Medicare Improvements Act/Vote Coming Up
Wed Jul 09, 2008 at 08:11:01 AM PDT
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 may be again coming up for vote shortly. The Bush administration gave the insurance industry huge increases in payments while making cuts to hospitals and doctors. On June 24 the House passed legislation to prevent a cut in physicians' fees of 10.6 percent. On June 26 the bill went to the Senate where the bill was only one vote short of passing. Check here for how your Senator voted:
http://www.senate.gov/...
Just called Senator Specter's office. He is now reconsidering his vote because of the outpouring of discontent! If you are in PA, call now at 215-597-7200.
Check this page for cartoon editorial:
http://www.senate.gov/...More information here:
http://www.philly.com/...
Mexican Workers Speak Out on Labor Abuses, NAFTA
Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 09:56:37 AM PDT
Philadelphia will be the first stop on a U.S./Canadian speaking tour by factory workers and labor organizers from the "free trade" zone of Valle Hermoso, Mexico. Seeking to expose the brutal truth about the deteriorating state of workers rights on the Mexican border, the speakers will give a free presentation to the public on Thursday, March 6th, 7:00 PM at Studio 34 (located at 4522 Baltimore Ave in West Philadelphia/University City). The event will be preceded by an 11:00 AM protest at a Hyundai dealership on 754 Baltimore Pike, Springfield. (Hyundai orders auto equipment from Key Safety Systems.)
PA State Senate 9th District: Environmental Injustice in Chester
Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 06:41:47 AM PDT
The Ninth Senatorial District includes portions of Chester and Delaware Counties, including the city of Chester. Over 700 tons of toxicants are released yearly through air/water by Delaware County industries. Are we willing to continue to take risks with our health? A grassroots organization, DelCo Alliance for Environmental Justice, is sponsoring a free event: Film Screening of Laid to Waste followed by Panel Discussion and Question and Answer Session
Preview: http://www.youtube.com/...
Saturday, February 9, 2PM
Widener University
Kapelski Learning Center
Corner of 14th & Walnut Streets, Chester
Parking: Corner of 14th and Walnut or 17th and Walnut, Chester
In Solidarity with the Tehran Bus Drivers
Sun Feb 12, 2006 at 10:30:37 AM PDT
It's easy to be misled when the powers of the media or State propaganda play on the differences of people. The media, making a nice little profit to boot in increased sales, has taken the Muslim outrage with cartoonists as example of conflict of the "West" and "Muslims." The following news story reminds us what values we share with Muslims who are fighting for democratic values and at terrible price.
100-Year Anniversary of the Industrial Workers of the World
Thu Jun 16, 2005 at 08:10:00 AM PDT
The General Secretary of the IWW, Alexis Buss, asked me to craft an urn for the remains of Joe Hill, martyr and poet laureate of labor, for the upcoming Centennial of the Industrial Workers of the World. As a poet and songwriter, Joe Hill instituted the organizing techniques of song and poetry to support the many successful strikes of the IWW in the early part of the century.
As I carved the piece, I had a time to reflect on the meaning of the IWW today and of Joe Hill and his contributions. In 1905 labor activists such as Eugene Debs, Big Bill Haywood and Mother Jones founded the
Industrial Workers of the World. The members of the IWW were progressives who established the principle that anyone could join regardless of nationality, position, sex or race. Joe Hill's music celebrated that vision:
"There is power; there is power in a band of working folk,
When they stand hand in hand."
