We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Monday, February 21, 2011

Labor leaders drag out Jesse Jackson, intensify efforts to temper Wisconsin protests

from Twin Cities Indymedia. 

I've noticed in mainstream news coverage that whenever a labor leader is allowed to express their views, which is rare, that they are currently being allowed to say that they only want the right to bargain, nothing more. Well, I had a hard time believing that the workers of Wisconsin want only that. This article reveals, once again, how the labor hierarchy are either out of touch with working people, or more likely in touch with the ruling capitalist class.
A treacherous coalition of the trade Union bureaucracy and their allies in the Democratic Party are working overtime to ensure the movement dissipates and that the goal of the movement is limited to one demand and one demand only; "Don't eliminate collective bargaining rights." What's the gain for the member's if we have the right to bargain when all they're talking about is giving away our rights and benefits? There's nothing in it for us except demoralization and defeat.  The Union heads on the other hand have no purpose in society if they can't sit down with the boss.
(For great internet coverage of the scene in Wisconsin, I recommend you go to this site that is based in Madison.)
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