‘Raise Your Voice’ Archives
Raise Your Voice
Local World News By PETER MOLENAAR It is said that no small part of the world had its eye on our 2021 elections. As it came down, 7 of our 13 member city council are newly elected; 8 are people of color, and there are 3 who identify as “Democratic Socialists”. Congratulations Minneapolis! On the other hand there was, I think, an element of unprincipled opportunism in the mix. Question: What is the sociology of our persistent low voter turnout and, for the sake of democracy, what is the solution? Within the immediate purview of the alley community, we must uphold the election of incumbents Jamal Osman (Ward 6) and Andrea Jenkins (Ward 8).On a personal note, I am delighted over the election of Jason Chavez (Ward 9) and Robin Wonsley Worlobah (Ward 2) inasmuch as they have elevated the banner of socialism. Indeed, Worlobah managed to defeat the “wildly popular” Cam Gordon of Green Party fame. As a matter of principle and practical consideration, [...]
They Can’t Kill Us All
Raise Your Voice By PETER MOLENAAR Peter Molenaar This Week in Action is the weekly news digest of Take Action Minnesota, a splendid social-democratic organization which presses our concerns within and around the DFL (i.e. for the time being they do not project a fundamental socialist transformation). Nonetheless, the October 15 issue of This Week contains an article with the caption: “Late-Stage Capitalism”. Actually, I arrived at the “late stage” conclusion 50 years ago. “The universal soldier, he really is to blame” were popular lyrics at the time. But then more than a year ago, I reported to the alley about an interaction with National Guard troops gathered at the corner grocery at 26th and Cedar Ave. Their assault weapons were not pointed at me. On the contrary, they earnestly listened. Moreover, in hand is a fundraising appeal, penned by Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton on behalf of VoteVets. The general [...]
Raise Your Voice
By PETER MOLENAAR Patriot”™s Call: Tax the Rich “It is shameful that billionaires profit off the suffering of working families as the pandemic ravages the economy”¦”, so said our congressperson, Ilhan Omar. In fact, because of gaping loopholes in the tax code, the wealth of America”™s billionaires can go untaxed forever, and even when taxed, the rate is about half that of taxes on wages. Consider organized labor”™s Sept. 9 letter to lawmakers: “The wealth of our country”™s 708 billionaires alone rose by $1.8 trillion, or 62%, during the pandemic””enough to pay for half the ten-year cost of the $3.5 trillion package.” What package? President Biden”™s “Build Back Better” vision includes a vital infrastructure plan which will create millions of jobs. Universal childcare along with universal preschool is also in the mix. Hey, [...]
