Looting the Public
The recent budget issued by Governor George E. Pataki represents wholesale looting of the public treasury for the monopolies. It really cannot even be called a state budget, as it does nothing to address funding for the basic needs and rights of the public — to livelihoods, education, healthcare, housing, culture, all their needs. It is instead a plan for looting the public treasury and should be called just that.
Representing the broad wrecking of society being carried out by governments at all levels, Pataki’s looting plan calls for handing even more of the public treasury over to the monopolies. This is being done by increasing debt, by corporate welfare in the form of tax cuts and “Empire Zones,” by handing public school dollars over to for-profit charter schools, by attacking worker’s compensation and refusing to fund unemployment compensation, and more.
Pataki’s looting plan also takes the attack on local governance a step further. Already faced with Control Boards in Buffalo and Erie County that openly rob public sector workers of their wages and health benefits, Pataki’s looting calls for $25 million statewide for “consolidation” of government services. The funds are targeted at local fire and water service.
People in Buffalo already know what happens when water service is privatized and consolidated. Service goes down and rates go up and neither the water company nor the government take any responsibility for problems. Firefighters in Buffalo have rightly opposed consolidation plans, as they recognize them as a means to eliminate their union and force them, and residents, into -unacceptably dangerous situations.
Consolidation is not a means to assist the people. It is a means to eliminate local governance and local unions and increase the ability of state government to hand the public treasury over to the monopolies.
The notion that government has no responsibility and that everyone must fend for themselves is graphically illustrated by Pataki’s plans to cut healthcare. Once again, massive cuts are planned for people receiving Medicare — already the poorest and most vulnerable. There are also major cuts to Medicare payments for hospitals and nursing homes. In a state where abundant wealth is produced by the workers and every right can readily be met, children, the sick and elderly are the main targets of these cuts.
Public funds belong to the public. Looting the public treasury is a crime and should be treated as such.
Read the complete article
Representing the broad wrecking of society being carried out by governments at all levels, Pataki’s looting plan calls for handing even more of the public treasury over to the monopolies. This is being done by increasing debt, by corporate welfare in the form of tax cuts and “Empire Zones,” by handing public school dollars over to for-profit charter schools, by attacking worker’s compensation and refusing to fund unemployment compensation, and more.
Pataki’s looting plan also takes the attack on local governance a step further. Already faced with Control Boards in Buffalo and Erie County that openly rob public sector workers of their wages and health benefits, Pataki’s looting calls for $25 million statewide for “consolidation” of government services. The funds are targeted at local fire and water service.
People in Buffalo already know what happens when water service is privatized and consolidated. Service goes down and rates go up and neither the water company nor the government take any responsibility for problems. Firefighters in Buffalo have rightly opposed consolidation plans, as they recognize them as a means to eliminate their union and force them, and residents, into -unacceptably dangerous situations.
Consolidation is not a means to assist the people. It is a means to eliminate local governance and local unions and increase the ability of state government to hand the public treasury over to the monopolies.
The notion that government has no responsibility and that everyone must fend for themselves is graphically illustrated by Pataki’s plans to cut healthcare. Once again, massive cuts are planned for people receiving Medicare — already the poorest and most vulnerable. There are also major cuts to Medicare payments for hospitals and nursing homes. In a state where abundant wealth is produced by the workers and every right can readily be met, children, the sick and elderly are the main targets of these cuts.
Public funds belong to the public. Looting the public treasury is a crime and should be treated as such.
Read the complete article
Facts on 2006-2007 New York State Budget
On January 17, Governor George Pataki released his state budget proposal. The $110.7 billion plan serves to intensify the anti-social offensive and is marked for its brutality against society’s most vulnerable people. It also continues the trend toward “government -consolidation,” which is increasingly eliminating local governance and increasing the role of the executive.
Governance
Erie County Executive Joel A. Giambra said the Pataki budget was “music to my ears.” Giambra is a main point man for the ruling circles’ efforts to eliminate the City of Buffalo and its elected governance, using “regional consolidation” and Control Boards. The “music” he refers to is the $25 million Pataki is providing statewide for “consolidation.” The current funding is $2.75 million. The additional funding is specifically targeted at water and fire services. Given that both the Buffalo and County Control Boards also favor elimination of local governance, they are supporting the call for “consolidation.”
Jobs and Unemployment Compensation
With Delphi and Ford announcing massive layoffs, one would expect funding for jobs and unemployment compensation to be main features of a state budget. Additionally, from 1990 to 2004, monopolies in New York State have cut about 35 percent of its -manufacturing jobs (compared to about 20 percent nationwide). The Pataki administration expects the state to lose another 6,200 manufacturing jobs this year. In addition twenty thousand state positions have been cut over the past ten years, and one million people were thrown off welfare. The state’s unemployment trust fund, which covers unemployment insurance benefits to only a fraction of those who lose their jobs, has itself been broke since 2002. Pataki now wants to further reduce benefits for workers receiving workers’ compensation. His proposals do nothing to meet people’s right to a livelihood.
Healthcare
Under Pataki’s proposal, health care funding would be slashed by $1.3 billion, including severe cuts to Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals and nursing homes. Hospitals face $431 million in cuts, while cuts to nursing homes would be $581 million statewide, according to the Health Care Association of New York State. New York’s hospitals have lost $2.3 billion in state funding since 1998. The cuts will mean even worse conditions for patients, residents and health workers and likely block many people from receiving needed care. The proposal will also rob hundreds of millions of dollars from people receiving Medicaid benefits by imposing increased co-payments, reducing benefits and restricting eligibility. An enormous burden is being placed on children, the sick and elderly, the most vulnerable New Yorkers.
Education
Pataki’s proposal provides a $634 million increase in school funding, bringing the total amount to $17 billion. This marginal 1.6 percent average rise in school funding is not only billions less than court-ordered funding increases, for many districts it will mean funding cuts. As a result of vigorous battles by parents and teachers on the need to increase school funding, the state’s courts have been forced to declare the current school funding system unequal and unconstitutional. They have ordered that New York City schools alone receive an additional $2.8 billion in the coming year. Pataki refuses.
Seeking to channel $400 million of public funds to the private sector, Pataki also proposed giving parents a $500 tax credit — a “backdoor voucher” — that they can use for tutoring, after-school programs, or private school tuition. This applies to those schools decimated by state funding cuts and now branded as “failing.” Pataki’s proposal says nothing about the state’s complete failure to meet the needs of students and teachers and guarantee the right to education.
In another effort to use public funds for private, for-profit companies, the governor proposed raising the statewide cap on charter schools to 250, up from the current limit of 100. Pataki’s plan would also give charter schools access to another pool of public funds, the state’s building fund, for the first time. The large majority of charter schools are operated or managed by private, for-profit companies.
In higher education, the governor called for $200 million in cuts, including changes in tuition assistance programs, as well as tuition increases of up to $500 for the State University of New York system. The governor also wants to penalize students who get financial assistance but do not graduate from college in four years (which includes most students). He wants to require students to take 15 credit hours — instead of 12 — for full financial aid under the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) serving public and private college students.
Pataki’s proposal does not provide funding for hiring more full-time teachers. The State University system (SUNY) estimates that more than 7,000 community college graduates a year are unable to go to SUNY’s four-year schools because of lack of enough teachers. Pataki’s budget does nothing to solve this problem. While the State University student population has grown to 44,000, the jobs of 1,000 full-time faculty are to be eliminated.
Taxes
Pataki plans to raise the tax on each pack of cigarettes by $1 — making it $2.50, the nation’s highest. He also decided to continue charging sales taxes on clothing purchases under $110, eliminating a -previous tax break that had been scheduled to come back into effect. Overall, there are more tax increases for the vast majority and tax cuts for the small minority. About half the tax cuts are for people making more than $200,000.
Paying the Rich
State debt continues to rise, meaning more and more public dollars go to the Wall Street loansharks. When the governor came to power in 1995, 86 percent of the state’s debt was funded through “backdoor borrowing,” without voter approval required by law. That number has increased to 92 percent. Over the past two decades, the percentage of debt approved by voters has decreased from 40 percent to barely 8 percent of the overall amount, according to a December 2005 report by state Comptroller Alan Hevesi. Pataki’s proposal would continue serving Wall Street by adding almost $1.5 billion more in debt payments.
The state currently has at least $47.7 billion in debt, up by $11.4 billion since 2000. According to the Division of Budget, state debt has grown by 31 percent during Pataki’s tenure. The state’s $2,509 per capita debt is second only to New Jersey’s, at $2,901. Debt servicing currently adds up to $4.3 billion a year, or about 4 percent of every tax dollar. State debt has grown on average by 5.1 percent per year.
Another way Pataki wants to increase payments to the rich is by providing $1.1 billion in tax cuts to the monopolies. This includes large tax breaks for the state’s five Centers of Excellence, including the Infotonics Technology Center in Canandaigua. He also wants to ensure that “every New York State county has an Empire Zone…. every county without one — Delaware, Greene, Hamilton, Putnam, Rockland, Schoharie, Tompkins, Yates and Wyoming — gets one by the end of this year.” Empire Zones are yet another mechanism to rob the public treasury of funds and hand them over to the monopolies.
Lawmakers are supposed to adopt a 2006-07 budget by April 1. Last year was the first in 20 years that a budget was passed by that deadline.
Read the complete article
Governance
Erie County Executive Joel A. Giambra said the Pataki budget was “music to my ears.” Giambra is a main point man for the ruling circles’ efforts to eliminate the City of Buffalo and its elected governance, using “regional consolidation” and Control Boards. The “music” he refers to is the $25 million Pataki is providing statewide for “consolidation.” The current funding is $2.75 million. The additional funding is specifically targeted at water and fire services. Given that both the Buffalo and County Control Boards also favor elimination of local governance, they are supporting the call for “consolidation.”
Jobs and Unemployment Compensation
With Delphi and Ford announcing massive layoffs, one would expect funding for jobs and unemployment compensation to be main features of a state budget. Additionally, from 1990 to 2004, monopolies in New York State have cut about 35 percent of its -manufacturing jobs (compared to about 20 percent nationwide). The Pataki administration expects the state to lose another 6,200 manufacturing jobs this year. In addition twenty thousand state positions have been cut over the past ten years, and one million people were thrown off welfare. The state’s unemployment trust fund, which covers unemployment insurance benefits to only a fraction of those who lose their jobs, has itself been broke since 2002. Pataki now wants to further reduce benefits for workers receiving workers’ compensation. His proposals do nothing to meet people’s right to a livelihood.
Healthcare
Under Pataki’s proposal, health care funding would be slashed by $1.3 billion, including severe cuts to Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals and nursing homes. Hospitals face $431 million in cuts, while cuts to nursing homes would be $581 million statewide, according to the Health Care Association of New York State. New York’s hospitals have lost $2.3 billion in state funding since 1998. The cuts will mean even worse conditions for patients, residents and health workers and likely block many people from receiving needed care. The proposal will also rob hundreds of millions of dollars from people receiving Medicaid benefits by imposing increased co-payments, reducing benefits and restricting eligibility. An enormous burden is being placed on children, the sick and elderly, the most vulnerable New Yorkers.
Education
Pataki’s proposal provides a $634 million increase in school funding, bringing the total amount to $17 billion. This marginal 1.6 percent average rise in school funding is not only billions less than court-ordered funding increases, for many districts it will mean funding cuts. As a result of vigorous battles by parents and teachers on the need to increase school funding, the state’s courts have been forced to declare the current school funding system unequal and unconstitutional. They have ordered that New York City schools alone receive an additional $2.8 billion in the coming year. Pataki refuses.
Seeking to channel $400 million of public funds to the private sector, Pataki also proposed giving parents a $500 tax credit — a “backdoor voucher” — that they can use for tutoring, after-school programs, or private school tuition. This applies to those schools decimated by state funding cuts and now branded as “failing.” Pataki’s proposal says nothing about the state’s complete failure to meet the needs of students and teachers and guarantee the right to education.
In another effort to use public funds for private, for-profit companies, the governor proposed raising the statewide cap on charter schools to 250, up from the current limit of 100. Pataki’s plan would also give charter schools access to another pool of public funds, the state’s building fund, for the first time. The large majority of charter schools are operated or managed by private, for-profit companies.
In higher education, the governor called for $200 million in cuts, including changes in tuition assistance programs, as well as tuition increases of up to $500 for the State University of New York system. The governor also wants to penalize students who get financial assistance but do not graduate from college in four years (which includes most students). He wants to require students to take 15 credit hours — instead of 12 — for full financial aid under the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) serving public and private college students.
Pataki’s proposal does not provide funding for hiring more full-time teachers. The State University system (SUNY) estimates that more than 7,000 community college graduates a year are unable to go to SUNY’s four-year schools because of lack of enough teachers. Pataki’s budget does nothing to solve this problem. While the State University student population has grown to 44,000, the jobs of 1,000 full-time faculty are to be eliminated.
Taxes
Pataki plans to raise the tax on each pack of cigarettes by $1 — making it $2.50, the nation’s highest. He also decided to continue charging sales taxes on clothing purchases under $110, eliminating a -previous tax break that had been scheduled to come back into effect. Overall, there are more tax increases for the vast majority and tax cuts for the small minority. About half the tax cuts are for people making more than $200,000.
Paying the Rich
State debt continues to rise, meaning more and more public dollars go to the Wall Street loansharks. When the governor came to power in 1995, 86 percent of the state’s debt was funded through “backdoor borrowing,” without voter approval required by law. That number has increased to 92 percent. Over the past two decades, the percentage of debt approved by voters has decreased from 40 percent to barely 8 percent of the overall amount, according to a December 2005 report by state Comptroller Alan Hevesi. Pataki’s proposal would continue serving Wall Street by adding almost $1.5 billion more in debt payments.
The state currently has at least $47.7 billion in debt, up by $11.4 billion since 2000. According to the Division of Budget, state debt has grown by 31 percent during Pataki’s tenure. The state’s $2,509 per capita debt is second only to New Jersey’s, at $2,901. Debt servicing currently adds up to $4.3 billion a year, or about 4 percent of every tax dollar. State debt has grown on average by 5.1 percent per year.
Another way Pataki wants to increase payments to the rich is by providing $1.1 billion in tax cuts to the monopolies. This includes large tax breaks for the state’s five Centers of Excellence, including the Infotonics Technology Center in Canandaigua. He also wants to ensure that “every New York State county has an Empire Zone…. every county without one — Delaware, Greene, Hamilton, Putnam, Rockland, Schoharie, Tompkins, Yates and Wyoming — gets one by the end of this year.” Empire Zones are yet another mechanism to rob the public treasury of funds and hand them over to the monopolies.
Lawmakers are supposed to adopt a 2006-07 budget by April 1. Last year was the first in 20 years that a budget was passed by that deadline.
Read the complete article
Upcoming Events
Buffalo
UB DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES
Tavis Smiley
Friday, February 3, 8PM
UB Center for the Arts, Amherst
852-5000 for Info and Tickets
W.E.B. DUBOIS AND BOOKER T. WASHINGTON DEBATE
Friday, February 10, 7-9PM
Buffalo Museum of Science
Presenters:
Dr. Henry Taylor & George B. Alexander
Performances:
Paul Robeson Theatre Troop
Njozi Poets
$25 Advanced tickets only
Call 510-3026 or 897-0442
Proceeds to benefit The Challenger
THE MURDER OF FRED HAMPTON
Free film screenings
Sunday, February 12, 7PM
271 Grant Street
Monday, February 13, 7PM
Paul Robeson Theater, African American Cultural Center
350 Masten Avenue
Contact Arissa Tel: (716) 796-5460
Hamilton
MCMASTER SCIENCE FOR PEACE/PUGWASH SOCIETY CONFERENCE
Canada’s Role in Nuclear
Proliferation and Disarmament
Saturday, February 11, 9-6PM
McMaster University
room MDCL 1102
Admission is $5 at the door or FREE if registered/reserved by Feb 1
email: msfpconference@gmail.com
website: www.msfp.tk
National
PROTEST BUSH’S STATE OF THE UNION
Tuesday, January 31
Local actions nationwide
www.unitedforpeace.org
www.codepink4peace.org
DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, February 4, 2006
Washington, DC
“Deliver the people’s verdict on Bush’s criminal regime: Bush Step Down and Take Your Program With You”
www.worldcantwait.org
NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ORGANIZED RESISTANCE
February 3-5, 2006
Washington, DC
www.organizedresistance.org
WORLD WIDE EVENTS IN SUPPORT OF LEONARD PELTIER
Monday, February 6, 2006
Events and actions to mark the 30th anniversary of Leonard Peltier’s illegal extradition to the United States from Canada
www.leonardpeltier.org
MARCH 18-19: GLOBAL DAYS OF ACTION ON THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRAQ WAR
No to U.S. War and Aggression!
Bring All U.S. Troops Home Now!
Local Actions Nationwide Now Being Organized—Join in!
See www.internationalanswer.org,
www.unitedforpeace.org
Read the complete article
UB DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES
Tavis Smiley
Friday, February 3, 8PM
UB Center for the Arts, Amherst
852-5000 for Info and Tickets
W.E.B. DUBOIS AND BOOKER T. WASHINGTON DEBATE
Friday, February 10, 7-9PM
Buffalo Museum of Science
Presenters:
Dr. Henry Taylor & George B. Alexander
Performances:
Paul Robeson Theatre Troop
Njozi Poets
$25 Advanced tickets only
Call 510-3026 or 897-0442
Proceeds to benefit The Challenger
THE MURDER OF FRED HAMPTON
Free film screenings
Sunday, February 12, 7PM
271 Grant Street
Monday, February 13, 7PM
Paul Robeson Theater, African American Cultural Center
350 Masten Avenue
Contact Arissa Tel: (716) 796-5460
Hamilton
MCMASTER SCIENCE FOR PEACE/PUGWASH SOCIETY CONFERENCE
Canada’s Role in Nuclear
Proliferation and Disarmament
Saturday, February 11, 9-6PM
McMaster University
room MDCL 1102
Admission is $5 at the door or FREE if registered/reserved by Feb 1
email: msfpconference@gmail.com
website: www.msfp.tk
National
PROTEST BUSH’S STATE OF THE UNION
Tuesday, January 31
Local actions nationwide
www.unitedforpeace.org
www.codepink4peace.org
DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, February 4, 2006
Washington, DC
“Deliver the people’s verdict on Bush’s criminal regime: Bush Step Down and Take Your Program With You”
www.worldcantwait.org
NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ORGANIZED RESISTANCE
February 3-5, 2006
Washington, DC
www.organizedresistance.org
WORLD WIDE EVENTS IN SUPPORT OF LEONARD PELTIER
Monday, February 6, 2006
Events and actions to mark the 30th anniversary of Leonard Peltier’s illegal extradition to the United States from Canada
www.leonardpeltier.org
MARCH 18-19: GLOBAL DAYS OF ACTION ON THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRAQ WAR
No to U.S. War and Aggression!
Bring All U.S. Troops Home Now!
Local Actions Nationwide Now Being Organized—Join in!
See www.internationalanswer.org,
www.unitedforpeace.org
Read the complete article
Local Radio and Culture in Buffalo
WUFO: 1080 AM
IT’S YOUR TIME TO TALK
with Betty Jean Grant; Talkline: 837-1112
Mondays at 9AM
KIRKLAND’S KORNER
with Ted Kirkland
Tuesdays at llAM
EYE ON HISTORY
With Eva M. Doyle
Tuesday 12-12:30PM
WHLD: 1270 AM
SUBJECTIVE REALITIES
with Daire Brian Irwin
Mondays at 10AM
SPEAK EASY RADIO
with Theresa
Wednesdays at 10AM
CIVIL LIBERTIES RADIO
with John Curr, NYCLU
Thursday at 11AM
Open Mic Poetry
Tuesdays, 6:30-9PM
EM Tea Coffee Cup Café
80 Oakgrove St.
Open Mic Blues
Tuesdays 8PM
Rich’s House of Blues
607 Jefferson Ave.
Read the complete article
IT’S YOUR TIME TO TALK
with Betty Jean Grant; Talkline: 837-1112
Mondays at 9AM
KIRKLAND’S KORNER
with Ted Kirkland
Tuesdays at llAM
EYE ON HISTORY
With Eva M. Doyle
Tuesday 12-12:30PM
WHLD: 1270 AM
SUBJECTIVE REALITIES
with Daire Brian Irwin
Mondays at 10AM
SPEAK EASY RADIO
with Theresa
Wednesdays at 10AM
CIVIL LIBERTIES RADIO
with John Curr, NYCLU
Thursday at 11AM
Open Mic Poetry
Tuesdays, 6:30-9PM
EM Tea Coffee Cup Café
80 Oakgrove St.
Open Mic Blues
Tuesdays 8PM
Rich’s House of Blues
607 Jefferson Ave.
Read the complete article
Freeze the Debt, Not Wages!
The Buffalo Control Board has again insisted that it will not lift the wage freeze imposed on all city and school workers. The freeze has been in effect for almost two years now (about 20 months). It has impacted families of teachers, firefighters and city workers, serving to cut wages at a time of increased heating and other costs. The freeze is unjust and should be eliminated now!
The wage freeze has also served to block contractual agreements like step increases and other payments based on seniority. It is an attack not only on wages, but on contracts and the unions themselves. The wage freeze is also serving to block contract negotiations and forcing the workers to accept a situation where their contracts no longer have meaning. The workers and unions have continued to oppose this Control Board tyranny and deserve the support of all.
The Control Board’s refusal to lift the wage freeze has much more to do with their attack on unions than any financial concern. This can be seen in the fact that freezing city and school debt payments would easily secure far more in one year than the estimated cost of lifting the wage freeze over four years. Freezing city and school debt for one year would secure at least $69 million. Lifting the wage freeze is estimated to mean $16.3 million for the workers.
Given that the Control Board supposedly exists to provide for the well-being of Buffalo, why not freeze the debt and pay the teachers and firefighters and city workers! Paying the workers assists the economy by putting money into it. Paying the debt harms the economy by removing millions and handing it over to the loan sharks for speculation.
Public funds belong to the public. We say Freeze the Debt and Pay the Wages! We say it is time to end the situation where the people of Buffalo and Erie County pay more and more taxes and fees while social services are cut, wages are cut and working conditions for public sector workers get worse. The refusal of the Control Board to even consider ending the wage freeze makes clear that their role is to guarantee that more and more public funds are handed over to the monopolies, especially the Wall Street loan sharks.
The Buffalo News also added its voice against eliminating the wage freeze. In a recent editorial they said ending the freeze is “premature and ill-advised.” They also demanded that workers take concessions as “the only way to solve Buffalo’s fiscal problems.”
Attacking the workers is not a solution. It intensifies the problem. It creates conditions that are unsafe for workers and the public alike, as firefighters have made clear. It contributes to the wrecking of the public school system, where already it is very difficult for teachers to teach and youth to learn.
There are funds available for the schools, for the workers. They are the public funds that belong to the public. We demand that they be used for the public, beginning with ending the wage freeze. We urge everyone in Buffalo to make this an election issue for 2006 and to step up efforts to eliminate the Control Board and defend the unions.
Read the complete article
The wage freeze has also served to block contractual agreements like step increases and other payments based on seniority. It is an attack not only on wages, but on contracts and the unions themselves. The wage freeze is also serving to block contract negotiations and forcing the workers to accept a situation where their contracts no longer have meaning. The workers and unions have continued to oppose this Control Board tyranny and deserve the support of all.
The Control Board’s refusal to lift the wage freeze has much more to do with their attack on unions than any financial concern. This can be seen in the fact that freezing city and school debt payments would easily secure far more in one year than the estimated cost of lifting the wage freeze over four years. Freezing city and school debt for one year would secure at least $69 million. Lifting the wage freeze is estimated to mean $16.3 million for the workers.
Given that the Control Board supposedly exists to provide for the well-being of Buffalo, why not freeze the debt and pay the teachers and firefighters and city workers! Paying the workers assists the economy by putting money into it. Paying the debt harms the economy by removing millions and handing it over to the loan sharks for speculation.
Public funds belong to the public. We say Freeze the Debt and Pay the Wages! We say it is time to end the situation where the people of Buffalo and Erie County pay more and more taxes and fees while social services are cut, wages are cut and working conditions for public sector workers get worse. The refusal of the Control Board to even consider ending the wage freeze makes clear that their role is to guarantee that more and more public funds are handed over to the monopolies, especially the Wall Street loan sharks.
The Buffalo News also added its voice against eliminating the wage freeze. In a recent editorial they said ending the freeze is “premature and ill-advised.” They also demanded that workers take concessions as “the only way to solve Buffalo’s fiscal problems.”
Attacking the workers is not a solution. It intensifies the problem. It creates conditions that are unsafe for workers and the public alike, as firefighters have made clear. It contributes to the wrecking of the public school system, where already it is very difficult for teachers to teach and youth to learn.
There are funds available for the schools, for the workers. They are the public funds that belong to the public. We demand that they be used for the public, beginning with ending the wage freeze. We urge everyone in Buffalo to make this an election issue for 2006 and to step up efforts to eliminate the Control Board and defend the unions.
Read the complete article
Defend Artist and Activist Steve Kurtz
Artist, activist and University at Buffalo professor Steven Kurtz continues to be persecuted by the federal government. Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr. recently refused to dismiss the case. Kurtz argued that no crime had been committed when he received harmless bacteria for an art exhibit through the mail. Schroeder issued only an opinion and the case could still be dismissed at trial. Kurtz is also appealing.
People of Buffalo will remember that Kurtz’s home was raided and the block cordoned off based on FBI claims that he was a “bioterrorist.” In fact, all the FBI found in his home was some lab equipment and harmless bacteria that Kurtz used in his artwork and teaching. Nonetheless, the FBI detained Kurtz as a potential “bioterrorist,” seized his computer and other materials and initiated an investigation involving the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Department of Homeland Security, and numerous other federal and international law enforcement agencies. However, Kurtz was not indicted for bioterrorism, but for “mail and wire fraud,” charges usually used by the government when no other charges will stick. These charges still carry a possible sentence of twenty years in prison.
For most of the past two years, Kurtz was subject to random house searches and drug tests, was limited in his ability to travel, and had to report regularly to a probation officer. In November he finally won release from this pre-trial supervision, despite fierce objections from the U.S. Department of Justice prosecutor William Hochul.
The refusal of the government to drop the charges, like their insistence on the pre-trial supervision, are part of the government’s broad efforts in -Buffalo to suppress dissent and impose an atmosphere of fear. Having terrorized the Lackawanna community and used claims of “terrorist cells” to attack Arabs and Muslims and try to divide the people, the government used the Kurtz’s case to show their readiness to attack everyone. It was an effort to silence intellectuals and to say if a professor and artist can be branded a terrorist, so can anyone.
The government has failed, however, to silence anyone. Kurtz has won broad support. Activists here and worldwide have joined the fight to defend the rights to conscience and free speech and reject government terrorism. Kurtz along with many others from the UB community have joined in various battles to defend the rights of all and continue to do so.
Read the complete article
People of Buffalo will remember that Kurtz’s home was raided and the block cordoned off based on FBI claims that he was a “bioterrorist.” In fact, all the FBI found in his home was some lab equipment and harmless bacteria that Kurtz used in his artwork and teaching. Nonetheless, the FBI detained Kurtz as a potential “bioterrorist,” seized his computer and other materials and initiated an investigation involving the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Department of Homeland Security, and numerous other federal and international law enforcement agencies. However, Kurtz was not indicted for bioterrorism, but for “mail and wire fraud,” charges usually used by the government when no other charges will stick. These charges still carry a possible sentence of twenty years in prison.
For most of the past two years, Kurtz was subject to random house searches and drug tests, was limited in his ability to travel, and had to report regularly to a probation officer. In November he finally won release from this pre-trial supervision, despite fierce objections from the U.S. Department of Justice prosecutor William Hochul.
The refusal of the government to drop the charges, like their insistence on the pre-trial supervision, are part of the government’s broad efforts in -Buffalo to suppress dissent and impose an atmosphere of fear. Having terrorized the Lackawanna community and used claims of “terrorist cells” to attack Arabs and Muslims and try to divide the people, the government used the Kurtz’s case to show their readiness to attack everyone. It was an effort to silence intellectuals and to say if a professor and artist can be branded a terrorist, so can anyone.
The government has failed, however, to silence anyone. Kurtz has won broad support. Activists here and worldwide have joined the fight to defend the rights to conscience and free speech and reject government terrorism. Kurtz along with many others from the UB community have joined in various battles to defend the rights of all and continue to do so.
Read the complete article
Conditions of Life Worsen for Millions More
President George W. Bush, echoing Wall Street, has said that the economy is doing well. Facts of life for the majority of Americans continue to show that the U.S. economy cannot meet the needs of the people and cannot provide for their well-being. More Americans are not only poorer and more indebted, but also working more for far less. Pensions, health benefits, and wages continue to be cut in both the public and private sectors while mass layoffs continue unabated, spreading economic insecurity to more individuals and families.
The government, far from taking up its social responsibility to provide for the people, is massively cutting funds to social programs. It is handing more and more of the wealth produced by working people over to the monopolies. It is increasing funding for repression and war and safeguarding a system that cannot provide for the people.
Poverty, Hunger and Homelessness
The official poverty rate rose from 11.3% in 2000 to 12.7% in 2004 (or 37 million people), the latest year for overall statistics. The number of people living in poverty has increased by 5.4 million since 2000. More children are also living in poverty: the child poverty rate increased from 16.2% in 2000 to 17.8% in 2004 (or 13 million children). Just between 2000 and 2003, the proportion of children under age 6 who were poor increased by 11%.
It is well known that U.S. poverty statistics greatly undercount the actual level of poverty. People living at twice the official poverty rate, for example, are still impoverished. That rate was 31.1%, or 89.7 million households. Currently, the poverty level for a couple is yearly earnings of $12,330 and for a family of four $19,300.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors Hunger and Homelessness Survey 2005 reports that requests for emergency food assistance increased by an average of 12 percent in the past year in 18 of the 24 major cities included in the survey. Most of the requests came from families with children, and 40 percent came from people who were employed. Approximately 40 percent of adult males who are homeless are veterans.
During the last year, requests for -emergency shelter also increased by 6 percent, with most city officials citing lack of affordable housing as the leading cause of homelessness. Most expect requests for both food and shelter to increase in the coming year. Every year, at least 3.5 million Americans experience temporary homelessness. Many millions more live in substandard conditions. People routinely go through shut-off periods without basic necessities such as water and heat. Many also forgo needed drugs or medical treatment.
Unemployment and Wages
More than 3 million manufacturing jobs have been lost since January 2000. In addition, for the past two years, average hourly wages and weekly salaries have been flat or falling. For the 2 million workers who earn the federal minimum wage of $5.15 an hour, no single rural county or metropolitan area in the entire country offers even one bedroom rental units at affordable rates for minimum wage workers. More than 30 million Americans—a quarter of the U.S. labor force—work in jobs that pay poverty-level wages.
Median household income (inflation-adjusted) has fallen five years in a row and was 4% lower in 2004 than in 1999, falling from $46,129 to $44,389. Adding to growing insecurity for millions, more companies are threatening to stop pension payments while many others have already stopped such payments altogether.
Declining Health Coverage
The number of people with employer-provided health insurance fell for the fourth year in a row. Nearly 3.7 million fewer people had such insurance in 2004 than in 2000. The number of uninsured people is estimated at more than 47 million. Tens of millions more are under-insured.
Debt
Indebtedness of U.S. households, after adjusting for inflation, has risen 35.7% over the last four years. The level of debt as a percent of after-tax income is the highest ever measured. Mortgage and consumer debt is now 115% of after-tax income, twice the level of 30 years ago. Second mortgage debt nearly doubled in 2005, to $178 billion. At the same time, the personal savings rate is now negative for the first time since WWII.
Bankruptcy levels have reached record highs each year for the last few years. Bankruptcy filings for 2005 were pushed to their highest annual level on record—more than two million. Significant increases in bankruptcy filings occurred in every region. Lundquist Consulting Inc., a financial research firm based in Burlingame, California, reported 2,043,535 new bankruptcy filings last year, up 31.6 percent from 1,552,967 in 2004—meaning that one in every 53 households filed bankruptcy petitions. A new and harsher bankruptcy law that took effect October 17, 2005 promises to worsen conditions for millions more.
Read the complete article
The government, far from taking up its social responsibility to provide for the people, is massively cutting funds to social programs. It is handing more and more of the wealth produced by working people over to the monopolies. It is increasing funding for repression and war and safeguarding a system that cannot provide for the people.
Poverty, Hunger and Homelessness
The official poverty rate rose from 11.3% in 2000 to 12.7% in 2004 (or 37 million people), the latest year for overall statistics. The number of people living in poverty has increased by 5.4 million since 2000. More children are also living in poverty: the child poverty rate increased from 16.2% in 2000 to 17.8% in 2004 (or 13 million children). Just between 2000 and 2003, the proportion of children under age 6 who were poor increased by 11%.
It is well known that U.S. poverty statistics greatly undercount the actual level of poverty. People living at twice the official poverty rate, for example, are still impoverished. That rate was 31.1%, or 89.7 million households. Currently, the poverty level for a couple is yearly earnings of $12,330 and for a family of four $19,300.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors Hunger and Homelessness Survey 2005 reports that requests for emergency food assistance increased by an average of 12 percent in the past year in 18 of the 24 major cities included in the survey. Most of the requests came from families with children, and 40 percent came from people who were employed. Approximately 40 percent of adult males who are homeless are veterans.
During the last year, requests for -emergency shelter also increased by 6 percent, with most city officials citing lack of affordable housing as the leading cause of homelessness. Most expect requests for both food and shelter to increase in the coming year. Every year, at least 3.5 million Americans experience temporary homelessness. Many millions more live in substandard conditions. People routinely go through shut-off periods without basic necessities such as water and heat. Many also forgo needed drugs or medical treatment.
Unemployment and Wages
More than 3 million manufacturing jobs have been lost since January 2000. In addition, for the past two years, average hourly wages and weekly salaries have been flat or falling. For the 2 million workers who earn the federal minimum wage of $5.15 an hour, no single rural county or metropolitan area in the entire country offers even one bedroom rental units at affordable rates for minimum wage workers. More than 30 million Americans—a quarter of the U.S. labor force—work in jobs that pay poverty-level wages.
Median household income (inflation-adjusted) has fallen five years in a row and was 4% lower in 2004 than in 1999, falling from $46,129 to $44,389. Adding to growing insecurity for millions, more companies are threatening to stop pension payments while many others have already stopped such payments altogether.
Declining Health Coverage
The number of people with employer-provided health insurance fell for the fourth year in a row. Nearly 3.7 million fewer people had such insurance in 2004 than in 2000. The number of uninsured people is estimated at more than 47 million. Tens of millions more are under-insured.
Debt
Indebtedness of U.S. households, after adjusting for inflation, has risen 35.7% over the last four years. The level of debt as a percent of after-tax income is the highest ever measured. Mortgage and consumer debt is now 115% of after-tax income, twice the level of 30 years ago. Second mortgage debt nearly doubled in 2005, to $178 billion. At the same time, the personal savings rate is now negative for the first time since WWII.
Bankruptcy levels have reached record highs each year for the last few years. Bankruptcy filings for 2005 were pushed to their highest annual level on record—more than two million. Significant increases in bankruptcy filings occurred in every region. Lundquist Consulting Inc., a financial research firm based in Burlingame, California, reported 2,043,535 new bankruptcy filings last year, up 31.6 percent from 1,552,967 in 2004—meaning that one in every 53 households filed bankruptcy petitions. A new and harsher bankruptcy law that took effect October 17, 2005 promises to worsen conditions for millions more.
Read the complete article
Upcoming Events
Buffalo
PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO
A monthly documentary film and speakers series
Monday, January 23, 6:15PM
Pratt-Willert Community Center 422 Pratt Street, Buffalo
Guest Speakers from the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and from New York Prison Families, Inc.
Contact: Karima Amin at (716) 834-8438
KWANZAA CELEBRATION
Creator Maulana Karenga
Friday, January 27, 5PM
Campbell Student Union
Buffalo State College
Sponsored by African American Student Union
Rochester
ANTI-WAR VIGIL
Stand Against the Iraq War and Occupation!
Sunday, January 22, Noon
East Ave. & Goodman St.
Bring signs! Contact: Peace Action & Education (PA&E), a Task Force of Metro Justice (585) 325-2560
National
DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, February 4, Washington, DC
“Deliver the people’s verdict on Bush’s criminal regime: Bush Step Down and Take Your Program With You”
www.worldcantwait.org
NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ORGANIZED RESISTANCE
February 3-5, Washington, DC
www.organizedresistance.org
KATRINA SURVIVORS RALLY
February 9, Washington, DC
Demand Right to Return and
Funds to Rebuild
Contact: 1-800-790-2290 katrinarelief@acorn.org
www.acorn.org
Local Radio in Buffalo
WUFO: 1080 AM
IT’S YOUR TIME TO TALK
with Betty Jean Grant; Talkline: 837-1112
Mondays at 9AM
KIRKLAND’S KORNER
with Ted Kirkland
Tuesdays at llAM
WHLD: 1270 AM
SUBJECTIVE REALITIES
with Daire Brian Irwin
Mondays at 10AM
SPEAK EASY RADIO
with Theresa
Wednesdays at 10AM
CIVIL LIBERTIES RADIO
with John Curr, NYCLU
Thursday at 11AM
Read the complete article
PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO
A monthly documentary film and speakers series
Monday, January 23, 6:15PM
Pratt-Willert Community Center 422 Pratt Street, Buffalo
Guest Speakers from the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and from New York Prison Families, Inc.
Contact: Karima Amin at (716) 834-8438
KWANZAA CELEBRATION
Creator Maulana Karenga
Friday, January 27, 5PM
Campbell Student Union
Buffalo State College
Sponsored by African American Student Union
Rochester
ANTI-WAR VIGIL
Stand Against the Iraq War and Occupation!
Sunday, January 22, Noon
East Ave. & Goodman St.
Bring signs! Contact: Peace Action & Education (PA&E), a Task Force of Metro Justice (585) 325-2560
National
DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, February 4, Washington, DC
“Deliver the people’s verdict on Bush’s criminal regime: Bush Step Down and Take Your Program With You”
www.worldcantwait.org
NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ORGANIZED RESISTANCE
February 3-5, Washington, DC
www.organizedresistance.org
KATRINA SURVIVORS RALLY
February 9, Washington, DC
Demand Right to Return and
Funds to Rebuild
Contact: 1-800-790-2290 katrinarelief@acorn.org
www.acorn.org
Local Radio in Buffalo
WUFO: 1080 AM
IT’S YOUR TIME TO TALK
with Betty Jean Grant; Talkline: 837-1112
Mondays at 9AM
KIRKLAND’S KORNER
with Ted Kirkland
Tuesdays at llAM
WHLD: 1270 AM
SUBJECTIVE REALITIES
with Daire Brian Irwin
Mondays at 10AM
SPEAK EASY RADIO
with Theresa
Wednesdays at 10AM
CIVIL LIBERTIES RADIO
with John Curr, NYCLU
Thursday at 11AM
Read the complete article
Housing is a Right
In following developments in New Orleans, where government at all levels is organizing to bulldoze people’s homes and block Katrina survivors from returning, people in Buffalo cannot help but feel a strong sense of unity with survivors. Buffalo homeowners, especially, no doubt feel the same outrage as homeowners in New Orleans.
Watching developments, it appears a repeat is being played, and played again. In both cities government organizes the housing disasters, then insists that their brutality, whether through foreclosures or bulldozing, is “necessary.” They claim they know “what is best,” while acting to eliminate the heart and soul of the -cities.
Organized resistance in both cities represents significant developments in the struggle for rights. People are increasingly taking matters into their own hands and standing up to insist that it is the people who must and will decide! Both cities are significant testing grounds, for the government’s repressive measures and attacks on elected governance, and for the people, as they organize to block reaction and advance the fight for rights.
We urge our readers to follow developments closely and join in ensuring the success of these battles.
Read the complete article
Watching developments, it appears a repeat is being played, and played again. In both cities government organizes the housing disasters, then insists that their brutality, whether through foreclosures or bulldozing, is “necessary.” They claim they know “what is best,” while acting to eliminate the heart and soul of the -cities.
Organized resistance in both cities represents significant developments in the struggle for rights. People are increasingly taking matters into their own hands and standing up to insist that it is the people who must and will decide! Both cities are significant testing grounds, for the government’s repressive measures and attacks on elected governance, and for the people, as they organize to block reaction and advance the fight for rights.
We urge our readers to follow developments closely and join in ensuring the success of these battles.
Read the complete article
Unions Still Say No: Buffalo Control Board Seeks to Appoint “Union Rep”
The Buffalo Control Board is increasingly taking over governance from local elected government. This includes becoming the main force meeting with the state legislature, replacing relations between the legislature and the Mayor and Common Council. The Board is now planning regular meetings with state representatives. These efforts are being done in part to try and make the Control Board a legitimate form of governance.
Right alongside these efforts is one to replace Board member Richard M. Tobe with someone seen as a representative of the unions. This too is to try and make the Control Board’s broad attacks on workers and unions legitimate. With someone claiming to represent the unions joining in these attacks and supporting the Board’s claims that pensions and benefits are the problem, the Board hopes to lessen opposition among the workers.
The firefighters, like the teachers, have stood firmly against the Control Board, including continued resistance to the wage freeze and attacks on health care. Tobe, in particular, who was appointed as a supposed “community” representative, has been among the Board’s most vocal anti-worker people. He will now be moving to the Mayor’s office.
At this time, none of the local union representatives are falling for this effort to make the Control Board look “pro-union” while it acts to eliminate unions
Read the complete article
Right alongside these efforts is one to replace Board member Richard M. Tobe with someone seen as a representative of the unions. This too is to try and make the Control Board’s broad attacks on workers and unions legitimate. With someone claiming to represent the unions joining in these attacks and supporting the Board’s claims that pensions and benefits are the problem, the Board hopes to lessen opposition among the workers.
The firefighters, like the teachers, have stood firmly against the Control Board, including continued resistance to the wage freeze and attacks on health care. Tobe, in particular, who was appointed as a supposed “community” representative, has been among the Board’s most vocal anti-worker people. He will now be moving to the Mayor’s office.
At this time, none of the local union representatives are falling for this effort to make the Control Board look “pro-union” while it acts to eliminate unions
Read the complete article
2006 Calendars: Celebrate a Year of Resistance! All Together Against Bush Reaction!
Buffalo Forum is proud to announce the publication of three calendars for 2006, featuring photos of struggles in the U.S. and worldwide. Two of the calendars, “Celebrate the Peoples’ Organized Forces!” and “All Together Against Bush Reaction!” were produced by Buffalo Forum. A third calendar, “Viva Viva Intifada, Free Free Palestine!” has just been released by the Lackawanna Discussion Group. All three have lively color photos representing the growing resistance of the peoples and their work to strengthen their organized forces. We encourage all our readers and supporters to join in discussing the significance of the content brought out by the calendars, and to purchase and sell them!
“The workers really like that they are there, in the calendars, represented as an important part of the resistance,” said one seller. “Discussing the photos is also generating more political discussion, especially about how we can represent ourselves not only at various actions, but in government.”
Another seller said, “The calendars have really opened the space to discuss the resistance of the peoples and review significant events from 2005, like the counter inaugural in January, and anti-war actions in March, and numerous impeach Bush actions, and those against the Free Trade Area of the Americas and the G-8 and more,” said an activist selling calendars. “It is having a very positive impact against efforts by Bush and the media to portray 2005 as a year of doom and gloom, of nothing but tragedies,” she added. “It is the people’s resistance, in Palestine, in Iraq, in the U.S., around the world, despite the horrific conditions and repression and war the U.S. is imposing, that stands out.”
The “Celebrate the Peoples’ Organized Forces!” calendar, feature photos from the September 24 anti-war action in Washington, D.C. It gives vibrant expression to the broad scope of the anti-war movement and its increasingly organized character. All variety of groups are represented, from military families and veterans, numerous youth groups against military recruitment, unions and rights groups, those organizing to support Palestine and Korean reunification, as well as contingents from many states, and from the various peace groups, political organizations and anti-war coalitions. All stood together to demand an end to the Iraq war now and to oppose U.S. aggression and occupation worldwide. And they are strengthening their efforts for 2006. The two additional calendars have collages of numerous struggles, in the U.S. and worldwide, as well as those focused on Palestine. They especially convey the internationalist spirit of all the peoples, rising together to defend their rights.
Together the calendars show that it is organized resistance that is on the rise and that represents 2005.
Read the complete article
Assessing work in 2005: Relying On Our Own Independent Thought and Action
-Transit Workers Discussion Group -
TWDG sends its New Year’s Greetings to all transit workers and all our readers and supporters. Over the past year TWDG has been engaged in many fronts of work that include opposing U.S. war and occupation, defending the rights to free speech and to organize, defending our rights as workers, opposing efforts to humiliate and blame workers and defending the dignity of labor, opposing “security measures” including efforts to train workers to be informants and spies, rejecting Control Board tyranny including the elimination of elected governance, building our links with unions and workers from other sectors including developing discussion on worker politicians, intervening in the County crisis with the alternative of Freeze the Debt! No Cuts! No Layoffs!, intervening to defend the right to housing in the government-made housing disaster, fighting for empowerment in the course of these battles and extending our empowerment work to the electoral arena, including using our 2007 union elections as a testing ground for our own electoral setup.
At year’s end, we assess the strengths and weaknesses of the work and call on all to participate in this assessment. We begin with the overall aim of the work to build politics of empowerment. TWDG is engaged in organizing transit workers in the fight for workers to be the decision makers in society. We are relying on our own independent thought and action free from the shackles of the ruling circles and its mass media.
What have we achieved in this direction? Over the past year we have seen a more serious atmosphere for discussion where drivers listen intently when another is talking and wait in turn to give their views. We have noticed that the drivers stick to a topic in a more consistent manner and they take seriously the various topics being addressed. The space for political discussion created has also brought those with different views forward to join the discussion. It is the workers’ own discussion, led by TWDG. It is a space where the workers become informed and together decide what stands and actions are needed. We think that one of the most important features of the past year has been broader participation by transit workers in political events. For September 24 Days of Actions, TWDG provided the space for discussion on opposing war and occupation. We again created a transit worker flag that we brought into the garage for workers to sign. Even though NFTA ordered TWDG to remove the flag, together we defended the right to free speech and the right to organize on the spot. Workers came forward to sign the flag and defend the right of the workers to have it at the garage. Two transit workers attended the demonstration in Washington D.C. and proudly carried our transit worker flag and the red flags of USMLO and joined in distributing copies of Voice of Revolution.
In October drivers also participated in meetings and door-to-door work to inform and mobilize people to defend the right to housing. Transit workers attended other social and political events over the course of the year. As well, more workers are expressing an interest in finding out more about communism as an alternative.
Another important feature is that consciousness has developed that workers themselves know they are fit to govern and decide. This can be directly seen through our experience with NFTA and how public transportation is organized, including runs and bathrooms. The drivers confidently proclaim that they know they can do a better job. The general thinking by all is that NFTA is a block to solving problems in public transportation. This has always been the case but more and more we are seeing ourselves as the solution to the problems — in public transportation and in the political life of the city, county and country. We are our best representatives and must increase the work to be representatives, in the union, in city politics, at demonstrations, etc.
One of the themes that TWDG has been waging a fight on is the NFTA’s effort to turn public transportation workers into spies and informants in the “war on terrorism.” The effort on the part of the NFTA includes “terrorism training” with FBI agents and a whole government campaign to persuade transit workers and passengers that the people are the source of violence and the government the source of security. Through informed discussion, transit workers are rejecting these efforts to divide the people and identifying the government as the source of violence and insecurity.
We have also regularly countered the efforts to blame the workers for the current crisis of governance in Buffalo and Erie County. The disinformation that “there is no money” and that “Cadillac benefits” and pensions are the problem has been exposed and consciousness of the necessity to defend the rights of the workers, including their wages and benefits, has been strengthened.
We pledge that in 2006 we will work to consolidate the gains made and continue to provide and occupy the space for the workers to be political. We look forward to increased participation in politics by all, including in actions such as demonstrations as well as the work to build a new electoral system.
Read the complete article
TWDG sends its New Year’s Greetings to all transit workers and all our readers and supporters. Over the past year TWDG has been engaged in many fronts of work that include opposing U.S. war and occupation, defending the rights to free speech and to organize, defending our rights as workers, opposing efforts to humiliate and blame workers and defending the dignity of labor, opposing “security measures” including efforts to train workers to be informants and spies, rejecting Control Board tyranny including the elimination of elected governance, building our links with unions and workers from other sectors including developing discussion on worker politicians, intervening in the County crisis with the alternative of Freeze the Debt! No Cuts! No Layoffs!, intervening to defend the right to housing in the government-made housing disaster, fighting for empowerment in the course of these battles and extending our empowerment work to the electoral arena, including using our 2007 union elections as a testing ground for our own electoral setup.
At year’s end, we assess the strengths and weaknesses of the work and call on all to participate in this assessment. We begin with the overall aim of the work to build politics of empowerment. TWDG is engaged in organizing transit workers in the fight for workers to be the decision makers in society. We are relying on our own independent thought and action free from the shackles of the ruling circles and its mass media.
What have we achieved in this direction? Over the past year we have seen a more serious atmosphere for discussion where drivers listen intently when another is talking and wait in turn to give their views. We have noticed that the drivers stick to a topic in a more consistent manner and they take seriously the various topics being addressed. The space for political discussion created has also brought those with different views forward to join the discussion. It is the workers’ own discussion, led by TWDG. It is a space where the workers become informed and together decide what stands and actions are needed. We think that one of the most important features of the past year has been broader participation by transit workers in political events. For September 24 Days of Actions, TWDG provided the space for discussion on opposing war and occupation. We again created a transit worker flag that we brought into the garage for workers to sign. Even though NFTA ordered TWDG to remove the flag, together we defended the right to free speech and the right to organize on the spot. Workers came forward to sign the flag and defend the right of the workers to have it at the garage. Two transit workers attended the demonstration in Washington D.C. and proudly carried our transit worker flag and the red flags of USMLO and joined in distributing copies of Voice of Revolution.
In October drivers also participated in meetings and door-to-door work to inform and mobilize people to defend the right to housing. Transit workers attended other social and political events over the course of the year. As well, more workers are expressing an interest in finding out more about communism as an alternative.
Another important feature is that consciousness has developed that workers themselves know they are fit to govern and decide. This can be directly seen through our experience with NFTA and how public transportation is organized, including runs and bathrooms. The drivers confidently proclaim that they know they can do a better job. The general thinking by all is that NFTA is a block to solving problems in public transportation. This has always been the case but more and more we are seeing ourselves as the solution to the problems — in public transportation and in the political life of the city, county and country. We are our best representatives and must increase the work to be representatives, in the union, in city politics, at demonstrations, etc.
One of the themes that TWDG has been waging a fight on is the NFTA’s effort to turn public transportation workers into spies and informants in the “war on terrorism.” The effort on the part of the NFTA includes “terrorism training” with FBI agents and a whole government campaign to persuade transit workers and passengers that the people are the source of violence and the government the source of security. Through informed discussion, transit workers are rejecting these efforts to divide the people and identifying the government as the source of violence and insecurity.
We have also regularly countered the efforts to blame the workers for the current crisis of governance in Buffalo and Erie County. The disinformation that “there is no money” and that “Cadillac benefits” and pensions are the problem has been exposed and consciousness of the necessity to defend the rights of the workers, including their wages and benefits, has been strengthened.
We pledge that in 2006 we will work to consolidate the gains made and continue to provide and occupy the space for the workers to be political. We look forward to increased participation in politics by all, including in actions such as demonstrations as well as the work to build a new electoral system.
Read the complete article
UPCOMING EVENTS
Buffalo
STATE OF THE MASTEN DISTRICT: ANTOINE THOMPSON
Saturday, January 14, 8:30AM
877 East Delavan Avenue
Call 851-5145
LASC COFFEEHOUSE ON EL SALVADOR
Monday, January 16, 7PM
Network of Religious
Communities, 1272 Delaware
Guest speakers will discuss U.S. aggression against the people of El Salvador, the people’s fight for rights and numerous efforts in the U.S. to support the struggle in El Salvador.
W.E.B. DUBOIS AND BOOKER T. WASHINGTON DEBATE
Friday February 10, 7 to 9PM
Buffalo Museum of Science
Presenters are Dr. Henry Taylor and George B. Alexander
Performances by Paul Robeson Theatre Troop and Njozi Poets
$25 Advanced tickets only. Call 510-3026 or 897-0442 or see the Challenger for details
DR. KING EVENTS
POETRY SLAM
Harriet Ross Tubman School #31
212 Stanton Street
Friday, January 13, 1 to 3PM
ANNUAL CELEBRATION
Shea’s Buffalo Theater
Sunday, January 15, 6PM
Rochester
REALITY OF WAR TOUR
TRUTH AND RESISTANCE FROM THE FRONT LINES
Thursday, January 19, 7PM
First Universalist Church
150 N. Clinton Ave.
Brian Conley, Independent Filmmaker and
Journalist, and founder of the Alive in Baghdad Project.
National
PROTEST BUSH’S STATE OF THE UNION
Tuesday January 31
Local actions nationwide
see www.worldcantwait.org,
www.unitedforpeace.org and
www.codepink4peace.org
DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, February 4
Washington, DC
“Deliver the people’s verdict on Bush’s criminal regime: Bush Step Down and Take Your Program With You”
www.worldcantwait.org
GLOBAL DAYS OF ACTION ON THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRAQ WAR
UNIONS STILL SAY NO
March 13-19
No to U.S. War and Aggression!
Bring All the Troops Home Now!
Local Actions Nationwide Now Being Organized—Join in!
See www.internationalanswer.org,
www.unitedforpeace.org
Read the complete article
STATE OF THE MASTEN DISTRICT: ANTOINE THOMPSON
Saturday, January 14, 8:30AM
877 East Delavan Avenue
Call 851-5145
LASC COFFEEHOUSE ON EL SALVADOR
Monday, January 16, 7PM
Network of Religious
Communities, 1272 Delaware
Guest speakers will discuss U.S. aggression against the people of El Salvador, the people’s fight for rights and numerous efforts in the U.S. to support the struggle in El Salvador.
W.E.B. DUBOIS AND BOOKER T. WASHINGTON DEBATE
Friday February 10, 7 to 9PM
Buffalo Museum of Science
Presenters are Dr. Henry Taylor and George B. Alexander
Performances by Paul Robeson Theatre Troop and Njozi Poets
$25 Advanced tickets only. Call 510-3026 or 897-0442 or see the Challenger for details
DR. KING EVENTS
POETRY SLAM
Harriet Ross Tubman School #31
212 Stanton Street
Friday, January 13, 1 to 3PM
ANNUAL CELEBRATION
Shea’s Buffalo Theater
Sunday, January 15, 6PM
Rochester
REALITY OF WAR TOUR
TRUTH AND RESISTANCE FROM THE FRONT LINES
Thursday, January 19, 7PM
First Universalist Church
150 N. Clinton Ave.
Brian Conley, Independent Filmmaker and
Journalist, and founder of the Alive in Baghdad Project.
National
PROTEST BUSH’S STATE OF THE UNION
Tuesday January 31
Local actions nationwide
see www.worldcantwait.org,
www.unitedforpeace.org and
www.codepink4peace.org
DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, February 4
Washington, DC
“Deliver the people’s verdict on Bush’s criminal regime: Bush Step Down and Take Your Program With You”
www.worldcantwait.org
GLOBAL DAYS OF ACTION ON THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRAQ WAR
UNIONS STILL SAY NO
March 13-19
No to U.S. War and Aggression!
Bring All the Troops Home Now!
Local Actions Nationwide Now Being Organized—Join in!
See www.internationalanswer.org,
www.unitedforpeace.org
Read the complete article
