Health care reform would be useful.
But the watered-down insurance
“reform” we got on March, 21,
2010 is simple surrender.
This gift to the insurance industry
allows the same profiteers
to call the shots, set the prices,
and keep their antitrust exemption.
We will still have 18 million or more
Americans with no access to
healthcare. The bill contains
language that may restrict
womens' access to reproductive
health services.
The public option and a provision
to establish federal oversight of
premium hikes were both stripped out
of the bill by transnational insurance cartels.
There is no way to control costs.
This means they will go up.
This president and Congress "settled"
for a privately run, for-profit system.
Insurers can’t wait to gain 31 million
new customers, and they will set
whatever price the market will bear.
We still need single payer
to make real headway.
Dennnis Kucinich is one
of the co-authors of H.R. 676,
which would create a single-payer,
Medicare-for-all, non-profit health
care system. It currently has 78
co-sponsors. We must continue
to advocate for such a system.
The profiteering must end.
The bill which was just passed
will not make that happen.
Here is what the doctors say:
"...the president's proposal would
ship hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars
to the private health insurance industry in the
form of subsidies," Young said.
"And to help finance this, it would impose a
new tax on health benefits of workers,
especially those in high-cost states.
Its individual mandate would force millions of
middle-income uninsured Americans to buy
insurers' skimpy products - insurance
policies full of gaps like ever-rising co-pays,
deductibles and premiums. Such policies
already leave middle-class American families
vulnerable to economic hardship and medical
bankruptcy in the event of a serious illness like
cancer...Even so, at least 23 million people
would remain uninsured. We know that being
uninsured raises your chance of dying by about
40 percent," he continued, citing another recent
study. "That translates into about 23,000
unnecessary deaths each year. As physicians,
we find this completely unacceptable...
In short, this proposal is an insurance company
bonanza, not good, evidence-based health reform.
The president would do better by abandoning the
insurance and drug companies and instead taking
up the single-payer approach."
http://pnhp.org/
http://www.jwjpdx.org/campaigns/page1-general-info
www.Writingresource.info/healthcare
http://health-careresource.blogspot.com/
Why Dennis held his nose and supported the bill..
in solidarity and with best regards,
Tim Flanagan
tflanaga@pcc.edu
editor@writingresource.org
Box 22, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Affiliated with the KBOO Labor Radio Collective,
Jobs with Justice, AFT, & The Portland Alliance
http://computerresource.org/
http://resourceresource.org/
http://peaceresource.org/
http://unionresource.org/
http://writingresource.info/
http://www.writingresource.org/
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The issue is torture.
Torture is a crime under US law. 
Those who order it, participate in it, condone it,
or who try to cover it up are criminals.
They should be prosecuted.
Torture is illegal, immoral, and it does not
work. The law is quite clear. The position of all
three branches of Abrahamic tradition agree.
The experts at the Pentagon and intelligence experts
worldwide agree that resorting to torture produces
flawed intelligence.
"Torture and abuse cost American lives."
"We need to return to an ethic of responsibility and accountability
that is critical if citizens are to have faith in their government and
the world is to respect this nation. This is not just a matter of the
rule of law. It is a matter of national security."
Those who order it, participate in it, condone it,
or who try to cover it up are criminals.
They should be prosecuted.
Torture is illegal, immoral, and it does not
work. The law is quite clear. The position of all
three branches of Abrahamic tradition agree.
The experts at the Pentagon and intelligence experts
worldwide agree that resorting to torture produces
flawed intelligence.
"Torture and abuse cost American lives."
"We need to return to an ethic of responsibility and accountability
that is critical if citizens are to have faith in their government and
the world is to respect this nation. This is not just a matter of the
rule of law. It is a matter of national security."
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Is Obama a one-term wonder?
serve two terms, even if he
does not deliver sufficient
reasons for hope or
fundamental change.
Barack is immensely popular
in spite of being to the right of the
general population. By virtue of
his political talents, personal
charisma, and speaking skills,
he is able to talk the right talk
while walking in the wrong
direction. Hopefully he will
do more good than harm.
So far, he has improved our
image abroad and provided
more health care access.
This is a beginning.
Our Republican defense secretary (Gates)
and corporate misadventures abroad will be the
biggest problems for the Democrats this November.
This wrong-headed and dangerous embrace of
the "Bush agenda" cannot stand.
As we continue to provide critical information
and organize, more and more working Americans
will demand jobs, universal healthcare, functioning
schools, and a restoration of civil rights, the rule of law,
and constitutional integrity.
http://www.unionresource.org/
add events to The Activism Newsletter Calendar:
http://www.brownbearsw.com/freecal/thewordsmithcollection
And Visit PDX Activism News!
http://sites.google.com/site/pdxactivismnews/
Monday, March 15, 2010
Politics 101
conscientious conservatives and good-hearted,
well-informed progressives.
These are liberal American traditions which
advocate small government, peace, freedom,
liberty, and reform. Unfortunately, radical right
wing extremists hijacked the Republican Party
and spineless prognosticators who are
too willing to compromise control the
Democratic Party.
Under Republicans for the past eight years...
due to corruption, arrogance, malfeasance,
studious ignorance, and criminal conduct
tantamount to treason.... our military
is overextended, our intelligence services
compromised, the economy destroyed
our reputation undermined, credibility crushed,
and we have been embarassed and
dishonored by amorality, torture, rape,
wiretapping, and murder which has
cost a million lives, five million refugees,
three trillion dollars, and this nation's soul.
The Democratic leadership,
including Pelosi and Reid,
were complicit in these crimes.
Obama was the lesser of evils in 2008. But so far
he has offered only expanded war, continued
corruption, "preemptive" aggression, corporate
health care denial, and a cowardly surrender
to amoral thugs.
He may marginally improve tax codes, grow the
middle class, and give working people more voice.
And we might persuade him to do the right thing
next term, bus so far it looks like transnationals
are still calling the shots.
The Republicans will continue to shoot themselves
in the foot while extremists at their helm remain
cowardly, corrupt, and clueless.
But hope, faith, compassion, and courage will
triumph over cynicism, hate, and fear.
America can wake up, and the
Working Families Party offers
real choices.
best regards, Tim
http://www.unionresource.org/
http://www.writingresource.info/blog
The Right Wing Gets Real Personal
http://beck.cnnbcvideo.com/?p=fbd21b890aef7eb71fa1652f8f864481&id=19361-7785950-0rCWBox
Monday, February 22, 2010
Oregon Working Families Party
Oregon Working Families Party 2950 SE Stark Street, Suite 100 Portland, OR 97214 503-841-7161 info@OregonWFP.org webmaster@OregonWFP.org |
Friday, January 29, 2010
Oregon Food Bank
Oregon Food Bank has been very busy over
the last several months. They continue to see
record levels of need across Oregon and
southwest Washington. They need help.
Helpers can organize a food drive, make a
donation, or write a letter to congress.
Make a difference. For more ideas,
contact Orgeon Food Bank today.
e-news@oregonfoodbank.org
Volunteer: Check the website for opportunities!
http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/make_a_difference/volunteer/
Monday, January 4, 2010
What are Measures 66 and 67?
What are Measures 66 and 67?
M66 and M67 were the Oregon Legislature's
praiseworthy attempt to deal with the 2008-09
economic disaster by balancing cuts and increasing revenue.
Just about everything was cut, including Community Colleges
(by over $50 million for the biennium, hitting all Oregon CCs
harder than PCC). M66 and M67 would raise almost $800 million,
and over $1 billion when Federal matching dollars are included.
If those Measures do not pass, the "job killing" that opponents
predict actually will happen, since upwards of 90% of the $800 million
lost over 18 months goes to pay salaries of Oregonians--educators,
health professionals, public safety professionals--
and countless thousands of jobs will be lost.
http://voteyesfororegon.org/
has an interesting site showing possible financial hits
should the Measures fail, by county, including:
"Multnomah County Community Colleges,
including Portland Community College: could be forced to raise
tuition 9%, cap enrollment, reduce days, and eliminate faculty
positions as a result of a 5% reduction in Community College State Funding."
M66 and M67 were the Oregon Legislature's
praiseworthy attempt to deal with the 2008-09
economic disaster by balancing cuts and increasing revenue.
Just about everything was cut, including Community Colleges
(by over $50 million for the biennium, hitting all Oregon CCs
harder than PCC). M66 and M67 would raise almost $800 million,
and over $1 billion when Federal matching dollars are included.
If those Measures do not pass, the "job killing" that opponents
predict actually will happen, since upwards of 90% of the $800 million
lost over 18 months goes to pay salaries of Oregonians--educators,
health professionals, public safety professionals--
and countless thousands of jobs will be lost.
http://voteyesfororegon.org/
has an interesting site showing possible financial hits
should the Measures fail, by county, including:
"Multnomah County Community Colleges,
including Portland Community College: could be forced to raise
tuition 9%, cap enrollment, reduce days, and eliminate faculty
positions as a result of a 5% reduction in Community College State Funding."
Monday, November 9, 2009
The right wing fringe can't handle the truth...
government cost us our economic,
military, & technological preparedness.
And the corporate operatives who
worked so hard to undermine this
nation during the Cheney/Bush fiasco...
are investing in China and India rather
than supplying American jobs.
If Obama invests in America and ends corporate
adventurism abroad... we have a chance to repair
these damages. If not, our decline will continue,
virtually unabated, for the next half century.
It will take more than a Roosevelt Republican like Obama,
a cowardly congress, or a lackadaisical court to fix this mess.
It will take alert active citizens willing to put it on the line, remove
corporate legislators, vote for reform, and when necessary...
take it to the streets.
We can do it through civic-engagement, education reform,
single-payer healthcare, investment at home, and an end to
corporate neo-colonialism.The cure for fear-mongering and lies...
is a dollop of courage and one big serving of the flat truth.
tmf
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Racism is Alive and Well in America...
“Lukewarm acceptance is more bewildering
than outright rejection.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Everything now, we must assume, is in our hands; we have no
right to assume otherwise. If we do not falter in our duty now,
we may be able, handful that we are, to end the racial nightmare,
and achieve our country, and change the history of the world.
-- James Baldwin
I swear to the Lord
I still can't see
Why Democracy means
Everybody but me.
~Langston Hughes, The Black Man Speaks
*****************************************
When Congressman Wilson Interrupted
President Barack Obama during his speech
to both houses of congress and called him a liar,
was this about race or racism?
Travis Larimer 09.16.09
I’m from South Carolina. People from outside the South can’t really begin to understand the nuances of racism in Southern culture. In South Carolina, educated, white conservatives of the upper class, like Joe Wilson, in particular have a unique brand of racism, which is usually characterized by an intentional segregation from black southerners in any capacity that would imply the two groups are socially equal.
Living in the same neighborhoods or eating at the same restaurants is something that just doesn’t happen.
I think it’s important to understand exactly how Rep. Wilson’s outburst was a result of racism. It’s not as simple as, “Rep. Wilson believes the President is lying because he is black,” or “Rep. Wilson told the President he is lying because Rep. Wilson is a racist.” Those are oversimplifications of a complex cultural issue.
Joe Wilson’s outburst, the act itself, rather than the words, results from the shattering of his Southern white perspective of racial superiority and entitlement . Joe Wilson would not have felt justified in yelling at a white President. It’s even unlikely that he would have acted in a similar way toward another white congressman. It is because President Obama is a black man that Rep. Wilson feels that it is fully within the scope of his social standing to shout him down and essentially call him a liar in front of the entire world. For an upper class southerner, having a black man in a position of authority over you is completely inconceivable.
This isn’t the overt, KKK/neo-Nazi racism of 60 minutes and television
documentaries. This is a sense of white supremacy that is so firmly
ingrained in Southern culture that it’s doubtful Mr. Wilson
is even aware of it.
stuff white people do
"The ways of white folks, I mean, some white folks . . ."
(Langston Hughes)
A Black Agenda
Radio commentary
by executive editor Glen Ford
White people, in the majority,
don't think they are racist
- but they are.
...White folks think they are superior,
the definition of racism.
They are convinced that race relations have been getting better
over the last ten years, and will improve further
in the next decade. Of course, white people
will not have to give up any power to achieve this goal; it is a gift.
The delusions of white America are amazing, and shape a world
view that threatens human existence. White academics constantly
explore the psyche of Black people, but never their own
- the people in power. The Zogby poll shows that whites harbor
deep problems, that can kill us all, if they are not cured.
Racism Alive and Thriving in America,
There is a deep cultural malady in white America, a kind of delusional
disease that prevents them from seeing reality, as it is. They know that
racism exists, but deny any role in it. They recognize that systemic
prejudice has societal effects, but claim they play no part in the process.
They realize that the Republican Party is the party of racism, but vote for
it, anyway. White folks have an unexamined problem. Theyt ought to
stop looking at us Black folks, as if we are the flawed specimens,
and take care of their own contradictions.
For Black Agenda Radio, I'm Glen Ford.
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=310&Itemid=33
Click here to comment Here to blog Or here to discuss
http://www.writingresource.info/racism.html
Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die,
life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.
—Langston Hughes
More on Joe Wilson's
Interruption of President Obama
Nana Olson, SC
09.26.09
As working adults, my husband and I raised our three children
and lived in Virginia for nearly 30 years. We witnessed racism
but never defined as we see it living in SC these past 6 years.
I do believe it is good to feel passionate about our birthplace and its lore,
customs, and history. However, in reading about Joe Wilson, and his love
for all that is the South, I find him romanticizing what he refers to as being
a “patriot” and being “proud” of his heritage. From what I read, I believe
Joe Wlson is incredibly lacking in understanding or recognition of the human
tragedy caused by slavery and racism and the continued loss we
witness here in SC from persistent discrimination at the state level.
Joe Wilson’s tactics in Jim Clyburn’s congressional area, appear to me to
be purposeful and downright nasty. Our President needs to deny racism is
the basis for much of the unreasonable and angry protest against him and
what he is trying to do. I believe that
we at the grassroots level can, and should, call it as we see it.
Thank you President Carter, it is blatant racism.
Joe Wilson needs to be held responsible for his actions. It is up to us to
commit to bring real change to SC. Have faith, the truth is a great witness.
Let’s get it out!
“I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity
toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man,
that he’s African American,” Carter told NBC yesterday.
“I live in the South, and I’ve seen the South come a long way and I’ve seen
the rest of the country that shared the South’s attitude toward minority groups
at that time … and I think it’s bubbled up to the surface,” Carter said, “because
of a belief among many white people, not just in the South but around the country,
that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country.”
JC
Our friend Yael Abouhalkah, meanwhile, over at the Kansas City Star sounds a bit like
Jack Nicholson in “A Few Good Men” telling those who dispute Carter’s claim that
they can’t handle the truth:
He’s just stating the facts, whether Americans want to hear them or not. Carter’s
complaints aren’t aimed at all Americans, just at those who don’t think a black
person deserves to be president. And there are millions in this country. So as the
conservative base and others get whipped into a frenzy over Carter’s remarks,
they need to cool down.
Verne Stolte 09.16.09
I’m as sick of the race card as anyone. In most cases it’s overplayed but in this case,
President Carter is right and it fits. Joe Wilson would never have shown such disrespect
for the office of the president at a joint session of congress, unless he had no respect for
the person who happens to be president and also black.
Wilson has shown his true colors - the bars and stripes
Jim 09.16.09
President Carter is correct. Racism is the main factor behind all of the anger against
President Obama. Look at all the silly charges thrown at Obama like Obama is not a
US citizen, therefore not a legitimate President, and he is turning the country into a
Socialist country. Look at bigots showing up with guns outside Obama events.
Look at protesters demanding “I want my country back.”
Did anyone see this reaction against Reagan, Bush, Clinton?
Joe Wilson is clown and a bigot. He was one of the few South Carolina legislators
voting in favor of the confederate flag in defence of his heritage.
sharon 09.16.09
I think President Carter has said aloud what we all know to be the truth. These angry
crowds at town hall meetings carrying guns, Obama/Hilter posters and crying
”I want my Country back,” are exactly the Americans President Carter is calling out.
They stand up so proudly interrupting real debate with their ignorance while smiling
proudly for FOX NEWS.
Timus, Powder Springs, GA 09.16.09
The unprecedented disrespect is what is racist!
He would have NEVER done that to a white male!!
I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless
midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood
can never become a reality.... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love
will have the final word.
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
November 16, 2009 is Tolerance Day
http://www.betterworldcalendar.com/toleranceday.htm
than outright rejection.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Everything now, we must assume, is in our hands; we have no
right to assume otherwise. If we do not falter in our duty now,
we may be able, handful that we are, to end the racial nightmare,
and achieve our country, and change the history of the world.
-- James Baldwin
I swear to the Lord
I still can't see
Why Democracy means
Everybody but me.
~Langston Hughes, The Black Man Speaks
*****************************************
When Congressman Wilson Interrupted
President Barack Obama during his speech
to both houses of congress and called him a liar,
was this about race or racism?
Travis Larimer 09.16.09
I’m from South Carolina. People from outside the South can’t really begin to understand the nuances of racism in Southern culture. In South Carolina, educated, white conservatives of the upper class, like Joe Wilson, in particular have a unique brand of racism, which is usually characterized by an intentional segregation from black southerners in any capacity that would imply the two groups are socially equal.
Living in the same neighborhoods or eating at the same restaurants is something that just doesn’t happen.
I think it’s important to understand exactly how Rep. Wilson’s outburst was a result of racism. It’s not as simple as, “Rep. Wilson believes the President is lying because he is black,” or “Rep. Wilson told the President he is lying because Rep. Wilson is a racist.” Those are oversimplifications of a complex cultural issue.
Joe Wilson’s outburst, the act itself, rather than the words, results from the shattering of his Southern white perspective of racial superiority and entitlement . Joe Wilson would not have felt justified in yelling at a white President. It’s even unlikely that he would have acted in a similar way toward another white congressman. It is because President Obama is a black man that Rep. Wilson feels that it is fully within the scope of his social standing to shout him down and essentially call him a liar in front of the entire world. For an upper class southerner, having a black man in a position of authority over you is completely inconceivable.
This isn’t the overt, KKK/neo-Nazi racism of 60 minutes and television
documentaries. This is a sense of white supremacy that is so firmly
ingrained in Southern culture that it’s doubtful Mr. Wilson
is even aware of it.
stuff white people do
"The ways of white folks, I mean, some white folks . . ."
(Langston Hughes)
Radio commentary
by executive editor Glen Ford
White people, in the majority,
don't think they are racist
- but they are.
...White folks think they are superior,
the definition of racism.
They are convinced that race relations have been getting better
over the last ten years, and will improve further
in the next decade. Of course, white people
will not have to give up any power to achieve this goal; it is a gift.
The delusions of white America are amazing, and shape a world
view that threatens human existence. White academics constantly
explore the psyche of Black people, but never their own
- the people in power. The Zogby poll shows that whites harbor
deep problems, that can kill us all, if they are not cured.
Racism Alive and Thriving in America,
There is a deep cultural malady in white America, a kind of delusional
disease that prevents them from seeing reality, as it is. They know that
racism exists, but deny any role in it. They recognize that systemic
prejudice has societal effects, but claim they play no part in the process.
They realize that the Republican Party is the party of racism, but vote for
it, anyway. White folks have an unexamined problem. Theyt ought to
stop looking at us Black folks, as if we are the flawed specimens,
and take care of their own contradictions.
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=310&Itemid=33
Click here to comment Here to blog Or here to discuss
http://www.writingresource.info/racism.html
Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die,
life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.
—Langston Hughes
More on Joe Wilson's
Interruption of President Obama
Nana Olson, SC
09.26.09
As working adults, my husband and I raised our three children
and lived in Virginia for nearly 30 years. We witnessed racism
but never defined as we see it living in SC these past 6 years.
I do believe it is good to feel passionate about our birthplace and its lore,
customs, and history. However, in reading about Joe Wilson, and his love
for all that is the South, I find him romanticizing what he refers to as being
a “patriot” and being “proud” of his heritage. From what I read, I believe
Joe Wlson is incredibly lacking in understanding or recognition of the human
tragedy caused by slavery and racism and the continued loss we
witness here in SC from persistent discrimination at the state level.
Joe Wilson’s tactics in Jim Clyburn’s congressional area, appear to me to
be purposeful and downright nasty. Our President needs to deny racism is
the basis for much of the unreasonable and angry protest against him and
what he is trying to do. I believe that
we at the grassroots level can, and should, call it as we see it.
Thank you President Carter, it is blatant racism.
Joe Wilson needs to be held responsible for his actions. It is up to us to
commit to bring real change to SC. Have faith, the truth is a great witness.
Let’s get it out!
“I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity
toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man,
that he’s African American,” Carter told NBC yesterday.
“I live in the South, and I’ve seen the South come a long way and I’ve seen
the rest of the country that shared the South’s attitude toward minority groups
at that time … and I think it’s bubbled up to the surface,” Carter said, “because
of a belief among many white people, not just in the South but around the country,
that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country.”
JC
Our friend Yael Abouhalkah, meanwhile, over at the Kansas City Star sounds a bit like
Jack Nicholson in “A Few Good Men” telling those who dispute Carter’s claim that
they can’t handle the truth:
He’s just stating the facts, whether Americans want to hear them or not. Carter’s
complaints aren’t aimed at all Americans, just at those who don’t think a black
person deserves to be president. And there are millions in this country. So as the
conservative base and others get whipped into a frenzy over Carter’s remarks,
they need to cool down.
Verne Stolte 09.16.09
I’m as sick of the race card as anyone. In most cases it’s overplayed but in this case,
President Carter is right and it fits. Joe Wilson would never have shown such disrespect
for the office of the president at a joint session of congress, unless he had no respect for
the person who happens to be president and also black.
Wilson has shown his true colors - the bars and stripes
Jim 09.16.09
President Carter is correct. Racism is the main factor behind all of the anger against
President Obama. Look at all the silly charges thrown at Obama like Obama is not a
US citizen, therefore not a legitimate President, and he is turning the country into a
Socialist country. Look at bigots showing up with guns outside Obama events.
Look at protesters demanding “I want my country back.”
Did anyone see this reaction against Reagan, Bush, Clinton?
Joe Wilson is clown and a bigot. He was one of the few South Carolina legislators
voting in favor of the confederate flag in defence of his heritage.
sharon 09.16.09
I think President Carter has said aloud what we all know to be the truth. These angry
crowds at town hall meetings carrying guns, Obama/Hilter posters and crying
”I want my Country back,” are exactly the Americans President Carter is calling out.
They stand up so proudly interrupting real debate with their ignorance while smiling
proudly for FOX NEWS.
Timus, Powder Springs, GA 09.16.09
The unprecedented disrespect is what is racist!
He would have NEVER done that to a white male!!
I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless
midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood
can never become a reality.... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love
will have the final word.
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
November 16, 2009 is Tolerance Day
http://www.betterworldcalendar.com/toleranceday.htm
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