The roots of this war can be found in the militancy of the American labor movement back in the late 1960s and early 1970s when a series of wildcat strikes did great damage to the corporate system and threatened to unleash more strikes from far stronger unions in the future. Business regrouped and managed to elect presidents, like Ronald Reagan, a former labor leader himself who, for money, influence and perks formed a strong anti-union movement in the higher reaches of the American government.

Aside from a flood of governmental orders and court assisted anti labor rulings, the most potent weapon in the business arsenal was the concept of out-sourcing American jobs to much safer foreign countries, countries that did not have labor unions in any form. Factories were emptied of American workers and the work was parceled out to foreign countries like China, India and Indonesia. But by shipping an enormous number of jobs to safer, and cheaper, foreign labor markets, business created an enormous vacuum in American society. Youths, straight from high school no longer could get well-paying jobs in American industry because most of these jobs, with attendant union membership, were now outside the United States. None of this outsourcing was an accident and although the Republicans occasionally were here to bemoan the loss of jobs, they never made any effort to prevent the flow of jobs away from this country. Bush and his people were squarely in the pockets of both militant Israeli and wealthy American business power groups and one of them shouted “squat”, George Bush ran into the corner of the Oval Office and squatted like a toad. Another part of this warfare was to tacitly allow an enormous number of Mexicans to pour, unhindered, into this country where they could be used as cheap, unreported and untaxed labor. Occasional raids were permitted but the millions of cheap and, most important, non-union, workers ensured that the day of the American labor union as an economic and political force was over, at least during the terms of Republican presidents.

Bush and his far-right thugs may be gone but the anti-labor policies and practices remain. Unless and until they are stopped and, more important, reversed, the economic picture in America will be bleak and wintry indeed. Businesses who have emptied their workplaces and stuffed their pockets should be heavily taxed along with all of those American businesses who have moved to foreign countries to reduce their taxes. They seem interested only in enriching themselves at the expense of the American people and if this policy of greed and secret control is not stopped abruptly, there can only be more economic and social destruction!”

Source: Bradley Moscrip
http://www.b.moscrip@yahoo.com

Why in the world are we allowing the perpetrators of the health care crisis to set the terms of the debate on how to clean up their mess?

Join nurses, doctors, and health care activists Tuesday for a day of calls in Congress and a protest against the insurers as we convey a different message.

1- A national call-in day to Congress. Remind the legislators that we need more care, not more private insurance. Urge them to make sure single payer/Medicare for all is a central part of the health care debate. Ask them to support HR 676, the bill to expand and upgrade Medicare to cover everyone. Find information for your US Representative and Senators at http://www.votesmart.org.

You can also send them your insurance bill or your insurers’ letter of denial for needed care to help them recall why we need to get the insurance companies out of the way. For information on how to fax your insurance bills, sample fax cover sheets, and sample telephone scripts, please visit http://www.healthcare-now.org/campaigns/call/

2- If you’re anywhere near Washington Tuesday come join us for a protest outside a national conference of AHIP, America’s Health Insurance Plans, the industry’s lobbying arm and chief voice in the media. 11:00 a.m., Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C., 1150 22nd Street, N.W.

3- You can also contact the new HHS Secretary-designate, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. In addition to congratulating her on her nomination, let her know you support for HR 676 and single-payer national health care. The office of HHS can be reached toll free at 1-877-696-6775.

Anyone who follows the national healthcare discourse might well conclude that the foremost task is to draft a plan that appeals to the insurance industry, along with the drug companies, and the other corporate lobbyists.

You might almost conclude that they own the building. Or maybe they’re just paying the rent.

As the Washington Post reported Sunday, in data compiled by the consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog:

Health insurers and drug makers have showered members of the 111th Congress with millions in campaign contributions over the last four years, with a special focus on leaders who will play major roles in shaping health-care legislation….

The health-care sector has long ranked with financial services and energy interests as one of the most powerful political forces in Washington, and it spent nearly $1 billion on lobbying in the past two years alone.

The third highest beneficiary in the Senate is Sen. Max Baucus, who as head of the Finance Committee has made himself a kingmaker in the healthcare discussions.

The same Max Baucus who tells every audience that will listen that single payer is off the table and we need a “uniquely American solution.”

Once you see this shell game for what it is, you can never go back.