New Ground 125
July - August, 2009
Contents
New Ground
125.1 - 07.31.2009
0. DSA News
Meetings
New Ground
Red Letter
1. Politics
Health Insurance Reform
2. Democratic Socialism
Harrington Symposium
Porto Alegre
Why Obama Is Not a Socialist
3. Upcoming Events of Interest
New Ground
125.2 - 08.14.2009
0. DSA News
New Ground
Meetings
Democratic Left
1. Politics
Oak Park
Deserves a Living Wage by Tom
Broderick
TIF Sunshine Ordinance: Partly Cloudy
To Charlie: A Blessing by Hugh Iglarsh
2. Democratic Socialism
Not All Socialist Countries Are
the Same
3. Upcoming Events of Interest
New Ground
125.3 - 08.31.2009
0. DSA News
GOPDSA in the News
CDSA Membership Meeting
Housing the National Convention
New Ground
1. Politics
SK Hand Tools on Strike
Dennis Dixon
Arne Duncan Fails Again
"Single-Payer? What's It Worth to Ya?"
CAFTA's Casualties
2. Democratic Socialism
Revolution
Democratic Socialism as a Right
3. Upcoming Events of Interest
Freedom's
Just Another Word for Standing on Your Throat
by Bob Roman
Over a thousand people gathered outside
the Congress Hotel on Monday, June 15, to protest the hotel's
ongoing refusal to negotiate with UNITE HERE Local 1. The workers
at the Congress Hotel have been on strike for 6 years now. For
the scabs within, the pay and benefits they earn are said to
be unchanged from when the strike began and represent a cut in
what the workers earned prior to the strike. This strike represents
unfinished business from successful industry-wide bargaining
that Local 1 did back in 2002. The Congress Hotel separated itself
from the process and after several months of dilatory delusory
bargaining declared an impasse and imposed its own conditions.
The strike also is said to be one of
the several factors motivating the split in UNITE HERE. But if
folks from the exiting "Workers United" locals were
not obviously present at the protest, there was a sizable contingent
from SEIU. Which, if you've been following this, is now a party
to the split. It's messy, and complicated, and there are good
people on both sides of the argument, even if the eggs-on-faces
seem maldistributed to the SEIU side. UNITE HERE held its national
convention in Chicago a few weeks after this protest and gathered
broad support from the leadership of AFL-CIO unions and UNITE
HERE's (and SEIU's) fellow Change to Win unions. The convention
was another occasion for a large picket line outside the hotel.
The split in UNITE HERE comes at a particularly
bad time for Local 1. The Local has the Congress strike that,
come October, will be the longest hotel strike in the union's
history. (The exiting Workers United organizations may have some
longer strikes in their past.) But Local 1 also has the industry-wide
contracts for Chicago hotel workers expiring August 31, as well
as upcoming contracts covering food service workers and contracts
covering workers in the gaming industry in northwest Indiana.
In all, these affect some 70% of the Local 1's 14,000 members.
And then there are the organizing projects.
Union staff feel pretty strongly that the union's ability to
negotiate good deals is strongly correlated with the percentage
of the industry's workers who are organized. In Chicago, this
is about 57%, so they've been able to do reasonably well. But
go back a few decades and the percentage was over 80. The decline
has not been a loss of union shops but the expansion of Chicago's
hotel industry. Of the organizing projects currently in play,
the Blackstone Hotel has the union most particularly steamed.
A publicly financed (TIF money again) redevelopment project,
the "historic" Blackstone Hotel is run by Sage Hospitality,
a largely non-union operation, under the Marriott International
brand. The company promised neutrality if the workers wanted
a union. The hotel has not lived up to its promise, the union
feels. While Local 1 represents the workers, there has been one
decertification attempt that the union suspects to be management
inspired. And there has been at least one mass firing of 9 employees
in June. Management says it was part of an internal reorganization
related to the economic downturn. Local 1 has filed an NLRB complaint
that the workers were fired for union activity. Negotiations
continue and continue and continue toward a first contract. Local
1 has begun soliciting community support for the Blackstone workers.
In addition to a cross section of labor
and community groups, the June 15 Congress Hotel protest also
drew a bevy of politicians. Our new Governor, Pat Quinn, was
there, as well as our ambitious State Treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias.
Of somewhat greater significance were the representatives from
city hall: Aldermen Rick Munoz, Toni Preckwinkle, Joe Moore,
and Bob Fioretti. 2nd Ward Alderman Fioretti's presence was probably
the most consequential. The Congress Hotel is in the 2nd Ward
and, partly by tradition and partly by law, the local alderman
has a great deal of influence regarding zoning changes and permits.
The Congress Hotel wants both, has been denied, and is suing
Alderman Fioretti alleging their civil rights under the 14th
Amendment's equal protection clause have been violated. This
is currently being argued in court and has gotten considerable
coverage in the Chicago Journal.
The Congress Hotel also wants to expand,
and as a landmark more-or-less on the lakefront, those plans
need to be approved by the Chicago Plan Commission under the
Lakefront Protection Ordinance. The Commission was persuaded
to say no in 2008, based on a history of building code violations.
The Congress Hotel sued the city, arguing that the Commission
had no such authority under the specific provisions of the ordinance
that were cited. The Circuit Court agreed and ordered the Chicago
Plan Commission to reconsider the plans without reference to
past building code violations and the labor dispute.
On Thursday, June 18, some 70 union
members and community supporters gathered in the City Council
Chambers to witness the inevitable rubberstamp of the Congress
Hotel's plans. We were prepared for this as the city's attorneys
had declined to appeal the ruling and had advised the Commission
to apply the Court's judgment broadly. So it was no surprise
that Local 1's suggestion that a different provision of the ordinance
could encompass responsible behavior was not accepted. It was
a surprise, though, that Commission Chairman Linda Searl would
not allow any testimony to this effect, even after she
had earlier allowed the introduction of city documents showing
that the Congress Hotel had pretty much cleaned up the outstanding
violations it had in 2008. She was quite emphatic about it, and
we were equally vocal about our disapproval. We were ordered
to leave in much the same manner as the Red Queen ordered beheadings.
We departed in rather more order than a scattering pack of cards.
The attending police had lunch in mind, not Searl nor our demonstration.
The Plan Commission, you understand,
does not plan. Developers are required to do plans for certain
kinds of projects, and they present their plan and a dog and
pony show to the Commission staff and then to the Commission
to show what a great idea it is and how it complies with the
applicable ordinances. Under this legalistic model, the Commission
has very limited authority. Considering the enthusiasm with which
Searl and the city attorneys embraced the Circuit Court ruling,
I expect they're happy with chopping minutiae. Nonetheless, if
you want to play civic tourist, at least one Chicago Plan Commission
meeting is highly recommended.
For all its limited authority, the Commission's
decisions under the Lakefront Protection Ordinance are not reviewed
by the City Council. Nonetheless, the ball moves to that court
as Alderman Munoz reintroduces the "Right to Know"
ordinance. This legislation would mandate that the reservation
desks of hotels in a labor dispute notify customers making reservations
of that dispute. This legislation will be considered at a City
Council Finance Committee meeting on July 27 at 9:30 AM.
The workers' strategy has changed, also.
You will not see a picket line outside the Congress Hotel as
often as before. Now the workers, and their community allies,
are visiting or calling prospective customers of the hotel, asking
them to withdraw their patronage. In the first six months of
this year, this project claims to have diverted some $700,000
in business from the Congress Hotel, and one of the Congress'
few repeat customers has moved its annual meetings elsewhere.
They are also working to gain and maintain the support of public
officials.
Chicago DSA has been supporting these
efforts. We did a 700 piece postcard mailing in support of the
anniversary protest. The mailing targeted DSA members and friends,
labor activists and unions offices downtown. DSA members have
walked the picket line, participated in phone banks, and lobbied
state legislators in Springfield. Tom Broderick supplemented
a Local 1 picket line on Saturday morning, June 27, with about
two dozen people gathered from Third Unitarian, Unity Temple
in Oak Park, Oak Park Coalition for Truth and Justice, and DSA.
DSA members included a guest appearance by past Chicago DSA Political
Education Director J. Hughes, and his son, who were in town from
Connecticut. Among other things, J. had a speaking engagement
at a left anarchist science fiction convention that was being
held across the street at Roosevelt University.
Unfortunately, there is no indication,
not even a rumor, that the Congress Hotel is at all interested
in settling this strike. It can't be a matter of economics. The
hotel has probably lost far more business because of the strike
than it has saved in reduced wages and benefits. One can't help
but speculate that the Nasser family, the owners of this privately
held establishment, regard this to be every bit as much a crusade
as does Local 1. I can imagine them congratulating themselves
for defending free enterprise and liberty. Which goes to show
you: capitalists call it freedom when they are standing on your
throat.
Other
News
compiled by Bob Roman
The DSA National Office has announced
the apportionment of delegates to the DSA National Convention.
Chicago DSA has been apportioned 13 delegates and as many alternates.
The meeting date and venue to elect delegates has not been set,
but typically Chicago DSA has elected its delegates in September.
The convention will be held at the Best Western University Plaza
Hotel in Evanston on November 13 through 15 this year. While
the convention schedule is still to be determined, it will include
a free public event as well as a banquet. The registration fee
for the entire convention has been set at $175. This includes
the banquet. Delegates, but not observers, are also required
to participate in a travel share plan that equalizes everyone's
travel expenses. The precise cost of this to a delegate is a
function of where people are coming from and their means of travel,
but for someone attending via the CTA, it's likely to be a bit
pricey. Consequently, this year the formula has been modified
to lessen the burden on delegates attending from short distances.
Delegates who drive, take the bus or train or commute to the
convention may opt to pay a $75 travel subsidy fee and receive
nothing from the travel pool. Delegates who fly will participate
in the usual manner paying the difference of the estimated travel
pool into the fund or receiving a subsidy depending on their
cost.
If you would like to be involved with
DSA on the national level or if you are interested in meeting
a cross section of DSA members from a variety of political environments,
this is the place to go. Unlike the last time DSA's National
Convention came to Chicago (1991), Chicago DSA in 2009 is not
fiscally fat enough to be able to offer any subsidies to its
delegates. The Executive Committee did lobby the national organization
to abolish the travel share program, but while that would certainly
boost regional attendance, it might lose more people coming from
a distance. But with new DSA chapters starting to pop up in random
places and some older ones being reestablished, this may be an
interesting meeting to attend.
For more information about the convention,
call the National Office at 212.727.8610. For information about
becoming a delegate for Chicago DSA (zip codes 600 through 609),
call us at 773.384.0327 or email us at chiildsa@chicagodsa.org
.
Dennis Dixon
Dennis Dixon was assaulted while on
his way home on the CTA Red Line on June 27. He was hospitalized
at Illinois Masonic Hospital with a fractured skull, brain swelling,
a crushed eye socket, and a sub-dural hematoma. Such injuries
do not generally leave one communicative, and it was nine days
before his friends and his roommate were able to track him down.
He's getting better is the good news. The less good news is that
as an occasionally employed day laborer and subway busker...
let's just say that Somalia may have a more prosperous economy.
Right now, he's pretty much at the mercy of whatever public aid
is available.
But after a lifetime of political activism
in Chicago, Dennis does have friends. You probably are one of
them. One way you can help him is by making a tax-deductible
contribution. You can do this online at http://www.dennisdixon.org
. Or you can make a check out to the Illinois Justice Foundation
Dennis Dixon fund ("IJF / Dennis Dixon Fund") and mailing
it to Dixon Fund, 5441 S. Ridgewood Ct., Chicago, IL 60615.
Dennis is not a DSA member, but he has
appeared in these pages: New
Ground 96: "Day Labor Organizing in Chicago"
and New
Ground 55: "8th Annual Midwest Radical Scholars and
Activists Conference" .
Three special events to raise money
are being planned. The first will held on Thursday, August 13,
at Weeds, 1555 N Dayton, Chicago. It will feature the incredible
Ami Saraiya and Ann Soltys, two modern folksingers. The second
be a split benefit between Dennis' future living needs and Sana
TV. This will be at UE Hall and focus on international film and
food. To be held on Friday August 14, 7 PM, at UE Hall, 37 S.
Ashland, Chicago
A New New Deal
The Oak Park Coalition for Truth and
Justice organized an afternoon conference on Saturday, June 13,
entitled "A New New Deal: How We Make It Happen". Over
100 people attended the conference at the Workers United Hall
at Ashland and Van Buren in Chicago. Attendees heard presentations
about then discussed Wars and Militarism, the Employee Free Choice
Act, Single-Payer Health Care, Foreclosures and Mortgages. Chicago
DSA was among the cosponsoring organizations. DSA members were
involved in the planning, and Chicago DSA promoted the event
on the web and with a postcard mailing. The event was intended
and designed to serve as a movement building exercise and as
a follow up to a smaller event held in January of 2009: "A
New New Deal: What Should It Look Like?" Videos and some
related documents for the first conference are available at http://www.opctj.org/docs/newnewdeal.html
.
Marion Shier
Marion Shier, a charter DSA member,
has died. She was the widow of Carl Marx Shier, one of the founders
of the Debs -- Thomas -- Harrington Dinner. They had been married
68 years. There's too much history here to be brief.
Perry Cartwright
Perry Cartwright was a long-time Chicago
activist, sometimes DSA member, and constant Chicago DSA supporter,
passed away on Sunday, June 28. He was 86 years old.
Perry wrote several articles for New
Ground, including a brief memoir in New
Ground 93: "A Political Memoir" . Also see
New
Ground 50: "A New Program for Democratic Socialism:
A Review" and New
Ground 32: "Paul Lenart on the Move" .
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New
Ground #125.1
07.31.2009
Contents
0. DSA News
Meetings
New Ground
Red Letter
1. Politics
Health Insurance Reform
2. Democratic Socialism
Harrington Symposium
Porto Alegre
Why Obama Is Not a Socialist
3. Upcoming Events of Interest
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DSA News
Meetings
The Chicago DSA Executive Committee will be meeting on Tuesday,
August 4, 7 PM at the Chicago DSA office for its regular August
meeting. All Chicago DSA members are welcome to attend.
There will be a Chicago DSA membership
meeting at Noon on Saturday, September 12, also at the Chicago
DSA office, to elect delegates to the DSA National Convention.
The National Convention will be in Evanston, Illinois, November
13 - 15. If you'd like to be a delegate, leave a message at the
Chicago DSA office (773.384.0327) or email us (chiildsa@chicagodsa.org)
and you'll be added to the list of candidates.
New Ground
The web and email are inexpensive, and you can tell by the distinctly
home-made appearance that the email issues of New Ground
and our web site cost next to nothing. But the print edition
of New Ground, produced and delivered by union labor,
is another matter. For Chicago DSA, New Ground is one
of our largest budget items. So it's our hope that you will participate
in our annual Labor Day issue by taking out an ad in that issue.
It could be as modest as a "line item" greeting for
$10 or as large as a full page at $500. Your encouragement is
also solicited; this is half the reason we offer ads and not
just ask for your money. Deadline for copy is September 4. Here
are the details:
http://www.chicagodsa.org/ngpromo.pdf
Red Letter
The latest issue of the Young Democratic Socialists' national
newsletter is here:
http://www.ydsusa.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/redletter2009spring2.pdf
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Politics
Health Insurance Reform
Bob Roman
With Congress on its summer vacation, its members are nervously
testing the waters regarding the health insurance bill they are
in the process of constructing. Should it have an option for
a state run insurance program like Medicare and Medicaid? Should
there be an option for individual states to have their own universal
public health insurance plans? Should we do away with the insurance
industry altogether in health care?
DSA is supporting the last option, of
course: the "single-payer" option: HR 676. The latest
e-newsletter from the DSA National Office suggests some things
you might do to encourage your local Congresspersons, namely:
talk to them:
http://www.dsausa.org/NewsFromDSA/2009/27jul2009.htm
For an argument on why we really should
take private insurance out of the picture, see this presentation
by DSA's Steve Max:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UUqF9j0XWs
Also see "Upcoming Events"
below for a downtown Chicago rally on August 4 for better than
nothing and an August 2 appearance in Aurora by Dennis Kucinich
to pitch HR 676.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Democratic Socialism
Harrington Symposium
This summer being the 20th anniversary
of Michael Harrington's death, the Young Democratic Socialists'
online magazine, The Activist, is featuring a modest retrospective
of Harrington and his work. Contributions include:
- Michael Harrington and the Twilight
of Capitalism Jason Schulman
- A Life Assessed Joseph Schwartz
- The Future-Past of the Next Left Matt May
- After Michael Harrington David Duhalde
- The "Vulture Theory" of
Socialism Bhaskar Sunkara
Go to: http://theactivist.org/blog/a-call-for-submissions-michael-harrington-symposium
Porto Alegre
The participatory budgeting
pioneered by the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre has been a model
for parts of the left because it so attractively combines anarchism
with more traditional state-oriented socialism: a sort of Woodstock
for grown-ups with children. But what happens to this picture
when the state comes under the control of those unsympathetic
to the process? Michael Fox, in In These Times, takes
a look:
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/4545/budgets_by_the_people/
Why Obama Is Not a Socialist
Ithaca DSA produced this video on the subject. A link to the
entire program is at:
http://ithacadsa.blogspot.com/2009/06/why-obama-is-not-socialist_29.html
And an excerpt is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A_ZOWI1aLU
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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, August 2, 4 PM
Healthcare SPEAKOUT
Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave, Aurora
Featuring Congressman Dennis Kucinich and others in favor of
HR 676, "single-payer" health insurance. $10 donation.
For more information: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhdb4qp6_13d63kvftx&hl=en
Tuesday, August 4, 4:30 PM to 6 PM
Rally to Support Obama's
Health Care Reform Bill
Federal Plaza, Dearborn & Adams, Chicago
With a public health insurance option. Featuring Congresswoman
Jan Schakowsky and others. See http://hcanil.org.
For information call 312.427.2114x206 or x208.
Wednesday, August 5, 5:15 PM to 6:45
PM
Hiroshima Memorial
At the Henry Moore monument, Ellis Avenue between 56th and 57th
streets, Chicago
Readings, songs, silent vigil to remember to nuclear bombing
of Hiroshima and to advocate nuclear disarmament. Sponsored by
the Midwest Pacifist Center. Call 773.324.0654 for information
Thursday, August 6, 7 PM to 9 PM
Memorial to the Victims of
the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings
Dawes Park, Sheridan Road & Church Street, Evanston
Picnic, music, movie, petition to abolish nuclear weapons. Sponsored
by American Friends Service Committee, Fellowship of Reconciliation,
North Shore Coalition for Peace Justice and the Environment.
For information: 847.256.0456 or 312.480.1331
Thursday, August 13, 6 PM to 10 PM
Benefit for Dennis Dixon
Weeds, 1555 N. Dayton, Chicago
Starting with BBQ, then at 7 music by Ami Saraiya, Anna Soltys,
Phunk One. See http://dennisdixonchicago.wordpress.com/events/
Friday, August 14, 7 PM
Benefit for Dennis Dixon
and Sana TV
UE Hall, 37 S. Ashland, Chicago
Summer party, international videos, vegan potluck. See http://dennisdixonchicago.wordpress.com/events/
Wednesday, August 19, 7:15 PM
A Living Wage Ordinance for
Oak Park
Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St, Oak Park (enter on the
opposite side, through the parking lot)
The Oak Park Community Relations Commission hears speakers for
and against. Come show your support.
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New
Ground #125.2
08.14.2009
Contents
0. DSA News
New Ground
Meetings
Democratic Left
1. Politics
Oak Park
Deserves a Living Wage by Tom
Broderick
TIF Sunshine Ordinance: Partly Cloudy
To Charlie: A Blessing by Hugh Iglarsh
2. Democratic Socialism
Not All Socialist Countries Are
the Same
3. Upcoming Events of Interest
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DSA News
New Ground
The web and email are inexpensive,
and you can tell by its distinctly home-made appearance that
the email issues of New Ground and our web site cost next
to nothing. But the print edition of New Ground, produced
and delivered by union labor, is another matter. For Chicago
DSA, this one of our largest budget items. So it's our hope that
you will participate in our annual Labor Day issue by taking
out an ad in that issue. It could be as modest as a "line
item" greeting for $10 or as large as a full page at $500.
Deadline for copy is September 4. Here's the details:
http://www.chicagodsa.org/ngpromo.pdf
Meetings
There will be a Chicago DSA
membership meeting at Noon on Saturday, September 12, also at
the Chicago DSA office, to elect delegates to the DSA National
Convention. The National Convention will be in Evanston, Illinois,
November 13 - 15. If you'd like to be a delegate, leave a message
at the Chicago DSA office (773.384.0327) or email us (chiildsa@chicagodsa.org)
and you'll be added to the list of candidates.
Democratic Left
The Summer, 2009, issue of Democratic
Left is on the web. Democratic Left is DSA's national
journal:
http://www.dsausa.org/dl/Summer_2009.pdf
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Politics
Oak
Park Deserves a Living Wage
by Tom Broderick
Shall the Village of Oak Park enact a Living Wage ordinance
stipulating that: a) Village Employees, b) employees of contractors
or subcontractors performing work for the Village, and c) employees
of businesses that receive a significant financial subsidy from
the Village, receive a living wage indexed to inflation that
would include health benefits and time off?
The above text appeared as a referendum
on the Oak Park ballot last November. At a time when our economy
was in stress, it passed with a "YES" vote of 60%.
Hopefully you voted for it, since a living wage is an anti-poverty
tool that works. However, referenda are advisory so our Village
Board designated that the Community Relations Commission (CRC)
study the impact of a Living Wage Ordinance on Oak Park. Since
February, the CRC has struggled with the issue. Now, as part
of this process, the CRC has determined to hold a public forum
on a living wage for Oak Park.
There will be two parts to the forum.
The first will be a presentation by six "experts" who
will be able to provide substance to the issue. So far, we have
submitted four names to the commission: Gina Guillemette,
Director of Advocacy and Policy for the Heartland Alliance; Reverend
C. J. Hawking, Executive Director of ARISE Chicago; Dr.
William Barclay, economist, Adjunct Professor at UIC and
member of the Chicago Political Economy Group; and Dr. Ron
Baiman, economist, who worked on the Chicago and the Cook
County Living Wage Ordinances. Dr. Baiman put together the Ordinance
that we presented to the Village Board last November. The CRC
has been using this proposed Ordinance as a reference point in
their study. The CRC will decide which six "experts"
will speak and has extended invitations to the Oak Park business
and development community.
The second portion will allow residents
of Oak Park the opportunity to speak for up to three minutes
each on the topic. In June, the CRC chair announced he wanted
no part of this portion of this public forum because all he would
hear is the uninformed public responding to an emotional issue!
Come speak your mind and your heart:
Wednesday, August 19, 7 PM
Oak Park Village Hall ~ 123 Madison
~ enter from the south end of the building
This Living Wage Ordinance proposal
is cosponsored by the Greater Oak Park Democratic Socialists
of America, Unity Temple Social Mission Committee, Oak Park Coalition
for Truth & Justice and the Young Democratic Socialists of
Oak Park and River Forest High School.
For mor information, see
"The Economics of the Living Wage" - http://www.chicagodsa.org/livingwage.pdf
and the draft Oak Park Living Wage Ordinance
http://www.chicagodsa.org/draftvoplwl.pdf
TIF Sunshine Ordinance: Partly
Cloudy
Last April, the Chicago City
Council passed an ordinance requiring that information regarding
the establishment and running of Chicago's Tax Increment Financing
(TIF) districts be posted to a searchable web site. TIFs have
become sufficiently disreputable that the Council passed without
a dissenting vote. July 30 was the deadline. Max Brooks and Daniel
X. O'Neil of OpenGov Chicagoland provided Progress Illinois
with this assessment of the information available:
http://progressillinois.com/2009/8/5/columns/tif-sunshine-review
To
Charlie: A Blessing
by Hugh Iglarsh
Upon reading in the New York Times that PBS personality
Charlie Rose had secretly brokered a deal between media mogul
Rupert Murdoch and Jeffrey Immelt of GE (which owns MSNBC) to
halt the on-air feud between Keith Olbermann and Bill O'Reilly:
Charlie Rose, my Charlie Rose,
How splendidly your garden grows.
Long be happy in your bower
Of glitz and gelt and corporate power.
Charlie Rose, sweet Charlie Rose,
To whom foundation kindness flows.
Here on earth, yet heaven sent
To comfort the establishment.
Charlie Rose, dear Charlie Rose,
Let nothing blight your show of shows.
May fortune grant you every boon,
As joy you bring to each tycoon.
If you missed it, see:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/01/business/media/01feud.html?_r=1
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/08/01/ge/
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Democratic Socialism
Not All Socialist Countries
Are the Same
Especially when it comes to
health care. Cute!
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/08/not-all-socialist-countries-are-alike.html
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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, August 16, 1 PM to 5 PM
Finding and Using the Surplus
Mess Hall, 6932 N. Glenwood Av, Chicago
With readings, discussions and food with AREA#8 contributors
Raechel Tiffe, Food Not Bombs, Temporary Services, Rebuilding
Exchange, InCUBATE, Wade Tillett, Neighborhood Writing Alliance
and more. See http://www.areachicago.org/b/area-news/everbodys-got-more-money-issues/
Monday, August 17, 9 PM
Benefit for Dennis Dixon
The Redline Tap, 7000 N. Glenwood Av, Chicago
Featuring Harlan Flo, Undertow, and more. See http://www.dennisdixon.org
Wednesday, August 19, 7 PM
A Living Wage Ordinance for
Oak Park
Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St, Oak Park (enter through
the south side of the building)
The Oak Park Community Relations Commission hears speakers for
and against. Come show your support.
Thursday, August 27, 6:45 PM
Is President Obama a Progressive?
Lincoln Park Public Library, 1150 W. Fullerton, Chicago
Debate between Paul Street and John K. Wilson, to be taped for
later broadcast. An Open University of the Left event. See http://www.openuniversityoftheleft.org/
Sunday, August 30, 2 PM
"Never Turning Back"
Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St Veterans Room, Chicago
Documentary film celebrating the life and work of Peggy Lipschutz,
followed by panel discussion featuring Mark Rogovin, Jerri Zbiral,
Sharon Karp, and Peggy Lipschutz. Sponsored by the Oak Park Coalition
for Truth and Justice. See http://www.opctj.org
Monday, September 7, 2 PM
Labor Day Celebration
Pullman State Historic Site, 111th & Cottage Grove, Chicago
A celebration and rally for America's working families.
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New
Ground #125.3
08.31.2009
Contents
0. DSA News
GOPDSA in the News
CDSA Membership Meeting
Housing the National Convention
New Ground
1. Politics
SK Hand Tools on Strike
Dennis Dixon
Arne Duncan Fails Again
"Single-Payer? What's It Worth to Ya?"
CAFTA's Casualties
2. Democratic Socialism
Revolution
Democratic Socialism as a Right
3. Upcoming Events of Interest
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DSA News
GOPDSA in the News
In Oak Park's Wednesday Journal:
http://wednesdayjournalonline.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=15287
CDSA Membership Meeting
There will be a Chicago DSA
membership meeting at Noon on Saturday, September 12, also at
the Chicago DSA office, to elect delegates to the DSA National
Convention. The National Convention will be in Evanston, Illinois,
November 13 - 15. If you'd like to be a delegate, leave a message
at the Chicago DSA office (773.384.0327) or email us (chiildsa@chicagodsa.org)
and you'll be added to the list of candidates. You don't need
to attend the meeting to be a candidate.
Housing the National Convention
Meet DSAers from around the country and help attend the Chicago
DSA Convention.
This year's nationsal DSA Convention is in Chicago, November
13 - 14. While most delegates will stay in the convention
hotel we need spaces for about 15 in people's homes in order
to save on their costs. If you can put up 1 or more or
your DSA comrades, please contact Bill Barclay (708-386-1371;
chocolatehouse@sbcglobal.net
)
Thanks in advance for your help.
New Ground
The web and email are inexpensive,
and you can tell by its distinctly home-made appearance that
the email issues of New Ground and our web site cost next
to nothing. But the print edition of New Ground, produced
and delivered by union labor, is another matter. For Chicago
DSA, this one of our largest budget items. So it's our hope that
you will participate in our annual Labor Day issue by taking
out an ad in that issue. It could be as modest as a "line
item" greeting for $10 or as large as a full page at $500.
Deadline for copy is September 4. Here's the details:
http://www.chicagodsa.org/ngpromo.pdf
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Politics
SK Hand Tools on Strike
Workers at SK Hand Tools in
Chicago and McCook have been on strike since 5:30am Tuesday morning
over the company's unilateral withdrawal of their health care
coverage. Teamsters Local 743 is asking for community support:
walking the picket lines, bringing food and such to the strikers.
For more information, see:
http://www.743teamsters.org/
Dennis Dixon
As told by the Chicago Tribune.
It doesn't do Dennis justice, but:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-activist-city-zone-28-aug28,0,524569.story
Arne Duncan Fails Again
Former CEO Arne Duncan often
said that a key to creating the best urban school district in
the country was to improve long-failing high schools. But Duncan's
broadest, most expensive effort, called High School Transformation,
sputtered in implementation and has failed to spark significant
improvement, according to an evaluation released Thursday. To
read more:
http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/notebook/index.php/entry/368/Transformation_fails_to_spark_improvement_in_Chicago_high_schools%2C_say_researchers
"Single-Payer? What's It
Worth to Ya?"
Just how much is dropping the
"public option" for "coops" worth to private
insurance companies? About $32,000,000,000, according to the
stock market:
http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2009/08/public-option-versus-coops-the-market-test.html
CAFTA's Casualties: El Salvador
Battles a Multinational Corporation Over Mining Rights
by Michael Busch
"As El Salvador transitions from decades of conservative
rule to the administration of leftist president Mauricio Funes,
the country faces an international showdown that will likely
determine how free trade agreements impact Central America's
future. Pacific Rim Mining Corporation, a Canadian multinational
firm, has brought suit against the government for its refusal
to allow exploitation of gold deposits in El Salvador's rural
north. Should Pacific Rim succeed in securing the $100
million settlement it seeks, a troubling precedent would be set-one
that privileges private interests over national sovereignty. "
More:
http://dissentmagazine.org/online.php?id=273
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Democratic Socialism
Revolution
Last March, Northeastern Illinois
University hosted a 3 day conference entitled "The Past
and Futures of Revolution: A Global Exploration". Several
of the papers presented there are now in the latest issue of
Logos:
http://www.logosjournal.com/
Democratic Socialism as a Right
By Nick Egnatz
"We, the American people, should get to choose our form
of government and economic system. That's democracy. I would
choose democracy and socialism, democratic socialism because
I believe both democracy and socialism are the natural progression
of the Declaration of Independence's, 'all men are created equal
. . . with certain inalienable rights . . . life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness.'"
http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_5071.shtml
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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.
Monday, September 7, 2 PM
Labor Day Celebration
Pullman State Historic Site, 111th & Cottage Grove, Chicago
A celebration and rally for America's working families. See http://laborday.pullmanevents.info
Tuesday, September 8, 6:45 PM
Revolt on Goose Island
Lincoln Park Public Library, 1150 W. Fullerton, Chicago
Discussion and video presentation by Kari Lydersen and Jerry
Mead-Lucero of the December, 2008, occupation of Republic Windows.
An Open University of the Left event. See http://www.openuniversityoftheleft.org/
Friday, September 11, 5 PM
EveryBody! Visual resistance
in feminist health movements, 1969-2009
I space gallery, 230 W. Superior St., Chicago
Opens. Explores how feelings, theories, and actions are shaped
into the creation of a place where all bodies are celebrated
and health care is a human right. Through October 10. See http://ispace.uiuc.edu/ or
http://www.bonniefortune.info/
or call 312.587.9976
Saturday, September 19, 1 PM to 4 PM
Left Confused: a debate between
Marxists and Anarchists
Roosevelt University Gage Gallery, 18 S. Michigan Av, Chicago
Members of the International Socialist Organization, the Platypus
Affiliated Society, the 4Star Anarchist Collective and the IWW;
distinctions will not be erased, but rather, more deeply understood.
For information, ashleyweger@gmail.com
or see http://chicago.platypus1917.org
Saturday, September 19, 2 PM to 5 PM
The Fierce Urgency of Now:
Health Care and Human Rights for All
Access Living, 115 W. Chicago, Chicago
Speakers include Vijay Prashad, Dr. Linda Murray, and others.
For more information: http://www.arc109.org/
Thursday, September 24, Noon
Stop Corporate Crime; Mobilize
for Jobs & Housing
Wells Fargo, Monroe & Franklin, Chicago
As we approach the anniversary of the Wall Street Bailout, don't
let the 'bailout bandits' block an economic recovery for the
rest of us. For information contact Chicago Jobs with Justice:
312.738.6209.
Thursday, September 24, 6:45 PM
Ramp Rats: Baggage Handlers
and Their Labor Unions
Lincoln Park Public Library, 1150 W. Fullerton, Chicago
Liesl Miller Orenic speaks on her book On the Ground: Labor
Struggle in the American Airline Industry. An Open University
of the Left event. See http://www.openuniversityoftheleft.org/
Friday, September 25, 6 PM through Saturday,
September 26 ,4 PM
A Vigil for Justice at Resurrection
Health Care
7432 W. Talcott across from Resurrection Medical Center
Show your support for Resurrection workers who are organizing
to gain a voice at work. For information, see http://www.reformresurrection.org
Saturday, September 26, 10:30 AM to
4 PM
Peace: How Do We Get There?
Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Av, Flossmoor
A conference event featuring presentations and activities for
adults and young people focused on peace-building and conflict
resolution skills. See http://www.generations4peace.org/#current_actions
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