The Republicans and conservatives have long talked about “free enterprise” and “getting the government off our back;” but in the long term it boils down to “retake the government to beat down those dissidents.” Plus the republicans acting up in the impeachment hearings don’t give a damn about justice and freedom, they want the “freedom” to bully their opponents.
A Lift For A Vet is a program of Elevator constructors Local 5, AFL-CIO, in Philadelphia; its mission is to purchase and install elevators, home lifts, wheelchair lifts, and stair lifts into the homes of disabled US military veterans. This is to enable injured and disabled veterans, living in the Philadelphia area, to move about in their homes.
To apply for this program, or to make a contribution, please contact IUEC Local 5 at http://www.iuec5.com/lift_for_a_vet.aspx . It’s for those who have served this country.
On Friday, November 15, 2019, I attended the 44th awards reception of the Philadelphia Area Project for Occupational Safety and Health (PHILAPOSH), where we honored labor activists who have worked to improve the health and safety of working conditions in the Philadelphia region.
The Tony Mazzocchi Award went to Jed Dodd, Vice-President At-Large, National Division, BMWED-IBT.
The Karen Silkwood Award went to Fred Cosenza, Business Representative for the Philadelphia Building and Trades Council AFL-CIO.
The Crystal Eastman Award went to Nicole Klingerman, Director of the Pennsylvania Domestic Workers Alliance, an organization for workers, mostly immigrant women and women of color, who work as home caretakers and cleaners.
The Cathy Brady Award went to Barbara Rahke, who recently retired as Director of PHILAPOSH.
The Leadership in Health and Safety Award went to Matt Birney, HSE Representative and Industrial Fire Fighter.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Ken Brown, who has worked for over 45 years in the Operating Engineers Local 542.
This “president” we have is a wannabe thug, trying to bully and intimidate a witness testifying against him. He’s merely a rich kid who hasn’t grown up, and who thinks he’s plain folks because he talks like he has no education. He must never be condescended to like this, and we must never tolerate a potential dictator.
The bankers and other capitalists during the FDR administration tried to overthrow the duly elected government of this country, when they lost control of it. they tried to install their own pet dictator, just like in the fascist movements of that time. Don’t think they won’t try it again if trump loses. They care nothing for democracy. We must be ready to rumble for our freedom.
On Tuesday, November 5, I took part in my division’s election board, to help people navigate the new voting machines, so they could exercise their right to vote. I’m proud to have dome my part in the political process, and in helping people find their power in their collective voting effort. In this election, we had these new voting machines that people were not used to, and we were afraid they would not want to deal with them; but it was simple when they got their hands on the machines-just like many things in life.
There are, though, efforts to keep people from their right to vote, such as laws demanding showing certain pieces of ID and excluding others, to prevent targeted demographic groups-racial minorities, college students, senior citizens-from voting. Plus, as the recent events in Kentucky and Minnesota show, the Republicans who lost the election have tried, and continue to try, to cling to power; we must be ready to resist these efforts.People power in the form of public demonstrations have been effective in Lebanon and Hong Kong in overthrowing governments; it could work just as well in this, the “land of the free.”
I have, after my work, given myself the weekend off, no meetings or appointments; I needed the rest. That;s been the problem with activists, we go to so many meetings for so many issues, we wear ourselves out and get sick, and we’re NO good for our cause. For our own sake, let’s pencil in some downtime and refresh ourselves.
