We are protesting the policies and practices of Tallahassee and Washington.  Come to express what is making you mad.  Join us to voice your concerns.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: jaws05@juno.com <jaws05@juno.com>
Date: Thu, Dec 29, 2011 at 1:42 AM
Subject: Fw: Some Events for Progressives, Central Broward to Central Palm Beac h Counties 3
To: david@bluebroward.org

———- Forwarded message ———-

From: Bob Bender <bobbende@gmail.com>
To: ”Bob & Patty Bender” <bob@benderworld.com>
Cc:
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:11:55 -0500
Subject: Some Events for Progressives, Central Broward to Central Palm Beach Counties 3

OCCUPY FORT LAUDERDALE(.org): All events at City Hall courtyard, 100 North Andrews Avenue. Bring a chair.

Tues, Jan 3,7 p.m. Direct Action Group – Plan actions re Walmart, MLK Weekend,etc

Sat, Dec 31 and Sat Jan. 7, 4:30 p.m., Labor Outreach: Plan actions re Walmart, MLK Weekend

Sat, Jan 14, 11 a.m., MLK Rally and March

WAR vs HUMAN NEEDS– No fee, hat passed.

Thursday, January 5, 7 p.m., Discussion, Bender’s, 159 Keswick C, Deerfield Beach 33442. Rsvp required to be called in. Directions and instructions will go to all positive rsvpers.

John Iacovelli: Seymour Melman wrote extensively on the subject of war spending, which he saw as the prime influence in the deindustrialization of the U.S. He began writing on this subject in the 1960′s. He advocated economic conversion, i.e., a transition from a military to civilian economy, and helped insert an “economic conversion” plank in the 1976 Democratic party platform. War Inc. was published posthumously in 2008. It is generally recognized as a summation of his work on military vs. civilian spending. It is only 125 pages, and is published on the web, where it can be found at: http://libdig10.library.vanderbilt.edu/index.php/ameriquests/issue/view/7/showToc. Come whether or not you’ve read it.

NOTE VENUE CHANGE.

Thursday, January 26, 7 p.m., General Meeting, Melodi Willis’, Tamarac- rsvp for specifics.

Thursday, February 2, 7 p.m. 1^st Congregational Church, Lake Worth, Discussion,: Carol Lewis and Bob Bender on Chalmers Johnson , Dismantling the Empire: America’s Last Best Hope Please Rsvp for specifics.

Thursday, March 15, 7 p.m., Place to be determined. Visiting Prof Harry Targ, Purdue U,” Jobs Not War: Impact of the 2012 Election on War Spending, Militarism, and the Economy.”

April – Carol Lewis on Lester Brown, World on the Edge

NETWORK OF SPIRITUAL PROGRESSIVES PALM BEACH COUNTY- meets second Sunday monthly, 3 – 5 p.m., Church of our Savior MCC, 2011 South Federal Highway, Boynton Beach – no fee

Sunday, January 8, Advancing Priorities for People, Impact of War on Meeting Needs of People. Carol Lewis and Melodi Willis.

CITIZENS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Tues, January 10, 1 p.m. Kit Rafferty, Florida Jobs with Justice. “Union Representation in the State of Florida” South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach. 561-736-7928. Hat passed.

Sun, Feb. 12, 1 p.m. Prof. Mark Solomon,Simmons College, Emeritus, Global Economic Crisis: Policy Failure or Systemic Failure? Hagen Ranch Library, Delray Beach.  Free.

DEERFIELD PROGRESSIVE FORUM: 10 a.m., Activities Center, Century Village East. Suggested Donation $5. Contacts 954-428-1598 and deerfieldprogressiveforum.org.

Sat, Jan 7: Rev Steven Barnes, “The Encroachment of Religion on U.S. Politics”

Sat, Jan14:Prof. Gerald Friedman, U.Mass, “Re-Ignite the Labor Movement?”

Sat, Jan 21, Brian Jones, “Marx in Soho”

Sat, Jan 28: Ray McGovern, “Has the CIA Gone Rogue?”

Sat, Feb 4: Prof Mark Solomon, Emeritus, Simmons College, “The Class War: Where Do We Stand?”

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA PALM BEACH COUNTY – Boca Raton,–RSVP required. For information, email progdemspbc@aol.com., Hat passed.

Thurs, Jan 26, 7 p.m., “What is Occupy Palm Beach County?

Thurs, Feb 16, 7 p.m., Mark Solomon, Emeritus, Simmons College

PHIL OCHS CONCERTS

Phil Ochs was born in El Paso, Texas on Dec. 19. 1940. He grew up in a non-political middle class family. While in college at Ohio State University, he met Jim Glover who became his roommate and whose father was Phil’s political teacher. It was during this time, while he was majoring in journalism, that Phil formed his political beliefs and started putting them to music. After 3 years of college, Phil dropped out and went to New York City. This was during the early ’60′s when things were booming in Greenwich Village. Phil started out singing at open mikes and passing the hat. By 1964 he was well enough established to release his first album, “All the News That’s Fit To Sing”. His second album, “I Ain’t Marching Anymore”, was released in 1965, and by 1966 he was able to sell out Carnegie Hall for his solo concert. Most of Phil’s songs were very political, some humorous and some very serious. He wrote about the topics of the day – civil rights, Viet Nam, hungry miners, and personalities such as Billy Sol Estes, William Worthy and Lou Marsh. In 1967 he signed with A&M Records where his first release was “Pleasures of the Harbor” in which he used heavily orchestrated arrangements for the first time. Some fans criticized this change, while others accepted it. Phil continued to perform and to travel around the world. While in Dar Es Salaam, he was mugged and lost the top three notes of his vocal range. This event seemed to send him on a downward spiral. His last years were troubled ones. He suffered from manic depression plus an affinity for the bottle. He committed suicide on April 9, 1976 at the age of 35. There have been 2 biographies written about him. Death of a Rebel by Marc Elliot was written in 1977, and There But For Fortune – The Life of Phil Ochs by Michael Schumacher was published in 1996. Rhino Records released a 3-cd compilation titled Farewells and Fantasies in 1997 which includes all of his best known works plus some previously unreleased tracks. Sliced Bread Records released a double cd of covers of Phil’s songs performed by 28 artists in 1998 entitled The Songs of Phil Ochs. History of Phil Ochs Song Nights (written by his sister, Sonny)

Sunday, Feb.19: Lake Worth The Songs of Phil Ochs, In Concert at the Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave, Lake Worth Fl 33460. Tel# 561-586-8410. Two shows. Matinee at 2:00 pm and an evening show at 7:00 pm. Sonny Ochs will be with us. Tickets $20/$25 in advance, $26/$30 at the door. Performers are Megan Eversole, Joey George, Scott Goldblatt, Sean Hanley, Rod MacDonald, Kat Mahoney, Mel and Vinnie, Pink Slip. Tracy Sands, Matt Turk (Special Guest), and Mike Vullo.

Sun, Feb 26, 2 p.m. Labyrinth Café, Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft Lauderdale, 3970 NW 21^st Avenue, Oakland Park 33309. $20. Nick Annis, Ellen Bukstel, Jennings & Keller, Rod MacDonald, Amy Carol Webb, Annie Wenz. MC: Sonnie Ochs.

OCCUPY PALM BEACH COUNTY

Sun. Jan 1, 1 – 3 p.m., Teach-In on Intentional Community, North Olive Avenue and Banyan Avenue, West Palm Beach. 

So a colleague of mine calls because he is offended by crass comments by an attorney whose office is down the hall.  Apparently, the two were observing President Obama discussing a bi-partisan collaboration on the latest healthcare reform proposal.  He called and asked my opinion on the opposing viewpoints at hand.

“Economics”, I said.  “Economics…actually, socio-economics rather”.

This instance is not about Republicans versus Democrats for political ideals and whether to provide for sick and elderly people…well not primarily.

If one politician were to stand up and explain the mechanics between “haves” and “have nots” with differing views on this sensitive topic, it would likely leave a majority of citizens absolutely dumbfounded.

“Haves”, like the colleague-office neighbor of my friend, will generally prefer not co-financing everyone else’s healthcare in the form of nationalized or socialist systems.

Reason being is economics, not necessarily political values or personal viewpoints. 

That “have” can afford to have his teeth cleaned and penicillin for the family during flu season.  Why should he have to ante up for the bill to cover a stranger’s family is his argument.

The “have not”, on the contrary, differs.  An individual with tooth decay, diabetes and no health coverage has nothing to lose of course, therefore, such an individual will be likely to vote in favor of a program to “pool together” benefits of a revamped healthcare system.

Someone with nothing to lose and minimum earning powe usually will support a tax increase. Again, basic economics; a hierarchy of needs at hand.

The media and other such spheres of influence are the ones turning this into a political and personal show down.  What probably stings the most is this: For figures within the elite socio-economic circles, those either practicing politics professionally or as a hobby…many are wealthy and can therefore remain virtually unaffected, financially, regardless of outcome.

Tax hikes will be annoying at worst for such an individual, as lack of affordable healthcare is not a threat.  It is easier for a wealthy individual to enjoy the luxury of not having to play economics.

For example, a Kennedy running for office knows, much like corporate strategists, the majority of a population is comprised of “have nots” as a rule of thumb.  Statistically, the population of those in the “have not” category overshadow the “haves” almost universally.  The prudent political campaign, therefore, must satisfy the concerns of the “haves” while still leaving the majority, the “have nots”, with hope.

This potentially accounts for the grandiose promises a political campaign would typically make which, to most, such as in the case of the Palm Beach attorney we began with.  It is fairly natural to comment in frustration at a healthcare program designed to accommodate a majority.  These are, however, more economic concerns than social class or personal insensitivity as those on television hosting talk shows often depict.

In my friend’s case, we both concluded the gentleman’s comments were likely not a byproduct of his lack of compassion for healthcare to those less fortunate, but rather the degree to which he would be find himself fiscally affected by new legislation.

Economics.  Most members of Congressional committees and those in various political offices with differing opinions are likely the same as my friend and his colleague.  They both agree as to the importance of an efficient healthcare system and sincerely mean to harm.   The economic impact of financing it is another story.

For example, “I hereby plan to reduce crime in the city of XYZ.  I will be meeting with the police chief and the Broward County sheriff to brainstorm and come up with a plan of attack within X time frame.  The estimated costs associated in term of time and money are estimated at 123″.

Problem is, these buzzwords are played out and voters are half disenfranchised, half ignorant.

To engage, articulate one or two key concepts and go from there instead of lobbying votes with the same old, “We want fair taxes and a good educational budget”.

That was the case during the American Revolution against King George of England, it was the tag line a hundred years later during the Civil War, and almost everyone’s political campaign tag line.

To get House and Senate committee members to vote accordingly and effect policy amendments takes very specific influence. Most Americans like the simple campaign mottos because they are easy to grasp; somewhat like the score to a football game.

Real life does not work that way.

Economics.  It is all economics.  Who gets what, how much of it, and at what price.

Sit-ins and peaceful protests are the platform for poor people and students.

If one were to watch Anthony Hopkins as President Nixon speaking to hippies at the Lincoln Memorial in the 1995 Oliver Stone biopic, Nixon, it exemplifies this.

They protested violence and the Vietnam conflict in favor of world peace; when the president starts to discuss geo-political leverage versus red China and the Soviets, they stare with blank faces.

No different today insofar as the point consumers seek to make over financial industry practices and exploitation of middle and lower-class Americans.

• Sit-ins fail. No one pays attention because guilt is not compelling enough
• You want to get someone’s attention in American society today? Compromise earning power
• Forget sitting in the cold to gain sympathy; no one is moved by such gesturing
• Everyone interested can do one thing: Poll takers and market research analysts suggest the typical American holds under $3,000 in savings at a given time. If it is with a money center bank, meaning Wells, JP Morgan Chase, B of A, Citi, and a host of other big market makers, withdraw your savings and put the money in a safe, under your mattress, in a credit union, et cetera.

50 million Americans do that and that’s leverage. When a bank can no longer aggregate direct deposits from millions of middle-class paychecks and kick that money up to an investment bank or loan it out at six times the APR, then protests are noticed.

Hurt someone physically or hurt their income sources. Not sit-ins. Those are, and always have been, for poor people with no leverage. They fail.

If a protest rallies poor, desperate, dissatisfied Americans like Malcolm X did, its leader is neutralized.

Enough sitting in on Wall Street. To change policy there, hurt the guy in the navy blue suit’s Christmas bonus rather than sitting in a park on social media marching up the street.

For example, “I hereby plan to reduce crime in the city of XYZ. I will be meeting with the police chief and the county sheriff to brainstorm and come up with a plan of attack within X time frame. The estimated costs associated in term of time and money are estimated at 123″.

Problem is, these buzzwords are used to the point of dilution and voters inevitably reach frustration and disenfranchisement. If one wants to engage, they must articulate one or two key concepts and go from there instead of lobbying votes with the same old, “We want fair taxes and a good educational budget”.

Economics. It is all economics. Who gets what, how much of it and at what price.

For the first time in U.S. history, a nation saw business tycoons “vertically integrating” vies a vie running for government office.

Works like this: instead of a business leader lobbying and fund raising to support a political figure of choice, one finances one’s own campaign figuring he/she can do it themselves and skip the “middle man”.

John Corzine, former head of Goldman Sachs

Mitt Romney, Director for Bain & Company

Rick Scott, see the entry below, courtesy of Wikipedia.com

In 1987 he helped found the Columbia Hospital Corporation with two business partners; this merged with Hospital Corporation of America in 1989 to form Columbia/HCA and eventually became the largest private for-profit health care company in the U.S. He was forced to resign as Chief Executive of Columbia/HCA in 1997 amid a scandal over the company’s business and Medicare billing practices; the company ultimately admitted to fourteen felonies and agreed to pay the federal government over $600 million.^{[4][5][6][7][8]} Scott later became a venture capitalist, and entered into politics in 2010, when he announced his intention to run for Governor of Florida

Copyright: Wikipiedia.2011

 

“You know, in my experience, I find that when rich people have too much time on their hands and interfere in politics, it makes me question who I should be shooting at”. Gust Avrakados. “Charlie Wilson’s War”. Universal Pictures. 2007.

Think about the above.

Richard Nixon was the last Mocihan insofar as he was a life-long, professional Republican politician devoted to public policy. He was born a poor, rural Quaker from southern California. Was Ivy League, promoted himself versus the iconic Kennedy dynasty in the 60s, the sexual revolution, and was an underdog until he died.

He had as much heart and smarts as any politician and did a lot for this country domestically and geopolitically. He had the moxy to go against popular opinion in Vietnam and think on a macro, long-term level versus today’s smiling, “best friend, good old boy” image candidates like Romney and the illustrious Rick Perry aspire to. The media did not care for him, nor did a number of his colleagues blue or red.

The former president gets zero mention in high school history classrooms and Wall Street brokers and pundits speak of Reagan-era supply side economics and the like. Only because the lying / impeachment scandal ruined President Nixon’s credibility.

Let me fill you in on something: Nixon would absolutely destroy the Republican primary panel any day of the week and twice on Sunday. He was a leader who devoted his life to hardcore public service and policy, cover-ups or not.

He wasn’t a part-time venture capitalist, management consultant selling off companies for their pension reserves and outsourcing jobs to China, didn’t oversee synthetic securites to rip off companies and institutional investors and get rich at Goldman Sachs, or even inherit billions and membership to a Cape Cod country club from a father who ran alcohol smuggling during prohibition in this country (sorry. we all love J.F.K., but it’s true).

If one Republican had heart, brains, good-will for this nation and didn’t come from a life of privilege, I would at least respect some of them.

1. social tracking
2. economics is equal opportunity racist
3. opportunity to recognize life’s potential
4. distracting/misguiding young adults with reality television and smart phones reality television, and sports
5. losing pride and sense of hope equates to disaster

Country club versus the masses. Grow up poor, criminal records, women perpetuate poorness and survival struggle by becoming pregnant in teen years (that is without economic stability).

Middle class and poor are tracked; few escape/deviate. Pawn shops and bail bondsmen immediately outside the county courthouse. Drive to 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale and observe.

Understand politics and its relativity in your daily life and concept of the following phrase: strength in numbers.

Many prefer you install a stereo in their sports car at Best Buy rather than drive your own; that you deliver the leather couch and 60-inch plasma rather than order it in the show room that morning.

Those with political power do everything to retain; nothing personal. Not malicious. Humans want the best for themselves by nature. Most would like to see everyone healthy and prosperous, however, if push comes to shove and you present an obstacle towards a Republican’s pursuit of social and economic advancement, you will be neutralized.

Political overview 101: Three government branches
1. Executive
2. Legislative
3. Judicial

Candidates run for office making above-average, optimistic promises. The general public tends to grow hopeful of the many claims for change and betterment of life. In reality, if legislative and executive branches of government do not have the same agenda, stalemate ensues as this country is experiencing at present.

The hunt is on. Not racial, personal, mean-spirited. Economic. Many will neutralize you if they can. You will labor for an owner, remain or become poor or in debt, and technology and entertainment will continue to make things appear relatively comfortable.

Politics therefore affects your educational opportunity, legal/justice system, career avenues, and essentially where you will live and what you will eat. The same goes for your family.

Interested enough now to learn more about socio-political systems and steps you can take to better your life and that of those in your world?

Speak to an intelligent, trusted friend whose opinion you value, call the Blue Broward office, talk to a government professor at FAU or another university and learn more before discounting politics as one big mess to stay out of.