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...

More on May Day, It’s the Income Inequality

politics

May 2, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

I appeared on RNNTV News last night at about the three minute mark. I hope I came off well. The segment features Emily Crockett from Campus Progress and Margot Paez from InsightOut News. The two reported from D.C. and Los Angeles while Richard French and Kim Lengle discuss the activity in New York.

I wanted to further some of thoughts I tried to portray on my brief appearance. Think Progress’ Annie-Rose Strasser posted from great charts yesterday that help visualize the point. Protesters carry signs with a multitude of messages. Anything from universal health care, taxing the rich, or ending corporate personhood. All of the issues though are part of a system designed to further harm the working and middle class Americans. This is a system bought and paid for by the rich. Lobbyists, campaign donations, and leverage are all investments for future gains. Everyday working people find themselves as expendable parts in the machine. One that strives for lower costs, efficiency and productivity. Yet, that productivity does not pay off for the workers. The Economic Policy Institute shows in the chart below the steady increase of productivity. Compensation remains nearly stagnant.

Workers cannot get ahead. It causes the income inequality we see now. The record profits that are fueling Wall Street’s recovery come at the expense of worker. They see lower wages and feel the ragged road that is their recovery. Maybe the New York Times can demonstrate it well enough for you.

Do you find this troubling like I do? Then the answer is an easy one. The road to get there though is not. But at least you will have proper company.

Organize. You feel the pinch as a middle class household, don’t you? That’s because the share of national income for the middle class dropped over the last 45 years alongside union membership. Having someone fight for and with you helps. Power in numbers sort of logic.

Unions are not perfect. Nothing is perfect because of our own humanity. So get over that part. Get on board with organizing your co-workers. I am not telling you to go start a union in your office… at least not yet. The first step is informing others. Having the knowledge drives one to seek the tools to fix the problem. Start there… then we can talk about a union in your office.