I am terrified by the thought of losing Social Security. All my life I have had low wage jobs, but they were necessary jobs, helping the disabled live with dignity. Helping arts organizations thrive. Making my own artwork and helping other artists in their businesses. The upper middle class are very selfish about better paying jobs and want them for their own children. So I have built what retirement I have around Social Security. I would be living outside, begging for food, if not for Social Security.
Thanks so much for your comment, Janet. it is a terrifying prospect for millions of hard-working Americans. This is our money, not an "entitlement". I plan to take social security in June and I'm very worried about the application process. Will I still be able to apply?
Thank you, Jan! Desmond's latest book is great, and he gave a fascinating talk. I was heartened to see that the event was packed in a fairly large room and there was an overflow crowd into the library space. Maybe that means...something. I must read Evicted! The callous choices our elected officials make is indeed, nauseating.
Evicted is very interesting. Opened my eyes and I thought I was already pretty educated- yikes. I suspect this new book sheds even more light on the systemic inequalities.
Needless to say, his books are well-researched and the facts he presents make his case glaringly obvious. Yes, I am thrilled that I was able to see him in person...not as thrilled as when I go to a Springsteen concert, but thrilled nontheless!
We should go Communist and make the richest greed monster cough up their hidden wealth. We should give our people nationalized basics of life. Billionaires should not exist
Thanks for your comment, Victoria. I don't think I'd be happy with a communist system, but providing for the poor's basic needs and empowering the middle class sound like good policies to me.
We were lied to about what things are real. If you were actually in a participatory Communist democracy you would like it so much more than what we have now because it serves the entire society. It's a mentally uplifting mindset. Whereas the the basis of Crapitalism is just more vice.
I don't need my face rubbed in doodoo to understand what we have is crappy and dangerous. I have been in conversation with those who are in democratic Communism. I have also known Americans who just left this shot show.
Check out Suraj Palayat in Communist India-Kerala. They had a lower death rate during covid because they took better care of their people. You can ask him how their democratic elections work in specific. He is a good communicator
The problem with social programs is that they can be cancelled. This is in contrast to Communist China where corruption is not tolerated and they execute corrupt public officials. That sounds really good to me seeing all the games that have been played with killing off Roosevelt 's New Deal bit by bit. If we were in a Communist economy somebody like Peter Thiele would not be able to buy elections.... especially repeatedly.
Voting in The Hellenic Republic is considered a duty. Travel to voting places are free. Businesses shut down, unnecessary to voting government offices shut down. All to make sure people go vote. If you don't vote you don't have the right to certain benefits from your country- like a driver's license or passport,(many things actually).
So yes it is possible to get more democratic participation than we have here. As you may know, Veroufakis with Syriza had his hands tied by the Troika and banksters to sign the big loan agreement that caused sell off of Hellenic National properties. They experienced what Naomi Klein called to The Shock Doctrine. It's where Crapitalist fuqqers economically strangle a country to choke off good social programs and practices and laws that benefit the majority.
I am sure you can still find Veroufakis blow by blow explanation of Gettysburg ng saddled with a huge debt- the same game our richest are playing here to cowardly cut $880,000,000. In Medicaid. Republicans really do deserve to be punished in the voting booths. Every single time
Did I get to live as a Communist in a Communist country with writing like mine? You know I have not. But i did spend time under the Socialists in The Hellenic Republic and yes medicine and transportation was cheaper.
I am fairly paranoid about receiving my social security direct deposits on time now, if at all. The hell trump and musk have unleashed is beyond the pale. To go after Social Security by closing offices and firing staff, SNAP, Medicaid and other programs that aid the elderly and poor is a national disgrace and the fact that one of the richest men in the world is mostly behind it is unfathomable. this will create more poverty in America, not less.
I am terrified by the thought of losing Social Security. All my life I have had low wage jobs, but they were necessary jobs, helping the disabled live with dignity. Helping arts organizations thrive. Making my own artwork and helping other artists in their businesses. The upper middle class are very selfish about better paying jobs and want them for their own children. So I have built what retirement I have around Social Security. I would be living outside, begging for food, if not for Social Security.
Thanks so much for your comment, Janet. it is a terrifying prospect for millions of hard-working Americans. This is our money, not an "entitlement". I plan to take social security in June and I'm very worried about the application process. Will I still be able to apply?
I truly hope so, Joan! Let me know if you can’t. We have a guest room.
Ha! I hope I don't have to take you up on that kind offer, Janet!
This is really good, Joan. Thank you as always for sharing this information.
I read Evicted but didn’t know about his new book. Will check it out.
And the massive difference between welfare to the poor vs the wealthy is nauseating
So happy at least today to see the good people of Wisconsin refuse the ruse of the world’s richest man.
Thank you, Jan! Desmond's latest book is great, and he gave a fascinating talk. I was heartened to see that the event was packed in a fairly large room and there was an overflow crowd into the library space. Maybe that means...something. I must read Evicted! The callous choices our elected officials make is indeed, nauseating.
Evicted is very interesting. Opened my eyes and I thought I was already pretty educated- yikes. I suspect this new book sheds even more light on the systemic inequalities.
Love that you were able to see him in person!
Needless to say, his books are well-researched and the facts he presents make his case glaringly obvious. Yes, I am thrilled that I was able to see him in person...not as thrilled as when I go to a Springsteen concert, but thrilled nontheless!
😂 different kind of thrill!
This is really good, Joan. Thank you as always for sharing this information.
I read Evicted but didn’t know about his new book. Will check it out.
And the massive difference between welfare to the poor vs the wealthy is nauseating
So happy at least today to see the good people of Wisconsin refuse the ruse of the world’s richest man.
We should go Communist and make the richest greed monster cough up their hidden wealth. We should give our people nationalized basics of life. Billionaires should not exist
Thanks for your comment, Victoria. I don't think I'd be happy with a communist system, but providing for the poor's basic needs and empowering the middle class sound like good policies to me.
We were lied to about what things are real. If you were actually in a participatory Communist democracy you would like it so much more than what we have now because it serves the entire society. It's a mentally uplifting mindset. Whereas the the basis of Crapitalism is just more vice.
Have you lived in a "participatory communist democracy"?
Have you?
I don't need my face rubbed in doodoo to understand what we have is crappy and dangerous. I have been in conversation with those who are in democratic Communism. I have also known Americans who just left this shot show.
Check out Suraj Palayat in Communist India-Kerala. They had a lower death rate during covid because they took better care of their people. You can ask him how their democratic elections work in specific. He is a good communicator
I just wondered if you had actually experienced what you are talking about first hand.
The problem with social programs is that they can be cancelled. This is in contrast to Communist China where corruption is not tolerated and they execute corrupt public officials. That sounds really good to me seeing all the games that have been played with killing off Roosevelt 's New Deal bit by bit. If we were in a Communist economy somebody like Peter Thiele would not be able to buy elections.... especially repeatedly.
Voting in The Hellenic Republic is considered a duty. Travel to voting places are free. Businesses shut down, unnecessary to voting government offices shut down. All to make sure people go vote. If you don't vote you don't have the right to certain benefits from your country- like a driver's license or passport,(many things actually).
So yes it is possible to get more democratic participation than we have here. As you may know, Veroufakis with Syriza had his hands tied by the Troika and banksters to sign the big loan agreement that caused sell off of Hellenic National properties. They experienced what Naomi Klein called to The Shock Doctrine. It's where Crapitalist fuqqers economically strangle a country to choke off good social programs and practices and laws that benefit the majority.
I am sure you can still find Veroufakis blow by blow explanation of Gettysburg ng saddled with a huge debt- the same game our richest are playing here to cowardly cut $880,000,000. In Medicaid. Republicans really do deserve to be punished in the voting booths. Every single time
Have you? Because the people I met who lived under Communism liked it and are thinking of moving back or wished the Soviet Union was still around.
Did I get to live as a Communist in a Communist country with writing like mine? You know I have not. But i did spend time under the Socialists in The Hellenic Republic and yes medicine and transportation was cheaper.
People in Communist China are happier than the USA. There are mechanism to communicate the will of the people that don't exist here
Thanks for the re-stack, Betsy!
I am fairly paranoid about receiving my social security direct deposits on time now, if at all. The hell trump and musk have unleashed is beyond the pale. To go after Social Security by closing offices and firing staff, SNAP, Medicaid and other programs that aid the elderly and poor is a national disgrace and the fact that one of the richest men in the world is mostly behind it is unfathomable. this will create more poverty in America, not less.
Musk is the hammer but Repubs are the nails
Sounds about right... unfortunately.
I agree, and I am worried about our entire system right now.
Imagine all the people, living life in peace
We need an anthem to rally us now.