumb Donkeys are living for a week on the current Federal Minimum
wage of $7.25 instead of trying to live on the $9.50 an hour they are
proposing.
This is very typical of the way these Democrats operate.
Why wouldn't they try living on their pathetic miserly proposed poverty
wage of $9.50 an hour? Wouldn't this be the real test since EVERYONE
already knows no one can live on $7.25?
Quite frankly, no one
can even live on $15.00 an hour without maxing out a few credit cards
until they have to declare bankruptcy.
We have gone from
hearing these politicians and their front groups talking about "Elect us
if you want the Minimum Wage to be a living wage" to "American needs a
raise" to "$9.50 will help" to what the Democrats in the Minnesota State
Senate propose instead of $9.50--- "$7.75 is better than $7.25."
These dishonest morons know full well their Democratic counterparts in
the Minnesota State Senate are proposing to reach a "compromise" at
$7.75--- and furthermore, they are well aware that Mark Dayton has met
with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce (more commonly referred to as the
"Minnesota DFL Business Caucus because Democrats don't like people to
know they work behind closed doors with the Minnesota Chamber of
Commerce to give working people the shaft). Dayton and this "DFL
Business Caucus" have agreed the Minimum Wage should not be raised over
$8.00 an hour.
Of course this "liberal" billionaire Governor
Dayton whose inherited wealth was, and is, being derived almost
exclusively from the super-exploitation of Minimum Wage workers who are
more often then not subjected to the double-whammy of not just poverty
wages but wage theft.
Come on, really; did these Minnesota
State legislators have "to spread the word about how hard it really is
to live on $7.25 an hour?"
Don't they really have to "prove" that a human being can live on their proposed $9.50 an hour?
Slick as shit the way they pulled off this bait (a living wage) with
this switch (another poverty wage). Saying one thing to get votes; doing
another thing to keep the corporate bribes coming.
Bait and switch is illegal in the retail world; not in the world of politics.
Anyways, read this letter for yourself...
Alan,
We've learned a lot this past week.
Because of our participants across the state, we've helped to spread
the word about how hard it really is to live on $7.25 an hour.
We walked through some of the biggest hurdles minimum wage earners have
to face, and had real conversations with workers across Minnesota about
why a raise is important to them.
We've gotten close, and we need you to act now. Will you contact your state lawmakers now?
Alan, no one should have to skip a meal just to afford bus fare to
work. Raising the wage to $9.50 is a start that will help thousands of
Minnesota workers.
Can you do one final thing and make sure HR 92 passes the Senate?
It's been a great week, so thank you for participating. For taking
action, following along online and engaging with the Challenge in all
the ways that you did.
We can do this.
Thanks for all that you do,
Bree Halverson
State Director, Working Minnesota
P.S. Check out all of the photos and blog posts from the week.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Why won't the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party support 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:
*********
On Mon, Feb 25, 2013 at 9:01 AM, Chuck Frederick <cfrederick@duluthnews.com> wrote:
**********
February 25, 2013
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. MakiDirector of Organizing,Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council58891 County Road 13Warroad, Minnesota 56763Phone: 218-386-2432Cell: 651-587-5541Primary E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.netE-mail: alan.maki1951mn@gmail.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 FrederickEditorial Page EditorDuluth News TribuneChuck FrederickEditorial Page EditorDuluth News Tribune424 W. First St.Duluth MN 55802
**********
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/
Note: I have prepared a blog specifically dedicated to the issue of full employment:
http://fullemploymentnow.blogspot.com/
Friday, January 27, 2012
Proposal for a Minnesota Governor’s Advisory Committee for the Enforcement of Affirmative Action
Proposal for a Minnesota Governor’s Advisory Committee for the Enforcement of Affirmative Action
Goal and objective: A level playing field.
All the talk about a new Vikings’ Stadium, the need for infrastructure development and repair, talk of light rail and other large-scale public works and joint public-private initiatives and projects begs the question: What will be done to end racism in employment here in Minnesota that has historical roots combined with present indifference?
Fact: People without jobs are destined to be poor.
Unemployment, under-employment and poverty-wage jobs are the root of poverty.
Poverty is more than statistics. For living, breathing human beings, poverty means going without adequate food, clothing, health care, education, housing, and transportation.
When unemployment rises well beyond the “normal” levels for people of color, women and the handicapped, Affirmative Action as articulated and defined by Federal Executive Order Number 11246 must kick in unless we end up with large pools of unemployed in communities--- and on Indian Reservations--- of people of color which hurt us all, but no where near as much as it harms the victims of racism in employment.
These large pools of the unemployed serve to push down wages and living standards for everyone.
The enforcement of Affirmative Action will help make sure Minnesotans get the jobs funded by Minnesota tax-payers rather than workers from other states.
The enforcement of Affirmative Action will lead to encouraging and strengthening small businesses and entrepreneurship among minorities as minority contractors help recruit people of color through the enforcement of Affirmative Action.
Politicians who pander to the voices of bigotry, racism and hate often claim that advocating for the enforcement of Affirmative Action is so controversial that its enforcement creates divisions in society which tears apart our social fabric. In fact, issues like a new Vikings’ Stadium, as we have seen, are themselves very controversial.
Politics embodies controversy.
The Governor of Minnesota has the responsibility to provide leadership in the just struggle for the enforcement of Affirmative Action in a way that guides Minnesotans to creating a level playing field for everyone.
Governor Mark Dayton should establish “The Minnesota Governor’s Advisory Committee for the Enforcement of Affirmative Action” and this Committee shall consist of: one member representing the Governor, one member each from the AFL-CIO & Change To Win, one member each representing the following firms: public relations, architectural, engineering, general contractors and minority contractors, with two members representing each of the following communities: Black, Native American and Hispanic with at least one member from each of these communities being among the unemployed; three women and one handicapped representative--- 18 members in total.
All members of this Advisory Committee shall participate, together, in at least one training session explaining the history, goals and objectives ofAffirmative Action and must be made aware of the present problems relating to how racism in employment has led to current social and economic problems in the specific communities of people of color, women and the handicapped.
This Advisory Committee shall present concrete goals and objectives in reviewing all public funding where there is any type of state involvement in funding and financing including proposals for bonding bills and any joint public-private ventures in which more than $20,000.00 in public funding is involved and/or more than 15 employees hired.
The loop-hole preventing enforcing Affirmative Action must be closed by the Governor and State Legislature refusing to participate in any township, city, county, state, park’s commission, school district, college or university where there is not an Affirmative Action Policy in place being enforced.
Affirmative Action must kick in when any project is first publicly proposed or there is significant public-private cooperation towards project development--- whichever occurs first; long before the first shovel is sunk into the ground.
It is up to the parties involved to implement Affirmative Action in a timely manner so as to prevent project delays which might lead to additional costs incurred by tax-payers. Where this is not done, any costs relating to project delays should result in fines levied at the direction of the Advisory Committee on the parties responsible.
Affirmative Action is the law of the land. For the victims of historic racist employment practices continuing today which results in the need for the enforcement of Affirmative Action, Affirmative Action is both a Human Right and a Constitutional Right.
The Governor of Minnesota has a Constitutional responsibility to see to it that Affirmative Action is enforced. This Advisory Committee provides the Governor with the tools to achieve the enforcement of Affirmative Action.
People should not have to resort to law suits, direct action and other means of protest in order to have their right to employment protected.
Everyone has the right to seek employment from a level playing field.
A means to enforce Affirmative Action on the Vikings’ Stadium (and all other projects stated above) in line with stated goals and objectives must be found before planning for this project proceeds any further.
I am submitting this “Proposal for a Minnesota Governor’s Advisory Committee for the Enforcement of Affirmative Action” for consideration to Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton upon request from Micah Hines, General Counsel to Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, who requested I submit this proposal in writing to Governor Mark Dayton.
Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council
Contact information:
58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541
E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net
Blog: http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/alan.l.maki
Copies provided to:
NAACP
Urban League
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council
AFL-CIO
Change To Win
Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party
Republican Party
Green Party
Posted to:
FaceBook... http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150474417745086
Blog.......... http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/proposal-for-minnesota-governors.html
Preliminary response from Governor Dayton:
Thank you for contacting the Office of Governor Mark Dayton. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions about how we, together, can build a better Minnesota. A member of our staff will read your message promptly.
Note: Further responses will be shared. Please share your own concerns on this issue with Governor Dayton. Contact information:
To contact Governor Mark Dayton, please write, phone, fax or e-mail.
Mailing Address:
Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Other ways to reach our office:
Telephone: 651-201-3400
Toll Free: 800-657-3717
Minnesota Relay 800-627-3529
Fax: 651-797-1850
Contact the Governor's Office by e-mail:
http://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/form/
--
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
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Anti-scab legislation needed
This is from a discussion taking place on FaceBook:
Minnesota 7th Congressional District Democrats (DFL CD Seven)
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