No Cuts - No Layoffs - Tax the Rich

Mark Your Calendar

Better Choices for Connecticut – Rally at the State Capitol

March 25, 4:30 p.m.

Join with neighbors, friends, community groups, public service providers and consumers to support these Better Choices for our State Budget. Stop the cuts, enact fair taxes, and help Connecticut overcome this economic crisis.

Ø Increase income tax rates for those who can best afford it

Ø Close corporate tax loopholes

Ø Stop cuts in vital services when they are needed the most

Better Choices for Connecticut is a community coalition working to help Connecticut make smarter choices on ways to improve the state’s imbalanced revenue system so that it: Advances opportunity for shared prosperity for all Connecticut residents - Preserves services for children, families and the elderly - Creates and sustains good jobs - Reinvests in the middle class and our communities.

For more information contact Maggie Adair – madair@cahs.org or Bill Meyerson - bmeyerson@seiu1199ne.org

International Women's Day 2009: Women Need a Union

by Joelle Fishman

March 8 International Women's Day was born of the struggles of women in the textile mills in our country at the turn of the last century. They fought and died for better wages and working conditions, an end to child labor, and the right to vote.

First adopted as a celebration to be held around the world at an international socialist conference in 1910, International Women's Day was recognized by the United Nations in 1978.

The appointment of Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor with an overwhelming vote despite right-wing opposition, is a great victory to celebrate this International Women's Day.

Women voted in large numbers for change in 2008, and were an important part of the labor and people's alliance that elected Barack Obama and a stronger Congress.

It is no wonder that Hilda Solis, born into a working class, union, immigrant family, a leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, was given a standing ovation on her first day at work in the Labor Department. What a breath of fresh air after years of being run as an anti-labor, anti-union department under Reagan and Bush.

"I'll work to strengthen our unions and support every American in our nation's diverse workforce," says Solis.

Millions of women, including many single mothers, are in desperate need of a union in their workplaces today. For three decades corporations have been given a free ride on deteriorating health and safety standards, while wages and benefits have been falling through the floor.

Union membership helps raise workers' pay and narrow the income gap. Union women earn 32 percent more than non-union women. African American union members earn 28 percent more than their non-union counterparts. For Latino workers the union advantage equals 43 percent.

The best celebration of International Women's Day is to make a call to Congress for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act which would remove many of the barriers that have been placed in the way of workers forming a union. It is being re-introduced into Congress next week.

Call your Congressional Representatives and ask them to be leaders to get the Employee Free Choice Act passed this year.

Remember the message of the courageous women textile workers who went on strike in 1912 in Lawrence, Massachusetts in protest of a pay cut. Their banner "we want bread and roses, too,"
inspired this poem by James Oppenheimer, later turned into a song:

Bread and Roses

As we come marching, marching in the beauty of the day,

A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts gray,

Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,

For the people hear us singing "Bread and roses, bread and roses."


As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men,

For they are women's children and we mother them again,

Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes;

Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread but give us roses!


As we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead

Go crying through our singing their ancient cry for bread.

Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew.

Yes it is bread we fight for but we fight for roses too!


As we come marching, marching, we bring the greater days.

The rising of the woman means the rising of the race.

No more the drudge and idler - ten that toil where one reposes,

But a sharing of life's glories: Bread and roses, bread and roses!

Reprinted from the on-line edition of the People's Weekly World, March 8, 2009

Clergy tell Gov Rell: Meet with us on health care

March 5, 09

Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Unitarian Universalist clergy led a spirited demonstration of several hundred people to the State Capitol today to demand a meeting Gov. Jodi Rell to discuss health care reform. The Gov. has refused to met with their group, Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care.

"Connecticut is facing tough times. It is critical for us to talk to Governor Rell about making sure the people of our state do not have to worry about health care," said Rabbi Stephen Fuchs of Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford. "Now is the time for strong leadership. We cannot understand, nor do we accept our Governor's refusal to meet with us," he said.

The Rev. Bonita Grubbs of Christian Community Action of New Haven noted, "When people are ill or injured and in distress they call their faith leaders. We hear their suffering. We also hear about the difficulties people have getting care or paying for care. We've shared these stories in our 'Voices of Healing' collection and we need to bring these voices to Governor Rell.

Other clergy noted:

Rev. Emilio Hernandez, Knowing God Ministries - "We must place our difference and past hurts aside and become one voice for those who have none."

Dr. M. Reza Mansoor, Muslim coalition of Connecticut - "In all the Islamic pillars of faith, one thing that comes out clearly is that all of them ask us to comprehend the equality of us all under on God..."

Rev. F. Lydell Brown, McCall Memorial AME Zion Church - "As a pastor listening to the pains of a congregation, I know without a shadow of a doubt that universal health care for all is needed."

Rev. David Foy Crabtree, Connecticut Conference, United Church of Christ - "If there is anything Jesus Christ is universally known for, it is this: caring for each individual so deeply that He focused His healing power on each of them."

-- Tom Connolly

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"Dear President Obama, My dream is...."

Poetry and Essays by K-12 students on the theme
“Dear President Obama, My dream is....”

Written during the Martin Luther King Celebration at Peabody Museum and for the African American History Month High School Arts and Writing Competition sponsored by the People’s Weekly World in Connecticut, 2009. Bound and given to Rep. Rosa DeLauro for presentation to President Obama

First Place Poetry:
Dear Mr. President, My dream was A Mighty Domino Effect

Aishah Jenkins, Age 16
Hopkins School, New Haven

And In my dream,
A man went to sleep one night,
And as he slept, he had a dream.
He dreamt of equality and equal opportunity,
He dreamt of one water fountain,
He dreamt of one bathroom for each gender,
And he dreamt of schools where his children too could prosper
Like their white counterparts had been able to for so long.
Soon after, another man spoke unto the world,
This man however was not born in the city,
He was born in a little tent, by the riverside.
This man claimed to know for a fact that change would come.
Simply because, it had been such a long time coming.
And one more great man said,
That there is nothing enlightened about shrinking
Just so that the people around you won’t feel insecure.
He let us know that once we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give others permission to do the same.
These three men have become famous names
Their names have circulated for generations in each black home throughout America.
And as Martin spoke, and peered over the mountain top,
He heard Sam singing a song of promise.
And as Sam sand,
He read in the news, the inaugural speech of Mr. Mandela.
And as Mr. Mandela gave his speech,
He spoke to You, Barack Hussein Obama.
And as You listened,
You decided.
You decided to go to Harvard.
You decided to become senator.
And you decided it was time for change.
And because you decided, Mr. President
So have I.
I have decided, that the time has come for me, along with America,
To set aside childish things,
Thank you Mr. President

African American History Month -- REALIZING THE DREAM

by Dorothy Johnson and Joelle Fishman

The Peoples Weekly World 35th Annual African American History Month celebrations in Connecticut last weekend had overflow crowds in Hartford and New Haven including many young people. The events featured local panels, music and a tribute to W.E.B. Du Bois.

Panelists addressed questions around the theme, “Building the Momentum for Change. Realizing the Dream for Jobs - Peace - Equality.” They were asked to reflect on next steps to achieve equality and how to keep the unity growing that elected Obama.

In New Haven, the inspiring music of Brian Jarawa Gray and Friends had people swaying to the beat of the drums. Young people of every ethnic background were in attendance to see and hear history in the making.Awards were presented to winners of the second annual People’s Weekly World high school arts competition around the theme “Dear President Obama, My dream is....” The students, from various area high schools, came with their families, accepted their prizes and shared their work.

New Haven panelist Clifton Graves, a long time civil rights activist, emphasized to the audience “you are not going to agree with everything Obama does, but it is up to us to keep the momentum going for change. This is one of the best opportunities that Americans have had in decades."

Graves spoke especially to the youth in attendance about earlier civil rights struggles which enabled Obama’s election, quoting Frederick Doublass that “power concedes nothing without a demand, it never has and it never will.” The fight for affirmative action is not over, he said.

Ashaki Binta, a union organizer with UE, thinks a good way to keep the ball rolling is to re-establish some of the coalitions that have faded in recent years. She warned about the dangers of the right-wing which continue even as the country is moving in a more progressive direction.

It was emphasized that while the election reflects growing unity, vigilance against racism, which has always been a divider in our country, is necessary. Cited was the recent NewYork Post racist caricature of Obama making fun if the stimulus package. The point was made that we are all human beings trying to achieve the same goals, a better life for ourselves and family, and in order for us to reach our dream everyone must be united and work together.

Andrew Greene, high school student and member of New Growth Praise Center, wasn’t shy about speaking his mind. He was very motivated when he went to Philadelphia to door knock for Obama in the summer. He believes this will help some young people turn their lives around so they will know there is hope for them. He encourages his fellow high school students to stay focused and get a good education.

Craig Gauthier, a former union leader who moderated the discussion, concluded by saying that “our tasks and responsibilities have been laid before us. We must take up the banner for equality, justice and organize to take action in these hard economic times.”

In Hartford, panelists also stressed unity and grass roots organizing to achieve the goals of jobs, peace and equality.

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists president Kathleen Jackson recalled being spat on at school where she was the only Black student. She helped organize a bus to the Inauguration just to be present as Barack Obama was sworn into office.

Jackson lauded youth panelist Kedar Fluker for his activism and emphasized that the most important thing is to encourage young people who will shape our future. Fluker called on young people to get involved and participate in opposing looming budget cuts in Connecticut and stand up for better opportunities.

Brian Steinberg reflected on the change in thinking that has taken place in the South since his experience in the 1960's during Freedom Summer in Mississippi when three civil rights activists were slain. He said Obama’s election represents an expansion of democracy in our country, won by the unity of the people, which must continue on.

The events raised nearly $2,000 for the People’s Weekly World fund drive.

Reprinted from the on-line edition of the People's Weekly World, Feb 25, 2009