The Hollow American Economy
A Clarion Call For Leadership
...converting the United States from an exporting, value and wealth creating nation, to one careening recklessly toward bankruptcy. The purpose is to dispel some of the rationalizations for this unhealthy transformation of our economy; and it is to put both data and common sense on the table so reasonable people can engage in the critical discussion of how best to get our economy back on track. ...
As the BLS said, “an increasing share of jobs was in high-paying jobs and required college training; but most jobs that were filled paid below-average wages and did not require a college education.” They are stating the obvious. There is a finite need for doctors, lawyers and professors....
Without people making things and creating value, there is no money for the financial sector to play with....
The number of jobs in true value creation activities is a much more accurate measure of the long term health of the country....
There is no manufacturing voice in our government at a time when we so desperately need one.
We need a full airing in America on this very critical matter. Champions must step forward to lead an effort to honestly explore how best to stop the continuing collapse of American manufacturing.Tell the globalization experts to stay at home. They have had their say. Instead ask people like Doc Hall from Indiana University who formed the Association for Manufacturing Excellence to explain the current state of manufacturing and how we got here. He is a walking encyclopedia of the last thirty years of successes and failures. Call in Brian Maskell to explain how government mandated accounting rules are eroding manufacturing, and how the privately held companies are doing accounting in a radically different way, and managing their companies much more effectively as a result. Have Jeffery Liker explain to you the real reasons for Toyota’s manufacturing tap dance over General Motors.
Our business heroes are the thousands of American men and women in who roll up their sleeves and compete toe to toe every day with the best in the world, and win – .... These people are committed to theircommunities and the people with whom they work. They – not the clever financiers – are our businessheroes; and they are the key to turning our economy around and getting us back on the track we were once on. But they cannot do so without the support of the country, and we are rapidly running out of time.
http://www.bill-waddell.com/images/CLARION_CALL_MASTER.pdf
On June 30, Washington Public Campaigns sponsored a public forum on achieving health care for all. Panelists included a public health academic, a community health representative, a labor union leader, a citizen activist, a state legislator, and a public campaign finance activist. The program will be broadcast at some point on the Seattle Channel. Here are some highlights.
We spend $2.3 trillion on health care: every single $ is someone's income. For affordable health care, health care providers/vendors are going to have to make less. In other western countries, health care systems have two common characteristics: (1) they insure everyone, no exceptions, and (2) the government controls most of the money going into the system. In contrast, in this country, (1) not everyone is covered, and (2) thousands of different entities have a piece of the pie, are accountable only to themselves, not to the system, and therefore can simply pass the problems on to others. The current system allows people to make money, but is not so good for patients.
Community health centers are part of the solution. Massachusetts' experience, however, shows there are not enough primary care physicians. Congress seems to recognize this. Each proposal being considered contains incentives for medical students to go into primary care.
A vote against the EFCA is a vote for workers. The Union bosses have convinced US workers that it is in their interest to pass the EFCA. Forcing more workers into organized labor does not help the American worker; it does exactly the opposite. The faulty premise in the argument is that big labor has been good for the US Worker. This is simply not true. While labor made incredible gains for workers in the beginning, in recent years union bosses steal from workers, legally and illegally, whenever they can. They invest pension funds for their own gain, they cause workers who disagree with them to be blacklisted and they sue workers who try to get out of the union and keep their jobs. How is this good for the worker? If workers are to have free choice, it must include free choice to choose among unions and to choose to not join a union within a given shop.
Please do not support the Employee Free Choice Act until it includes meaningful rights for workers not unions!
My friend Martin e-mailed the following comment to me, which I've taken the liberty of quoting in full:
I'm a little concerned that the Blue Dog Democrats seem to back out ofthe Employee Free Choice Act [Ed: EFCA]. I think this could be an interestingtest for the potential impact of Organizing for America, if these 13million people could put some pressure on the Senate Democrats andmake sure this is passed.Nate Silver has some good analysis of who is against EFCA and why:http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/03/life-and-times-of-efca-part-i.html#commentsI don't know if anyone has read Steven Greenhouse's devastating book"The Big Squeeze", but it was a great eye opener for me when it comesto how degrading the treatment of workers in America has become sinceReagan.
Our president elect has given reason to believe that his will be a transparent administration; that his policies will be both reparative and in the interest of the general public, that he is not in the corporate pocket. For this I voted, I am proud to have done so.
His lack of candor however about root causes within government and powered circles end in no little anxiety. Institutions such as DHS, Federal Reserve, CIA, corporate military interests, have evolved into unaccountable, expensive, secret powerbases not unlike governments unto themselves. The assembly over the last eight years of unprecedented and incredible power of the presidency has played out in the public sphere as grotesque fait accompli. Power grabs, both corporate and governmental, the likes of which have only appeared occasionally during the history of the US are occurring daily. A kind of insectile sociopathy pervades.
The public, within what is presumed to be its own media, appears to be viewed with suspicion, parameters of acceptable citizenry narrows, while the value of the dollar and ultimately of labor dwindles progressively to the point of desperation. We the working class are not just alienated but divested. Ours has become a versus relationship with government; one in which interface with institutions common to our experience represent compromise of safety and are therefore avoided.
The ideal of government of and by the people is dead. Left to fend for ourselves within this context we turn on one another, deconstructing our only hope, unity. To what or whom shall we turn? Or is this turning a foolish extension of an ideal long dead? There must be clarity and honesty. No ugliness can be left unaccounted or an already lost citizenry will remain turned away.
From this new administration I then ask this; please, if nothing else, tell the truth. Say it like it is, all of it. Give voice to what is obvious and let us know you see it too. K.
One has a menial, mundane, fair paying job five, maybe five and a half days a week. Is there a way that this person may have 3 days at decent wage, which allows another (who has no job) a similar opportunity to have then four days off a labor that is not their favorite? I believe part of this idea is that with those 4 days a person will be able to work something constructive and possibly arrive at an entrepreneurial situation or productive function: all sorts of arts and sciences to increase happiness and the general social peace and welfare.
I am visual artist writing far outside field, but will post this in change.gov anyway. Thank you.
Dear Mr. Obama,
I am seriously interested in working in your administration. The lack of blue-collar workers on your staff shows me that someone like me is definitely needed. The white-collar government has lost touch with the blue collar America that financially supports it. The loss of so many blue-collar jobs brings to point that you need the opinions of your average blue-collar family supporter. Who, by the way, still doesn't feel like they are being heard. Your average blue-collar worker works and earns barely enough to keep home and food for their families. Mean while you have corporate officials making enough to run a small country.
Who better would know the questions that need to be asked than a blue-collar worker would? What do you think would be the reaction of these CEO’s?
I grew up to a family on the welfare of the sixties. At the age of 12 I struck out on my own and lived on the streets of Pueblo until I was 17 when I started a family with a abusive husband. My husband, having come from more than modest means, farmed my cleaning services out for years until I finally broke free from him in 95. I professionally worked my business and got some good breaks in 2000 when I picked up some larger contracts. My new husband and I work together and have managed and even expanded during the Bush years. We even expanded enough to have employees for a short time until the NAFTA and The FTA of 2002 caught up with us. Then the rubberstamped visa’s started taking away our work.
Seeing that I have started (literally) at the bottom of the food chain, I have clawed and chewed my way up to a position where I might feel comfort and security. This puts me with a unique perspective and a lot of questions that are on every working class family’s mind.
Do these CEO’s or even people in your administration worry about there own health care? NO!
Do the same people worry about putting their children through college? NO!
How many cleaners have these people asked their opinions? Most don’t even speak to their maids much less a lowly cleaner. We are the last to get paid and the first expense to get cut.
This makes me believe that I am qualified because you need someone from the bottom of the food chain, in you pursuit on changing America back into a Country " For the people, By the people".
This is not a joke! This is a very serious request to be a member of your administration.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Rebecca A. DeRosia
..... Contact: http://Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
WHO IS THAT GUY BARACK OBAMA? HE IS US.We have made historic headway by together pointing our nation in the right directions. After decades, we have America focused on the issues of fundamental importance. Now, each of us acting in concert can together move our country to lead the world to the fruitfulness of moral goodness. I have no doubts about my abilities and the abilities of fellow Americans to work smart and hard to achieve these goals.Barack Obama has the visions, leadership, and integrity for us to correct and redirect our country to once again lead the world for the fruitions of good. Let's closely listen, learn, and move forward based on that which we know deep inside is good and which we can validate with our hearts. I hope that those who had but a few reasons to support Obama, look further into the other issues more deeply. I found the more I explored, studied, and listened to Obama the more I found us in agreement. The couple of issues that I did not have depth of knowledge of, quickly became obvious in need. This was unusual for me since I have always refused to be any kind of a follower, and still am not. I find Obama to be a deep thinker who is articulate and inspirational; and, of most fundamental importance, Obama makes excellent moral sense.Hopefully, our country has learned lessons from the past of mistakenly following leadership blindly, as was done with Nixon and Bush. There are leaders who are simply in it for themselves and will cater to individuals or groups in order to grab for their own benefit. Corrupt and bad leaders hide at all levels. This is especially true in city government as well as county and state government. The corrupt deals of politicians need to be exposed, and those responsible need to be weeded out in the coming local elections. Others need to be investigated by law enforcement and be prosecuted for illegal dealings; for deals they often make for their hidden personal agendas. Let’s look at the bad experiences of the past as bitter medicines, let’s eliminate the need for such bad medicine in the future. Let us use what we know is good to go forward.I believe we have chosen wisely, not by greed and not by misguided retaliatory anger. I believe this time our country has chosen with open eyes, with each of us listening and examining our choice of leadership closely, driven and validated by our hearts.I hope we can continue to make our efforts even more inclusive (in many more ways than I touch on here). Far right republicans will be stubborn to change, but we will need to include them to change if we are to succeed. Sure a few more will leave our country, but that is not the American way. No, we really don't need their false fronts of power, money, insider knowledge, or other trappings that they have taught many to 'respect?'. Let's recruit as many as we can, that's the American way, evolving and changing together as one nation. Try to be understanding as we move forward; by better understanding each as individuals and people with various desires and needs we will find ways to reach out with friendship and have them join our causes of good.Be on the lookout, and root out bad leadership in government and business. Do not be intimidated by those who use the false fronts of power and give a false sense of security in order to lead. Be extra leery of those who say or imply ‘Trust me’; those who give a sense that they somehow omnipotently know better. No longer will Americans be dazzled by phony displays of brilliance or baffled by baloney. There are government aristocrats and business leaders who still believe in the old adage of: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle em with bullshit”. We can embrace complexity by demanding true, fundamental, and understandable explanations. We can root out falsehoods by not accepting double speak. We as Americans know how to grow ourselves by first believing in ourselves. Don’t be a follower. Don’t be a follower of followers.However, when we find leaders who are good; a leader that thinks, speaks, and acts from their heart; one that is honest, has integrity, and leads by sincere examples; then we need to in a big way, join them, support them, and promote their causes of good. From much research, investigation, and scrutiny, I believe Barack Obama is such a person. I hope we search for and find many more who are similar, who we can add to service at all levels of government. We need to add/replace leaders in business with ones that have honesty, integrity, and show quality in leadership. We need more people in leadership roles who are moral, like Barack Obama.Remember, we are not fighting a battle, we are the artisans and sculptors of the future for ourselves and generations to come. Rarely do societies have opportunities to make such dramatic moves forward as we now have in this opportunity of today. Take pride and practice in being inclusive as we stride forward. In moving forward, create opportunity not only for yourself, but also for all. Hope is a wonderful thing to behold; but without opportunity, hope can become but a dream never achievable. We can, will, and must, create opportunity.In the coming year I hope that we do not lose our spiritedness, but instead continue to build and make headway. I hope we all continue our campaign for change in government and business. We will succeed in moving forward once again, it will take much effort and good oversight on the part of each of us. We will make great strides in the months and years ahead in order to achieve the fruitions of good. Let's keep our enthusiasm progressing through these coming toughest of times. Let us use the light of goodness and love to motivate us with historic momentum.I have chosen Barack Obama because he best represents my deepest beliefs in America. Please take time to read the issues that Barack Obama has published on this website. Also, give your attention to see how he leads us to move our nation forward in the time ahead. Most importantly, be part of America's great future, participate in the greatness that together we will make. Participate!We will each and all flourish, if we think, speak, and act, by using the love in our hearts.
Your reply is welcome. Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
Want to know want can come from organizing independently at the base? Bringing together antiwar activists, Obama youth, labor and civil rights groups? Or a notion of what we can do down the road? Take a look at this....
http://students.barackobama.com/page/content/sfbohome
Today's story comes from Tim in Saginaw, a steelworker who has been volunteering and doing everything possible for Barack. With the Steelworkers, he's been holding house parties for Barack to help create the change Michigan needs. Join people like Tim and volunteer for Barack in these last two weeks! Contact your local Campaign for Change office or call 1-888-MI-CHANGE and find out how you can get involved!
I have been a Steelworker for over 35 years and with retirement coming I worry about medical insurance more than anything at this time in my life. Barack Obama has a medical plan that will not only help future retirees but those retirees that are feeling the crunch of medical expenses today. I also feel with this plan he will help all businesses by lowering medical insurance premiums by offering insurance to all Americans. Being a Union Activist my entire career I also find that Employee Free Choice Act co-sponsored by Senator Obama is what will bring union strength back and Barack Obama has pledged that he will sign it into law when he is elected President of the United States.
MakeFloridaCount.com archives articles, videos and other organizing resources to use with undecided voters.
I am developing section on Conservative and Republican endorsements of Obama. Please send me your suggestions (by e-mail or by commenting on the blog).
See extended blog for more detail of what is available on the site.
New organizing resources are added daily. In unity. Barbara Myers
barbmyrs@gmail.com
Need an article or video to convince an undecided voter to vote for Obama/Biden?MakeFloridaCount.com archives articles, videos and other organizing resources so that people making calls and going door to door can have easy access to the latest material. Organizers should look carefully at the left hand column of the site for useful resources. Here's a breakdown of some of what's there.Character Counts - What to expect from Barack Obama * The New Yorker endorsement * Press Conference on State of the Economy * Chicago Jews on their experience with Obama * Obama's speech on race and reaction to Rev. Wright Uproar * SFGate - Obama profile * NYTimes Obama archive
Character Counts - What to expect from John McCain * John McCain's Rage * NYTimes - Politics of Attack * Keating Economics * The Straight Talk Express (exposed) * NYTimes - McCain lifelong gambler * George Will - Can a dismaying temperment be fixed? * Nicholas Kristof - Impulsive, Impetuous, ImpatientNew organizing resources are added daily - MakeFloridaCount.com.
In unity.
Barbara Myers
please see extended post for more resources.
Senator Obama as a Progressive Democrat and a supporter of your campaign I am asking you to vote in the Senate No to Bailing out CEO's and the mis managed Comapies they ran on Wall Street.
700 Billion dollars could feed every man women and child in American Build new Alternative Energy homes and help people get back on their feet who are now without a home on Main Street America.
Senator and the Senators Campaign Staff please remember Change needs to be Progresive .
We can nolong rush to the aid of Big corperations that with this Bailout the CEO's will walk ways with Millions in their Pockets while people who are lower and Middle Class Working people get nothing.
During Tax season The government gave people back 600 dollars or more depending if they were married or single because of the Economy remember that.
Govenment gives American Main street 600 dollars but will give Wall Street 700 Million.
I see alot of rich people getting very rich on this Bailout.
Senator Obama you need to call for Public Hearings before any vote yes or no is done by congress or the Senator.
If McCain wants to Bailout the Wall Street Companies let him make that big mistake.
The American people must be heard in Washington and this weekend no one shoud support a
quick Bailout .
In the end its going to make the Economy worse then it is now.
The Democratic Party should truly stand with the American Working Class and against this Bailout .
Does anyone in the Obama Campaign hear me on this Blog ?
I speak for many Americans on Main Street.
This is just a bad idea .
Something yes needs to be done but this is insanity and not the solution.
Listen to the American people Senator on this no one wants this Bill passed .
Thanks for listening
Obama/Biden 08 Lets Change Washington Now
Today, September 16th, Barack Obama’s Campaign for Change launched “Hybrids and Harleys for Obama” at the Grand Rapids Campaign for Change office. On the 100th anniversary of General Motors and today’s unveiling of the Chevy Volt, owners of Harley motorcycles and domestic hybrid automobiles will be on hand to talk about the importance of buying American and how much they love their American bikes and cars. The campaign also unveiled a new “Hybrids and Harleys” website where supporters will be able to join with other Hybrid and Harley owners to track John McCain’s public campaign against American made vehicles. mi.barackobama.com/hybridsandharleys To commemorate the launch of “Hybrids and Harleys for Obama” Barack Obama’s Campaign for Change has produced a special, limited edition bumper sticker to let drivers show off their commitment to buy American and support American jobs. The bumper stickers will be immediately available in the campaign’s Grand Rapids and Detroit offices and available in other offices across the state by request. You can view the bumper sticker HERE
John McCain recently denied having purchased a foreign hybrid during an interview with WXYZ in Detroit – despite having bragged about the purchase just a few months ago while campaigning in South Carolina. Video of McCain’s Detroit gaffe, his original statements, and stories on the controversy are available at McCain has also said he has a “philosophical” objection to all Buy American provisions that help our manufacturers – including opposing a requirement that the Secret Service use American-made motorcycles. [Congressional Record, 7/14/05] For more information please visit: mi.barackobama.com/hybridsandharleys
