I ran across an article entitled, “Can Unions and the 99ers Work Together” by Jason Tabrys on The Examiner dated Feb 23, 2011. The article suggests that 99ers should join in and become a part of the union marches. I say no and this is why. A few months back I talked about Gregg Rosen’s association with AFLCIO. I predicted that the American 99ers Union was working to persuade the 99ers to come out as front line shock troops for the unions.
The marches we have seen on television have been peaceful and the reason is that the police have been in support of the teachers. They in fact formed the line between the pro-union protesters and the Tea Party protesters to insure that no conflicts took place. The fact is if the police started busting the heads of teachers they would not only be acting against their own union interests, but would also incur the wrath of the general public.
If 99ers take up the cause of the unions and hit the streets, I believe we would be attacked as a ploy to gain support for the unions. And the general public isn’t really going to get too upset over some worthless 99ers getting beat with batons and shot with rubber bullets and tear gas.
Don’t get me wrong, I would engage the riot police in a demonstration consisting of 99ers, but I will not stick my neck out one inch for the AFLCIO. The individual union members marching in the streets have my support in that I will not speak out against them for trying to protect their jobs and benefits. However, I did not see the unions or their members coming forth to condemn the government for allowing us to fall into poverty and deprivation. In fact I have seen very few from the middle class denounce the actions that have been taken against us.
At present I am wondering why the union members, who are having their collective bargaining rights threatened, are not using our Constitution in their defense. The fact is the fire fighters and police in Wisconsin are being allowed to retain their collective bargaining rights, while the teachers and other public workers are having theirs taken away. This is a clear violation of their 14th Amendment guarantee to equal access and protection under the law.
I’m sure we all know about the prank phone call to the Wisconsin governor, wherein he allowed the prankster to talk to him for 20 minutes because he thought he was the billionaire David Koch. If you thought you needed proof that we 99ers are being denied equal access to our so called representatives, well there you go.
Today we will be looking at John Lewis (D)GA, another Human Resource Subcommittee member who will be deciding the fate of HR 589 and is denying the 99ers our 1st Amendment right to redress of grievance and our 14th Amendment right to equal access under the law. The following is quoted from the Foreign Lobbying Influence Tracker.
- 4-12-09, 4-17-09 – An Email and Two Meetings with the Bank of the Netherlands Antilles regarding pending tax legislation (HR 1265).
- 8-26-08 – Email with the Government of Georgia requesting a meeting for Georgian officials.
- 10-22-09, 10-27-09 – An Email and a Meeting with the Government of India on legislation and PM Singh Resolution.
- 4-23-08 through 6-30-08 – Two Emails and a Meeting with the Government of Morocco regarding Western Sahara refugees and Sahrawi refugee issues.
- 4-27-09, 6-23-09 – Meeting with the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Embassy regarding the promotion of Algeria – U.S. relations and respect for human rights, including the right to self-determination.
- 3-20-09 – A Meeting with the Moroccan American Center for Policy through GrayLoeffler regarding Morocco’s outreach to non Muslims.
- 7-15-09 through 9-23-09 – Four Emails with the Republic of Kenya requesting meeting with Ambassador, invitation to lunch with Kenyan officials, and discussing draft letter to TSA from Members of Congress for Kenya.
- 4-02-08 – Two Phone Calls with the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Libya) concerning the current status of U.S./Libya relations.
We must keep hammering away at the problem this subcommittee has presented to us until it breaks or we do, as we have no choice. Call the Capitol switchboard at 1-866-220-0044 and ask for the members of the Sub-Committee on Human Services.
- ■Geoff Davis, KY, Chairman
- ■Lloyd Doggett, TX Ranking Member
- ■Jim McDermott, WA
- ■John Lewis, GA
- ■Joseph Crowley, NY
- ■Adrian Smith, NE
- ■Erik Paulsen, MN
- ■Rick Berg, ND
- ■Tom Price, GA
- ■Diane Black, TN
- ■Charles Boustany, LA
As for joining in protest with the unions, let the unions come forth and publically announce what is to be gained by the 99ers if we take up the fight in the streets. And let them assure us that they will be co-mingled with us so that we cannot be targeted for special treatment. Until they do we would be fools to blindly follow any recommendations they put forth to us. We have to have the same attitude they have had through our suffering, and that is, our people come first.
John Lewis is a cosponsor of HR 589…he has been on board since February 9th.
Lynne,
Well maybe if this co-sponsor could afford me my 1st Amendment right to redress of grievance and my 14th Amendment right to equal access under the law and return my phone call, I would know what his position is.
Co-sponsor or not he is violating my goddamn rights and I do not like it.
Is there really only 200 unemployed people that use the internet? Have you guys not seen the HR 589 bill review at OpenCongress? Only 200 people support it? Let’s not fail our cause, get our voices heard. Lets show them how many people really approve this bill, and also follow all the details about HR 589.
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h589/show
It’s now 217 in favor / 34 opposed.
Come on 99ers. Login and vote.
There is no way that only 200 people have supported this bill. They are not showing us the true numbers. As a matter of fact, I cannot even login today. What’s up with that? Don’t give up. My prayers are with you all.
I’ve had trouble too. I just hit “forgot password” and get around it.
Barbara,
Do we know who is behind that website?
Brian – To answer your question, here’s what I’ve been able to find out: “OpenCongress is a free, open-source, not-for-profit, and non-partisan public resource website. OpenCongress is a project of the Participatory Politics Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to encourage civic engagement.” The Sunlight Foundation is their Founding and Primary Supporter. The goal of The Sunlight Foundation is, “making Government Transparent and Accountable.”
Thanks Angel. What do you know about this Henry?
Well Brian, I know what Angel just told us. I know Barbara has said she does not believe they are doing a fair count. I haven’t the time right now to look into it but will do so as soon as possible.
I just did a basic search. I haven’t done a deep search into who exactly is behind the “Foundations.” Honestly, it’s not a site I frequent. I’m not sure how many 99ers know about it or what good it actually does in terms of our cause, other than information.
That was meant as a reply to Henry’s post to Brian.
WHAT? “Gregg Rosen’s association with AFLCIO” There is NO such association and to report or suggest such to shore up your position that we should not take to the streets is counter productive in my opinion.
Fact is 99ers SHOULD and MUST take to the streets to demand our right to survive and since 99ers have thus far been ineffective at best in doing so, we need to piggy back our “street protests” with those who actually DO get out there in numbers.
Personally I would march with Satan himself (not in support of him) just to been seen – heard and GET the 99ers what they need to SURVIVE!
Paladinette,
Gregg Rosen’s affiliation with the AFLCIO was stated to him in a FOX interview I watched and I assure you he in no way denied the affiliation.
If you want to go out and get your head busted open for a labor union you are not a member of, by all means do so, but I will not. So why don’t you just get your ass back over to your own socialist site and you can swap spit with Gregg Rosen all day long if you want. In other words, piss off.
Henry,
Interesting funding sources:
http://sunlightfoundation.com/about/funding/
Obviously among the deeply concerned about the plight of the disenfranchised American worker.
Way to go, Henry. I think she needs to do some research.
Palandinette has very little time to perform adequate research; she’s working on her next Christmas song for the 99ers… lol . IMO she’s the queen of self serving advocates.
Check out Palandinette (Dona Lee King) 2010 Christmas song for a laugh.
Please copy and forward to any 99ers you know. RE: H.R.589
There is a letter on the 99ers site that you can use if you like http://www.american99ersunion.com/
http://www.house.gov/ to contact your representative in the House
House Speaker, John Boehner [OH-8]: http://www.speaker.gov/Contact/
Phone:(202)225-6205, Fax:(202)225-0704
House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor [VA-7]:
Phone:(202)225-2815, Fax:(202)225-0011
House Majority Whip, Kevin McCarthy [CA-22]:
Phone:(202)225-2915, Fax:(202)225-2908
Committee on Ways and Means –
Dave Camp, MI, Chairman
http://camp.house.gov/
341 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3561 … Fax: (202) 225-9679
Subcommittee on Human Resources
Geoff Davis, KY, Chairman
http://geoffdavis.house.gov/
1119 Longworth
House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
T (202) 225-3465 … F (202) 225-0003
Adrian Smith, NE
http://adriansmith.house.gov/
503 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone (202) 225-6435 … Fax (202) 225-0207
Erik Paulsen, MN
http://paulsen.house.gov
127 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2871 … Fax: (202) 225-6351
Rick Berg, ND
http://berg.house.gov/office/washington-dc
323 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2611
Tom Price, GA
http://tom.house.gov/
403 Cannon House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
phone: 202-225-4501 … fax: 202-225-4656
Diane Black, TN
http://black.house.gov/
1531 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4231 … Fax: (202) 225-6887
Charles Boustany, LA
http://boustany.house.gov/
1431 Longworth House Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20515-1807
Phone: (202) 225-2031 … Fax: (202) 225-5724
Lloyd Doggett, TX Ranking Member
http://doggett.house.gov/
201 Cannon House Office Bldg
Independence and 1st St, SE
Washington DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4865
Jim McDermott, WA
http://mcdermott.house.gov/
1035 Longworth HOB
Washington DC, 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3106 … Fax: (202) 225-6197
John Lewis, GA
http://johnlewis.house.gov/
343 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-3801 Phone … (202) 225-0351 Fax
Joseph Crowley, NY
http://crowley.house.gov/
2404 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202)225-3965
I just think this is all ridiculous. I’m a 99er and for whatever reason some people think that it’s been an enjoyable experience, well it hasn’t been. The last two years has been a living nightmare. However, I have worked on and off in the last two years and realize it’s going to take a whole lot to get my life back to the way it was before the recession. I think to understand what a 99er has experienced you had to have had the experience yourself. And until you walked in someone shoes you really shouldn’t speak much on the subject. There has been a lot of controversy concerning the subject H.R. 589 and the deal is it’s all political bull crap. And most people lost everything because of the recession. It’s a sad situation our country has created and it’s goIng to take a long time if it even happens at all for our country to rebound from this situation. Yeah, another extension would be nice to give a helping hand for a little while longer, but It’s going to take more then an extension. Also, I think we deserve more then just another extension because of the looses we encountered over the last two years. Let the republicans loose everything and stay up all night figuring out how they are going to pay the $900 electric bill that is threatened to be shut-off in two weeks and all you have is $900 and rent is due after you lost your house a year before so now you rent an apartment that you can barely keep because your unemployment check barely pays the basic bills. Yet my life was pretty good before I lost my job and cashed in all my retirement to survive the last couple years. Believe me it goes on; but my point is another extension isn’t going to bring back what has happened, but it might help me not loose what little I have left. Sound familiar???
And yet they keep sending our jobs overseas, no end in sight.
Thank you and as a 99er myself I am barely making it. If it wasn’t for strong friends and their support, I too would of become a lost lamb.
Helpneeded – Your exactly right jobs are being sent overseas and why is that? Because Our Government local /State/Country has over taxed big industry to the point that it is cheaper to do business elsewhere and hire cheap labor to do the work. We as a country have lived high on the hog for so long were just about ready to fold unto ourselves. No matter anyone’s party affiliation the Government must be reminded daily they work for us and until that happens they will keep pushing this Bill to the end of the Line. All Americans clearly understand that jobs must be created and we need to do a better job taking care of our own. We spend billions on feeding other countries of the worlds poor people but when it comes to our own, blind folds are put on and we become non existent. “We the People..” are clearly the words our forefathers had intended it to mean all People.
Something else our representatives have clearly forgotten. Words seldom have a purpose if they are not used / spoken from which they were spoken. They become just words. Useless and fallen on deaf ears. This is what government we have now. Self absorbing and for ones self purpose to maintain stead fast and look for what they can do for themselves and turn everyone away that does not matter, its a mission that needs to stop and a destiny that will surely destroy the inner core of All Americans.
Wstaff,
Wrong, we tax corporations in the United States so that we the people can be paid for our natural resources that corporations manufacture and make profit from. If we were to end NAFTA, CAFTA, GATT, and the North American Union, put a 90% tax on all monies being invested out of the United States, and a 90% tariff on all imports you would see our jobs magically reappear.
The fact is the corporations wants to send our natural resources out of the country for manufacture and not pay us a goddamn dime for them. The monies due us for our natural resources would more than finance the running of a reasonable government. And we the people could be left to our earnings without taxation. This is what the neo-con republicans and socialist democrats are afraid we are going to figure out.
In short, to hell with the corporations, they should burn in hell for what they have done to us.
Henry – You are correct and I thank you for your good points. But it is not just big industry it is also the mom and pop shops that have struggled and been forced to shut down because the property taxes / business taxes have blown up. In General we have taxed ourselves into a corner. I am not saying we do not need to pay taxes but I do believe we need to hold them in check. You are also correct and we are selling America and its freedoms off little by little and then have the nerve to wonder why as a country we are collapsing. Someone is not looking at the bigger picture, and to be honest I do not think they really care. Sure they will talk a good talk but this becomes useless when there is no action afterwords.
Since the news media and our elected members of Congress seem to be on a death defying mission to block and/or either subdue any information concerning the real unemployment issues in this country, maybe we should look at other options for having our voices heard and not being silenced or ignored by them. It seems with all the letters, faxes, emails, phone calls and gentle marches crafted by the 99ers and pushed forward for the past year or so, the majority of Congress still turn and look upon us with a blind eye and a tin ear. And yet, we continue to march onward without skipping a beat.
But given the scenario above, what if the 99ers decided to use tactics which involved working from the ground up to reach the masses. Maybe we could design a flyer(s) that would be posted on a specific website for anyone who wanted to download it and make copies for mass distribution to the public. This could be a way of reaching out to the masses with the truth, and hopefully, getting them to become more involved and empathic to our fight for justice and survival. Some folks also no longer have access to a TV, Internet, phone, email or fax services. As we all know there are a large number of unemployed/99ers who’s lives are now in ruins as we speak due to this travesty of justice perpetrated by those who want to rule the world.
We as 99ers could use this Flyer(s) to:
(1) Hand out on streets corners and public transportation; post in supermarkets, buildings, stores, bus stops, churches, laundry mats, bulletin boards, and other public places.
(2) Email to friends, family, people you know or don’t know.
(3) Mass mail to businesses, organizations, foundations, churches, etc.
(4) Post on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, webpages, channels, etc.
This unemployment situation reminds me of a song by Jay-Z (Hip Hop artist) that came out about a year or so ago where he stated in his lyrics “I’ve got 99 problems and a bi*tch ain’t one of them.” Interesting. It was around that time that the government began hearing 99ers problems and being unemployed ain’t one of them! Go figure.
What should these flyers say exactly? $5000.00 should keep me quiet for another 14 weeks. Where is all the effort and advocats for a comprehensive jobs bill and all the supporting policies to restore the economy? Nobody is doing this! If so Its always with strings attached like additional tiers.
America, “This is what government we have now. Self absorbing and for ones self purpose to maintain stead fast and look for what they can do for themselves and turn everyone away that does not matter, its a mission that needs to stop and a destiny that will surely destroy the inner core of All Americans.”
Those words are no more clearer today. Old Glory and her stars and stripes and by definition means by a union as a people,we stand together UNITED, to protect, serve and keep safe, us and our families, even in our darkest hour, let no other man take these liberties away, but bye union and a trust in God, shall we pass down these same principles to generations to come. Were have the Principles gone ? Who is there to help a child when food must be gotten?Who takes care of our own? Jobs should be the first and foremost thing on anyone’s mind. First before the first Bill was read and considered to pass or fail. First before a health care Bill is introduced. Failure is not measured by political party or affiliation, it is measured by those appointed to do the peoples work. When those appointed fail, we all fail.
I’m intrigued by Henry’s comment that Gregg Rosen said he was affiliated with AFLCIO. I’ve watched a couple of his Fox interviews, and recall one conversation that went over to his being with the AFLTU. Then the Fox guy said, you see, that’s a union, and Gregg explained that it’s Advocacy for the Long-Term Unemployed.
Would you have a link for that Fox interview you’re referring to?
I found a link that refers to Gregg’s Fox interview with a Mr. Varney, and there’s an article, however, the video doesn’t work anymore.
http://zennie2005.blogspot.com/2010/10/99ers-union-co-founder-gregg-rosen-on.html
No, I don’t have a link, but it is the interview with Varney.
IIRC, in that interview Gregg Rosen was being associated with the AFL-CIO, and he corrected that impression as being wrong. From my following of his interviews, it doesn’t look to me like he is connected to a union, other than the American 99ers Union, which is not the union you have in mind. Somebody even insisted that the AFLTU is a union, however, “union” and “unemployed” both start with a “U” but that’s the only resemblance.
If you have other information, please share. I know it must be a chore actually taking time to answer people’s comments on your writing. On the bright side, it’s a kind of dialogue.
Mrs. Chang,
The fact is I watched that interview twice and Gregg Rosen did not make any comment in denying his affiliation with the AFLCIO.
Let’s take the American 99ers Union. This would have to be considered a national as in American, jobless as in 99ers, union. So what you have in reality is a national workers union and correct me if I’m wrong, but it this not what Lech Walesa formed in socialist Poland? And is it not in reality the system which exists in every socialist country?
In the interview I saw Gregg Rosen seemed to be saying that he wanted money and he didn’t care where it came from. Unemployment insurance, though it is gravely needed, is not going to solve the problem of the international rape of our country which has resulted in the loss of our jobs, our retirements, and bank accounts, and the equity we had in our homes. Only through getting rid of the international monetary system that allows those on Wall Street to make $150 million per year for selling debt back and forth to one another and a return to producing actual products to procure wealth can we ever return to prosperity.
You may like Gregg Rosen and want to defend him, but I’m afraid socialism is indefensible in a free republic.
“Only through getting rid of the international monetary system that allows those on Wall Street to make $150 million per year for selling debt back and forth to one another and a return to producing actual products to procure wealth can we ever return to prosperity”.
Right on Henry! THAT is exactly what so many are missing and it’s so obvious! We have allowed ourselves to be placated into many years of complacent slumber and it’s time to wake up before being murdered in our sleep by our traitorous sentries. They’ve already murdered our economy and world stature. What’s next…fuel electrical plants with our corpses?
The money they are “making” is being generated by manipulation of the capitol stolen from us! NOTHING is being actually produced! Massive evil has once again raised its beastly head.
I just can’t get why that is not blatantly obvious. That the number of people who actually believe we are “recovering” because Wall street is doing well is terrifying testimony to the success of the propaganda machinery in dumbing down an inconceivable percentage of the population. Lemmings! Let me be kinder here…frightened, brainwashed children whistling in the dark waiting for “Superman”. Whatever words may apply they do not deserve the coming events and conditions.
What I continue to have faith in, nevertheless, is the native intelligence and character of grassroots America and the wrath that will awaken as this happy horsesh** continues to stink up the very air we breath!
I do not, however, nor should anyone, welcome the consequences of that wrath if it is allowed to progress to the point of violence. In this light I commend you for bringing in your friend and obvious ally, Carroll Mizell and will be reading his posts with great interest. His debut was stimulating and encouraging. Both are much needed. Glad he is willing to contribute.
Peace on your household
Thanks for trying to answer my question. Your answer travels further and further on, but it doesn’t prove that Gregg Rosen is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, and that’s all I wanted to establish in the first place.