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Cool Tools Highlights Political Challenges, Opportunities |
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The AFL-CIO’s newest Cool Tools is featuring two books this month that point out what’s gone wrong with our politics and our economy and another book that illuminates the journey of a candidate running to change it: Thomas Frank’s The Wrecking Crew, Barbara Ehrenreich’s This Land Is Their Land and Sen. Barack Obama’s Dreams from My Father.
It’s no accident, says The Wrecking Crew author Frank, that the people who claim government can’t help us solve our problems are the ones who are worst at managing it. Incompetence, cronyism and corruption aren’t a bug in the hard-right ideology of the Bush era—they’re the whole point. Look in almost any direction during the years of top-to-bottom Republican control and you’ll see serious failures that come straight out of indifference to people’s real problems. From the U.S. attorney scandal to privatization, from an anti-worker Department of Labor to the abandonment of New Orleans to Hurricane Katrina, Frank tells a compelling story of why the people we elect to office—and their philosophies—matter.
Ehrenreich, author of Nickel and Dimed and Bait and Switch, offers another clear and sharp look at the economy and how it’s working for real people. A collection of essays, This Land Is Their Land, examines how those at the very top of the economic ladder have built an economy that’s stopped working for everybody else. Looking at hospitals, workplaces, boardrooms and shopping malls, these 62 essays ask tough questions about how we live in America.
Dreams from My Father is the first book by Obama, an autobiographical reflection on his childhood, his heritage and his struggle to succeed. Written before his rise to national prominence, Dreams from My Father is an honest and powerful story that reflects the courage of its author, now a candidate for president. It’s a great way to learn more about Obama’s history and values.
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Is Obama going to end the wars in the Middle East?
No. He want’ts to redeploy troops from Iraq to Afghanistan and other area.
(He advocates access to college for everyone in return for “national service”.Watch out for a draft when he is elected.)
Is Obama supporting “Universal health insurance”?
No. Not single payer. He doesn’t want to end privatization of health care (essential to providing an affordable national health system). Corporate control and thus profits will remain to clean out the savings of working people.
For a reality check on Obama and the Democratic Party, check out this article:
Obama’s Denver speech: Populist demagogy in the service of militarism
By Patrick Martin
30 August 2008
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/aug2008/obam-a30.shtml
“The speech delivered by Senator Barack Obama Thursday night, accepting the Democratic presidential nomination at a football stadium in Denver, combined populist rhetoric with invocations of patriotism and pledges to escalate the war in Afghanistan and build up the US military “to meet future conflicts.”
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To survive physically, economically and socially working people around the world need peace. Both Democrats and Republicans support unending wars for profit, destrution of the ecological enviornment, economic bankruptcy, and the increasing social inequaltity that enriches a few and destroys the rest of us.
The on-going destruction of the public education, public health, the infrastructure, etc. all further the decline in living standards of working people.
The greatest reason for this decline is the on-going and expanding war(s) in the middle east and Central Asia. The military budget now takes such vast amounts of money (more than one half of the budget). Money for war takes is now desperately needed to maintain these public services. Working people, especially unorganized working people, have always relied on these services to maintain a minimal standard of living.
So what does Obama and the Democrats think about the wars?
The Democrats endorse the “Global War on Terrorism”: Obama “goes after” Osama
by Michel Chossudovsky
Global Research, August 29, 2008
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=9995
What about the Green Party Platform vs Democratic and Republican Parties??
It is a tragedy that the labor movement leadership has not taken the time to make this vital comparison. Millions of dollars (from the dues of union members) and hours of time are being donated to the Democrats apparently without even considering the platform of the Green Party.
The Green Party platform, summarized below, expresses the needs of working people. The Greens do not accept corporate money and thus oppose the corporate agendas promoted by both Democratic and Republican parties!
The election is still a month away! Plenty of time for all of us to reconsider this important vote in November! What are the important economic issues for you and your family to consider? How does continuous war abroad affect our lives here at home? Our massive vote in November in support of our economic interests, can really make a change! Not a phony rhetoric (Obama) for change without any substantial change in the status quo.
THE REAL DIFFERENCE!!
Key Issue Position Comparison
(The following link is for a nice graphical view:)
http://www.therealdifference.org/issues.html
For a more detailed view in a printable format:
http://www.therealdifference.org/print.html
Check out the othermaterial regarding the Green Party at:
http://www.gp.org