In honor of all of the HARD-WORKING American union members who are also TAXPAYERS, here is a blast from the past. They are always willing to work; and there is still much work to do to preserve collective bargaining rights. As you get ready to enjoy your weekend, remember that the 40-hour workweek was negotiated by unions through collective bargaining. Union members and government workers pay the same taxes that everyone else pays.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
U.S. Union Autoworkers to Receive $1000s in Bonuses: Yay!
The average American autoworkers who are employed by the three U.S. auto companies will soon be receiving bonuses ranging from about $2,500 - $7,000. These workers are members of a union: the United Auto Workers.
All of the Big Three have either posted billions in profits or are on their way to their first profitable years since the early 2000s. GM and Chrysler are also on track to completing repaying the loans (not free bailouts) they received from the Federal government in 2009 to stay afloat and continue operations. GM issued an IPO several months ago that was hugely successful. Ford continues to be profitable. All three car companies have retained employees, hired more workers, built new plants, and many new exciting and forward-thinking car models are hitting the showrooms.
All of this was made possible by President Barack Obama and the Congressional Democrats, who in 2009, refused to let the auto companies die. It was hard and messy, but the auto companies got the money and the time they needed to re-invent themselves and save the U.S. auto industry.
Meanwhile, the Republicans wanted the American car companies to liquidate, throwing hundreds of thousands out of work (including employees of thousands companies that support the auto industry) and negatively impacting the economies of many U.S. cities and towns.
Even as the bonuses for hard-working everyday American auto workers (and union members) were announced over the past few weeks, many Republicans stated that the workers shouldn't get bonuses while the auto companies still owed money to the government.
Those Republicans didn't say the same as Wall Street employees received millions in bonuses--the same "Wall Street" that caused the recession; the same Wall Street that also has not completed paying back the government.
The Republicans only want the auto workers to forgo their thousands while applauding the millions their financial buddies have received for years. The union workers at the auto companies gave up huge amounts of their negotiated pay to help keep the auto companies going; the Wall Street employees gave up nothing.
On the scale of who is really on the side of the American worker--unionized or not, one only has to look at the record of the Democrats and the Republicans over the past several decades.
Congratulations to the U.S. auto workers on their bonuses. A great new stimulus to the economy!
Jobs and increased income stimulate the economy, not draconian budget cuts or tax cuts for the rich.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Words on Wednesday: A. Philip Randolph, Civil Rights and Union Leader
Asa Philip Randolph (1889 - 1979)
African American Civil Rights Leader and Trade Unionist
Leader of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP): the first African-American union which in 1937 won a contract from the Pullman Company (the first ever signed by a white employer with an African-American labor leader).
Vice-President of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).
Organized the first March on Washington 1941 to protest exclusion of African-Americans from defense plants; the march was called off only after President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802 to establish the first Fair Employment Practice Committee.
Demanded that segregation in the armed forces be abolished; in 1948 President Harry Truman issued Executive Order 9981 to racially integrate the armed services.
Helped to organize the 1963 March on Washington for jobs and freedom, where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King gave the "I Have a Dream" speech.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
TeaBaggers REALLY need the teachers they hate! They STILL can't spell!
(Teabagger Sign at the Wisconson Rally, Feb 19 2011.)
I am a retired teacher.
So is my mother.
So is my mother-in-law.
We are NOT thugs.
These teabaggers are PROUD of their ignorance.
If YOU can spell, thank a teacher.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Progressives United
Former Democratic Senator Russ Feingold (WI) is starting a national movement for Progressives.
Can you list the recent attacks of the right against unions, the middle class, and any and all public employees (except themselves, of course).
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Egypt 2.0: "Day of Cleaning"--A very inspiring 2 minute video
After 18 days of protest in Takhir Square, protestors were successful in realizing the goal of their struggle. Former president Hosni Mubarack resigned and dismantled his regime. During the 2 1/2 weeks of daily rallies, there was a "Day of Rage" and a "Day of Millions". However, after celebrating all night on Friday, 11 February, the protestors realized that Takhir Square was full of litter and needed to be cleaned up.
So on Saturday, 12 February 2011 thousands of newly freed men, women, and children gathered brooms, rakes and garbage bags and happily and voluntarily participated in the "Day of Cleaning". One of the signs carried by some people cleaning says simply: "Sorry for the disturbance, we're buildling Egypt."
For more great posts about what has been happening in Egypt in the past three weeks, please visit the "Good Culture Blog".
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Saturday Sojourn: A Robocop Statue for Detroit? Seriously?
Betcha didn't know that Detroit is becoming a "Technology Town"! So why not "RoboCop"?
It started as a joke: a man from Massachusetts sent a tweet to Detroit Mayor Dave Bing with an unusal suggestion: how about erecting a statue in Detroit of "Robocop" the half-man/half-machine anti-hero of the movie of the same name. In the 1987 original movie, the crime in Detroit is so out of control that a large reconstruction project is halted; meanwhile a cop is severely wounded in the line of duty and the business owner helps the police to re-make him "Six Million Dollar Man"-style into a crime-fighting cyborg with painful suppressed memories. "RoboCop", starring Peter Weller, was actually nominated for two Academy Awards and won a "Special Achievement" Oscar in 1988. The person who suggested that Detroit erect a RoboCop statue apparently thought that if Philadelphia could have a statue of "Rocky", why not Detroit and RoboCop?
Here is a copy of the Twitter exchange:
@MT
@mayordavebing Philadelphia has a statue of Rocky & Robocop would kick Rocky's butt. He's a GREAT ambassador for Detroit.
February 7, 2011 11:59 am via TweetDeckRetweetReply
@mayordavebing Philadelphia has a statue of Rocky & Robocop would kick Rocky's butt. He's a GREAT ambassador for Detroit.
February 7, 2011 11:59 am via TweetDeckRetweetReply
@mayordavebingMayor Dave Bing
@MT There are not any plans to erect a statue to Robocop. Thank you for the suggestion.
February 7, 2011 11:43 am via TweetDeckRetweetReply
Many people in Detroit immediately jumped into the same defensive reaction: "Oh no, not another reference to crime in Detroit! We don't need that!" But another group, more forward-thinking and internet savvy Detroiters decided this was a good idea!
1) It could be a tourist attraction, just like the Rocky Statue.
2) It could be a symbol of metro Detroit moving to become a statewide, national, and international technology region.
Of course the City of Detroit doesn't have money to erect a statue, so this group decided to turn to a decidedly 21st century solution: crowdsourcing! Crowdsourcing is just what the name implies: getting funding sources from a like-minded crowd.
The Detroit non-profit "Imagination Station" initated the RoboCop Statue campaign and signed up for the crowdsourcing funding entity "Kickstarter". They have a goal to raise the necessary $50,000 in 30 days; and after just a few days raised $6,000. People can invest for as little as a dollar.
Visit the Imagination Station Kickstarter page here.
I was in a meeting on Friday with another non-profit group; many of the attendees at the meeting were young people who made a conscious decision to move TO Detroit from places like ann Arbor, Chicago and Californina to be a part of the revitalization of our City. Imagine that! 21st century projects and initiatives like those of Imagination Station (pun definitely intended) will go a long way to moving Detroit forward. There is crime in every city. Detroit is much more than that.
A RoboCop statue can stand for Detroit as a center of future technology; and as a tourist destination!
Friday, February 11, 2011
"Freedom" (Song for Egypt) by WyClef Jean
Musical genius and freedom activist Wyclef Jean wrote and published this song the night before former president Hosni Mubarack finally stepped down...this song has gone viral. Very inspirational; includes wonderful video images of people in Liberation Square.
Old School Friday: Songs For Hosni Mubarack
For over two weeks, protesters in Egypt have demanded that President Hosni Mubarack immediately step down and dismantle his 30-year regime. On Thursday, President Mubarack gave a rambling speech, insisting that he had heard the protestors and would make some necessary changes. The protestors have kept up their rallies in Liberation Square since #Jan25.
All day Thursday, rumors flew that Mr. Mubarak would step down and that his highly anticipated speech would be his swan song. But by the end of the day, it became painfully obvious that the Egyptian president wasn't leaving any time soon. Let us hope and pray that the Egyptians stay safe and there are no violent crackdowns.
The protestors told Hosni Mubarack to "Hit the Road Jack" (Ray Charles, 1961)
All day Thursday, rumors flew that Mr. Mubarak would step down and that his highly anticipated speech would be his swan song. But by the end of the day, it became painfully obvious that the Egyptian president wasn't leaving any time soon. Let us hope and pray that the Egyptians stay safe and there are no violent crackdowns.
Hosni Mubarack replied: "And I am Telling You--I'm Not Going" (Jennifer Holliday, 1982)
What are your thoughts on the Egyptian situation?
Monday, February 7, 2011
Imported from Detroit: Chrysler 200 SuperBowl 2011 Commercial
This is the Motor City
and this is what we do.
We here in Detroit are ecstatic about the Chrysler 200 SuperBowl Commercial about Detroit starring Detroit native and
multiple-Grammy-winning
also known as
Marshall Mathers
also known as
Slim Shady!
We are very proud of our City, and we know what is special about us and our contributions to the world.
We are especially proud that our Democratic former governor, Jennifer Granholm,
Democratic President Barack Obama,
the Democratic Congresspeople from Michigan and the Democratic Party
believed in the U.S. auto companies in 2009 and approved the
of direct and indirect jobs right here in America when the other political party
wanted to auto industry to just roll over and die.
The American auto industry is BACK, and the best cars are IMPORTED FROM DETROIT!
Detroit rules!
Best commercial of the SuperBowl (for Detroit and the world)!
Congrats to our midwest neighbors, SuperBowl Champions the Green Bay Packers.
Even the Detroit Lions won some games this season!
Detroit rocks!
This is the Motor City
and this is what we do.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
ThinkProgress » 10 Things Conservatives Don’t Want You To Know About Ronald Reagan
Tomorrow will mark the 100th anniversary of President Reagan’s birth, and all week, conservatives have been trying to outdo each others’ remembrances of the great conservative icon. Senate Republicans spent much of Thursday singing Reagan’s praise from the Senate floor, while conservative publications have been running non-stop commemorations. ..read more.. Friday, February 4, 2011
Wear Red for Women's Hearts Today!
- February is American Heart Month, and today, Friday February 4 2011, is "Go Red for Women Day". This reminder is sponsored by the American Heart Association.
- Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer in America? 1 in 3 women in the U.S. will be affected by heart disease this year.
- Today is the day for women and men to WEAR RED to honor those living with or lost to heart disease.
- Today is the day to sign up for the Go Red for Women Campaign to Tell 5 about how to save their lives and not succumb to heart disease. When you share information with five of your friends here, you will receive a free Go Red Heart Health Kit.
- Red dress. Red Blouse. Red Tie. Red Scarf. Wear red today.
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