New Ground
111
March - April, 2007
Contents
- George Becker
- Ruth Young
- Why We Need Socialism in America
- Death Penalty
- "Single Payer" Bill Introduced
New Ground 111.1 - 03.29.2007
0. DSA News
Picket at Oak Park McDonald's
Yolanda Hall
1. Politics
Keep Us Connected
The Guv's Campaign for Health Care
Replace Dr. Simon
2. Upcoming Events of Interest
New Ground
111.2 - 04.09.2007
0. DSA News
GOP DSA and Friends Picket McDonald's
Chicago DSA Executive Committee
1. Politics
Immokalee Victory Celebration
Keep Us Connected Coalition Lobby Day
2. Upcoming Events of Interest
New Ground
111.3 - 04.18.2007
0. DSA News
Where Do We Go From Here?
Election in Oak Park
1. Politics
Dr. Young Resigns from the Campaign
for Better Health Care Board
Lobby Days
2. Upcoming Events of Interest
New Ground
111.4 - 04.28.2007
0. DSA News
49th Debs Thomas Harrington
Dinner
Executive Committee
1. Politics
May Day Updates
Protesting Peter Pace
2. Upcoming Events of Interest
The
Estate Tax: Power, Privilege and Class
by Bill Barclay
Before you read any further, ask yourself:
did you pay any wealth tax last year? If yes, how much?
If you answered no this question, let
me ask another: do you own or rent a house or an apartment? Did
you or your landlord pay any property taxes?
Unless you are very unusual, you did
pay some property taxes, either directly as a home owner or indirectly
though your rent. And property taxes are taxes on wealth.
One of the successes of the right wing
has been to define only the Estate Tax as a wealth tax then to
suggest that it is unfair. Part of this effort has been to re-label
the Estate Tax as the "Death Tax," but it is perhaps
better labeled the "Paris Hilton Tax." Sometimes this
"unfairness" is alleged because only some people pay
it. At other times, despite the inconsistency, it is "unfair"
because it will force many people to deny their heirs the benefits
of the labor of a lifetime, forcing the next generation to "make
it on its own."
My first point, then, is that we do
tax wealth, both annually and at death. My second point, however,
is that, yes, we do tax wealth unfairly but the inequity
is not the one that right wing bloviators like to talk about.
The unfairness resides in the disproportionate burden we place
on property taxes rather than the broader Estate Tax.
It's useful to start with some basics
about our two wealth taxes. Nationally, property taxes raise
about $275 - 300 billion/year. The "Paris Hilton Tax"
raises about $25 billion/year. While virtually all real property
is subject to the annual property tax (there are exceptions for
religious and charitable institutions), very few estates are
subject to the Estate Tax. As of 2006, an estate, after deducting
charitable and certain other contributions, had to exceed $2,000,000
($4,000,000 for a couple) to pay any Estate Tax at all. In 2006,
only 1 estate in every 400 exceeded this trigger point. And remember,
the Estate Tax is levied only on the value of the estate that
exceeds the $2 million ($4 million) minimum. Thus in 2006 an
estate valued at $3 million would pay a tax of $460,000, passing
$2,540,000 directly to the heir(s). Of course, what has the apologists
for Paris Hilton exercised is the fact that most of the Estate
Tax (about 80%) is paid by many fewer estates, the approximately
1 of every 750 estates that, in 2006, were valued at more than
$22 million. Thus in the case of a $30 million estate, the heirs
would receive "only" $17,120,000, barely enough to
achieve Paris's standard of living.
Given the above, it is not surprising
that the $500 million that has been spent in the more than decade-long
campaign against the Estate Tax comes from 18 families whose
aggregate wealth is almost $20 billion and who are looking to
evade over $9 billion in Estate Taxes. Think about that the next
time you buy a can of Campbell's soup, reach for a Mars candy
bar, decide to save money by shopping at Wal-Mart, talk to that
Amway rep or shop at Nordstrom's.
Currently the Estate Tax raises about
$25 billion/year, not a lot, perhaps, but as an Illinois senator
once said, a billion here, a billion there and pretty soon you're
talking about real money. Even at current levels the Estate Tax
would finance the budget of the EPA or two IRS budgets. However
today's Estate Tax levy is not the end to the story. Because
of the large amount of wealth accumulated over the past few decades,
the amount that the Estate Tax, even as currently configured,
will generate over the next 10 to 30 years will increase significantly,
rising 5 to 10 fold. By 2020, United for a Fair Economy estimates
that the Estate Tax could have generated a cumulative $1 trillion.
Even under the most pessimistic Social Security scenarios, this
amount would go a long ways towards covering the shortfall. Of
course, there are many other socially productive uses to which
that amount of money could also be applied.
Now to my second point, the fundamental
unfairness of our wealth tax and what we should do to change
it. Our annual levy on wealth, the property tax, as currently
constituted, is profoundly regressive in nature. This wealth
tax that most of us pay, assessed against the building in which
we live, targets the asset that constitutes the bulk of total
wealth for most Americans. Primary residence is half or more
of total net worth for almost all US households up to about
the 95th percentile of net worth. Above that level, however,
the story changes dramatically; primary residence becomes less
and less important in total net worth while financial assets
(stocks and bonds) become increasingly important. Among the top
2% of households by net worth, primary residence drops to 5%
or less of total wealth.
If we added a broad wealth tax, say
a 2% levy on only the top 1% of wealth households, we would generate
about $200 billion annually. What could we do with $200 billion?
We could, for example, fully fund Social Security with enough
left over for universal health care. We could create a wealth
stake that all high school graduates would receive a their majority.
Or, of course, we could pay for a year in Iraq and have perhaps
$100 billion left over hmmmm, maybe not such a good idea.
The benefits of a wealth tax go beyond
the economics of fairness. FDR said it well:
"Great accumulations of wealth
cannot be justified on the basis of personal and family security.Such
inherited economic power is as inconsistent with the ideals of
this generation as inherited political power was inconsistent
with the ideals of the generation which established our government."
The crucial point here is that the intergenerational
transmission of privilege and access to political power that
great wealth brings is corrosive to the future of our democracy.
Great agglomerations of wealth allow a few to contribute large
amounts to political campaigns, assuring post-election access
and attention, raising the costs of seeking office and reducing
the opportunities for many who, absent the high cost of electoral
success, might make outstanding political leaders. These agglomerations
of wealth also shape our culture, usually in negative ways. Consumption
patterns of the very wealthy set the standards for others, even
if we have to accept smaller pools, knock off Rolexes, etc.
What should we do? First, we should
actively defend the current Estate Tax, lobbying our senators
and representatives to oppose any efforts to reduce or eliminate
it. Second, we can join United for a Fair Economy (www.faireconomy.org
), a group that has led the way in opposing the efforts of the
Waltons, Dorrences, Nordstrom's etc. to repeal the tax. In so
doing we will become allies with Bill Gates Sr. and Warren Buffet.
Third, and over the long run I think most important, we should
begin talking about a fair and comprehensive wealth tax.
Of course a comprehensive wealth tax
is not on the agenda of any national political leader today,
but neither were most of the now-adopted conservative policies
on the agendas of national leaders in the past. We need to reshape
the (non)discussion about class that occurs in the U.S. conservatives
and even many liberals are comfortable talking about raising
the standard of living, assuring educational opportunities for
all, and the need to be competitive in today's world and
stopping any conversation about inequality at that point. All
of these may be good goals, although if everyone has a PhD would
there be any less inequality than today? After all, as the overall
educational level has increased during the past decades, so has
the level of inequality. To focus on these policies obscures
the class and the inequality of wealth that lies at the roots
of class power and privilege and that is an increasing threat
to our democracy and our society. We must open up that conversation
and debate.
Editor's Note: Chicago DSA is proud
to be a member organization of United for a Fair Economy.
You
Are Invited
by Bob Roman
The 49th Annual Debs Thomas
Harrington Dinner will be held on Friday evening, May 4th, at
the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza
. Befitting the ongoing decay of the conservative hegemony in
our country, the theme of this year's dinner is, "Where
Do We Go From Here?" Addressing that question will be
our two honorees, Leo Gerard, President of the United
Steel Workers union, and Josh Hoyt, Executive Director
of the Illinois Coalition for
Immigrant and Refugee Rights , and a very special guest,
Saul Escobar Toledo, International Secretary of the Mexican Democratic Revolution Party
. A
flyer with all the essential information accompanies this issue
of New Ground.
49 years, in Chicago, qualifies as a
tradition. And I think this one is worth preserving. Political
dinners are a dime a dozen (albeit considerably more expensive
to attend), and awards dinners are almost as common as springtime
dandelions. There are even two local awards named after DSA members:
Citizen Action's
Milton Cohen Award and the Crossroads
Fund's Ron Sable Award. The Debs Thomas Harrington
Dinner's distinction is that almost from the very beginning it
was an event much larger than its sponsoring organization. In
a very real way, DSA does not own this event so much as
we preside over an event that properly belongs to the
labor movement and to Chicago's democratic left.
In 1958, of course, DSA did not exist.
This Debs Dinner was begun by the newly merged Socialist
Party Social Democratic Federation as part of a much older
tradition, dating back at least to the 1920s, of celebrating
Debs' birthday in November. This was done much the same way Democrats
once had Andrew Jackson Day dinners or the Republicans had Lincoln
dinners. But by 1958, Debs belonged to more than just the miniscule
Socialist Party thus so did this Dinner.
Much of the history of this event can
be found on our web site, http://www.chicagodsa.org/dthdin.html
. It is a work in progress. We have absolutely no information
regarding 3 years: 1967, 1962, and (ironically) the first Dinner
in 1958. Though I expect a FOIA query to the FBI might provide
the basics for 1958, at least. We'd appreciate any information
on these missing years (and others, particularly in the 1960s)
that you might have. We'll continue adding web pages for each
year as time allows.
Traditions are living things, not preserved
like dried leaves between musty pages, so your participation
is absolutely essential. Be there, if you can; the community
of people is fun, the speakers are interesting and entertaining,
and it raises a bit of money for a good cause. See you there!
Other
News
Compiled by Bob Roman
George Becker
George Becker, the immediate past President
of the United Steelworkers of America, died on February 2nd of
prostrate cancer. In 1997, George Becker and James Weinstein
were honorees of the Debs - Thomas
- Harrington Dinner (see New Ground
52, "The 39th Annual Dinner Makes the Organization
Proud"). Becker was the first Steelworker to be an honoree
at the Dinner, though Lynn Williams spoke at 1987
Dinner honoring Jacquelyne Grimshaw and Heather Booth. Here
is the text of Becker's award:
"You have spent a lifetime fighting
for economic justice.
"From your days on the shop floor
at Granite City Steel and Dow Chemical, you have demonstrated
your commitment to building a strong labor movement.
"Your pioneer work in establishing
protections against exposure to toxic substances is a testament
to your concern for workers' well-being.
"Your leadership in the struggle
to bring Ravenswood Aluminum to its knees and 1,600 workers back
to their jobs is a tribute to your tenacity.
"And your recent leadership in
the struggle to secure a contract for your members at Bridgestone-Firestone
demonstrates your understanding of the need for global solidarity
and your vision of a world in which working people can achieve
economic and social justice.
"For this lifetime of work dedicated
to building a better world, the Debs Thomas Harrington
Dinner Committee is proud to present you with its 1997 award."
Ruth Young
Ruth Young had been the managing editor of The
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists . She was the editor
of a literary magazine, Primavera. She was also married
to Dr. Quentin Young. She died on January 27. A memorial service
is planned for April 14, 10 AM, at Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th
St, Chicago. For more information, contact Rebekah Cohen, 312.372.4292.
Why We Need Socialism
in America
This is old news for those of you receiving the email editions
of New Ground
, but with the kind cooperation of Dissent
Magazine , we have posted a PDF format copy of Michael
Harrington's classic 1970 booklet, Why We Need Socialism in
America, on our web site. The URL is http://www.chicagodsa.org/socialism.pdf
. While it hardly qualifies as "hot" by web standards,
it has been generating around 400 or more downloads per month,
at least half via the Dissent web site. If that's not
enough to move you mouse potatoes, we've also posted new audio
recordings, including a debate between Norman Thomas and Barry
Goldwater from late 1962 or early 1963. For a complete audio
listing, go to http://www.chicagodsa.org
/audarch.html.
Death Penalty
A bill to abolish the death penalty in Illinois was introduced
in the State Senate by Senator Mattie Hunter on February 7. The
legislation, SB0328, amends various Acts to abolish the death
penalty, provides that on or after the effective date of this
legislation, no person may be executed. It requires re-sentencing
of those already sentenced to death. It would be effective immediately
upon signing by the Governor. What more needs be said, you might
think, but the death penalty is so woven into criminal law that
the bill runs over 160 pages. The Senate sponsors of the bill
are Rickey Hendon, Mattie Hunter, Jacqueline Y. Collins, and
Kwame Raoul. Assigned to the Judiciary Criminal Law Committee
(where Senator Raoul is the Vice-Chair), the first hearing was
scheduled for March 13.
The Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty has published
its 2007 Annual Report. This is not a "state of the
organization" and thank you to donors but rather a review
of the state of executions in Illinois and related issues (such
as mental illness and disability). It's available in PDF format
at http://www.icadp.org .
"Single Payer"
Bill Introduced
At the end of January, Representative Mary Flowers introduced
HB0311, the "Healthy Illinois Act". At the time, it
was purely a "title" bill, an empty legislative vehicle
awaiting content. The bill is currently being given the content
of a state run universal health insurance bill, aka "single
payer". Representative Mike Boland has been added as the
Chief Co-Sponsor, and the bill is currently referred to the House
Executive Committee. The content of HB0311 is not presently available
through the State web site, but can be obtained at http://www.pnhp.org/ilcoalition/hcaiact.pdf.
Details of Governor Blagojevich's "Illinois Covered"
health plan can be found at http://www.illinoiscovered.com
. The "Get Involved" page, incidentally, has great
links for media addresses and legislators that could be used
just as easily for HB0311.
|
New
Ground #111.1
03.29.2007
Contents
0. DSA News
Picket at Oak Park McDonald's
Yolanda Hall
1. Politics
Keep Us Connected
The Guv's Campaign for Health Care
Replace Dr. Simon
2. Upcoming Events of Interest
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DSA News
Picket at Oak Park McDonald's
Tom Broderick
In advance of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' Truth Tour
2007's arrival here in Chicago, GOP DSA is organizing an informational
picket of the newly re-opened McDonald's at 111 Madison Street,
just east of Oak Park Village Hall. This will be on Tuesday,
April 3rd, from noon to 1 p.m. on the sidewalk in front of
McDonald's. Help make this a success.
We will present position statement letters
to the McDonald's manager. On the street, we'll hand out information
about the CIW / Taco Bell arrangement, and about the April 13th
and 14th events. We want to promote the Coalition and the April
13th and 14th events. We want to shine a light on the abuse.
I would really appreciate hearing from you as to whether or
not you will walk with us. Call or e-mail me. Let's bring
the McDonald's Corporation to justice. Home: 708 386 6007; Work:
708 938 1546; Work e-mail: tbroderick@printarts.com.
Yolanda Hall
Bob Roman
Yolanda Hall was presented with the Olga Madar Award at the Chicago
Coalition of Labor Union Women's annual dinner. The award was
presented in recognition of her lifetime work as a trade unionist
and as an advocate for women's participation in their unions.
The event was on March 22nd. We're very sorry we were not aware
of it sooner as we'd have loved to let you know in advance. But,
belatedly, congratulations Yolanda Hall!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Politics
Keep Us Connected
Bob Roman
You may have seen the TV ads excoriating greedy cable companies,
asking you to help free consumers oppressed by monopoly
power. It's hard not to be sympathetic. Especially if you live
way downstate where all utility charges tend to be amazing compared
to Chicago. And there is the "Gee Whiz" factor, too.
Isn't it amazing how far you can push twisted-pair copper wire?
But before you sign on to support HB 1500, remember that while
the large print giveth, the small print taketh away.
The major problem with the proposed
legislation is a lack of any protection of public, educational,
and government ("PEG") programming currently required
of cable franchisees. Illinois is not unique. AT&T has gotten
nine other states to pass similar legislation, and in none of
those states has AT&T hooked up any "PEG" channels.
For more information, and to email your
state legislator, check out the "Keep Us Connected Coalition"
web site:
http://www.keepusconnected.org
The Guv's Campaign for Health
Care
Bob Roman
Chicago DSA is supporting the "Single Payer" health
insurance bill before the Illinois General Assembly, HB 311 (see
http://www.pnhp.org/ilcoalition),
but any noise in favor of a universal plan, even one essentially
flawed as the Guv's is, is a good thing, perhaps. It's a good
plan for Wall Street with some trickle down for the rest of us
In any case Governor Blagojevich is doing a tour of the state
to tout his plan. They're asking for folks wishing to participate
in the rallies to RSVP at http://rsvp.illinois.gov.
The schedule is:
- Monday April 2, 9:30 am, Chicago -
Navy Pier (South Side, Bollard 36), 600 E. Grand Ave. Call 312-491-8161
to RSVP
- Monday April 2, 4:45 pm, Moline - The
Mark of the Quad Cities, 1201 River Dr., Moline, IL
- Tuesday April 3, 5:00 pm, Quincy- At
Adams Park, N Front St and Hampshire St, Quincy, IL (Rain Site:
Oakley-Lindsay Center, 300 Civic Center Plaza, Quincy)
- Wednesday April 4, 1:00 pm, Alton -
Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square, Landmarks Blvd and Piasa St, Alton,
IL (Rain Site: Alton City Hall, 101 E. Third, Alton)
- Wednesday April 4, 4:45 pm, Marion-
Marion Town Square Plaza, W Main St and Route 13, Marion, IL
(Rain Site: Marion Civic Center, 800 Tower Square Plaza, Marion)
- Thursday, April 5, 5:00 pm, Danville
- Laura Lee Fellowship House, 212 E. Williams St, Danville, IL
Replace Dr. Simon
Michael Baker
The National Nurses Organizing Committee has a hearing before
the Cook County Board, Tuesday, April 3rd at 10 AM at 118
N Clark St, 5th Floor and is asking for supporters to attend
the meeting. Obviously, this time is an inconvenient one for
most people, but, if anyone is able to attend, please do so.
Also please forward this info to any people or groups you feel
would be interested.
The nurses union also has a petition
drive to oust Dr. Robert Simon. Eight Health Clinics, including
all school based clinics, are slated to close by April 7th! By
gutting primary care, Dr. Robert Simon has shown an indifference
to the health and well being of the residents of Cook County.
Dr. Simon must go! For more information, go to:
http://www.calnurses.org/media-center/press-releases/2007/march/page.jsp?itemID=30058874
Sign the online petition today and ask
others to join you in saving Cook County health services!
http://ga1.org/campaign/replace_simon_petition
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Upcoming Events of Interest
Events listed here are not necessarily
endorsed by Chicago DSA but should be of interest to DSA members,
friends and other lefties. For other events, go to http://www.chicagodsa.org/page9.html.
Friday, March 30, 7 PM
War and Fleece
Palatine Township Democrats, 1310 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine
Video of author Naomi Klein's presentation on how economic "shock
therapy" backfired in Iraq. For more information, go to
http://www.palatinedemocrats.com/upcomingevents.html
Friday Saturday, March 30
31
Illinois Coalition for Peace
and Justice 2007 Conference
Champaign Urbana Holiday Inn, 1001 Kilarney St, Urbana
Keynote address by Tom Hayden on Friday evening. For more information,
go to http://www.ilcpj.org/conference07
Saturday, March 31, 2 PM
Making Another World Possible
In These Times, 2040 N. Milwaukee, 2nd Floor, Chicago
Open University of the Left presents author John Ross. Tuition
is $5 but no one is turned away. For more information, go to
http://www.openuniversityoftheleft.org
Wednesday, April 4, 5 PM
Stop Profiteering Off War
Daley Plaza, Washington and Dearborn, Chicago
Chicagoans fed up with the war will be protesting against businesses
cashing in on it, most especially Boeing. Rally at Daley Plaza
followed by a march to Boeing headquarters. For more information,
email kickboeingtothecurb@gmail.com
Thursday, April 5, 7 PM
Fair Food
In These Times, 2040 N. Milwaukee, 2nd Floor, Chicago
Open University of the Left presents farm worker activist Cruz
Salucio Perez of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. He will
speak about their current campaign on behalf of tomato pickers
directed at McDonalds. Tuition is $5 but no one is turned away.
For more information, go to http://www.openuniversityoftheleft.org
|
New
Ground #111.2
04.09.2007
Contents
0. DSA News
GOP DSA and Friends Picket McDonald's
Chicago DSA Executive Committee
1. Politics
Immokalee Victory Celebration
Keep Us Connected Coalition Lobby Day
2. Upcoming Events of Interest
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DSA News
GOP DSA and Friends Picket McDonald's
Some 16 people came out to the
informational picket at the Oak Park McDonald's in support of
CIW's 2007 Truth Tour. Participants handed flyers to customers
(few pedestrians) describing the plight of tomato-pickers, and
what we are asking McDonald's to do that will improve conditions.
The majority of participants were from religious denominations
(Unitarian Universalists and Catholics in particular) as the
original impetus for the picket came from the CIW "Partners
in Faith" conference for the religious community held in
Oak Park on March 3rd. GOP DSA members had contributed to the
organizing of that event as well.
Chicago DSA Executive Committee
Just a reminder: the Chicago
DSA Executive Committee meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month;
the next meeting is Tuesday, April 10, at the Chicago DSA office,
1608 N. Milwaukee, Room 403 in Chicago. All DSA members are welcome
to attend. (It is a committee meeting, but we don't limit
members to just spectating.) For more information, email us or
call 773.384.0327.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Politics
Immokalee Victory Celebration
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers
and McDonald's have announced an agreement:
- One penny more per pound for workers;
- Stronger code of conduct based on the
principle of worker participation;
- Collaborative development of a third-party
mechanism for monitoring conditions in the fields.
At press time, the Friday and Saturday
events were still scheduled to take place, though the Friday
suburban event may be moved from the McDonald's headquarters
and the Saturday downtown Chicago event will not include a march
to a McDonald's. Check the CIW web site or Chicago DSA's events
page (http://www.chicagodsa.org/page9.html)
as we will update it as details become available.
Burger King is next.
For more information, go to http://www.ciw-online.org
Keep Us Connected Coalition
Lobby Day
The "Keep Us Connected
Coalition" has announced a lobby day in Springfield for
April 18. The Coalition was formed in response to HB 1500, a
bill favored by AT&T that would essentially deprive public
access cable programming of its means of support. The coalition
has a bus that will leave from Chicago for Springfield, but if
you can't go, you can still lobby the legislature by calling
your representative's office. For more information, go to: http://www.keepusconnected.org/
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Upcoming Events of Interest
Events listed here are not necessarily
endorsed by Chicago DSA but should be of interest to DSA members,
friends and other lefties. For other events, go to http://www.chicagodsa.org/page9.html.
Wednesday, April 11, 5 PM
Cindy Sheehan in Chicago
Grace Place, 637 S. Dearborn, Chicago
Come hear peace activist Cindy Sheehan talk about an immediate
end to war funding, the threat of war on Iran, and impeaching
Bush. For more information, go to http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/76962/index.php
or http://www.ilcpj.org/actions/details/?id=227
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 13
15
Alternatives to Empire
UIC College of Medicine, Chicago
The 4th Latin American Solidarity Conference. For more information,
go to http://www.lasolidarity.org/lasc4/index.html
Sunday, April 15, 5 PM
Protocols of Zion
New World Resource Center, 1300
N. Western, Chicago
Marc Levin's new documentary on modern anti-Semitism. The showing
marks Yom Hashoah, the day of remembrance of the Holocaust
& the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. For information,
call 773.227.4011
Monday, April 16, 5 PM
Matewan
Hull House, 800 S. Halsted, Chicago
John Sayles drama of coal mine strikers in 1920s West Virginia;
discussion follows with UIC Prof Bill Ayers
|
New
Ground #111.3
04.18.2007
Contents
0. DSA News
Where Do We Go From Here?
Election in Oak Park
1. Politics
Dr. Young Resigns from the Campaign
for Better Health Care Board
Lobby Days
2. Upcoming Events of Interest
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DSA News
Where Do We Go From Here?
Bob Roman
Let's be clear. The 2006 elections were far more ambiguous that
us folks on the left would like. It's as true, or more, that
conservatives lost the election than it is the center/left won.
This makes considering where we go from here an important topic,
and it's one of several reasons why I hope you'll attend this
year's Debs Thomas Harrington Dinner. The other reasons
are our honorees: Leo Gerard, President of the United
Steelworkers, and Josh Hoyt, Director of the Illinois
Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights, both of whom will
share their perspectives on the question. And to add an international
dimension to the topic, we're looking forward to hearing from
the International Secretary of the Mexican Democratic Revolution
Party, Saul Escobar Toledo.
The Dinner will be on Friday evening,
May 4, at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza (http://www.martplaza.com),
350 N. Orleans, in Chicago. Tickets are $60, but you need to
reserve them by May 1 (the hotel wants to know how many are coming).
If you want to show the flag in the Dinner program book, the
deadline for copy is April 25.
A flyer in PDF format with more details
(and a reply coupon) is available at http://www.chicagodsa.org/d2007/flyer49.pdf
Or go to http://www.chicagodsa.org/d2007/index.html
or email chiildsa@chicagodsa.org
or call 773.384.0327 for more information or with any questions.
This will be a great event. It could
mark, with your assistance, the beginning of a new and hopeful
period in American politics. I hope you'll join us on May 4th.
Election in Oak Park
Tom Broderick
In Oak Park, the Village
Citizens Alliance (VCA) was soundly beaten in the race for
Village Board Trustees. We were beaten by a ratio of between
3:1 and 4:1, coming in a distant 2nd in a contest featuring three
slates. The Venal Marauders Association (VMA, aka Village
Managers Association), the slate bought and paid for by the developers
of downtown Oak Park, won all four seats.
The VCA slate included Gary Schwab,
a DSA Comrade. Chicago DSA
endorsed his candidacy and some of our members held a fund
raising hootenanny in the home of Ron Baiman. Our membership
raised over $500.00 in individual contributions for the campaign
and several members of the Greater Oak Park branch of DSA worked
in the campaign.
We were out-spent and out-trooped. The
VMA had a run of over 50 years of constant power until the election
of 2005, when they lost every board seat they ran for. This loss
came primarily because of a back door deal with a wealthy developer
to build a high rise rental housing project in Oak Park. The
tax-payers of Oak Park subsidized this project to the tune of
at least $10 million: tax-payer money to subsidize the haves
and the have-mores.
Since that loss, there have been two
years of turmoil on the Board and the people of Oak Park are
not used to this. The local papers have made much of this divisiveness
- the result of an actually more diverse Board. During this election
cycle, the Wednesday Journal (the local village paper),
primarily through columnists, urged a return to VMA management.
The VMA responded to their historic
loss in 2005 by doing a great job of organizing and fund-raising.
They reported raising over $70,000 for this election, which is
a staggering sum of money for our Village Board elections. They
have also been investigated for not reporting where some of their
money has come from.
In the defeat speeches last night, Schwab
used the words "class war," which is not an expression
often heard in local politics. He also wrote all but one of the
position papers for the slate. These were published in the Wednesday
Journal, week after week. Jim Balanoff, another VCA candidate
also raised the issue of labor problems between Village Management
and the labor unions working for us in the Village.
The VCA platform - and only the VCA
platform - included positions on labor that our candidates agreed
to support. These included an acceptance of the arbitration process,
which Village Management routinely disregards. Instead, they
hire an outside law firm to fight arbitration. Oak Park tax dollars
used to attack an agreed upon settlement process.
The people of Oak Park - at least those
who voted - voted for a return to smooth Board operations. The
VMA promised that and the voters delivered. When the VMA operates
as usual, will the voters rise up in anger again?
My what sharp teeth you have Grandma!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Politics
Dr. Young Resigns from the Campaign
for Better Health Care Board
Bob Roman
Dr. Quentin Young has resigned from the Campaign
for Better Health Care (CBHC) Board of Directors. His letter
of resignation cited political differences over health care legislation
now supported by the CBHC:
"You can imagine, therefore, the
deep sadness with which I leave, primarily because this long
time vanguard organization for true health reform has found it
necessary to take a different path. This is particularly discouraging
because, after years of struggle, it is clear that the United
States is moving faster than ever towards the single-payer solution,
eliminating the malignant effect that private insurance inflicts
on any health system. The declaration, at long last, of the AFL-CIO
support of the single-payer program is a vital breakthrough that
harbingers hope for the American people's desire for a decent
system.
"The Campaign itself still acknowledges
that the single-payer solution is the best one, yet finds it
necessary to support measures that, I assure you, will fail.
We all are aware of the enormous power of the purse and the propaganda
of our opponents. I fear their worldview has contaminated CBHC
and blunted its progressive role."
Lobby Days
These are good days to write
or call your state representative and state senator. The Keep
Us Connected Coalition is in Springfield today arguing against
AT&T's HB1500, a bill the Coalition feels would gut public
access television. For more information go to http://www.keepusconnected.org
The Illinois Coalition to Abolish the
Death Penalty will be in Springfield tomorrow, April 19, to persuade
legislators to support SB 328. For more information, go to http://www.icadp.org
The Illinois House's Health Access Committee
will be holding hearings on HB 311, the "Single Payer"
universal health insurance bill introduced by Representative
Mary Flowers. The Illinois Single Payer Coalition is urging folks
to call their legislators in support of this bill over Blagojevich's
SB 5, "Illinois Covered". While the site is still under
construction, you can find information about both bills at http://www.healthcareforallillinois.org
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Upcoming Events of Interest
Events listed here are not necessarily
endorsed by Chicago DSA but should be of interest to DSA members,
friends and other lefties. For other events, go to http://www.chicagodsa.org/page9.html.
Thursday, April 19, 7 PM
The Making of an Activist
In These Times, 2040 N. Milwaukee, 2nd Floor, Chicago
Joan Brunwasser will speak on "The Making of an Activist".
An Open University of the Left session. For more information,
go to http://www.openuniversityoftheleft.org
Saturday, April 21, 6:30 PM
Organizing Palestinian Farmers
for Fair Trade
Grace Place, 637 South Dearborn, Chicago
Reception at 6:30, Program at 7. $5 contribution. Sponsored by
the Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine, for information
see http://www.geocities.com/cjpipwebsite/
Thursday, April 24, 4 PM
Push & Pull: Free Trade
and the Immigration Debate
UIC Student Center, 750 S. Halsted, Room 713, Chicago
Hear David Bacon and Juan Manuel Sandoval. Sponsored by UIC Center
for Labor Education, Chicago Center for Working Class Studies.
See http://www.workingclassstudies.org/
Thursday, April 24, 6 PM
Take Back the Night Rally
Bartlett Quad, 57th Street and S. University Av, Chicago
Rally to raise awareness against women, children, and families,
and to empower people to feel safe in their communities. Co-sponsored
by Chicago NOW, for more information, go to http://www.chicagonow.org/events.php
Saturday, April 28, 9 AM to 12:30 PM
Health Care Chutes and Ladders
Oak Brook Park District, 1450 Forest Gate Rd, Oak Brook
A summit on fixing the ups and downs of the health care system.
Co-sponsored by the Campaign for Better Health Care and Social
Justice Ministry of the Union Church of Hinsdale. Reservations
requested, call Sue Ellen at 312.913.9449 or email sschumacher@cbhconline.org
Saturday, April 28, 2 PM
Revel with a Cause
In These Times, 2040 N. Milwaukee, 2nd Floor, Chicago
Stephen Kercher will speak on the history of American political
and cultural satire during the Cold War. An Open University of
the Left session, go to http://www.openuniversityoftheleft.org
for more information.
Sunday, April 29, 2 PM
"In Debt We Trust"
Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park
A showing of the film In Debt We Trust. Co-sponsored by
the Oak Park Coalition for Truth and Justice, go to http://www.opctj.org
Tuesday, May 1, 10 AM
May Day March and Rallies
for Immigrant Rights
Union Park, Ashland & Washington, Chicago
Beginning with a rally at Union Park, ending with a rally at
2 PM in Grant Park, Balbo and Columbus. For more information,
go to http://www.movimiento10demarzo.org/
Tuesday May 1, 11 AM
May Day Rally
At the Haymarket Memorial, DesPlaines Ave between Randolph and
Lake, Chicago
An International Labor Day rally for passage of the Employee
Free Choice Act and for gaining legal rights for immigrant workers.
Sponsored by the Chicago Federation of Labor, Illinois Labor
History Society, and others.
Thursday, May 3, 7 PM
"American Jobs"
In These Times, 2040 N. Milwaukee, 2nd Floor, Chicago
A showing of the documentary American Jobs, followed by
a discussion led by James Thindwa. An Open University of the
Left session, go to http://www.openuniversityoftheleft.org
Friday, May 4, 6 PM
Where Do We Go From Here?
Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago
The 49th Annual Debs Thomas Harrington Dinner, honoring
Leo Gerard and Josh Hoyt. Tickets $60 if reserved by May 1. For
information, go to http://www.chicagodsa.org/d2007
|
New
Ground #111.4
04.28.2007
Contents
0. DSA News
49th Debs Thomas Harrington
Dinner
Executive Committee
1. Politics
May Day Updates
Protesting Peter Pace
2. Upcoming Events of Interest
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DSA News
49th Debs Thomas
Harrington Dinner
It is NOT too late to get tickets
to this year's Dinner! Simply email us or give us a call at 773.384.0327.
We need to know your name and address and how many tickets you'll
need. You can mail us the payment or pay at the door. Tickets
are $60, though if you simply show up, unannounced, at the door,
we'll have a limited number available at $70. No plastic, sorry;
cash, checks or money orders only. For more information, go to:
http://www.chicagodsa.org/d2007/index.html
Executive Committee
A reminder for DSA members,
the Chicago DSA Executive Committee meets on the 2nd Tuesday
of each month. The next meeting will be May 8, 7 PM, at the Chicago
DSA office, 1608 N. Milwaukee, Room 403, Chicago. This is on
the 4th floor of the Northwest Tower Building at the 3-way intersection
of Milwaukee, Damen, and North avenues.
All DSA members are welcome to attend,
and this meeting may be of particular interest. We will be reviewing
the Debs Dinner, of course, and just where that leaves us financially
and, in that context, the now perennial question of the office.
The National Office has asked us to represent DSA at the upcoming
United for Peace and Justice convention in Chicago next June,
and we'll be planning Chicago DSA's annual membership convention
for that month also.
And speaking of the membership convention,
there will be two positions open on the Executive Committee for
2-year terms: the male Co-Chair and secretary. The female Co-Chair
position is currently vacant and could be filled for a 1-year
term.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Politics
May Day Updates
Chicago DSA endorsed the Chicago
labor rally at the Haymarket Memorial and the Immigrants' Rights
march for that day. We also sent out a fairly sizable postcard
mailing advertising these events. The day after the last of the
mailing went out, the times and some of the locations changed.
Most significantly, the labor rally
at the Haymarket Memorial (DesPlaines Avenue between Randolph
and Lake) is now set for 12:30 PM, rather than 11 AM as we had
advertised.
The Immigrants' Rights rallies and march
is still scheduled to begin at 10 AM in Union Park, but route
seems to have changed and, in any case, it is now scheduled to
end with a rally at Daley Plaza (Washington and Dearborn) at
3 PM, rather than the original Grant Park location. For links,
see:
http://www.chicagodsa.org/page9.html
Protest Peter Pace
(Try saying that a dozen times
quickly!) Peter Pace is the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff. Aside from arguably being a candidate for trial as
a war criminal (along with many others) as part of the whole
Iraq fiasco, he is also an outspoken homophobe, supporting the
ban on lesbians and gays in the military and calling such folks
"immoral".
Truly, if the "right to keep and
bear arms" is to have any meaning in today's society, lesbians,
gays, geezers, and the "differently abled" must not
be excluded from the military!
In any case, Chicago DSA has endorsed
a call by the LGBT Liberation Network to protest General Pace's
appearance at a University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
affair .
The protest will be Friday, May 18,
11 AM, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 151 E. Wacker Dr, in Chicago.
For more information on the protest,
email LGBTliberation@aol.com
or phone 773.209.1187.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Upcoming Events of Interest
Events listed here are not necessarily
endorsed by Chicago DSA but should be of interest to DSA members,
friends and other lefties. For other events, go to http://www.chicagodsa.org/page9.html.
Sunday, April 29, 2 PM
"In Debt We Trust"
Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park
A showing of the film In Debt We Trust. Co-sponsored by
the Oak Park Coalition for Truth and Justice, go to http://www.opctj.org
Tuesday, May 1, 10 AM
May Day March and Rallies
for Immigrant Rights
Union Park, Ashland & Washington, Chicago
Beginning with a rally at Union Park, ending with a rally at
3 PM in Daley Plaza, Washington and Dearborn. For more information,
go to http://www.movimiento10demarzo.org/
Tuesday May 1, 12:30 PM
May Day Rally
At the Haymarket Memorial, DesPlaines Ave between Randolph and
Lake, Chicago
An International Labor Day rally for passage of the Employee
Free Choice Act and for gaining legal rights for immigrant workers.
Sponsored by the Chicago Federation of Labor, Illinois Labor
History Society, and others. See http://www.chicagolabor.org
Tuesday, May 1, 4:30 PM
Protest Boeing's Participation
in Militarizing the Border
Boeing HQ, 100 N. Riverside Plaza, Chicago
For more information, http://kickboeingtothecurb.wordpress.com/
Thursday, May 3, 7 PM
"American Jobs"
In These Times, 2040 N. Milwaukee, 2nd Floor, Chicago
A showing of the documentary American Jobs, followed by
a discussion led by James Thindwa. An Open University of the
Left session, go to http://www.openuniversityoftheleft.org
Friday, May 4, 6 PM
Where Do We Go From Here?
Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago
The 49th Annual Debs Thomas Harrington Dinner, honoring
Leo Gerard and Josh Hoyt. Tickets $60 if reserved by May 1. A
limited number of tickets will be available for $70 at the door.
For information, go to http://www.chicagodsa.org/d2007
Friday, May 18, 11 AM
Protest General Peter Pace
Hyatt Regency Hotel, 151 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago
For more information, email LGBTliberation@aol.com
or phone 773.209.1187.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE
FORWARD
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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