‘Raise Your Voice’ Archives
Saving Capitalism
By Peter Molenaar Author Robert Reich”'s most recent book bears the title: Saving Capitalism - For the Many, Not the Few. Those of us born to black and white TV, might remember Robert as the Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton. Of interest currently, is the former secretary”'s endorsement of Bernie Sanders. Certainly, the Sanders Campaign reflects a new mass consciousness, formed in the wake of the “Great Recession.” However, is this campaign merely an effort to save capitalism, or is it an aspect of a process towards a fundamental transformation (i.e., towards public ownership of financial institutions and the dominant means of production)? Meanwhile”¦ In its March 2016 issue, Southside Pride published the article: “Socializing Capitalism ”“ Creating a Market Economy with a Social Conscience.” The author, Kari Andrade, claims to be a capitalist! Oh, my”¦ Perhaps she has read the book of Reich. However, Ms. Andrade begins by [...]
Black Lives Matter
By Peter Molenaar Note: “Motherless Child” is title of a traditional Negro spiritual, dating back to the era of slavery when it was common practice to sell children away from their parents. The following, written in 1952, is taken from the work of William Z. Foster: “During the three-and-a-half centuries since the first English colonies were planted along the Atlantic Coast, the landowner and industrialist rulers of this country, to further their own greed, have committed many monstrous crimes against the growing American people. They barbarously stripped Indians of their lands, broke up their social institutions, and slaughtered them. The rulers relentlessly exploited the immigrant wage workers and their children, forcing them down into poverty and ignorance, mangling them in unprotected industries, and hurrying them off to premature graves. Time and again, these predatory vultures have cynically sent off the sons of the nations to reactionary wars, to be killed [...]
You May Blame Me
By Peter Molenaar Vikings vs. Seahawks”¦ I”'ve been a Vikings fan from day one, as I am Minnesota born (1950) and relate with co-workers whose spirits are bound to the team”'s success. No, I do not endorse the “ultra-left” opinion that we should support the Green Bay Packers, merely because their organization does not conform with the NFL ruling class elite. After all, come the revolution, the whole of professional sports will be socialized, i.e., owned by the whole people. So”¦okay, he missed! Hooray for the school children who have embraced Blair Walsh. Evidently, the historically atrophied portion of brain associated with empathy and compassion is on the mend. Possibly, we have a come-back in the making. So, rejoice! On the other hand, there were many hate filled tweets from spoiled adults. Should we not consider our collective responsibility for the errant kick? As I recall the critical sequence, admittedly my mind was anxiously [...]
