Don’t petition the White House, Use Change.org

Nov 18, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

Secessionists. I first want to say thank you for finally learning something from history. The last time so many desired to rid themselves of a tyrannical president they declared war on the Union. Thus, your use of a peaceful means through petitions on the White House’s site is commendable. Furthermore, each state now finds themselves represented by a petition and signatures from people possibly wanting to secede from the United States. Texas leads the way with more than 100,000 people asking the White House to address the issue. This is the same state governed by Rick Perry who drummed up his base of supporters with calls for seceding prior to his Republican bid for President. The irony seemed lost on him. Governor Perry is obviously not a viable option to lead the cause. He hardly put up a fight against a weak group seeking his party’s nomination. I also question...

The Country Moved to the Left Last Night

Nov 7, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

The whole campaign season did not just depend upon the presidential race that finally came to an end last night. Yes, the country voted clearly to give Barack Obama another four years in the White House. He received more than 50 percent of the vote and won handily in the electoral college. Yet, it is what happened down the ballot that shows the nation’s move toward progressive values. It appears that Democrats will pick up a couple seats in the lower chamber but the real change happened on the senatorial level. Voters said no way to Republicans Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock after they attempted to scapegoat women and downplay the trauma of rape and sexual abuse. Furthermore, women won in Massachusetts, North Dakota, Hawaii, and Wisconsin for their first terms. All four of them will be more progressive legislators than their predecessors. In Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin will be the...

Republicans, Rape, Life, and Control of Women

Oct 24, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

During last night’s Indiana Senate debate the Republican candidate, Richard Mourdock, did more than stick his foot in his mouth. I believe life begins at conception. The only exception I have for to have an abortion is in the case of the life of the mother. I struggled with myself for a long time but I came to realize life is that gift from God, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape. It is something that God intended to happen. Mourdock joined a club made exclusively of Republicans but a club that seems to be growing as the November election nears. Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh made a reprehensible comment about exceptions for the life of the mother following his debate. “There is no such exception. With modern technology and science, you can’t find one instance.” Complete crap as this woman explains. Of course who can forget Missouri...

Anti-trafficking law signed in California – not enough

Things that piss me off / trafficking & sex work/slavery

Oct 25, 2010 Aaron Krager 1 Comment

While both the Senate and Governor races in California are being fought tooth and nail; the current Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law “California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010” The new law will require retail shops and factories to make their anti-trafficking efforts public on their web sites and to the state. It will supposedly push these places to check their own supply chains are free from slave and forced labor.

California is the tenth-largest economy in the world, and in order to halt the flow of slave labor throughout the world, California must take the lead. Success in this endeavor requires collaborative efforts, as oftentimes companies and consumers unknowingly use slave labor. Slavery is frequently deeply embedded in a company’s chain of supply and, without transparency, will remain there.

Actress Ormond, an activist with the anti-human trafficking movement since the 1990s, said that the agriculture, mining and garment industries, and the products thereof, are notorious for using slave labor. Ormond says that this knowledge can be used as a map to illuminate the worst places and industries for trafficking.

The law does not go into affect until 2012 and stops short of tougher regulations. It is extremely difficult to regulate the black market in which trafficking actually happens. Is the retail store supposed to check with Nike that their factories in China are complying with this law? What about clothing and farming that can operate on a cash basis?

I heard a story but do not actually know if it is true – so we will put it out there as a hypothetical. A bar owner in one of Chicago’s ethnic neighborhoods helps bring people from his native country into the United States. Basically loans them the money that it costs and then “helps” them find jobs to pay off this debt. Meanwhile he is charging them rent and boarding as well as taking a percent of their hourly wages off the top (much like Manpower or other employment services actually do). Thus, they make roughly the same it costs per day for room and board and have an extremely difficult or find it impossible to pay off the “loan” to come here.

That is forced labor and the underground black market that trafficking exists. How do you combat that?

http://twitter.com/PowerfulHER Michelle @PowerfulHER

Yes, you are absolutely right– the law needs more practical pushes and clear requirements for investigation, compliance and monitoring. Hopefully the California law is the first step in that direction!