This article was on the front page of today’s Observer. 
Very exciting to see in print! (even if they got Karen’s email address wrong)
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Monthly Archives: February 2009
Worker Wednesday
Today for Worker Wednesday I thought I would again mention an item of National interest and one of State interest. For the National bit I direct your attention to this editorial What Part of ‘Stimulus’ Don’t They Get?. It is appalling to me that Republicans continue to work against the best interests of the working class. This stimulus money is real money that can help a lot of people right now and they are complaining because it might cause a tax increase in several years. So for that we should let people starve? And if it was up to the Republicans who would get their taxes raised?The very people they are refusing to help right now.
Unfortunately it is not just members of the Republican party that seem to hate the working class. Our own Goveernor Paterson still refuses to consider a progressive tax structure even though 77% of New Yorkers think it is a good idea (SNY Poll). And he seems intent on gutting the education system in New York as well. Please tell Governor Paterson to Stop!
Tuesday Tunes
Back in high school I sang in an a cappella group, which was a lot of fun. My favorite group of that genre was The Nylons, so I figured I’d post some videos of their songs for this edition of Tuesday Tunes.
Slow down
Today has been unrelentingly stressful. So it was refreshing as I was glancing through the headlines in my RSS reader to see this article entitled Let the World Pass You By. It was a nice reminder to take it easy and relax, even if only for a moment. Plus I liked the quote at the top of the article, it seemed somehow familiar 
Go ahead and read the article. Here’s some background music while you do, it goes along nicely. Then go take a break and watch the wheels go round. 
Sunday Fun
Worker Wednesday
I read this article the other day and thought it would make a good topic for Worker Wednesday. The dirty little secret that is not stated directly is that while 94.5 percent of Wal Mart workers have health insurance only 51.8 percent have Wal Mart provided insurance. That leaves a huge number of Wal Mart workers who are covered by State insurance plans, plans paid for by taxpayers.
I am all for public health coverage, but an employer should be required to make its insurance plans affordable to their workers. Paying minimum wage or slightly better and offering an unaffordable health plan will push employees to taxpayer supported health coverage. In the meantime the CEO of Wal Mart walked away with $30 million in compensation. Wal Mart should use some of that CEO compensation to better the pay and benefits of its workers.
See this blog post for more information about Wal Mart’s profiteering.
Tuesday Tunes
Last Friday I heard It’s Tricky on the radio and I thought that Run-D.M.C. would make a good feature for Tuesday Tunes. I always enjoy listening to Run-D.M.C. but I think last week was the first time in years since I’ve heard them on the radio. I’ll end with the crossover cover of Aerosmith’s Walk This Way, which I’m pretty sure was the first (and best IMO) rap-rock collaboration.
- It’s Tricky
- King of Rock
- Run’s House
- Walk This Way
Sunday Fun
$2.09
Gas was up to $2.09 today.
Worker Wednesday
How convenient that February 11 is a Wednesday, so for Worker Wednesday let us remember and honor the Treaty of Detroit and our UAW brothers and sisters. I think that workers have grown complacent and need to remember what working conditions were like without unions. It is the nature of management to attempt to exploit the worker in order to increase profits.
In state news, five state senators act on a fair tax plan. We will see if a progressive tax will be restored in New York or not. I hope it is.
In solidarity.