Criticism of US/Nato policy is extremely censored (tags)
The benefits of endless fighting in Ukraine are as immense as they are obvious. The military budget is skyrocketing. Archenemies Russia and Putin are punished. They remain embroiled in a war from which Ukrainians suffer the most.
Unemployment myth and "Migrantization" of precarity (tags)
Involuntary unemployment is afflicted with many prejudices, which impute a supposed lack of motivation and utility to those affected. Although these prejudices are easy to refute, politicians and representatives of the media cling to the neoliberal notion of individual guilt in unemployment. Unemployment has structural causes.
Less is more and Tightening the rules for the unemployed (tags)
Gainful employment is just one form of work alongside others such as care work or voluntary work. Here I would like to endorse the model of the 30-hour week... There is a need to expand investment-based active labor market policy.
Sean Hannity benefits from distressed properties (tags)
Sean Hannity benefits from distressed properties
Social Security works. Don't let Trump destroy it (tags)
Millions of people count on Social Security for their survival. Over 60 percent of seniors rely on Social Security payments for at least half their income. Approximately one-third of seniors rely on Social Security payments for at least 90 percent of their income.
Moringa great health benefits at large (tags)
MoringaQ is dedicated to providing information about Moringa. On this journey called life , it is imperative that we as humans help each other.
Five myths about tax havens (tags)
When tax havens assist kleptocratic elites in hiding their cash with impunity, they don’t guard against corruption and despotism — they help perpetuate them. Tax havens provide an escape route from laws that is available only to a rich minority that can afford to use it...
New Canadian government brings opportunity to address housing crisis (tags)
Two key ingredients have been essential for achieving positive results. Firstly, it is necessary to have a partner in government willing to listen and invest in housing. But equally important, activism at a local level is needed to mobilize knowledge and initiative to propose and develop projects...
KPFK is in double trouble, credit cards misused, and... (tags)
Instead of copying the entire text of http://pacificainexile.org/archives/1093 that includes important revelations about KPFK and its financial dysfunctioning [s], it is best to just see the site directly.
Senate Caves on Fast Track (tags)
trade
Putin Straight Talk v. Obama Doubletalk (tags)
Putin
Obama Memorial Day Big Lies (tags)
Obama
Obama's Phony Middle Class Tax Relief Plan (tags)
Obama
Israeli Police State Ruthlessness (tags)
Israel
Hard Truths v. Obama Big Lies (tags)
Obama
No Redistribution Without the Social State (tags)
In Austria 30 percent of the gross domestic product is spent on social services (not including education spending)...Since the 1990s social security has been increasingly discussed as a financial burden and less as a social achievement
Organized Labor in America Today (tags)
labor
Are Anti-Israel Activists Distorting United Methodist Pensions Action? (tags)
Institute for religion and Democracy
Obamacare
class war
Rich Congress, Poor America (tags)
inequalitys
Detroit Mirrors America's Decline (tags)
Detroit
Corporate America Loves Jason Furman (tags)
class war
Obama's Anti-Populist Agenda (tags)
class war
Philippines: 25,000 Workers March to Mendiola on Labor Day (tags)
Chiding President Aquino’s pronouncement that Labor Day should be celebratory with both labor and capitalists greeting each other for “doing a good job” for the past year, workers renewed the call for government to create “not just jobs” but “more regular jobs with living wage.”
class war
ASOCHIVIDA defends dialogue and understanding with Nicaragua Sugar (tags)
Chichigalpa Association for Life (ASOCHIVIDA), the most representative organization of persons with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) of the country, recently ratified its commitment to continue the dialogue process established with Nicaragua Sugar Estates Limited (NSEL), a company of Grupo Pellas.
Obama's Neoliberal Budget (tags)
class war
Obama's War on Social America (tags)
injustice
America's Retirement Crisis (tags)
class war
New York Times Wages War on Medicare and Social Security (tags)
class war
Americas Lackluster December Jobs Report (tags)
class war
Responsible Fiscal Cliff Resolution (tags)
class war
New York Times Fiscal Cliff Duplicity (tags)
class war
Waging War on US Workers (tags)
labor
Grand Bargain Betrayal Coming (tags)
class war
Greece: Profile of a Failed State (tags)
Greece
California governor vetoes bills tied to individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act (tags)
California is proceeding with caution in fulfilling the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Gov. Jerry BrownJerry Brown vetoed Assembly bills 961 and 1461 last week to prevent unintended consequences of how the ACA could be changed depending on who will be in the White House after November.
The Capitalism of Hopelessness (tags)
Regulated capitalism reached its peak in the class compromise of the 1960s when representatives of workers could put the screws on the steamroller CEOs a little. The enemy and dynamic are lost to capitalism. Capitalism flows into a society without utopia and alternative.
Austerity Hastens Economic Decline (tags)
class war
Texas Rep. Ron Paul, 90 Congress Leaders Supports Equity of Filipino WW II Vets (tags)
A week after the Bataan Day celebration, lobbyists will visit the US Congress the second time in a month’s time to press for sub-committee hearing on HR 210, “The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011,” which will provide full recognition to the US military services of the remaining 50,000 Filipino WW II veterans and full benefits to the veterans, widows, and their families. Lobbyists find inspiration in Texas Rep. Ron Paul, a war veteran himself and Republican presidential candidate who openly endorsed the bill in a public rally in Nevada. “We are pleased to announce Ron Paul’s unwavering legacy of supporting veterans by announcing he will support and co-sponsor HR 210,” said John Tate, national campaign manager. “HR 210 provides a small thank you for an enormous debt of gratitude owed the Philippines and America’s most heroic individuals.”
America: Land of the Poor (tags)
class war
Money Power Runs America (tags)
class war
Medicare Privatization Plans (tags)
Medicare
Destroying the American Dream (tags)
class war
Coming: Big Austerity Cuts (tags)
class war
Supercommittee Strikes Out (tags)
debt crisis
Fil-Am groups call for boycott as PAL refuses to fly PALEA member and family (tags)
Representatives from Partido ng Manggagawa-USA (Labor Party) and Filipino-American groups BANTAY Pilipinas-Los Angeles, Alliance Philippines and Echo Park Community Coalition called on the public especially Filipino-Americans to boycott Philippine Airlines (PAL) as the groups condemned the harassment tactics of the company against members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA). Last November 6 (US time), PAL refused to board a PALEA member and her family despite holding tickets for the Los Angeles-Manila flight because she was supposedly on “blacklist of PALEA members.”
Filipino WW II Vets to Sen. Inouye: “We are American veterans, not political beggars.” (tags)
At a national phone conference, 50 Filipino WW II veterans and widows respond publicly to Inouye’s letter and denial of support for full equity of benefits of Filipinos as their American counterparts. “American veterans must be honored completely for their valor and heroism, and must not be pacified by partial benefits and partial recognitions, which in the words of Senator Daniel Inouye are “better than nothing,” says Felino Punsalan, a stenographer and interpreter to an American Commander during the war, and was denied of the lump sum compensation and monthly pensions.
U.S Election 2012: Alexander and Mendoza Gives Perspective on US Jobs Situation (tags)
“We aren’t making economic progress,” says Stewart Alexander, Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party USA, “we are simply going through a long term process of replacing poorly paying jobs with even worse jobs while corporate profits soar. The only ‘change’ Obama has given us jingles in our pockets.”
Presidential Candidate Alexander Wants Unemployment Benefits Extended Indefinitely (tags)
If elected president in 2012, Alexander says his administration will support the provisions of a livable guaranteed annual income. A Guaranteed Livable Income would be an unconditional and universal income administered by the federal government and granted to individuals to ensure that no person’s income falls below what is necessary for health, life and dignity.
Obama-Style Deficit Reduction (tags)
class war
Rahm Emanuel: Chicago's War Criminal/Anti-Labor Mayor (tags)
anti-labor
Striking for Health Care (tags)
The supermarket workers in So Cal have gone over three months without agreeing on a new contract. The fight is mostly over health care benefits; if they lose, all workers in retail will see benefits decline.
JFAV SEND KUDOS FOR DFA SECRETARY DEL ROSARIO (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) based in the United States lauded the action of Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario who has asked the US Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to reconsider the cases of Filipino World War II (WWII) veterans who were denied benefits under a recently passed US law.
Attack on Democratic Traditions (tags)
The situation of the US public budget is really dramatic. This indebtedness is the result of excessive military spending and the neoliberal policy launched at the beginning of the 1980s. A progressive counter-movement in the form of a broad Obama coalition is emerging.
States Harming People Most Needing Help (tags)
financial terrorism
On the Chopping Block: Federal Worker Pensions (tags)
fascism
Public Workers’ Struggle Is Our Struggle (tags)
Though it ended in a setback when the Republican majority in the Wisconsin state legislature used legally dubious tactics to ram the bill through anyway, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s plan to strip his state’s public workers of the right to form unions and bargain collectively has engendered nationwide resistance from America’s increasingly embattled working class. Tens of thousands of people from Wisconsin and elsewhere flooded Madison, the state capital, and occupied the capitol building to protest Walker’s policies, and the Democrats in the Wisconsin State Senate left the state for three weeks to deny Walker and the Republicans the votes they needed to eviscerate the state’s union movement. America’s working and middle classes need to stand strong and fight back in the face of these efforts by the corporate and radical Right to deny the non-rich any voice whatsoever in America’s politics.
Reactionary Extremism in Wisconsin and Ohio (tags)
worker struggles
Why All Workers Should Support Unions (tags)
It's official: Republicans have declared war on organized labor. Unclear to millions of unorganized workers is whether or not they should care. Thanks to years of right wing propaganda -- and labor union inertia -- millions of Americans are "union skeptics," unsure as to the nature of the union animal. These fence-straddlers have no direct experience with organized labor, but they will be absolutely crucial participants in this war of corporate power versus working people.
Wisconsin's Spirit: Courage for Other States to Emulate (tags)
worker struggles
Wisconsin: Ground Zero to Save Public Worker Rights (tags)
worker struggles
Waging War on Chicago Workers (tags)
labor struggles
Philippines - Stop the Plunder! Revamp the AFP Now! (tags)
THE FUNDAMENTAL role and character of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been brought into question by the latest revelations of the colossal scale of corruption, nay, plunder of state and people’s resources by the general command of the AFP.
REP. SPEIER FILED FILIPINO VETERANS FAIRNESS ACT OF 2011 (tags)
Rep. Jackie Speier on Thursday introduced a bill in Congress that seeks to make Filipino veterans of World War II eligible for the same benefits available to U.S. veterans. Speier held a news conference in San Mateo Monday to outline the bill, which has been referred to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. “It gives full benefits to every Filipino who served in World War II,” Speier said, estimating that approximately 50,000 Filipino soldiers survive.
The Attack of Corporations and the Rich on the Rest of Society (tags)
In the last decades, wealth has concentrated in a few hands. The increasing inequality does not offend us; this inequality is the result of an active policy. The rich prevail; they are subsidized and relieved from contributions to the social infrastructure while social benefits are cut.
Social Injustice in Israel (tags)
the data will surprise most people
On the Chopping Block: Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid (tags)
cutting entitlements
Obama Capitulates to Republicans (tags)
Obama betrayal
FILVET WIDOWS PRESS RIGHTS, BACK LAWSUITS (tags)
The lawsuits were borne out of the deep frustration, anger and longing of veterans and families to seek recognition and justice. The US Congress failed to deliver justice and so people have the right to seek the power of the courts to tell Congress to do its job.” That was the response sent by three veterans groups to this writer’s blog last Nov. 17 that discussed the repercussions of lawsuits filed by Filipino World War II veterans, their widows and supporters on Capitol Hill. The rejoinder bore the names of Dolly Castillo, Coordinator of the Filipino-American WWII Veterans’ Widows of Washington in Seattle, WA; Maria Galang, President of the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equality (AWARE) in San Francisco, CA; and Jovy Alejandrino, Vice President of the Senior Pilipino-Americans for Community Empowerment (SPACE) in Los Angeles, CA.
JFAV Updates November 29, 2010 FILVET WIDOWS PRESS RIGHTS, BACK LAWSUITS (tags)
“The lawsuits were borne out of the deep frustration, anger and longing of veterans and families to seek recognition and justice. The US Congress failed to deliver justice and so people have the right to seek the power of the courts to tell Congress to do its job.” That was the response sent by three veterans groups to this writer’s blog last Nov. 17 that discussed the repercussions of lawsuits filed by Filipino World War II veterans, their widows and supporters on Capitol Hill. The rejoinder bore the names of Dolly Castillo, Coordinator of the Filipino-American WWII Veterans’ Widows of Washington in Seattle, WA; Maria Galang, President of the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equality (AWARE) in San Francisco, CA; and Jovy Alejandrino, Vice President of the Senior Pilipino-Americans for Community Empowerment (SPACE) in Los Angeles, CA. In our blog, we reported how some key supporters on Capitol Hill, principally Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye, chairman of the influential appropriations committee, were hurt by the lawsuits that appeared to criticize shortcomings in the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) bill which provided a single lump-sum payment for surviving veterans here and in the Philippines.
The KPFA/KPFK/Pacifica NPR Evening News (tags)
One segment on the Tuesday broadcast demonstrates the ongoing disconnect between the news staff and some station staffers and the political and economic reality that Obama has brought us and make many ask why contribute to a second NPR.
Destructive Neoliberal Austerity (tags)
austerity, not stimulus coming
BTL:Deficit Commission Co-Chairs Propose Deep Cuts to Social Security Benefits (tags)
BETWEEN THE LINES - A four-time winner of the Connecticut Associated Press Broadcast Award for Best Feature in the non-commercial category, this syndicated, half-hour program provides a platform for individuals and spokespersons from progressive organizations generally ignored or marginalized by the mainstream media. Between the Lines covers a wide range of political, economic and social topics.
Class Warfare Jeopardizing American Workers' Security (tags)
waging war against vital social benefits
Obama Team's Deficit Cutting Proposal: Benefit the Few, Harm the Many (tags)
Obama's Robin Hood economics
The Struggle for a Workers' Recovery (tags)
Stocks are booming; the Dow Jones soared past 11,000; the very wealthy are bursting from their financial seams. Meanwhile, mass unemployment continues, with 95,000 more jobs -- mostly teachers -- lost in September. As millions of Americans sink into desperation, President Obama continues to preach the good word of optimism, based on the gospel of "private sector job growth."
The Bi-Partisan Attack on Public Workers (tags)
States everywhere across the United States are facing the common enemy of extreme budget deficits. Many states have deficits in the multi-billion dollar realm, as the budget crises dominate the debates for the upcoming gubernatorial elections. In these debates, Republican and Democratic candidates are finding it difficult to disagree on the most essential issues around the budget crises. The most crucial question for any incoming governor must be: how will you resolve the state’s budget crisis? The answer from both parties is a resounding: “Public workers and those who depend on their services will pay for the crisis”!
Ripping Off Dead War Vets' Beneficiaries (tags)
stealing from the dead
San Mateo Congresswoman Speier to Introduce New Equity Bill (tags)
In an effort to keep the fight for full equity alive, Filipino veterans and their advocates met with United States Congresswoman Jackie Speier in her San Mateo office last Friday. After the meeting, the veterans and their advocates felt they found a champion in Speier, a Democrat running for reelection in California’s 12th District. In an exclusive interview with Balitang America, Speier said, “In January of next year, if I’m reelected, I’m going to introduce a bill that would give all Filipino veterans from World War II the same equal rights for benefits. That means the veterans will receive pensions and their widows and heirs will receive these benefits should they pass away.”
PRESIDENT OBAMA NEEDS ALL OUR PRAYERS WITH THIS CABAL OF SELFISH WEALTHY ELITE AMERICANS ~ (tags)
TAX CUTS & TAX FREE SLUSH FUND FOUNDATIONS FOR OUR WEALTHY ELITE AMERICANS AND LOSS OF HOMES,CARS, APARTMENTS etc...4 OUR MIDDLE~CLASS AND WORKING POOR AMERICANS.....
Thousands of vets missing out on better benefits (tags)
oday through news wires that only a fraction of wounded veterans who could get better benefits have applied in the two years since Congress, acting on concerns the military was cutting costs by downplaying injuries, ordered the Pentagon to review disputed claims. The JFAV is planning to sue the DVA for denying more than 17,000 Filipino World War II veterans of their lump sum claims. Out of the 36,000 who filed for the claims only 8,000 were given by the DVA.
JFAV LETTER TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA (tags)
We write to you on the 64th anniversary of the Rescission Act—that took away for the first time, the full recognition of the US military services of the Filipino World War II veterans who fought in defense of an American territory in Asia. The timing also marks the first year after the “lump sum” was granted after the approval of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, and the denial of 41,000 applicants as reported by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Though the “lump sum” of $15,000 for American citizens and $9,000 for non-citizens fell short of the lifetime monthly pension and lifetime benefits granted to all American veterans, it did provide a temporary monetary relief to many impoverished veterans.
Letter to President Obama (tags)
We write to you on the 64th anniversary of the Rescission Act—that took away for the first time, the full recognition of the US military services of the Filipino World War II veterans who fought in defense of an American territory in Asia. The timing also marks the first year after the “lump sum” was granted after the approval of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, and the denial of 41,000 applicants as reported by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Though the “lump sum” of $15,000 for American citizens and $9,000 for non-citizens fell short of the lifetime monthly pension and lifetime benefits granted to all American veterans, it did provide a temporary monetary relief to many impoverished veterans.
Former Pacifica Radio Interim Executive Seeks Retroactive Extra Pay (tags)
Word has it that after ending her tenure as Pacifica's Interim Executive Director, former board chair Grace Aaron is demanding that the board pay her retroactively for health benefits that were never agreed to.
On MLK Day, NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE! (tags)
We, in the Filipino- American community and JFAV commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Kingdom Day in Los Angeles and all over the United States today, January 18th, 2010. It is several weeks to Feb 18, 2010, the 64th year of the Rescission Act of 1946 when the US congress stripped the Filipino veterans their rights and benefits as American veterans. This will be the 64th year that we are still unrecognized for our military service for America . Adding insult to injury, the removed the Filipino World War II veterans from the Enhanced American Veterans Benefits Law or the New GI Bill of 2008. Instead they gave the veterans a one time lump- sum- ( $ 15,000 to American citizens and $ 9,000 to Filipino citizens)—in essence - hush money for their “ human suffering for waiting for this lump sum” not a recognition of their war time service.
Israeli Democracy or Hypocrisy (tags)
Its illusory even for Jews
Apartheid roads and Crusader walls (tags)
Are not new settlements.
FULL RECOGNITION IS REAL JUSTICE (tags)
On February 18, 1946, the US Congress passed and President Truman signed Public Law 70-301, known as the "Rescission Act of 1946" - affecting close to half a million Filipinos who fought side by side with the Americans in the WAR against Imperial Japan in the Pacific. These Filipino Veterans who gallantly served America and suffered torture and even death in the hands of its enemy found themselves fighting the longest battle of their lives: 63 years of struggle to be recognized as full Veterans of Foreign War and gain all benefits accorded to such status.
Is Growth Only Possible Through Inequality? (tags)
Does capitalism make the rich richer and the poor poorer instead of creating prosperity for everyone as promised? Inequality declined considerably between 1930 and 1970 in western industrial states.
Filipino Veterans Protests Slow Processing of Lump Sum Checks: US Playing Politics (tags)
Another long wait for benefits. Filipino World War II veteran based both in the United States and the Philippines protests the long wait and slow processing of the lump sum benefits. “ We have waited for 63 long years for our benefits. Now they are going to let us wait again for another long wait.” This was the remark of veteran Mariano Pastorin of Los Angeles.” “ But we can’t do anything but wait. We waited for the American forces to go back for us during the Japanese occupation. We have waited for our benefits. We are still waiting for our benefits.” Pastorin joked about his long wait.
Veterans Laments Slow Processing of Lump Sum Checks: US Playing Politics (tags)
Filipino World War II veteran based both in the United States and the Philippines laments and criticizes the long wait and slow processing of the lump sum benefits. JFAV reported that more than 2,000 veterans in the Philippines and in the United States have received their one-time lump sum checks. It was reported that the Filipino veterans were given priority in processing while the US veterans will receive theirs later. JFAV pointed out that the US government is playing politics by giving benefits to Filipinos first to for political reasons. This especially that several amendments to the proposed charter change of the Arroyo administration will benefits the United States.
Who Will Pay for Healthcare? (tags)
There’s a jumbled, increasingly hysterical tone to the health care debate going on in Washington. On each side of the uproar lie powerful and opposing interests: on one side the giant corporations who make billions of dollars via the status quo; and on the other, the majority of working people who suffer immensely from it. Creating a health care “compromise” between these two interests is of course impossible, but seeing the politicians in Congress attempt one is at least good entertainment.
What do we do with the Unemployed? (tags)
It's a simple question, but....?
32,000 MARK REACHED THIS APRIL: MORE VETERANS DYING WITHOUT BENEFITS (tags)
“The more the merrier” With this as a rule the Philippine and the US governments braces itself for more troubles as the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles confirmed today that there were more than 32,000 Filipino veterans have applied for lump sum benefits since February 2009. During the commemoration of 67th Bataan Day in Los Angeles last April 9, 2009, Los Angeles Deputy Consul Daniel Espiritu confirmed that there were more than 32,000 veterans who have applied and are having their claims processed in the Philippines and the United States. The problem of more applicants for the benefits still plagues the veterans.
MORE VETERANS APPLYING FOR BENEFITS; 32,000 MARK REACHED THIS APRIL (tags)
“The more the merrier” With this as a rule the Philippine and the US governments braces itself for more troubles as the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles confirmed today that there were more than 32,000 Filipino veterans have applied for lump sum benefits since February 20098. During the commemoration of 67th Bataan Day in Los Angeles last April 9, 2009, Los Angeles Deputy Consul Daniel Espiritu confirmed that there were more than 32,000 veterans who have applied and are having their claims processed in the Philippines and the United States. The problem of more applicants for the benefits still plagues the veterans.
LUMP SUM CHECKS OUT: MORE THAN 26,000 FILIPINO VETERANS ENROLLED FOR BENEFITS (tags)
The first batch of Filipino World War II veterans are about to receive their lump sum checks this month as promised by the Department of Veterans Administration (DVA) The DVA reported that they are assessing at least 776 applications and have approved the first batch of 195 checks that will be delivered this week to at least 18,000 veterans in the United States and the Philippines. A 98-year old ACFV lobbyist Alberto Bacani, from Alexandria , Virginia became the first Filipino veteran who received his $ 15,000 dollar check. This was given to him by retired general Antonio Taguba who represented the DVA Secretary in a special ceremony in the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC last April 8.
The Association of Widows, Relatives and Advocates for Equality (AWARE) (tags)
AWARE was formed after the passage of S. 1315 which excludes Filipinos veterans in the enhanced American veterans law of the 110th US Congress. This is the 2nd Recession Act of our time that discriminates against the Filipino World War II veterans. In its place, on February 17, 2009- the 111th US Congress passed the Stimulus Bill or the American Recovery and Reinvestments Act (ARRA) that includes a one time-lump sum benefits for Filipino veterans. But the lump sum has quit claim, no recognition to the veterans and no benefits for Filipino World War II widows. Thus on December 8, 2008, the widows and relatives of veterans banded together and formed this organization-AWARE in Los Angeles and San Francisco to fight and advocate for equal rights. The widows started to get organized at first to support he veterans struggle but later to fight for themselves. They held their protests in July 25, 2008, September 22, 2008, February 18, 2009, March 9, 2009 and March 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, San Francisco and other areas of the country.
targeting labor rights
RP-US Government Created Huge Problem on Veterans Claims (tags)
The Philippine and United States government created a huge problem about Filipino World War II claims. The JFAV is expecting a lot of applications to be filed until Feb 16, 2010. This is due to the fact that PVAO admitted that there are 40,000 still living veterans in the Philippines. There are around 6,000 veterans living in the United States. In this connection, JFAV National Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia criticized both the Philippine and US governments “for giving false hopes to the poor, disabled and old veterans. What will they say to those veterans who will not be paid. That they were not veterans because they their papers are not in order? “ Garcia also said: “ Besides not giving widows any benefits the law is flawed because it only provided benefits for 18,000 veterans. “
JFAV /WARE PROTEST WIDOWS EXCLUSION (tags)
LUMP SUM IS NOT EQUITY! Scores of activist and advocates led by the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the newly formed Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives of veterans for Equality (AWARE) held a protest rally at the INS Federal Building in 300 Los Angeles St in downtown LA in commemoration of International Women’s Day last March 9 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM
JFAV RECOGNIZES COMMUNITY SUPPORT CRUCIAL (tags)
Scores of activist and advocates led by the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) in a community forum held last Wednesday night, March 4 in Historic Filipinotown. They recognized the crucial role of community organizations especially the People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment (People’s CORE) who started the veterans struggle for equity 17 years ago and won some benefits including the lump sum in the Stimulus Law. The well attended community forum was held at the Community Hall of Search to Involve the Pilipino Americans (SIPA) in 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles. SIPA is one of the community organizations recognized that night.
LUMP SUM IS NOT RECOGNITION. MUCH LESS EQUITY (tags)
This letter is in response to the column by Mr. Rodel Rodis that appeared in Philippines Today, Filam Star and Philippine News, and another by Senator Leland Yee in Manila Mail in the March 4-10 newspaper issue. Both writers much like leaders of the mendicant Philippine government herald the passage of the lump sum as a victory for the veterans in that their war service is now recognized, and that they finally got the benefits they deserve and fought for, for the last 63 years. Just what kind of recognition and victory did the veterans get? The word “recognition” in the text of the Section 1002 of the stimulus bill signed into law by President Barack Obama pertains exclusively for the purpose of issuing the lump sum. As soon as lump sum is issued, the recognition shall immediately disappear. Notice how the text was very clear in saying that the lump sum was a “compensation for human suffering.”— not a recognition of wartime heroism and valor. If the intention of this provision is to tax-exempt, then just say the lump sum is non-taxable, but without a condescending term as “human suffering.”
On the Psychology of Neoliberalism (tags)
The claim of non-wage benefits was stylized as social misuse, recipients of high incomes as achievers and unemployment as personal responsibility. According to this ideology, the optimal conditions for gaining profits lead to prosperity for all.
The Big Lie of Recession Politics: 'Shared Sacrifice' (tags)
It’s everywhere you look and in every speech you listen to. Every time a politician or businessmen talks about the recession, an almost in-synch, repetitive mantra can be heard: “Shared sacrifice, equality of sacrifice, hard choices.” Oh my. There must be something to it, since EVERYBODY seems to be regurgitating the phrase in harmony.
CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR EQUITY (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) reiterates its stand on the long-standing battle of Filipino- American veterans to claim what is due them in the name of justice and equity. We would like to emphasize that this movement, waged valiantly for 63 years by veterans who are in the twilight of their lives, is beyond personal and family interests. It has to be viewed as an issue of national interest and dignity. Sadly, there are a few Filipinos who see this struggle in an unsympathetic and twisted sense. The JFAV would like to correct this sentiment and ask them to instead look at the veterans’ issue on the light of respecting the rights of our war veterans and honoring our dignity as a country. Filipino- American veterans all over America have unanimously agreed to accept what the recently signed Stimulus Package of Pres. Barrack Obama has given them. But will continue with the struggle for equity as they did for so many years now. JFAV believes that the veterans, and widows or legal heirs of the deceased ones, deserve the full rights of naturalization and welfare benefits, including health and pension which the Rescission Act of 1946 has denied and the Stimulus Package has only partially fulfilled.
JFAV BLASTS GOP ON VETERANS BENEFITS BILL (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) criticized the republicans in the US Congress for their unreasonable opposition to the $198-million Filipino veterans pension provision that found its way into President Barack Obama’s pet – the Economic Stimulus Bill. The veterans benefits is widely criticized by Republican members of Congress as having no place in the controversial and complex piece of legislation. They said the lump sum pension bill meant for about 18,000 Filipino veterans who fought side by side U.S. forces against the Japanese during World War II would “clutter” a bill that is already riddled with questionable and “wasteful earmarks.” “The Republicans like Senator Burr and Rep. Buyer readily forget they owe Filipino veterans a debt of gratitude for winning the war in the Pacific. They only want to bail-out the corporations not the people. Republicans and conservative” blue dog” democrats are outright ingrates!”, JFAV National Coordinator Arturo Garcia exclaimed.
Orange County Sheriffs hit the streets in protest (tags)
The lawsuit has drawn the attention of law enforcement unions across the country because a ruling in favor of the county could unravel pension benefits granted to law enforcement officers nationwide.
NO TO LUMP SUM WITHOUT FULL RECOGNITION,JUSTICE AND EQUITY, NOW! (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) expresses grave concern on the fate of the Stimulus Bill on which the Filipino veterans benefits bill is now hangs by a thread. While the US Senate passed the Stimulus bill, it will still go on a bicameral conference to settle its differences and the veterans befits bill is in danger of being dropped again. Senator Inouye inserted the benefits bill and promised to resign as Senate Appropriations chair if the Filipino veterans bill does not pass. On February 18, 2009 is the 63rd anniversary of the Rescission Act that took away the rights of the Filipinos to get equal benefits. The Congress did this to the Filipinos out of around 60 nationalities who served the US Armed Forces.
NO TO LUMP SUM WITHOUT RECOGNITION (tags)
Los Angeles – The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) expresses grave concern on the fate of the Stimulus Bill on which the Filipino veterans benefits bill is now hangs by a thread. This February 18, 2009 is the 63rd anniversary of the Rescission Act that took away the rights of the Filipinos to get equal benefits. The Congress did this to the Filipinos out of around 60 nationalities who served the US Armed Forces. If this is not outright racism, what is this?
NO LUMP SUM WITHOUT RECOGNITION (tags)
We stand to educate and politicize the community on the issue as opposed to the advice of the Philippine government’s representative for veterans to “keep quiet for the next four months.” We empower the Filipino and the American communities if they know the historical injustice, facts and options as only an educated people can bring about real change to the how the US government regard the veterans. Veterans and advocates for genuine equity are on a crossroad now. Is it lump sum first or full recognition and lifetime pension benefit right away? This paper attempts to provoke discussion among veterans, widows, families, advocates and the public in general.
OUR HOPES AND DREAMS; FIGHT RACISM AND STRUGGLE AGAINST RACIAL DISCRIMINATION! (tags)
On January 20,2009 a new President- An African American named Barack Obama will be inaugurated in Washington DC. To many, the dream that racism is no more is reality and the dreams of equality for all will be achieved. But not for the Filipino American community who still feel the fangs of racism at the hands the US Congress. On September 22, the US Congress House of Representatives passed the SB 1315 or the American Veterans Benefits Enhancement Bill, But they removed the whole section that pertains to Filipino World War II veterans. They excluded again the Filipinos, in a blatant act of racism in the law.
WIDOWS AND RELATIVES OF FILIPINO VETERANS FORMED AWARE DEC 8 IN LA (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) together with the Society of Guerillas and Scouts (SGS) formed Association of Widow and Relatives of Veterans for Equality or AWARE last Monday, at 10:00 AM December 8, 2008 at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) at Fountain St/Vermont, CA 90027. This as they commemorate the formal entry of the United States into the Second World War with the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, 67 years ago.
The Global Economic Crisis - Bad and Worsening (tags)
the crisis is deepening
WIDOWS AND RELATIVES OF FILIPINO VETERANS WILL FORM GROUP FOR EQUITY AND BENEFITS (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) together with the Society of Guerillas and Scouts (SGS) will hold an organizing meeting for widows and relatives of Filipino World War II veterans on Monday, at 10:00 AM December 8, 2008 at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center at Fountain St/Vermont, CA 90027. The event will mark the formal entry of the United States into the Second World War with the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.
GM, The NY Times, & Marxism 101 (tags)
As Socialists, we are consistently asked to present our ideas in a clearer, easier to understand manner. To achieve this goal, I’ll enlist the help of former Governor of Massachusetts and candidate for the Republican Presidential nomination, Mitt Romney, who appeared in the New York Times Op-Ed section on Nov. 19th. Romney’s piece, entitled “Let Detroit Go Broke,” laid bare the intent behind the angry rhetoric used by politicians against the proposed bailout for the “Big Three” automakers. Whereas the giant Wall Street banks received over 1 trillion dollars — so far— without barely having to ask, an industry that actually produces something has to beg for a handout. Why the difference?
NO THANKSGIVING GIFT FOR FILIPINO VETERANS (tags)
The long wait for veterans benefits and equity still goes on as Thanksgiving Day sets in without the much awaited results from the US Congress lame duck session. According to JFAV representative and World War II Veteran from San Francisco, Mr. Reggie Nacua who went to lobby with the ACFV in Washington DC reported that the Senate instead passed in its hearings -the S. 3869 also known as the Filipino Veterans Support Bill.
JFAV Optomistic on the passage of the veterans benefits bill this year. (tags)
Taking time-off from its hectic activities to pass the veterans benefits bill pending in the US Congress, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) commemorated the 64th Year of the Leyte landing, October 20, 1944- the start of the Liberation of the Philippines with the proper rites at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) in Vermont and Fountain St in Los Angeles on Oct. 22, 2008. The veterans and their advocates are still very hopeful that the US Congress will convene the joint conference committee to reconcile the three separate bills for Filipino veterans. At present the S. 1315, HR 6897 and the Chat Edwards bill that appropriated $198 million for the veterans needs to be reconciled. The JFAV and the ACFV is still highly optimistic that the reconciled bill that will grant recognition and give benefits to the Filipino veterans will be enacted before the US Congress ends this year.
AJLPP Support JFAV Mass Actions for the Final Push for Filipino Veterans Rights- (tags)
“ The demand of Filipino World War II veterans for their benefits and rights is just and reasonable cause and no amount of denial and delay from the US Congress can justify its callous and racist actions of stalling the benefits bill denied from them for 63 years.” The AJLPP stands for and supports the final offensive in the US Congress focused on the Senate to call a conference committee to pass the veterans bill, AJLPP West Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia said. The mass actions will be held from October 3 to 10, 2008 U.S wide.
Fight Racism, Struggle for Filipino Veterans Rights (tags)
The next two weeks SEPT 26-OCT 9, 2008 WILL BE CRUCIAL because the joint Congress conference committee will decide how to reconcile the two disparate bills- SB 1315 and HR 6897- the inequity bill that gives nothing to the Filipino veterans. For the latest news, the lower house has alloted $ 198 million for the benefits under the HB 6897 as a result of our actions. Are we contented with this? NO! A MILLION TIMES NO! The US Congress will bail out crooked and corrupt corporations with our money, they give pennies to our veterans? We say PASS 1315 and restore their benefits.
A Posthumous Concern, Another kind of Racism (tags)
VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES in the Far East (Usaffe) here at home and in America thought that, at long last, the US Congress was poised to pass legislation addressing their generations-old claim for benefits. But as the American economy unraveled, politicians began sniping at the bills (pending before the US Congress) aimed at increasing the benefits of Filipino veterans. Filipino-American veterans groups and lobbyists began to fear that the promise to bring the bill to a vote in the US House of Representatives would fall by the wayside. No one, of course, predicted that the US Congress would be plunged into a crisis atmosphere by US President George W. Bush’s proposed bailout, which the US Senate and House Democrats have agreed to, but whose approval has been delayed and, possibly, foiled by a group of House Republicans anxious they will be defeated in November if they vote for a bailout.
Betrayal of the Filipino Veterans (tags)
Just as the U.S. House of Representatives was about to vote on S.1315 -- known as the "Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007" -- a group of Filipino-Americans from San Francisco drove a polarizing wedge that could potentially impede the passage of the bill. Indeed, what was almost a certainty two weeks ago is now in jeopardy.
Clinton honors Fil-Am vets in 66th Anniversary of ‘Fall of Bataan’ (tags)
HILLARY CLINTON released the following statement April 10 in honor of the men and women who bravely fought for the freedoms of the United States and the Philippines 66 years ago, when Japanese troops invaded the Philippines. This invasion led to the Fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942. "It is my honor to have the opportunity to salute these brave Filipino men and women who gallantly gave their lives for the freedom that citizens of both the Philippines and the United States now enjoy. And to those who have survived, I pledge that America will not forget the hardships that you and your family endured from that war."
JUSTICE AND EQUITY NOW! (tags)
After 63 years, finally US Senate on April 24, 2008 passed the Veterans Expanded Benefits Bill with a vote of 96-1. This bill is generally an omnibus bill enhancing benefits to most US veterans. The provision of S.57 was partly incorporated in S. 1315 which will afford the Filipino veterans in the US to receive the same benefits as those of their US veteran counterpart. Those who are residing in the Philippines shall receive a monthly special pension of $300/month if the bill is finally signed into law. The Senate also voted 56-41 to defeat the effort of Sen. Richard Burr(R, NC) to redirect pension to wards U.S veterans. Almost all those who opposed the bill including Senator Burr and Craig voted for the bill. Democratic Senator Barack Obama who promised to vote for the bill and Republican candidate John McCain were not able to vote and were absent. Senator Hillary Clinton voted for the bill. Work Ahead “Our work has just begun our next target will be the House of Representatives to pass the bill and give justice, equity and correct the errors of racism for the Filipino World War II veterans” Arturo Garcia. JFAV and People’s CORE Coordinator said. For more than half a century, the Filipino World War II veterans have been seeking for just and equal recognition as US veterans. The house bill HR 760 should continue to gain support from legislators in the House with the passage of S. 1315 in Senate.
US Senate Passes Equity Bill, 96-1 (tags)
The US Senate began deliberation on S.1315 or the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill on April 22, 2008 and today, with a vote of 96-1, the bill was finally passed. This bill is generally an omnibus bill enhancing benefits to most US veterans. The provision of S.57 was partly incorporated in S. 1315 which will afford the Filipino veterans in the US to receive the same benefits as those of their US veteran counterpart. Those who are residing in the Philippines shall receive a monthly special pension of $300/month if the bill is finally signed into law. " We would like to thank the leadership of the Senators Inouye and Senator Akaka and all veterans advocates especially the youth for making it a possibility for this bill to pass. This is our long awaited desire to be recognized for all our sacrifices during World War II," said veteran leader Peping Baclig, National JFAV Coordinator..
PASS THE EQUITY BILL NOW! (tags)
Senator Gilbert Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) issued the following statement on the United States Senate unanimous vote to proceed with a floor debate on S. 1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act. Among other actions the bill would restore U.S. Veterans status and eligibility for Veterans Affairs (VA) disability pension benefits to Filipino Veterans serving in WW II. A final vote is expected today:
JFAV Letter to The President of the Philippines (tags)
We, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), are addressing the Philippine government’s actions affecting our campaign for the Filipino-American Veterans who have fought in World War II and were denied their promised benefits fighting under the American regime. We commend the Philippine government’s efforts in lobbying for the Filipino Veterans to gain their benefits that they were denied at the end of World War II, especially from Ambassador Willy Gaa and Consul General Mary B. Aragon Seeing this support from our mother country, in addition to the growing support from our fellow Americans of different ethnic heritages, gives us motivation to push forward with this campaign of obtaining the benefits promised to the Filipino WWII Veterans as well as for reunification for their families. However, we are gravely concerned with the government's recent activities of selling federal institutions, especially the National Veterans' Memorial Hospital, to private developers in order to carry out Executive Orders 620 and 620-A, which call for the development of the East and North Triangles and the Veterans' Memorial area of Quezon City. We find it very ironic how our government, who has invested such efforts into our cause, can sell the National Veterans Memorial Hospital – an act that conflicts a stance set from the previous action. This hospital is a gift from the American government, to tend especially to the health needs of the Filipino Veterans.
Remember ther Recission Act, Fight Racism and Racial Discrimination! (tags)
On February 18th, we commemorate the 62nd year of the infamous Rescission Act. On February 18, 1946, the 79th US Congress removed the benefits and all entitlements for 250,000 Filipino World War II veterans by stating “their military service were not deemed active”. By a stroke of a pen,the US government removed the recognition of the wartime services and the sacrifices of the Filipino nation during World War II. For 62 years, Filipino veterans suffered discrimination and racism. Of all 66 nationalities that served the American flag, only the Filipinos were excluded from their benefits and recognition. To add insult to injury, the promise that they will given citizenship was granted later in 1990, when the immigration reform bill was passed.
Fil-Vets ask candidates for bill support (tags)
Statements of support from the presidential candidates are being requested from Filipino American veterans and the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc. (ACFV) before Feb. 18 to help pass their benefits bills and garner more community allies for the Bataan Day commemoration rallies being planned across the U.S. “We are asking the presidential candidates to release their statements of support for our cause clearly before February 18, the day of the Rescission Act of 1946,” said Eric Lachica, Executive Director of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc. in an exclusive interview with BALITA. “We have been, and will continue to the rounds here in Washington D.C. to get the candidates’ commitment.”
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act (tags)
The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 has gone through its shares of ups and downs this year. If passed, an estimated 7,000 Filipino American veterans living in the US and 12,000 Filipino veterans in the Philippines, who both fought during WWII, would restore US Veterans status and be eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) disability pension benefits.
Historic Debate on Filvets Bill Up Before Full Senate (tags)
When US Senate session resumes after Dec. 3, it will deliberate for the first time, the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill sponsored by Hawaii Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (Dem.). He is Chairman of the Senate Veterans Committee. Originally Senate Bill 57, the “Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007” will provide for the first time starting May 1, 2008 a flat rate of $3,600 annually disability pension for single Filipino veterans living in the Philippines; $4,500 annually for married veterans; and $2,400 annually for surviving spouses.To be eligible, a veteran “must have income below a certain threshold, have served during a period of war, and have a permanent and total non-service-connected disability.”
L.A. Fil-Am vets rally draws over 500 (tags)
Nearly 600 students and supporters gathered to march for Filipino Veterans’ rights on Nov. 11 in Historical Filipinotown. The event, organized by the coalition group Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), was the seventh annual march aiming to raise community awareness about H.R. 1315, a bill that would grant Filipino veterans pension for their involvement in World War II. Supporters of the bill, which has yet to be approved by both the Lower House and the Senate before being signed into law by the President, are hoping that the rally will cause enough attention to the issue before Congress adjourns its session for the year on Nov. 16, or at the very least, to get an extension until December. Another bill being pushed for approval along with these benefits is the family reunification bill, which veterans would use to expedite the immigration process for family members still remaining in the Philippines.
UAW Sellout at GM and Chrysler (tags)
Corrupt UAW bosses sell out their rank and file
Retirement under capitalism (tags)
Sometimes small statistics can have huge implications. The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics recently reported that the age at which U.S. workers retire has risen for the first time in 100 years. According to the report, in the mid-1980s, 18 percent of people in their late 60s still had jobs; today, it is 29 percent. Millions of U.S. workers can no longer look forward to the “Golden Years” of guaranteed Social Security, Medicare health insurance and employer pensions. One in four baby boomers surveyed said they would likely never be able to retire – in other words, they will “work until they drop”. For those that do want to retire, the age at which they can do so is also being systematically raised. Workers born in 1960 or later must wait until age 67, rather than 65, to get their full Social Security benefits. There is talk of raising it further to 70. The mainstream media took scant notice of this, and for good reason; it’s a huge indicator of deeper processes that are destroying the standard of living of workers in the United States and internationally. A quick look into why workers are delaying retirement – if they have the “luxury” of retiring at all – points a condemning finger at the current state of international capitalism, while at the same time warning younger workers of the even worse conditions they’ll certainly face under the auspices of the capitalist system.
Government and business mock labor's day.
The War on Working Americans - Part II (tags)
Part II of how American workers are losing out.
Privatization Endangers Democracy (tags)
Neoliberal hegemony or market radicalism is a danger for democracy because economic mechanisms replace politics. Neoliberals change the understanding of justice in society. The less generous the social benefits, the more powerful must be its security machine.
Venezuela: Workers control under attack-Struggle at Sanitarios Maracay (tags)
workers control
Chrysler, Globalization, and Labor's response (tags)
The UAW will confront Detroit auto makers at the bargaining table in July for a new national contract. In what will prove to be one of the UAW’s biggest challenges since the union’s birth, this contract will bear the imprint of the wholesale restructuring of the American auto industry. When Cerberus Capital Management paid $7.4 billion to take control of Chrysler on May 13, 2007, the challenge to the Union was official: “Are you ready to negotiate with a private equity firm which specializes in gutting troubled companies?” The UAW’s position on Chrysler will undoubtedly influence negotiations with General Motors and Ford. Cerberus wants to cut costs to make money off its investment. Contract talks open up a golden opportunity for the bosses to cut costs at the expense of the workers on the assembly lines. Cutting benefits which previous generations sacrificed, fought for and in some instances, died for, is what is at risk for auto workers in 2007.
New, improved unions
The government pays these criminals rather well (tags)
At least 20 former lawmakers convicted of crimes are eligible for taxpayer-funded pensions, some as high as $125,000 a year
BTL:Pentagon Misinforms National Guard & Reserve Soldiers About... (tags)
...Education Benefits~Produced by Between the Lines' Melinda Tuhus
Fear of the Working Class At Home And Internationally Stirs Some Debate Among the Bankers (tags)
There is growing concern among sections of the capitalist class that the rising opposition to their global offensive and the market will get out of control.
No SS Number, No Medical treatment (tags)
Health insurance held up over citizenship rule
Sergeant Dan Masters and his partner Robert Pargmann are against Prop 107 (tags)
Sometimes cops are actually on your side. In this case Sergeant Dan Masters and his partner Robert Pargmann are against Prop 107 which is a homophobic proposition which will make homosexuals 4th class citizens in Arizona.
JFAV Supports the Repeal of Marcos Decree Against Filipino Veterans (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)-USA supports Filipino veterans struggle in the Philippines and the United States against the Marcos-era decree that terminated the benefits of retired Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel who had acquired foreign citizenship and the counterpart measure seeking the repeal of Presidential Decree 1638 (or the AFP Military Personnel Retirement and Separation Decree of 1979) has yet to be filed in the Senate.
JFAV Greets Senate Vote Giving Veterans Special Immigrant Status as a Tactical Victory, (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) greet the news that the US Senate unanimously approved by a voice vote on Thursday (Friday in Manila) an amendment in the proposed immigration reform bill that would allow Philippine-based single or married children of Filipino World War II veterans to join them in the United States, as a tactical victory in its 60 years of struggle for recognition, justice and equity.
COMMENTS ON DAVID SIROTA'S NEW BOOK - HOSTILE TAKEOVER (tags)
Sirota shows how corporate cash corrupts government at all levels
Washington renews demand for cuts to Social Security, Medicare (tags)
The Bush administration, echoed by much of the mass media, seized upon reports released May 1 on the fiscal health of the Social Security and Medicare system to renew its demand for drastic cuts to these two major entitlement programs, thereby gutting retirement benefits and health care for older Americans. According to the reports, issued by the trustees of the programs’ trust funds, the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund is projected to become insolvent by 2018, due largely to rapidly rising costs of American health care outstripping the payroll taxes that fund the program. The report on Social Security indicates that this program will be able to pay out 100 percent of benefits until 2040, when the trustees predict the fund will be exhausted—a year earlier than previous projections. After that it would be able to cover 74 percent of promised benefits out of revenues until 2080, when it would decline to 70 percent.
HOSTILE TAKEOVER - THE CORPORATE CONTROL OF SOCIETY AND HUMAN LIFE (tags)
HOW PREDATORY GIANT CORPORATIONS DESTROY SOCIETY AND PEOPLE
The Tax State in the Globalization Trap (tags)
The middle class cannot do what corporations do..German corporations pay little corporation tax; their share amounts to 2.6% of all taxes. For decades, they even received more subsidies than the profit taxes paid in Germany. Corporate enrichment in the US leads to state deficits and social cuts.
Office of Inspector General's in Violation of Patroit Act 1001 (tags)
Office of Inspector general's in Violation of Patroit Act regarding Medicaid kickback fraud conducted against Elderly Hospitalized Federal Employee Health Beneficiaries - Hospital dumping for criminal conversions.
More Proof Republicans do not care about war Veterans (tags)
U.S. Spends Hundred Times More on Illegal Aliens Than on Assisting American Homeless Veterans
This is the Faulking truth.
Lawmakers seek to crack down on illegal immigrants (tags)
See what your behavior has brought? And this is just the beginning.
The second in a series of articles concerning targetting of the homeless.
Bush ‘means test’ would wreck Social Security (tags)
WASHINGTON — Defenders of Social Security charged this week that a “means test” on Social Security as proposed by President George W. Bush would inflict huge benefit cuts for 70 percent of recipients, clearing the way to destroy the system vital to Americans’ economic security.
Social Justice and Social Policy (tags)
We run the risk of making economic success absolute. However economicsuccess is a means to an end..Economic success is only legitimate when it improves the living conditions of citizens..The social foundations of democracy fade when poverty, unemploy-ment and social insecurity increase.
What's Good for Canada is Good for General Motors (tags)
What’s going on here? Up in Canada, executives in charge of the Canadian subsidiaries of U.S. firms are not just praising Canadia’s socialized medical system; they’re lobbying to have it expanded to include pharmacy and home health care. Back here in the States, though, they’re all lobbying furiously against any hint of government-funded health care.
Even U.S. Corporations Like Canada's National Health Plan (tags)
Even as they lobby in Washington against any move towards socializing the health care system, U.S. companies are shifting production to Canada where they don’t have the cost of paying for employee health care, and once there, they are joining Canadian firms in calling for better funding for health care and more extensive services. What’s going on here?
Greenspan: Why is Anyone Still Listening to this Partisan Hack? (tags)
He’s a schill for the President, collects full Social Security benefits and a $200,000 salary, stands to collect another $100,000 a year in federal retirement benefits, and he wants to cut your Social Security benefits! Why should anyone listen to a guy with his lousy trackrecord as an economic and stockmarket forecaster anyway?
What you didn't know about Taxes and the Crown (tags)
This is for all those who resent being corporate whores and slaves
Repressing the Class Struggle (tags)
As the employers' president said, capital and labor have long been reconciled among us. He said this while employers forced down wages with the help of politicians, cut pen-sion claims, reduced social benefits and extorted dependent persons.
Kucinich: Proposed Social Security price indexing would slash benefits (tags)
Kucinich added that while much attention has been focused on private accounts, price indexing, once understood by both the media and the American people generally, will create such an uproar that it will jeopardize not only the Administration’s plans, but could create great political risk for members supporting the plans.
Weapons of Mass Distortion: The President's New Campaign of Lies About Social Security (tags)
Like a man shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater, like a charlatan trying to create a run on a bank, the president is trying to create a panicky run from Social Security among younger people with this new WMD-like campaign of lies.
Groups charge Bush is lying: Social Security ‘crisis’ is phony (tags)
Huge coalition moves to stop privatization
Social Security Tax Hike Feared (tags)
Bush official predicts 50% jump with no revamp. YOU JOB, YOUR LIVLIHOOD...ALL FUCKED !
The Phony Social Security Crisis (tags)
Bush's Phony Social Security Crisis Gains National Attention!
American Dream Slipping Away (tags)
The American Dream Slipping Away from the Middle Class
The Social State is a Civilization Achievement (tags)
"The social state is a civilization achievement Since free enterprise mechanisms alone cannot guarantee social security, the state has the task of guaranteeing social security for all and pursuing a policy of social equali-zation. Democracy needs a social foundation
Cuts to Social Security (tags)
Greenspan warns cuts to Social Security may be “abrupt and painful”
Litmus Test: Time for Kerry and Democrats to Take a Stand for Our Votes (tags)
Alan Greenspan, a banker who stands to retire on over $140,000 a year, has called for cutting the Social Security retirement benefits for Baby Boomers. It’s high time for John Kerry and the Democrats to admit that there is no such “crisis” in Social Security. All that’s needed is full Social Security taxation on the rich and the employers who pay their salaries.
Greenspan Sounds Alert on Social Security (tags)
THERE WILL BE NONE FOR YOU!! For at least the fourth time this year, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan issued his warning that the White House and Congress need to come up quickly with a plan to trim the Social Security and Medicare benefits that 77 million baby boomers are scheduled to receive when they retire.
Partner benefits only for homosexuals (tags)
University discriminates against 'straight' unmarried couples: Ohio University is offering "domestic-partner" benefits to employees, but only same-sex couples can apply.
Heroes and Ghosts (The Reagan Years) (tags)
This Article examines the historical character of Ronald Reagan verses his recent posthumous herofication
N.M. vets bash Bush's record on benefits (tags)
"I see firsthand the lack of support associated with (Bush) budget cuts. I've had two supervisors leave and neither has been replaced. They just consolidate the positions and absorb the budget. And those people over there are not taking coffee breaks. They're backed up."
Building Bridges Radio - 1.Vietnam Vets 2. NYC Day Care Workers Strike? (tags)
BUILDING BRIDGES RADIO presents this 29 minute radio program. TO LISTEN CLICK ON LA INDYMEDIA AUDIO LINK
Grocery Strikers’ Heroic Fight for Healthcare (tags)
In the end, workers who had fought so hard for five months were forced to accept a raw deal. They were unable to prevail against a bold united front of employers when their own leaders were not willing to organize an equally bold united front of labor.
SEVEN YEARS FOR THEFT OF $30 TOOLBOX IS NOT ENOUGH, SAYS BILL LOCKYER (tags)
PAM MARTINEZ QUITS JOB AND PACKS BELONGINGS PREPARING TO RETURN TO PRISON FOR ADDITIONAL 65 DAYS. MARTINEZ AND SUPPORTERS STILL HOPEFUL THAT GOV SCHWARZENEGGER WILL GRANT CLEMENCY
Six Social Security Myths (tags)
Alan Greenspan got a lot of people talking about Social Security last month by pointing out that future funds won't be enough to fund future obligations. What a surprise! What is far more surprising, however, is how much the continued fallout exposes our collective ignorance about Social Security.
Congress abandons millions of jobless (tags)
HAMDEN, Conn. – While the White House backed off empty job creation claims last week, machinists, teamsters, building trades, and municipal workers crowded into the Job Center here, angry at the failure of the Republican-controlled Congress to extend unemployment benefits at a time of high job loss.
Portlanders support California supermarket workers (tags)
Yesterday, a crowd of about 50 rallied at the Safeway at 1100 NE Broadway in Portland to support the 70,000 workers who have been locked out of Southern California supermarkets for insisting on keeping hard-fought health benefits in the face of austerity plans being imposed by the big supermarket chains. See here for previous feature. Supporters marched into the store, up and down the aisles, chanting "Boycott Safeway!" and demanding fairness for workers and affordable health care for all...
Message to Congress: Extend jobless benefits (tags)
WASHINGTON – The New Year was a time of revelry for the corporate rich as government reports confirmed a surge in profits and productivity in the final quarter of 2003. George W. Bush trumpeted the news as proof that his trillions in tax cuts for the wealthy has pulled the nation out of recession.
Grocery Workers are Still Fighting (tags)
An article about the Southern California Grocery Strike/Lockout.
"I will admit that there are some right-wing pseudo-christian, groups like voz de aztlan in whitey-er, I mean whittier, calfornia, that promote homophobia and anti-jewish american sentiment, but they reflect only a small, middle class, Anglo-identified segment of the larger Latino and Native American community. "
Help Grocery Workers and Their Families (tags)
Good links for info and aid to grocery strikers
‘Shut down Safeway’s profits’ (tags)
Workers hold the line for health care LOS ANGELES – “Empty Safeway’s stores and cash drawers” by taking action to cut them off from the source of their money – consumers and communities, United Food and Commercial Workers President Doug Dority told a massive rally and march here Dec. 16.
Study: Most tax breaks go to wealthy, add to federal deficit (tags)
Most of the benefits of tax-advantaged retirement accounts go to the highest wage earners. The poorest 40 percent of households have only about 5 percent of all the assets in these accounts, while the richest 10 percent have more than half.
Some Strike Health Benefit Numbers (tags)
I found that link on Ken and John's site about the actual benefits that the supermarkets are balking about, and ran some numbers.
Building Bridges Radio-The Southern California Supermarket Strike/Lockout (tags)
Building Bridges: Your Community and Labor Report presents this 27 minute radio program. TO LISTEN CLICK ON INDYMEDIA LINK
Bush to veterans: Drop Dead (tags)
Some more Salt for the hypocritical "Support Our Troops Scum".
Each year, America sets aside one day to honor and cherish its veterans. Pity about the other 364.
Updates on Los Angeles Supermarket Workers' Strike! (tags)
The Role of Women & Asian Pacific Islanders In This Important Labor Struggle By: Lee Siu Hin October 25, 2003 Photo: Diana Truong-Davis Picket capitan from Vons supermarket, with CA assembly women Judy Chu during the Ahmabra Von's Supermarket rally, organized by APALA and CA assembly women Judy Chu on Oct 23.
Wal-Mart's benefits come under fire (tags)
Sally Lieber, D-San Jose, points to Wal-Mart employee hand-outs about social services like Medicaid, food stamps and temporary assistance as proof that the retailer uses state and federal tax dollars to supplement "poverty" level wages and benefits.
Besides cutting veteran's benefits and forcing wounded soldiers to pay for hospital meals, this is another indication of how the US ruling class views the soldiers who fight for their profits and power overseas. They are disposable. Also, it is an indication of the effects of depleted uranium.
Health care costs spark Calif. strikes (tags)
VAN NUYS, Calif. – Daniel Lucra, 19, just wants to keep his health care in case he gets sick or hurt on his job behind the deli counter at Albertson’s, where slippery floors and sharp blades can cause injuries.
IBM EMANCIPATES 8,000 WAGE SLAVES (tags)
"You are all free, free to go!"
TEAMSTERS REFUSING TO CROSS PICKET LINES @ Ralphs, Vons, Pavilions & Albertsons (tags)
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SECURITY OFFICERS UNION - SPFPA - JOIN US TODAY (tags)
The SPFPA has approximately 20,000 active members in the United States, SPFPA is the largest International Union of Security, Police and Fire Protection Officers in America today!
PAYING TWICE, PEOPLE LOVE DOUBLE TAXATION
Congress Declares War Against Disabled Veterans (tags)
The House majority leadership has shown callous contempt for the sacrifices of America's defenders by attempting to impose overly restrictive conditions that would limit benefits for disabilities from military service, said the Disabled American Veterans.
Recall Mandate: Gov Davis' Anti-Labor Attack on Workers' Compensation (tags)
Death penalty Democrat Gov Gray Davis made sure we should support his recall by signing a reactionary Workers' Compensation bill on 9/12/03, slashing Workers' Comp. benefits.
Activating State or Active Social State (tags)
"Cuts in benefits are not social reforms but a relapse to the last century when society didn't protect its members from general life risks on account of deficient resources.The welfare state is indispensable for the society altogether and for the socially disadvantaged
The Demise of the European Continent
An analysis of the cliches used to justify US interventions and war crimes in other countries.
A proposed new policy to put knowledge in the hands of communities and improve Los Angeles’ economic development process.
RW: U.S.: More Kids In Extreme Poverty (tags)
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Republican Budget Cuts Veterans Benefits (tags)
Republicans Say, "Support The Troops - Cut $15 Billion From Veterans Programs"
Wayne Green says there are 11 terrorist cells in many U.S. cities (tags)
Wayne Green said 5 years ago that there are 11 terrorist cells in many U.S. cities.
"Veteran Will Work For Food" (tags)
idea for a protest sign
NLRB issues complaint against SEIU for threatening San Francisco janitors (tags)
One More Example of the Corruption in the SEIU
NLRB issues complaint against SEIU for threatening San Francisco janitors (tags)
One More Example of the Corruption in SEIU
Congress skips town, snubs kids and jobless (tags)
The 107th Congress adjourned on Nov. 22 after refusing to provide extended unemployment benefits to nearly a million unemployed workers, cutting the availability of Section 8 housing vouchers, denying health care to more than 900,000 children and refusing to provided federal aid to states facing the worst fiscal crisis since World War II. It did, however, find the money for a $2 billion Election Day pay off to drug companies and a promised $100 billion to insurance companies.
ILWU faces historic moment for Union and Nation (tags)
ILWU faces historic moment for Union and Nation. story from portland indymedia.
AFL-CIO to Wall Street: No more business as usual (tags)
Call for Bush-Cheney probe George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney faced sharp new questions about their role in Enron-style corporate fraud as the stock market continued to plummet and WorldCom went belly-up July 22, the largest corporate bankruptcy in history.
Is Greenpeace A Union Buster? (tags)
It seems that environmental warrior group Greenpeace may have added a new enemy to its list of evildoers … Union Organizers. No, I'm sure that the folks at Greenpeace are good card carrying liberals. They just don't seem to like union organizing when it involves their own employees or those affiliated with their solicitation groups.
Building Bridges Radio-Labor in Pakistan & Immigrant WTC victims demand rights (tags)
Building Bridges:Your Community & Labor Report in Exile presents a 59 min radio program 1.LABOR IN PAKISTAN TODAY - an interview with MAQBOOL A. BABRI, Pakistani labour videographer & 2.IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF THE WTC DEMAND RIGHTS AND BENEFITS. Building Bridges is broadcast over internet radio WBAI IN EXILE www.wbix.org Tuesdays9-10PM est
Building Bridges Radio-Labor in Pakistan & Immigrant WTC Victims Demand Rights (tags)
Building Bridges: Your Community and Labor Report in Exile presents a 59 minutes internet radio program 1.LABOR IN PAKISTAN TODAY - an interview with MAQBOOL A. BABRI, Pakistani labour videographer and 2.IMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF THE WTC DEMAND RIGHTS AND BENEFITS. Building Bridges is broadcast on WBAI IN EXILE www.wbix.org Tuesdays 9-10pm EST
Wellesley Students Protest College's Lack of Commitment to Multiculturalism (tags)
A diverse group of students at Wellesley College is protesting the institution's protracted neglect of curricular and student life issues concerning its largest minority population, Asian and Asian American students.