Exhibit A
Exhibit "A"
' PonCommission$
[The Retiree ADVOCATE WM'L'LLrag-0.50 o
-,
a Publication of Port truckers
PUGET SOUND ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS driven to poverty
Vol XXVI, No 7 "$0 July 2010 -- page 4
States Will pay "if
New coalition will work to
Senate paralysis
strengthen Social Security
By Rap Lewis
The failure of a dysfunctional US. Sen
"Social Security Works / Washington." (Readers will nd background informa-
ate to extend federal Medicaid funding
That's the name adopted by a new tion on the commission on pages 5 and
for six months threatens to create chaos
statewide coalition determined to defend 10.)
in the budgets of at least 30 states, in-
and improve Social Security in the face The coalition will carry the cam-
cluding Washington's.
of the gravest threat to its integrity in the paign to every Congressional candidate,
Our state's budget writers had
75 years since it was signed into law. incumbent or aspirant, across the state,
counted on $480 million as Washing-
Initiated by a nucleus of labor, asking each to sign a pledge to defend
ton's share of the $24 billion earmarked
women's and retiree groups, including the full range of Social Security benets,
in the Senate bill for an extension of
the Puget Sound Alliance for Retired to work to improve them, and to oppose
emergency Medicaid funding. Barring Americans, the coalition is reaching out all efforts to raid its trust fund for decit
an unexpected turn of events, that money
to the many varied organizations that reduction.
will not be forthcoming. Every Senate
recognize the unique role of Social Secu- A broad national coalition, the
Republican plus Independent Senator
rity in preventing poverty and in uniting "Strengthen Social Security Campaign,"
Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut and
our people across the generations. is also in formation. Its founding Steer-
Democratic Senator Ben Nelson of Ne-
The coalition was organized in ing Committee members represent the
braska voted to block a procedural vote
response to appointment of the National AFLCIO, the Alliance for Retired
needed to allow the bill to proceed.
Commission on Fiscal Responsibility Americans, the Campaign for America's
The frustrating outcome is the result
and Reform, a majority of whose 18 Future, the Economic Policy Insti-
of the Senate's arbitrary rule requiring
members have signaled that they're pre- tute, the National Council of Women's
60 votes to avoid a libuster. The Puget
pared to bleed the Social Security trust Organizations and Voices for America's
Sound Alliance for Retired Americans
fund to reduce the federal budget decit.
Continued on page 3
Continued on page 3
Join us for work and fun at the Membership Meeting
timulating speakers. Informative reports on the good and Owen Linch, senior labor representative to the Workers'
bad ballot measures. Gearing up our Alliance for the coming Compensation Advisory Committee, will explain why 1-1082,
battle to defend Social Security on the eve of its 75th Anniver- privatizing workers' compensation, is a bad idea.
sary. The agenda will also include updates on the ght for Com
All that and a potluck lunch deliciousness guaranteed prehensive Immigration Reform and on our campaign for a
will enliven the Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans city ordinance requiring employers to provide sick leave to all
Summer Membership Meeting Thursday, July 22. Lunch is workers employed in Seattle.
served at 12:30 and the meeting will be held from 1 to 3 pm. at The Executive Board will make recommendations
on the
the Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Avenue S. in Seattle. measures that appear headed for the ballot.
Jonathan Seib, the govemor's lead person on the new health Serious business, sure but membership meetings
are
care reform law, will discuss plans to implement the law in our state. fun as well. We practically guarantee a warm
sunny day, with
Representative Hans Dunshee (D, 44) will report on Refer- spectacular views of Lake .Washington, Mount Rainier and the
endum 52, to extend the sales tax on bottled water and to permit Cascades, in the company of some of our community's very
the sale of bonds, for funds to upgrade our public schools and best people.
colleges, creating 30,000 to 40,000 jobs in the process. Please bring a dish for the potluck.
For up-to-date City Council to honor lllill Pony
information about
By Robby Stern
PSARA and
e invite all PSARA members and supporters to the Seattle City
issues important to all of us,
Council Chambers at 2 pm. Monday, July 19. At that time, the
go to the PSARA web site: Council will read and pass a resolution honoring our beloved Presi-
www.psara.org dent Emeritus and Editor of the Retiree Advocate, Will Parry.
Read the Advocate on line, This public recognition ofWill is richly deserved. Will has been an opti
mistic and determined advocate for progressive change for more than six
post your comments
decades. His leadership has sustained PSARA as a vibrant and cutting edge
on our blog, force in our community.
engage in discussions We are pleased that the Seattle City Council is recognizing Will's continu-
ous effort to make our community, our state, our country and our world a
with other PSARA members
kinder and morejust place. Join us in the Seattle City Council Chambers to
support one of our own as he receives the public recognition he rightfully
N80" [0 reach "8? deserves.
Here's a directory of Puget Sound Alliance for
Retired Americans email addresses: For all future generations
PSARA or its President,
Robby Stern: president@psara.org
SARA's number one mission in the decit hawks who dominate the scal
Administrative Vice President,
ve months immediately ahead can reform commission will call on Congress
Maureen Bo: adminvp@psara.org
be summed up in six words: Defend the in December to raid the Social Security
Community VP and Outreach Committee Chair, integrity ofSocial Security. To protect trust funds in the name of decit reduc-
Bette Reed: outreachvp@psara.org this basic social program that binds all tion. We have to make sure Congress
Treasurer, Edyth Koch: treasurer@psara.org generations together, we need to build says, "No way!"
Legislative Committee Chair, our membership base. We know the decit was caused
Chuck Richards: csrichards@msn.com The ominous probability is that the by tax cuts that funneled billions to the
Retiree Advocate Editor, wealthy; by two ongoing wars "on the
Will Parry: editor@psara.org credit card"; and by the current severe
WCICMIIB, Fl'llli [1120]]!
Our web page: www.psara.org economic crisis created by Wall Street.
We need to get that message to every
Web Master, Lorraine Pozzi: info@psara.org Irigon, a distinguished leader in
Frank
Or phone our ofce at (206) 448-9646. the Asian Pacic person we can reach.
That's why we have to build our
if necessary, leave a message and your Islander community
membership base. Working with our
phone number. We'll call you back. whose impressive
allies, we intend to call on every mem-
resume would ll this
ber of our Congressional delegation
page, has joined the
The Retiree ADVOCATE to pledge to "do no harm" to Social
PSARA Executive
Published monthly by the Puget Sound Alliance for Board. Security in the name of decit reduction.
Retired Americans, 2800 First Ave., #262, Seattle, We're building a Congressional rewall
Frank brings to the
Washington, 98121. Phone (206) 448-9646.
against all such proposals.
Email: pscsc@qwestoffice.net Website: www.psara.org board a rich back-
PSARA is afliated with the Alliance for Retired
ground of community service in Seattle's Today's retirees have a duty to ght
Americans and the Senior Citizens' Lobby. for a future of economic justice for the
International District and beyond. He
President: Robby Stern oncoming generations, our children and
was co-founder and rst editor of the
AdministrativeVice-President: Maureen Bo
grandchildren. That's why it's so urgent
Community Vice President: Bette Reed Asian Family Affair, serving the North-
to build our membership base.
Treasurer. Edie Koch west API population; cofounder of the
Secretary: James Weston And that's why we're asking you,
International District Community Health
Board Members: Joan Bethel, Houston Brown, Tim dear Member, to sign up that relative,
Center; a former trustee on the Renton
Burns, Steve Dzielak, Rick Erickson, Steve Kofahl, Frank
Technical College Board and the list friend, neighbor or workmate today.
lrigon, Rachael Levine, Gene Lux, Mac McIntosh, Will The people at your church, your senior
Parry,Chuck Richards, FriedaTakamura, Michael Warren goes on.
and Elizabeth Zubitis. We look forward to years of fruit- center, or your community meeting
Editor, Retiree Advocate: Will Parry ful leadership from Frank Irigon on place. We need them; they need us. The
lEditor Emeritus: Max Roffman |
issues of social justice. Welcome, coupon is on page 11. Sign up that new
Layout and Printing: Trade Printery
Frank! member today!
Page 2 The Retiree Advocate July 2010
Slates Will pay tor A violent wound on the Earth itself
SBIIHIB paralysis
By Will Parry
Continued from page 1 is now evident that BP's Deepwater Horizon disaster is like no other catastrophe
Itin history. The word "spill" does nothing to convey the reality. The Canadian
writer Naomi Klein comes closer, calling it "a violent wound inicted on the Earth
has called for an end to the Senate's itself."
60-vote rule and a return to the small "d" The disaster's monstrous toll on creatures and communities is yet to be reckoned
democratic majority rule that prevails in
up. That toll mounts with each passing minute as seventy days after the initial
the House..
explosion we continue to watch, as Klein says, "Earth's guts gush forth, in real time,
The Medicaid funding was part of a
24 hours a day."
$100 billion package that included an ex-
"For the rst time in history," writes
tension of unemployment compensation
Michael T. Klare in the June 14 Nation,
for an estimated 1.2 million jobless work-
"oil is pouring into the deep currents of a
ers who have exhausted their benets.
semi-enclosed sea, poisoning the water and
The entire package was shot down by an
depriving it of oxygen so that entire classes
intransigent Republican minority.
of marine species are at risk of annihilation.
Earlier, Governor Chris Gregoire had
It is as if an underwater neutron bomb has
written the state's congressional delegastruck
the Gulf of Mexico, causing little ap-
tion warning that without the emergency
'5
parent damage on the surface, but destroying
Medicaid funding, "across-theboard
the living creatures below."
cuts" would be likely, causing the loss of
The nal reckoning is surely generations
"thousands ofjobs." Health programs,
human services and education are likely away. But with what we've already seen since the incendiary explosion of April 20,
with its instantaneous death toll of eleven oil rig workers, can there be a person of
to be hardest hit. There aren't many other
conscience anywhere who is not outraged?
places to cut.
We've seen the photos of pitiable oil-soaked pelicans. We've read about the threat
The state's Ofce of Financial
to the viability of the sheries as the oil seeps into the nurturing wetlands. We've read
Management predicted a $3 billion dollar
about endangered sea turtles corralled into "burn elds" and burned alive.
budget decit heading into the 2011-2013
There are costs of a different order that are no less tragic. Klein warns that "the
budget cycle and that was with the as
coast's legendary culture will contract and wither. The shing families up and down
sumption that the federal Medicaid match
would be coming. the coast do not just gather food, after all. They hold up an intricate network that in-
In February, governors from 42 states cludes family tradition, cuisine, music, art and endangered languages much like the
signed a letter to Congress pleading for roots of grass holding up the land in the marsh. Without shing, these unique cultures
lose their root system, the very ground on which they stand."
a sixmonth extension of the Medicaid
BP is no different than other oil companies, raking in billions in prots from their
support funding. Governor Jim Douglas
of Vermont, a Republican and chairman single-minded focus on production, and the hell with safety and the environment. The
of the National Governors Association, world needs tough regulation of this industry and a crash program to create renew-
expressed concern for the level of federal able alternatives. As long as these pirates ride high, the planet is endangered and so is
spending, but added, "States need this the human race.
bridge to sustain the safety net of human
services programs and education."
The defeat in the Senate came despite
New coalition will work to
efforts by the Democratic leadership
to win Republican support by watering strengthen Social Security
down the legislation. Seeking the 60
votes needed to cut off debate, Democrats
Continued from page 1
cut the size of the package in half. To re-
duce the measure's impact on the decit, Children, among many other groups. The next meeting of the Social
they even robbed $10 billion from food- As its name indicates, the national Security Works / Washington coalition
stamp benets to pay for the Medicaid group intends to take the offensive to will be at 1:30 pm. Wednesday, July 14,
support. make Social Security even better in the at the Seattle ofces of the Washington
All to no avail. "Because we need protections it affords retirees, persons State Labor Council, 314 First Avenue
60 votes for everything, we have been with disabilities, and survivors. The West. For information, contact PSARA
stopped cold in our tracks," Majority Washington State coalition has the same President Robby Stern at president@
Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois said. approach. psara.org or by phone at (206)448-9646.
Page 3 The Retiree Advocate July 2010
Driven to poverty: The Seattle Port Truckers
By Rev. Monica Corsaro and Erica Garrecht-Williams
magine for a second being an of maintaining their trucks:
independent contractor. You're free gas, insurance, tonnage fees
to work for whom you choose, you and all repairs. Since they are
negotiate your rates, you work as much technically classied as "in
or as little as you want. Sounds pretty dependent contractors," they
good, right? are not paid an hourly wage,
Wrong. In the port trucking in- have no benets, and can't le
dustry, you are called an independent gally organize a union. Their
contractor, but your working reality pay amounts to about $400 a
is far from independent. You wake up week after expenses. Many
before dawn, work overtime and make drivers are barely scraping
less than minimum wage. You can only by. One driver interviewed
haul for one company and they can pay said, "Sometimes I have to rendous working conditions in front of
you whatever they want. You have no choose whether to put gas in my truck
attentive members of Congress. WA
health insurance and you pay for all or food on the table."
Representative Rick Larson listened to
your expenses out of pocket. On top of After years of pressure from comseveral
Seattle drivers tell their sto-
that, you spend countless hours waiting munity and environmental groups, the ries of exploitation and intimidation.
in trafc inhaling toxic diesel fumes. Port of Seattle passed a plan to ban the
Shocked committee members pledged to
Since the Port trucking system was oldest trucks from the Port. However,
investigate Port labor abuses and change
deregulated in the 1980's, it has become this plan doesn't attack the root causes
the system.
one of the most exploitative industries of truck pollution. The truth of the mat
Now, we are inviting local faith
in the nation. Port truck drivers, who ter is that drivers simply cannot afford
leaders to get involved. Several clergy
move goods from the Port to freight to buy and maintain clean new trucks.
and imams went on a "Port Toxic Tour"
trains bound for retail stores, used to Our solution is a comprehensive clean
in March to see rst hand the working
enjoy a middle class living, but the trucks plan that requires the trucking
conditions drivers face every day. One
age of globalization, cheap labor and companies to own and maintain a clean Lutheran pastor named it "modern-day
corporate conglomerates has drastically truck eet and grant drivers employee
slavery." In June, the Church Council
' lowered standards for these drivers, status, with a living wage, healthcare, held a Prayer Breakfast in honor of the
most of whom are immigrants. Retail- and the right to organize a union. We
drivers. Christians and Muslims, Black,
ers like Wal-Mart are fueling a race to at Puget Sound Sage and the Church
white and everyone in between came
the bottom among trucking companies Council have been building partnerships
together for one purpose: to be unied
by seeking rates below the actual cost of allies who support the truck drivin
our passion for change on behalf of
of moving goods. Trucking companies ers and want to x this broken system.
the truck drivers. We as people of faith
compete by undercutting each other. Many port neighbors, organizations, and believe in the power of prayer to make
Drivers compete to get loads. And what several elected ofcials are on board.
change. We know too that prayer can
our society gets is a system based on However, trucking rms are lob-
happen in the streetsas such, we're
cheap labor and the knowledge that bying hard to keep things the way they hosting a prayer vigil for the drivers
there is always "someone" who will do are. The American Tmcking Association
later this summer. To get involved,
it for cheaper. Billiondollar corpora blocked a similar plan from passing in
contact us. We need to work together to
tions benet. Who loses? The drivers LA. We are ghting back. A national
right this wrong.
who actually move the goods. coalition of labor, faith, environmental,
While Wal-Mart might pay the and community organizations came (Rev. Monica Corsaro is Director
trucking company around $350 d01- together in Washington DC. in May to ofSocial Justice Ministries, Church
Council of Greater Seattle (mcorsar0@
lars per delivery, the drivers only see lobby for the drivers at a Congressional
about $40 of that money, a rate that subcommittee hearing on restoring the thechurchcouncil. org). Erica Garrecht-
Williams is Outreach and Communica-
hasn't changed in fteen years. Driv power to regulate. Truck drivers nally
tions Coordinator, Puget Sound Sage.
ers also have to pay all the expenses got a chance to talk about their hor-
(erica @pugetsoundsage.org).
Page 4 The Retiree Advocate July 2010
Bobby on the issues...............
Saving Social Security from the 'Hit Men'
By Robby Stern
Athebout a year ago, I heard about Perkins asserts that if the Economic incomes income tax on the ballot. This
book, Confessions ofan Hit Men fail to persuade the leadership initiative is one of the ways to ght
Economic Hit Man by John of these countries, the "jackals"
are back against the growing gap in the
Perkins on Amy called in. He used as examples Jaime distribution of wealth in our country. It
Goodman's radio Roldos of Ecuador and Omar Torrijos will force the wealthy to provide
.
a little
news show, "De- of Panama, both of whom met untimely fairer share of their income for educa
g
7
_
mocracy Now". deaths under very suspicious circum- tion and health care when it gets
on
Perkins had stances. Perkins is convinced it was the
written the book "jackals" at work.
to express his This book was quite educational,
remorse for the but it also got me thinking about what "Congress is refusing to provide
role he played is going on in our country at this very extensions to unemployed
in carrying out moment. The "Corporatocracy" and
benefits and aid to state Medic-
the economic their politician friends have made
aid programs, both desperately
policies of the policy decisions that have enormously
United States Empire, or what he refers enriched the people at the top and the needed. It is Congress' version
to as the "Corporatocracy." He also corporations they run through tax cuts, of applying to the U.S. the
wanted to educate the public about what bail-outs and privatization. Now they
policies that have been foisted
is being done to countries around the are saying to the American people, our
world in the name of the people of the decit is way too high. They are try- on poor and working people
United States. I nally read the book ing to persuade us that they must cut throughout the world."
last month and it is a simple but stun the programs that serve working class
ning read with great relevance to the and poor people like Social Security,
challenges we face in our country today. Medicaid, education, etc. As I write this the ballot and, with our help,
passes in
Briey, very well paid Economic column, Congress is refusing to provide November.
Hit Men travel the world selling huge extensions to unemployment benets PSARA and the ARA are gearing
development programs to the often and aid to state Medicaid programs,
up for a huge battle to defend Social
corrupt leadership of other countries. both desperately needed. It is Congress'
Security. The Washington Post reported
Often there are bribes or other personal version of applying to the U.S. the poli- that we are facing the biggest threat to
trade-offs associated with these efforts. cies that have been foisted on poor and Social Security in the 75 years of its
These countries then incur huge debts working people throughout the world. existence. PSARA will respond in coali-
to the World Bank to build the major We must not be fooled and we Will tion with others to make sure
our Con-
construction projects, debts that they ght back. Social Security, Medicaid, gressional representatives do nothing to
will never be able to repay. The con- etc. are NOT the problems. The tax cuts harm our Social Security system and the
tracts for these projects are distributed for the rich and unnecessary wars
are benets promised to American workers.
to multinational corporations like Halli- the problem. (In Iraq, the goal was gain-
Please join us at our general mem-
burton, KBR, and others, allowing these ing control of the oil for the oil compa- bership meeting on Thursday, July 22.
companies and their executives to amass nies and also controlling this strategi-
(For details on the meeting, see page 2
very large prots from the coffers of cally located country. In Afghanistan, of this newsletter.) Your participation
these deeply indebted countries. The tax the "newly discovered" mineral riches will make an enormous difference for
revenues collected by countries like In- are going to be developed by the U.S.
our small, (but growing!) feisty and
donesia, Panama, Columbia, and others multinational mining companies.) We determined organization as we do battle
are insufcient to pay the debt incurred must be organized and prepared to ght with those who would serve the rich
in building these projects which leads on many fronts. and powerful at the expense of
poor and
to draconian cuts in social programs One example of our efforts is the
working people.
that assist the poor and working poor of success of PSARA volunteers in gather-
these countries. ing signatures to place 11098, a high
Page 5 The Retiree Advocate
July 2010
Building a bridge to justice
By David West
ably more diverse than the larger region. of Seattle committed $5 million to the
n June 30, Seattle's South Park
Bridge is being shut down Replacing this vital transportation link bridge. With the Port's commitment,
without a replacement, leav- for communities of color, immigrant local and state governments have now
ing an entire community cut off from families and other working families in pledged $70 million of the $130 million
the most direct routes to the rest of the our neighborhood is not only a sound needed for a new bridge. King County
city. Rerouting plans and the result investment in our regional transportation will now ask the federal government for
ing congestion at key intersections will infrastructure, it is a matter of social, the remaining $60 million to start con-
hurt workers, business and low-income economic and environmental justice. struction.
residents from a much larger area than Although the decrepit condition of Too often under-valued low-income
just South Park. The South Park Bridge the South Park Bridge has been well neighborhoods get pushed aside for
serves tens of thousands of residents and known for years, securing funding for a funding. This year, elected leaders got
business in the Duwamish Valley and new bridge has always been a low prior- the message: South Park and the Du-
South King County every day. Buses ity. The federal TIGER funds have been wamish Valley deserve a transportation
using the bridge bring union workers to awarded to rebuild the Mercer Street infrastructure comparable to that avail-
downtown and take families to social corridor. State funds have been allocated able to the rest of the city.
and health service providers in and out or promised for Link light rail, the down-
of the area. Manufacturing workers and town tunnel, and various other infra- (David West is Executive Director of
small businesses rely on the bridge as a structure projects. None of those projects Puget Sound Sage.)
key connection between communities, is as critical to a single community as the
workplaces and suppliers across the South Park Bridge is to South Park and
Duwamish. the Duwamish Valley.
Puget Sound Sage and members of This year may be the last opportu- 360,000
the New South Park Bridge Coalition nity for many years to secure Federal
consider the failure to replace this valu- funding. Our local governments must
able bridge a grave injustice to the South successfully apply for federal TIGER sign I-1098
Park community. The South Park com funds or a new bridge is likely never to
munity, along with the unincorporated be built. Sage and its community allies nitiative 1098, raising a billion
areas south of the bridge, is dispropor- recently met with Port Commissioner dollars for schools and healthcare
tionately low-income and is consider- John Creighton, after which the Port while lowering taxes for homeown
ers and small businesses, will nd a
place on the November ballot.
Supporters rolled up an impres-
sive 360,000 signatures in an inten
sive sixweek campaign. Campaign
activists were preparing to deliver
the signed petitions to the Secretary
of State at our deadline.
The Puget Sound Alliance for
Retired Americans had set a goal of
1,000 signatures, but topped 4,000,
an achievement recognized by cam-
paign leaders as remarkable for an
organization of our size.
l1098 will face lavishly-funded
opposition from the Business Round
table, a collection of wealthy CEOs
and venture capitalists who shudder
at the thought of equity in our tax
system.
'Ihe Retiree Advocate July 2010
Tea bags: ldiocy and armed militias
By Alfredo Peppard
auline and I have been in Seattle Garrison, Sumner, and ultimately John
Pfor six weeks now and we have the politics of the modern world when
Brown. No, their historical roots can be Charles Maurras, who founded the Paris
been dumbfounded by what we traced through George Wallace, Orval newspaper Action Francaise during the
see on television. The tea bag move- Faubas and Lester Maddox to that soci Dreyfus Affair, heaped pure vitriol and
ment is all over ety of English- speaking slave owners abuse upon any and all supporters of
the internet but that spread from the Southern Caribbean liberal thought in France. Anti-Semitism
you have to to the MasonDixon Line. The bagger was his consistent core issue, and by
see it on a big left wing wants to return to Jim Crow; 1930 Action Frangaise brought into
screen TV to its right wing wants to return to the being a violent force of fascist street
fully appreci- slavery-ridden political and social status brawlers. In the 19403 they supported
ate the head-on of 1850. Petain. Both Mussolini and Hitler cop-
idiocy of the Their prominent spokespersons,
thing. Ihave candidates, and would-be candidates
i.
suspected for are typically young, good~looking, and
Alfredo Peppard The leading Tea Party TV personal-
some time that a utterly vacuousmade for television.
ity is the inimitable Sarah Palin.
good many of my The leading Tea Party TV personality
Palin is a marvel. With gestures,
countrymen were at least a half a bubble is the inimitable Sarah Palin. Palin is
off, but this gang of baboons utterly head tosses, flashing smiles,
a marvel. With gestures, head tosses,
abbergasts me. One thing that this is ashing smiles, always with good eye always with good eye contact,
all about is that they are all mad as hell contact, she can spout utter nonsense to she can spout utter nonsense to
about something, whatever the hell it crowds of enthusiastic yahoos and have crowds of enthusiastic yahoos and
is. Just what is the tea party, tea bag them loving it. PT Barnum was right.
have them loving it. PT Barnum
movement, tea baggers, whatever you But unlike the feather-headed Palin, the
was right.
call them? real heavy hitters have "News Shows"
First, it is a television phenomenon on Fox, with Glen Beck, the present
which originates on Rupert Murdoch's favorite of the Baggers, playing the part ied Maurras' methods. It is not likely
Fox News. The news crew didn't go of a patriot of 1776. that many if any Tea Baggers ever heard
out and cover this movement; they cre- All Murdoch's creatures are adept of Action Frangaise, much less Maurated
it. Limbaugh, Hannity, and Beck at manufacturing facts as they go along,
ras. They are just reacting like reaction-
called it into being. Then every time but what distinguishes Beck, Limbaugh,
ary yahoos always do.
'
more than ten tea baggers showed up in and Hannity is their ability carry out The whole thing would be hi-
public, Fox News gave them lavish cov rants that begin with a Whopper and larious were it not for the fact they are
erage, with reporters and anchor persons go from there to the utterly preposter- heavily nanced by some of the most
expressing sympathy and understand- ous. These tribunes of the couch potato anti-democratic billionaires you will
ing of these poor folk, burdened as they constituency spew forth on a daily basis nd anywhere. These billionaires, with
are by a crushing government. And so accusations of a dark conspiracy to
Rupert Murdoch in the lead, just want
the cluster of slightly demented folks, enslave the American people a vile
, to overturn the last election. That's all.
some armed, become in the imagina conspiracy being carried out as they Failing that, they want to make it impos-
tion of a denable group of Americans, speak by Nazis, Liberals, and Commies, sible for anyone else to govern.
the vanguard of a social justice move- the sworn enemies of all Real Ameri- These are the same jackals whose
ment. They want to take back America. cans; and at the head. of this cabal sits a multimedia noise machine described
They want to return to a more just past. Black President who is not an American Clinton's escapades in the Oval Ofce
But their idea of a "just past" is not one citizen and on and on from there.
as being tantamount to blowing up the
inuenced by Thoreau and Emerson, This style of irrational politics was
Washington Monument. I would be fallcertainly
not the New England intel- prominent in the secessionist press in ing off my chair laughing if they didn't
lectual tradition that brought about the 18503. This style of rhetoric entered have armed militias in their movement.
Page 7 The Retiree Advocate July 2010
"Messing aroqun
Ch"'mges in these
ntnes to reductions We have
and socral disorder in hfe-sustalning seen the Violent
In America Citizen reactions
Will not provide benet
programs. To activate
an this kind
ofpohtical
Lawrence D. Greene,
Vice Chair,
South King
County Chapter,
Alliance for Retired
Americans
'
Page 8 The Retiree Advocate July 2010
Krugman: Spend now, save later
By Steve Dzielak
aul Krugman, the column-writing,
PNobel Prize winning college Krugman wonders aloud why the Market raise rates to head off possible ination.
should be moved by policies with almost At that point we make a deal: The gov-
professor, said it best back in May: no long-run scal impact, he is cut dead ernment starts cutting back, and the Fed
We could use more scal stimulus but with an all-time classic: You just don"t holds off on rate hikes so that cutbacks
Congress is balking even at extending aid understand our situation. don't tip the economy back into a slump.
for the evergrowing ranks of the long Krugman sees hypocrisy in this But the time for such a deal is at least two
term unemployed. Fiscal responsibility, obsession with the decit. Lawmakers years off. The responsible thing, then,
you see hey, eager to slash benets for those in need is to spend now, while planning to save
and let's make sure are equally quick to stump for tax breaks later.
estate taxes stay for the wealthy. Senator Ben Nelson, As Krugman emphasizes, every year
low! who sanctimoniously declared that we that goes by with extremely high unem-
Krugman's big can't afford $77 billion for the unem- ployment forces many long-term unemworry
? That ployed, supported the rst Bush tax cut, ployed into a permanent underclass, even
policy-makers which cost a cool $1.3 trillion. as many new graduates are denied a start
would just sit there The Ben Nelsons of the world seem on their working lives.
for years congratu- stumped by the truism, spend now, while Penny-pinching now isn't just cruel;
lating themselves the economy remains depressed; save it endangers the nation's future while
on the soundness
Steve Dzielak later, once it has recovered. Here's how failing to lighten future debt burden.
of their policies. Krugman sees it: Much of the decit is Krugman implores the hawks: Please get
In June, Senate the result of the ongoing crisis, which your timing right. Yes, we need to x our
Republicans just said Hell No! to every- depressed revenues and required extraor- long-run budget problems but not by
thing in sight, including an extension of refusing to help our economy in its hour
unemployment benets for said longterrn of need.
unemployed. Never mind that America Lawmakers eager to slash
is facing the highest rate of longterrn
benefits for those in need are
joblessness since the 1930s. Iraq and Afghanistan
Krugman focused on what many equally quick to stump for
leading economists see as a huge mis- 'are making you poor'
tax breaks for the wealthy.
take: a return to austerity. He cited 1937,
when FDR's premature attempt to balance R 5353 is a bill that ought to be en-
the budget helped plunge a recovering dinary expenditures to stabilize the nan- acted right now, but probably won't
economy back into severe recession. cial system. As the crisis abates, things even get a hearing. Introduced by Florida
Then, as now, creating jobs was suddenly will improvejust not fast enough. Rep. Alan Grayson, it's called "The War Is
out, inicting pain was in. After bottoming out in 2014, he believes, Making You Poor Act." Its purpose, says
In an imaginary conversation with a the decit will start rising again, largely Grayson, is "to show people in a real and
German Decit Hawk, Krugman counters because of rising health care costs. concrete way the cost of these endless
the Hawk's frenzy to cut decits immedi- wars"in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The answer is clear: First bring health
ately ("because Germany must deal with Grayson points out that next year's
costs under control, then nd additional
the scal burden of an aging population"). budget allocates $159 billion to per-
revenues and/or spending cuts. Right
petuate the occupations of those two
Cutting doesn't make sense, Krugman now, our severely depressed economy is
countries. Grayson's bill would eliminate
says, because even if you manage to save inicting longrun damage. This is not
the $159 billion for war and use those
80 billion euros which you won't, the time for austerity. The decit should
billions instead to eliminate income taxes
because the budget cuts will hurt your become a priority only when the Fed-
for everybody's rst $35,000 of income
economy and reduce revenues the in eral Reserve has regained some traction
-- $70,000 for couples. And there'd be
terest payments on that much debt would over the economy, so that it can offset
$15 billion left over to help pay down the
be less than a tenth of a percent of your the negative effects of tax increases and
national debt.
gross domestic product (GDP). spending cuts by reducing interest rates.
"The costs of the war have been ren-
When Krugman points out that Currently, the Fed can't do that, be- dered invisible,"Grayson says. "There's no
austerity will threaten economic recovery cause the interest rates it can control are
draft. Instead, we take the most vulner-
while doing next to nothing to the long- near zero, and can't go any lower. Even- able elements of our population and give
run budget position, the Hawk takes cover tually, as unemployment falls probably them a choice between unemployment
behind fear of the Market reaction. When below 7 percent the Fed will want to and missile fodder...."
Page 9 The Retiree Advocate July 2010
Dino Rossi: Wrong, wrong, wrong on the issues
xpect millions of corporate dol- and other workers; and voted against faculty, and U.W. academic student
Elars to gush into the campaign providing benets to workers locked out employees; voted against allowing dues
war chest of Dino Rossi, recruit- of their jobs. deduction for home-care workers who
ed by the Republican National Commit- - Injured workers: Rossi voted unionize; and voted against prohibiting
tee to take on Democratic U. S. Senator to cut benets for victims ofjob-related public employers from ring or misclas
Patty Murray in this year's election. hearing loss; voted to repeal the work- sifying employees to avoid providing
The corporate folks know what place ergonomic safety rule; voted benets.
they're doing. During his six years in against empowering health care workers - Other telltale votes: Rossi voted
the State Senate, Rossi managed only to prevent needle-stick injuries; voted to against allowing use of sick leave or
ve positive votes in 77 issues, the lower state standards protecting work other paid leave to care for sick family
Washington State Labor Council reports. ers from second-hand smoke; voted members; voted for the privatization of
Delegates to the council's Committee on for partial privatization of the workers' certain ferry runs; voted against a "pay
Political Education (COPE) conference comp system; and voted to grant legal gap" measure to grant bigger raises to
unanimously endorsed Murray for re- immunity to job site contractors who state employees whose pay lags be-
election. negligently injure workers who are not hind that of private sector counterparts;
Here in brief is Rossi's record on their employees. voted against promoting apprenticeship
issues of major concern to working - Low-income workers: Rossi on public workers projects; and voted
people: voted to freeze the state minimum wage; against a bill to create a "buying pool" to
- Unemployed workers: Rossi and voted against increasing home-care negotiate lower drug prices.
voted for changes that cut benets for workers' wages to an average of $8.50 Voting right on labor issues only 6%
workers who lose their jobs through no an hour. of the time, Rossi's record "ranks among
fault of their own; voted against pro- . Collective bargaining and the worst and most partisan of any legis-
viding benets to victims of domestic union rights: Rossi voted against lator during his 19972003 tenure in the
violence who are forced to quit their jobs granting collective bargaining rights State Senate," the State Labor Council
to ee their attackers; voted against a to state employees, four-year college said.
retraining bill to assist laidoff Boeing
Alliance 'up and running' in 39 lllll'S 0]] a ""8 [M
Tacoma, Pierce County immigration l'Bll'lll
By Bill Johnston Washington and Idaho residents
Fifty
rode a bus 39 hours on Memo
rial Day weekend to join an estimated
he Tacoma-Pierce County ARA slow summer months working out com-
chapter is up and running. The mittee goals and planning to involve the 50,000 people in Phoenix in a protest
membership in achieving them. against Senate Bill 1070, Arizona's infa
group meets monthly at 11:30 am.
mous anti-immigrant law.
on the third Thursday at Joeseppi's in ARA National President Barbara
Tacoma's West End Neighborhood by The 50 from the Northwest peace-
Easterly is expected to visit in the fall.
the Narrows Bridge, for those unfamiliar The chapter plans to organize a meet fully occupied Senator John McCain's
with the City of Destiny. ing for her, possibly with a fundraising Phoenix ofce until a McCain staffer
The chapter has elected ofcers for met with them and promised to try to
aspect.
the year, including Ron Richardson, the Tacoma and Pierce County retirees arrange a face-to-face meeing with the
retired National Executive Vice President are invited to call Membership Chair Bill senator.
of UNITEHERE, as chapter president. Johnston at (253) 627-6860 or simply The delegation joined a massive
The group has organized along a show up at Joeseppi's, at North Pearl march to the capitol, rallying for com-
very social agenda. Meetings start with and North let at 11:30 am. on the third prehensive immigration reform.
The delegation included members
a time to reconnect socially, followed by Thursday. Not only will new members
a buffet lunch, a speaker and then a short meet interesting union, progressive and of OneAmerica, Casa Latina, Service
business meeting. Committees have involved retirees, but they'll have a great Employees Local 775, Washington CAN
been formed. The group will spend the time doing it! and Idaho CAN.
Page 10 The Retiree Advocate July 2010
Bank of North Dakota unshaken by crisis
By Rap Lewis
uess which state has the na- began transferring part of that prot to control of marketing and credit agencies
tion's only state-run bank. the state's General Fund. Since then, its was widely demanded. The legislature
capital transfers have become the norm, responded by establishing Bank of North
Now guess which state is not run- adding $500 million to state revenue. Dakota and the North Dakota Mill and
ning a budget decit despite today's As a result, while other states (includ- Elevator Association. They continue to
terrible economic climate. ing Washington) are oundering in debt, ourish today.
If you guessed North Dakota North Dakota's state budget is balanced.
Bingo! And the bank's wholesome lending
Since 1919, the state-owned Bank practices have a good deal to do with the 23 arrested calling [0]"
of North Dakota has faithfully lived up state's unemployment rate, among the
to its mission: To promote the devel- lowest in the nation. immigration l'BlOl'lll
opment of agriculture, commerce and The bank has bipartisan support, but
industry in North Dakota. To carry out North Dakota is a strongly Republican
wentythree peaceful demonstra-
that mission, the bank works coopera- state. Bank of North Dakota is adminis-
tors were arrested for blocking
tively with other nancial institutions to tered by the governor, the attorney gentrafc
in downtown Seattle June 23, to
provide the necessary funds. eral, and the commissioner of agriculture
compel attention to the broad national
In the process, Bank of North all Republicans.
demand for comprehensive immigra-
Dakota makes a prot. In 1945, it The broad range of its nancing pro
tion reform. The civil disobedience
grams helps to explain its popularity: It
was organized by the Washington Im-
provides farm and ranch nancing, small
North Dakota Bank:
business loans, and loan funds for com- migration Reform Coalition (WIRC),
with whom the Puget Sound Alliance
A model for our state? munity, rural and regional development.
for Retired Americans is afliated.
In 1967, Bank of North Dakota
made the nation's rst federally-insured The action followed a WIRC Street
of the primary causes of the
One student loan. It continues today to Fair, featuring local bands and artists,
current deep recession was the
held in front of Seattle's Federal Build-
provide a variety of loans for students
unregulated and unscrupulous ac-
seeking post-secondary education. ing and attended by several hundred
tivities of major nancial institutions.
The bank was born to address the supporters.
Given billions in bailout funds, the big
crisis in North Dakota agriculture in The Seattle demonstration was one
banks are denying the communities
the early 1900s. At that time, grain of an escalating series of protests held
the funding they need and are pour-
prices were suppressed by outofstate in cities across the US, both to focus
ing hundreds of millions into executive
grain dealers. Prices of farm supplies attention on Arizona's racist prol-
salaries and bonuses. '
soared. So did the interest rates on farm ing law and to press Congress to enact
That's why Rep. Bob Hasegawa (D,
loans. By 1919, state ownership and
11th District) has introduced HR 3162 comprehensive federal reform legisla-
tron.
to make Washington the second state,
after North Dakota, to charter a state
To Subscribe, Renew OI' Donate I
owned bank. I
I
"A publicly-owned bank would Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans
I
2800 lst Ave., Room 262, Seattle, WA 98121
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mean we'd have full control of our tax
email: info@psara.org - website: www.psara.org I
dollars to work for our own communi I
Please check the appropriate box or boxes: I
ties, not to line out-of-state bankers'
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pockets," Hasegawa said. "It would $15 for 1-year subscription,
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Page 11 The Retiree Advocate July 2010
W Overheard W Seventy-ve candles at
"Wall Street owns the country. It is no longer Social Security gala!
a government ofthe people, by the people, and
for the people, but a government of Wall Street, Hun vii-q";
'
5);, 11,141 7
by Wall Street andfor Wall Stree ." AC3;Social Security, with Senator Pattygala celebration of the 75th Birthday 'M
"33';
urray as featured speaker, will be - 3
- Mary Ellen Lease, Kansas Populist, i"
held at the Greenwood Senior Activity Center,
in a speech in 1890. '5, 'x
.1
525 N. 85th Street in Seattle on Monday, Au-
\4
,
_ '
.
; ,1?
_
gust 16, starting at 1:30 pm.
meeting: / Event: The event complete with ceremonial birthday cake is being
co-sponsored by the senior center and the Puget Sound Alliance for
Council honors Will Parry Retired Americans.
The Social Security Act was signed into law by President Franklin
1 pm. Monday, July 19 at Seattle City Hall.
Delano Roosevelt on August 14, 1935. Throughout the 75
years of its
Story on page 2.
existence, it has been the nation's premier social insurance program,
protecting millions of seniors, children and adults with disabilities
Summer Membership Meeting
from poverty.
12:30 pm. to 3 pm. Thursday, July 22,
The anniversary event will be a high point in the broadly-based
Central Area Senior Center. Story on page 1. campaign to expose and defeat efforts by the so-called "Fiscal Re-
sponsibility" commission to rob the Social Security trust funds to
75th Anniversary of Social Security reduce the federal decit.
1:30 Monday, August 16, Greenwood Senior The event will celebrate Social Security as a
program for all
Center, 525 N 85th St., Seattle. Story on this page. generations, and will emphasize the need both to safeguard Social Se-
curity's current benefits and to strengthen its protections for women,
low-income workers and the oldest beneciaries.
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