Dear Editor;
Halifax and London ON have now joined the ranks of cities and towns forcibly removing “Occupy” protestors from their camps. Shame on all such cities and local lawmakers for removing people that are speaking up about economic inequality and the notion of fairness through fair and equitable economic legislative policy that will translate into fair distribution of wealth and services for all people! What a great concept this is; after all it is not without precedent when one takes the coloquial wisdom that governements were meant to govern in the best interests of all people.
The people that speak against the "Occupy" message of fairness will say that this is unfair to those that aspire to financially loftier places in our society and that their path to wealth must not be impeded by having to share their wealth. Critical thinking will demonstrate that the ongoing success of the rich and affluent is only as sustainable as the lives of those that now form the foundation of this wealth; the very workers and young people that will come to work in these same places and they deserve lives that are sustainable and provide the necessary income and protections in the workplace and in society to permit a "quality of life" that for some reason so many on the political right or within the corporate elite feel to be their personal responsibility to deny.
Those that have succumbed to this bashing of the protestors, workers and unions are actually subscribing to what might be the last bastion of where hate is tolerated. Society has rightfully stood up to all kinds of hate and prejudice yet our papers and radio are full of so called pundits and columnists who stand firm in their desire to deny people fairness in their workplaces. These same columnists and pundits even attract advertising dollars. Could the cities in question not at least support the Charter Rights in Canada and Constitutional Rights in America of the "Occupy" people to express the need for fairness in our society?
There will a percentage of the population who would have us believe that the protestors are nothing more than anarchists and that the camps are a coven of undesirable people. The same lawmakers that have forcibly closed the camps and those who believe they have some kind of moral authority to define an undesirable are the same people that label people who have become homeless due to job loss, job loss that was created by the horrific economic policies of right wing governments going back for decades.
The “Occupy” movement is a manifestation of factors and grievances that span a large part of the last forty years (particularly since the election of the three horsemen of economic destruction; Reagan, Mulroney and Thatcher) and these grievances have destroyed millions of middle class unionized jobs and public services such that the very fabric of our society is now at risk. The “Occupy” movement is the first grass roots movement since the 1960's to say corporate, financial and political leaders are wrong in almost everything they are doing and what is the reaction; not unexpected I would say! Reprehensible nonetheless when one considers that the same policy makers at fault are the very ones that suggest that free speech and the right to assemble are two of our most important rights and privileges yet they take these rights away from the “Occupy” movement.
The “Occupy” protest handle is perhaps the biggest deception of all as the people involved in the “Occupy” movement are a vanguard of social change; the change back towards a better world where a social contract between the citizenry, the government and corporations exists to ensure that the needs of all people are met and that no person is marginalized or left behind.
In Solidarity
Dave Trumble
President
Grey-Bruce Labour Council
http://www.greybrucelabour.com/
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
2011/ 2012 Grey-Bruce Labour Council Winter Warmth Heating Challenge
Celebrating over 50 years of Building Communities
Dear Brothers and Sisters
On behalf of the Grey Bruce Labour Council I am challenging your union to match our contribution of $500.00 to the Winter Warmth campaign of the United Way of Bruce Grey. Winter Warmth provides support to residents who are unable to meet their utility costs. Last winter our local United Way, working with their partners / utilities and partner agencies, assisted many families in our region through the winter by assisting with utility bills and pre-empting service cuts that would have put families in the dark and the cold; including families with small children!
The need in 2011 / 2012 will be even greater with more job loss in our region and more and more families plunged into making the choice between eating and heating.
Our Local United Way has been a leader in this program and is committed to its success and for that reason the GBLC is spearheading a campaign to make sure there is as much money available as possible to meet the needs that exist in the community.
As a progressive labour movement we share an understanding that our responsibilities do not stop with our members. We have a community responsibility to see that our brothers and sisters in the community have their needs met also.
Please join with us in responding to community needs by supporting with a matching donation, or more, of $500.00 to the United Way of Bruce Grey campaign to meet the Winter Warmth needs of Bruce Grey. Over $2000.00 was collected at our dinner in 2011 with OSSTF, OECTA and the CAW leading the way.
We encourage you to bring your donation to the November 28th Labour Council Activist Dinner in Tara ON or to mail it to the Grey-Bruce Labour Council, C/O Mike Dunn, RR2, Tiverton ON N0G 2T0. For more information please do not hesitate to contact me: dtrumble@bmts.com
In Solidarity
Dave Trumble
President, Grey Bruce Labour Council
Dear Brothers and Sisters
On behalf of the Grey Bruce Labour Council I am challenging your union to match our contribution of $500.00 to the Winter Warmth campaign of the United Way of Bruce Grey. Winter Warmth provides support to residents who are unable to meet their utility costs. Last winter our local United Way, working with their partners / utilities and partner agencies, assisted many families in our region through the winter by assisting with utility bills and pre-empting service cuts that would have put families in the dark and the cold; including families with small children!
The need in 2011 / 2012 will be even greater with more job loss in our region and more and more families plunged into making the choice between eating and heating.
Our Local United Way has been a leader in this program and is committed to its success and for that reason the GBLC is spearheading a campaign to make sure there is as much money available as possible to meet the needs that exist in the community.
As a progressive labour movement we share an understanding that our responsibilities do not stop with our members. We have a community responsibility to see that our brothers and sisters in the community have their needs met also.
Please join with us in responding to community needs by supporting with a matching donation, or more, of $500.00 to the United Way of Bruce Grey campaign to meet the Winter Warmth needs of Bruce Grey. Over $2000.00 was collected at our dinner in 2011 with OSSTF, OECTA and the CAW leading the way.
We encourage you to bring your donation to the November 28th Labour Council Activist Dinner in Tara ON or to mail it to the Grey-Bruce Labour Council, C/O Mike Dunn, RR2, Tiverton ON N0G 2T0. For more information please do not hesitate to contact me: dtrumble@bmts.com
In Solidarity
Dave Trumble
President, Grey Bruce Labour Council
Monday, October 10, 2011
Open Letter to New MPP's Lisa Thompson and Bill Walker,Oct. 10, 2011
Oct. 10, 2011
Open Letter to New MPP's in Huron-Bruce and Bruce-Grey, Owen Sound; Lisa Thompson and Bill Walker
Lisa / Bill;
There is little doubt that Tim Hudak's attack style politics and alignment with the behaviors of GTA Mayor, Rob Ford, cost the Ontario PC's a number of seats in the provincial election. Make no mistake neither the Grey Bruce Labour Council nor any organization that is inclusive and tolerant, such as the Trade Union Movement, wanted to see a Hudak government in Ontario.
If a handful of examples could tell the tale it would be Mr. Hudak's intentional and provocative use of the meaningless / offensive term Union boss (a Harrism), his desire to take Ontario to Wisconsin type of labour law where the rights to free collective bargaining are under threat, his lies about the public sector and his clear failure to grasp the concept of tolerance and understanding as noted in his homophobic comments the week before the election. It was clear from the outset that the deplorable behavior that defined the Harris government was embedded in the statements and policies described and vocalized by Mr. Hudak and this, too, was a contributor to the failure of the Hudak campaign. There are many more that could easily be inserted, but for purposes of this letter these will suffice.
Carol Mitchell lost her seat in Huron-Bruce for a number of reasons, but central to her loss was her inability to stand up to Mr. McGuinty and tell him that his choice on closing the jails in our region was wrong. She chose the route of political expedience and blind obedience instead of what was clearly needed; a person who would look her constituents in the eye and look out for their needs. I can't always say she failed in this regards, but the fact that she stood up for flawed policy around the jail closures demonstrated that she could not be counted on in the future.
I don't know what direction Mr. Hudak will take, but I think it is safe to say that if there are opportunities for him, within the new minority government, to execute any of his anti worker / anti union policies he will do so. Both of you have the opportunity to become educated and to work to counter what is a misguided and needlessly divisive agenda within your party. Bill has worked within a highly unionized environment and should be able to contradict the misconceptions that Mr. Hudak intentionally propagates. Lisa, coming from the private sector (likely non-union), may not have the same advantage, but in a riding where many constituents depend on their union for basic protections in the workplace she should have ample opportunity to reach out and learn about the union movement and how the union movement is an engine for positive social change at every level of society. After all a little history lesson will show that three of the highlights of labour law in Ontario happened when the labour movement worked with an Ontario PC government in the 70's and 80's to lay the ground work for the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Employment Standards Act and Labour Relations Act. Sadly some of the provisions in these acts have been attacked by governments over the last decade or two.
Please don't get the wrong idea; within the Labour Council there is no cheering section for any conservative party or government, but I can tell you that in the history of your party there is a much better place than where it is today. In fact, the energies of Labour are firmly focused on progressive politics where all people share in the wealth of our Region, Province and Nation. The various conservative entities today do not have that same commitment.
Perhaps, Bill and Lisa, you will realize the value of seeing past the conservative ideology and refusing to buy into the anti union / ant-worker rhetoric of the right and actually take the time to understand how valuable the union movement is and that in fact the protections put in place are a benefit to all of society.
One last note, the Grey-Bruce Labour Council is proud of our partnership with the progressive candidates at all levels. In this election it was Paul Johnstone and Grant Robertson and we will continue to work with them to enhance the lives of people across our region, but each of you has an opportunity to distance yourselves from the anti worker politics of Mr. Hudak and that will only help our region.
Dave Trumble, President, Grey-Bruce Labour Council http://www.greybrucelabour.com/
Open Letter to New MPP's in Huron-Bruce and Bruce-Grey, Owen Sound; Lisa Thompson and Bill Walker
Lisa / Bill;
There is little doubt that Tim Hudak's attack style politics and alignment with the behaviors of GTA Mayor, Rob Ford, cost the Ontario PC's a number of seats in the provincial election. Make no mistake neither the Grey Bruce Labour Council nor any organization that is inclusive and tolerant, such as the Trade Union Movement, wanted to see a Hudak government in Ontario.
If a handful of examples could tell the tale it would be Mr. Hudak's intentional and provocative use of the meaningless / offensive term Union boss (a Harrism), his desire to take Ontario to Wisconsin type of labour law where the rights to free collective bargaining are under threat, his lies about the public sector and his clear failure to grasp the concept of tolerance and understanding as noted in his homophobic comments the week before the election. It was clear from the outset that the deplorable behavior that defined the Harris government was embedded in the statements and policies described and vocalized by Mr. Hudak and this, too, was a contributor to the failure of the Hudak campaign. There are many more that could easily be inserted, but for purposes of this letter these will suffice.
Carol Mitchell lost her seat in Huron-Bruce for a number of reasons, but central to her loss was her inability to stand up to Mr. McGuinty and tell him that his choice on closing the jails in our region was wrong. She chose the route of political expedience and blind obedience instead of what was clearly needed; a person who would look her constituents in the eye and look out for their needs. I can't always say she failed in this regards, but the fact that she stood up for flawed policy around the jail closures demonstrated that she could not be counted on in the future.
I don't know what direction Mr. Hudak will take, but I think it is safe to say that if there are opportunities for him, within the new minority government, to execute any of his anti worker / anti union policies he will do so. Both of you have the opportunity to become educated and to work to counter what is a misguided and needlessly divisive agenda within your party. Bill has worked within a highly unionized environment and should be able to contradict the misconceptions that Mr. Hudak intentionally propagates. Lisa, coming from the private sector (likely non-union), may not have the same advantage, but in a riding where many constituents depend on their union for basic protections in the workplace she should have ample opportunity to reach out and learn about the union movement and how the union movement is an engine for positive social change at every level of society. After all a little history lesson will show that three of the highlights of labour law in Ontario happened when the labour movement worked with an Ontario PC government in the 70's and 80's to lay the ground work for the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Employment Standards Act and Labour Relations Act. Sadly some of the provisions in these acts have been attacked by governments over the last decade or two.
Please don't get the wrong idea; within the Labour Council there is no cheering section for any conservative party or government, but I can tell you that in the history of your party there is a much better place than where it is today. In fact, the energies of Labour are firmly focused on progressive politics where all people share in the wealth of our Region, Province and Nation. The various conservative entities today do not have that same commitment.
Perhaps, Bill and Lisa, you will realize the value of seeing past the conservative ideology and refusing to buy into the anti union / ant-worker rhetoric of the right and actually take the time to understand how valuable the union movement is and that in fact the protections put in place are a benefit to all of society.
One last note, the Grey-Bruce Labour Council is proud of our partnership with the progressive candidates at all levels. In this election it was Paul Johnstone and Grant Robertson and we will continue to work with them to enhance the lives of people across our region, but each of you has an opportunity to distance yourselves from the anti worker politics of Mr. Hudak and that will only help our region.
Dave Trumble, President, Grey-Bruce Labour Council http://www.greybrucelabour.com/
Monday, September 19, 2011
Ontario Election
Dear Editor;
Letters about elections are often difficult as they are rarely non-partisan and it is their partisan nature that quickly turns readers off. The Grey Bruce Labour Council, as the local voice for working people, has always attempted to encourage voters to be informed voters and in these terms working people who deserve safe workplaces, fair wages, access to healthcare and education, access to free collective bargaining and a jobs strategy that keeps manufacturing jobs in Ontario to name just a few items should be clamoring for a clear accounting of positions supported by all candidates.
Along with the proposed jail closure in Walkerton and Owen Sound the current government has sat in power while 300,000 plus jobs have left Ontario; The challenger on the PC side of things, Tim Hudak, is attached to the legacy that is Mike Harris' and is already making noise about Wisconsin type attacks on public services, public sector workers and worker rights in general. Without a doubt these observations are partisan, but the primary reason for noting them is that voters need to ask themselves if they have voted Liberal or PC in the past if in fact this is where they want to continue to go. It is clear from recent statements that in Huron-Bruce that all three candidates from the main parties, NDP, Liberal, PC, continue to identify with ongoing support for Bruce Power and the future of the site and this is crucial to our entire region along with the future prosperity of Ontario.
On behalf of workers all across our region and in the context of how important all elections are lets make Ontario a success. This is best done by putting people first and putting people on the path to prosperity by once again establishing a framework where all people share in this prosperity.
Dave Trumble
President
Grey-Bruce Labour Council
http://www.greybrucelabour.com/
dtrumble@bmts.com
Letters about elections are often difficult as they are rarely non-partisan and it is their partisan nature that quickly turns readers off. The Grey Bruce Labour Council, as the local voice for working people, has always attempted to encourage voters to be informed voters and in these terms working people who deserve safe workplaces, fair wages, access to healthcare and education, access to free collective bargaining and a jobs strategy that keeps manufacturing jobs in Ontario to name just a few items should be clamoring for a clear accounting of positions supported by all candidates.
Along with the proposed jail closure in Walkerton and Owen Sound the current government has sat in power while 300,000 plus jobs have left Ontario; The challenger on the PC side of things, Tim Hudak, is attached to the legacy that is Mike Harris' and is already making noise about Wisconsin type attacks on public services, public sector workers and worker rights in general. Without a doubt these observations are partisan, but the primary reason for noting them is that voters need to ask themselves if they have voted Liberal or PC in the past if in fact this is where they want to continue to go. It is clear from recent statements that in Huron-Bruce that all three candidates from the main parties, NDP, Liberal, PC, continue to identify with ongoing support for Bruce Power and the future of the site and this is crucial to our entire region along with the future prosperity of Ontario.
On behalf of workers all across our region and in the context of how important all elections are lets make Ontario a success. This is best done by putting people first and putting people on the path to prosperity by once again establishing a framework where all people share in this prosperity.
Dave Trumble
President
Grey-Bruce Labour Council
http://www.greybrucelabour.com/
dtrumble@bmts.com
Monday, September 5, 2011
Labour Day
In response to Labour’s Day, Labour Day 2011, the emotions and opinions will be as varied as the number of picnics and parades. These opinions are likely to fall into three significant categories; support, ambivalence and opposition.
Support is pretty easy to understand as it is founded in the inherent understanding that every single advance or improvement that workers enjoy was brought about by workers and their progressive partners and no one else. A very brief representation of these improvements would be the 40 hour week, week-ends, health and safety legislation and the right to organize with access to union representation.
Ambivalence is the domain of a large piece of the population that for any number of reasons have conflicts in their view of unions and worker’s rights. There is no way possible to address this group in a letter to the editor.
The opposition camp, while easy to recognize, is not understandable on any level but greed and avarice. For decades a social contract between government, employers and workers existed that evolved into a relationship that provided benefit to all people. In the last 30 years the social contract has been ruptured such that government no longer acts in the interest of working people, but acts in the interests of corporate Canada (except of course when these same governments dump money into communities to gain votes at election time). Those that will discuss Labour’s celebration with disdain do so not to demonstrate a conviction, but for the clear purpose of seeking the undermining of the Labour movement to deny the working class / middle class their share of the wealth of a land where no one should ever live with poverty, experience unemployment or any form of social prejudice.
Long live the ideals of a Labour Movement where social justice is the pillar of existence.
Dave Trumble
President, Grey Bruce Labour Council
Support is pretty easy to understand as it is founded in the inherent understanding that every single advance or improvement that workers enjoy was brought about by workers and their progressive partners and no one else. A very brief representation of these improvements would be the 40 hour week, week-ends, health and safety legislation and the right to organize with access to union representation.
Ambivalence is the domain of a large piece of the population that for any number of reasons have conflicts in their view of unions and worker’s rights. There is no way possible to address this group in a letter to the editor.
The opposition camp, while easy to recognize, is not understandable on any level but greed and avarice. For decades a social contract between government, employers and workers existed that evolved into a relationship that provided benefit to all people. In the last 30 years the social contract has been ruptured such that government no longer acts in the interest of working people, but acts in the interests of corporate Canada (except of course when these same governments dump money into communities to gain votes at election time). Those that will discuss Labour’s celebration with disdain do so not to demonstrate a conviction, but for the clear purpose of seeking the undermining of the Labour movement to deny the working class / middle class their share of the wealth of a land where no one should ever live with poverty, experience unemployment or any form of social prejudice.
Long live the ideals of a Labour Movement where social justice is the pillar of existence.
Dave Trumble
President, Grey Bruce Labour Council
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
August 27, 2011 A New Form of Communication
August 27, 2011 A New Form of Communication
Dear Editor;
Jack Layton has left us, but not his message of hope and his passion for the youth of Canada. In an event that engaged young people in our region in a celebration of social justice that honored Jack’s message and passion Unionrocks, the Grey-Bruce Labour Council and OPSEU 260 brought the band “Anti-Flag” and three local bands to the Harb in Owen Sound on August 25th.
To entertain, to fundraise and to raise awareness would be a few reasons that musical festivals are put on by dedicated volunteers. The event at the Harb accomplished all of the foregoing, but it is set apart by a call to action by the bands and the promoters and supporters; a call for appreciation and a clear recognition that the collective good of people is the most important aspect in society and far out strips the current societal infatuation with feral and uncontrolled capitalism.
Unionrocks was the keystone to the event, but Unionrocks is in fact translating a new language. The future of the Labour Movement, progressive politics and a just society is already in the hands of our young people, but often what is missed is how to reach the hearts and minds of these very people. Unionrocks, headed up and founded by Brad Drake and supported by the youth in our region and the Labour Council, has found one of the very best ways to engage the future of the Movement. This was ably demonstrated on August 25th and in fact the integration of youth, socially responsible music and socially responsible organizations like the NDP, the Labour Council and Unionrocks may well be the way to engage the next wave of activists. Although the music is different the activists of 40 years ago found strength and support in some of the music of the day. Neil Young, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, to name a few artists spoke of the spirit of protest and told the world of the oppressive policies of past governments that hurt and killed many from Kent State to Vietnam.
For decades Unions and organizations have approached social activism with vigor, and tools we have become accustomed too, and many victories for working people have been won this way. The time is upon us to use the lessons of the last four or five decades and hand in hand with the young people of today ,in a way that makes sense to them, attack the social disparities of today’s society. Unionrocks is forging a new way of communication and in fact it will be the integration of music and youth going forward that will put those in our movement today to work with a new wave of activists to take back our society from irresponsible corporations and the right wing legislative agenda that diminishes all humanity for the benefit of the very few.
In a week where, Jack Layton, one of the most influential Canadian voices for fairness and social justice left us one festival or celebration of convictions and beliefs that would have made Jack smile still took place and it took place in our own backyard. We need hope that there is a quality future for our young people, that there will be strong middle class and that the collective good of all, including a strong and vibrant trade union movement will be clearly in our future.
Many thanks to all who made the concert a success,
Dave Trumble, President Grey-Bruce Labour Council
In Solidarity
Dave Trumble
President
Grey-Bruce Labour Council
http://www.greybrucelabour.com/
Dear Editor;
Jack Layton has left us, but not his message of hope and his passion for the youth of Canada. In an event that engaged young people in our region in a celebration of social justice that honored Jack’s message and passion Unionrocks, the Grey-Bruce Labour Council and OPSEU 260 brought the band “Anti-Flag” and three local bands to the Harb in Owen Sound on August 25th.
To entertain, to fundraise and to raise awareness would be a few reasons that musical festivals are put on by dedicated volunteers. The event at the Harb accomplished all of the foregoing, but it is set apart by a call to action by the bands and the promoters and supporters; a call for appreciation and a clear recognition that the collective good of people is the most important aspect in society and far out strips the current societal infatuation with feral and uncontrolled capitalism.
Unionrocks was the keystone to the event, but Unionrocks is in fact translating a new language. The future of the Labour Movement, progressive politics and a just society is already in the hands of our young people, but often what is missed is how to reach the hearts and minds of these very people. Unionrocks, headed up and founded by Brad Drake and supported by the youth in our region and the Labour Council, has found one of the very best ways to engage the future of the Movement. This was ably demonstrated on August 25th and in fact the integration of youth, socially responsible music and socially responsible organizations like the NDP, the Labour Council and Unionrocks may well be the way to engage the next wave of activists. Although the music is different the activists of 40 years ago found strength and support in some of the music of the day. Neil Young, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, to name a few artists spoke of the spirit of protest and told the world of the oppressive policies of past governments that hurt and killed many from Kent State to Vietnam.
For decades Unions and organizations have approached social activism with vigor, and tools we have become accustomed too, and many victories for working people have been won this way. The time is upon us to use the lessons of the last four or five decades and hand in hand with the young people of today ,in a way that makes sense to them, attack the social disparities of today’s society. Unionrocks is forging a new way of communication and in fact it will be the integration of music and youth going forward that will put those in our movement today to work with a new wave of activists to take back our society from irresponsible corporations and the right wing legislative agenda that diminishes all humanity for the benefit of the very few.
In a week where, Jack Layton, one of the most influential Canadian voices for fairness and social justice left us one festival or celebration of convictions and beliefs that would have made Jack smile still took place and it took place in our own backyard. We need hope that there is a quality future for our young people, that there will be strong middle class and that the collective good of all, including a strong and vibrant trade union movement will be clearly in our future.
Many thanks to all who made the concert a success,
Dave Trumble, President Grey-Bruce Labour Council
In Solidarity
Dave Trumble
President
Grey-Bruce Labour Council
http://www.greybrucelabour.com/
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Credibility and Credit Ratings
Aug. 6, 2011
“American credit rating to AA+ instead of AAA”; too bad the ratings agency of Standard and Poor’s does not rate credibility! The place that America finds itself in, and sadly many of America’s friends, has much more to with credibility than credit worthiness. Supported in priciple by the other two horsemen of the apocalypse of the middle class, Thatcher and Mulroney, Ronald Reagan fired all the air traffic controllers in America for going on strike in 1981. Of course Reagan chose to take no notice of any issues that the controllers may have had, but behaved without conscience and the action predicted the ensuing 30 years of attacks on workers and public services.
Spawned from this behavior is free trade where corporations have more rights than people, IMF and World Bank policies that force privatization of public services in countries before lifesaving financial aid is provided, the belief that the only thing that matters is the free market, the purchase of the media to create a hospitable place for governments, corporations and the rich to attack the rights of the middle class and unions, the empowerment of organizations such as the Canadian Federation of Independent Business that have in reality no real reason to attack their middle class customers or unions but have been swept up in the decades of needless attacks and unnecessary mudslinging and amongst a list far too long for this letter a list of politicians such as Bush and Bush, Gingrich, Harper, Harris and even those that pretended to have a social conscience like Blair. Of course left of this list are the plethora radio personalities such as Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck who have made a living by doing nothing other spewing venom that serves the interest of the right and no one else.
If credibility were the measure by which a nation’s credit rating was established a lot of problems would exist for countries married to this mantra created 30 years ago. AA+ would very likely be but a hopeful target as the countries married to free trade and the free market have pronounced for thirty years that prosperity will abound if the free market is left to regulate itself and workers are provided no avenue to protect themselves or the pensions they have contributed to for a lifetime of work. Well for those that believe that economic prosperity is around the corner due to the free market perhaps you can loan 700 Billion dollars to the people who have been without work for years, can’t even hope for the slightest chance of dignity in retirement as companies and governments rape pension plans in some ridiculous battle cry of austerity and to name but one more of an endless list: hope for a better life for their children.
Well, we could hope that the equivalent 700 Billion dollars in the US and billions elsewhere that was found to line the pockets of the architects of the most recent economic meltdown in the US and around the world could be found to help families and workers, but this is not likely as those that are “one” with the policies of deregulation, privatization, free trade and free market are seemingly immune to the calls for help from the very people who for some reason keep electing them. Yes, credibility would be a good measure of credit worthiness and that credibility would only see it’s way back to AAA when elected officials acted truthfully and thoughtfully on behalf of all people and when the people that actually have the power took the time to vote in people that put all of us ahead of the very plans that were laid out for all to see when the three horsemen of the middle class apocalypse began their mission of destroying the middle class and trade unionism.
In Solidarity
Dave Trumble
President
Grey-Bruce Labour Council
http://www.greybrucelabour.com/
“American credit rating to AA+ instead of AAA”; too bad the ratings agency of Standard and Poor’s does not rate credibility! The place that America finds itself in, and sadly many of America’s friends, has much more to with credibility than credit worthiness. Supported in priciple by the other two horsemen of the apocalypse of the middle class, Thatcher and Mulroney, Ronald Reagan fired all the air traffic controllers in America for going on strike in 1981. Of course Reagan chose to take no notice of any issues that the controllers may have had, but behaved without conscience and the action predicted the ensuing 30 years of attacks on workers and public services.
Spawned from this behavior is free trade where corporations have more rights than people, IMF and World Bank policies that force privatization of public services in countries before lifesaving financial aid is provided, the belief that the only thing that matters is the free market, the purchase of the media to create a hospitable place for governments, corporations and the rich to attack the rights of the middle class and unions, the empowerment of organizations such as the Canadian Federation of Independent Business that have in reality no real reason to attack their middle class customers or unions but have been swept up in the decades of needless attacks and unnecessary mudslinging and amongst a list far too long for this letter a list of politicians such as Bush and Bush, Gingrich, Harper, Harris and even those that pretended to have a social conscience like Blair. Of course left of this list are the plethora radio personalities such as Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck who have made a living by doing nothing other spewing venom that serves the interest of the right and no one else.
If credibility were the measure by which a nation’s credit rating was established a lot of problems would exist for countries married to this mantra created 30 years ago. AA+ would very likely be but a hopeful target as the countries married to free trade and the free market have pronounced for thirty years that prosperity will abound if the free market is left to regulate itself and workers are provided no avenue to protect themselves or the pensions they have contributed to for a lifetime of work. Well for those that believe that economic prosperity is around the corner due to the free market perhaps you can loan 700 Billion dollars to the people who have been without work for years, can’t even hope for the slightest chance of dignity in retirement as companies and governments rape pension plans in some ridiculous battle cry of austerity and to name but one more of an endless list: hope for a better life for their children.
Well, we could hope that the equivalent 700 Billion dollars in the US and billions elsewhere that was found to line the pockets of the architects of the most recent economic meltdown in the US and around the world could be found to help families and workers, but this is not likely as those that are “one” with the policies of deregulation, privatization, free trade and free market are seemingly immune to the calls for help from the very people who for some reason keep electing them. Yes, credibility would be a good measure of credit worthiness and that credibility would only see it’s way back to AAA when elected officials acted truthfully and thoughtfully on behalf of all people and when the people that actually have the power took the time to vote in people that put all of us ahead of the very plans that were laid out for all to see when the three horsemen of the middle class apocalypse began their mission of destroying the middle class and trade unionism.
In Solidarity
Dave Trumble
President
Grey-Bruce Labour Council
http://www.greybrucelabour.com/
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