Here's the situation:
We applicant attorneys want to repeal SB899. We want instead to install real
workers compensation reform to wit regulation of the WC insurance industry
under the provisions of proposition 103.
As Janis Joplin sang "freedom is just another word for nothing left to loose"
We are free to be outrageous because we, and more so, the injured workers, have nothing left to loose.
There are of 18 million workers\employees in the state who are not being
represented by their elected officials.
Our task is to garner their support.
So how do you motivate the masses of working class people?
It's sort of like starting a revolution. Not violent with the goal to over
through the government. That's not what Americans do. (Notwithstanding Iraq
and countless other nations that we have taken over one-way or another).
No a democratic revolution whereby the working class gains political power
in a lawful, peaceful and legitimate manner.
So how do you start a revolution?
Well let's see have there been any successful revolutionaries? If they were
successful then their methods must work. Thus, if we follow their formula we
should succeed too.
Who have been successful revolutionaries throughout history?
The leaders of the American Revolution were pretty successful. The
communists succeeded, the French did it, and so did the English and Castro.
Hitler did it too.
What is their formula for success? How did they gain the support of the
masses?
Every revolution starts with the formulation of a Vanguard Party.
A group of individuals with a common philosophical base who band together
and form a political party.
First you must have a common philosophical base. We already have the core of
that.
First we all agree that the working class needs a bigger piece of the pie.
We all can agree that we support workplace safety, fair workers compensation
laws, the promulgation of unions, tort remedies for workers and employees,
more nurses in hospitals, more money for education paid for by eliminating
corporate welfare, teachers that are secure in their jobs and retirement
plans, consumer rights, a better environment, fair taxes for the working
class, real laws that actually help small business, and real health
insurance reform.
That's a pretty good start.
Now who will form this vanguard party?
History teaches us that the vanguard party in any revolution is usually
comprised of intellectuals who are not subsumed by the ruling parties and
are in opposition to the policies of the ruling parties.
Is there a group of intellectuals who fall into this category?
Applicant Attorneys Labor Attorneys, Consumer Attorneys, teacher's nurses.
Yup they seem to qualify as people that might be interested and aware enough
to actually form a political party.
But any successful revolution has at the head of its party a charismatic
leader.
The leader should have some experience in running a political organization,
must be, tall, well dressed a good orator, smart, good looking and
charismatic.
Maybe Senator Alarcon would like to head the new party if he doesn't win the
mayoral race in Los Angeles. Maybe John Edwards would like to move here and
head our party. He can't get elected in his state but he could challenge the
Terminator in 06.
That's a pretty good idea. He runs California for 6 years and then becomes
president of the United States on his successful record. I'll call him
tomorrow and see if he's interested. Maybe Harvey Rosenfield . FTCR is
great but its time for him to step up where Californians can hear his
message.
But we need this party to form fast because we want our voices heard in the
special election in November. So we need a leader now.
I know someone who meets the bill. No not me I'm too short and I don't dress
very well.
I nominate DAVE DUGAN as the first leader of the New Democratic Party of
California! I thought Dave did an excellent job in leading our chapter of
CAAA in our last minute attempt to stop SB 899.
Anyone second the motion?
Aw come on Geller your off on some crazy tangent.
Not really. Our neighbor to the north, Canada has done just that.
I know a little about Canadian politics because I lived there for half of my
life.
The New Democrat Party (NDP) started up in the same way for the same
reasons.
At first they were just a protest party. But their numbers grew and now they
have enough seats in the legislature to hold the swing vote between liberals
(our democrats) and conservatives (our Republicans).
The NDP even won the province of Ontario at one time. (Ontario is the
largest economic center of Canada similar to the position that California
holds in America on a smaller scale of course.)
The Canadians have full medical coverage for all of its citizens and
contrary to AMA propaganda their medical system is far superior to ours. I
witnessed it with my very own eyes as I watched the care my mother and
father received before they died at the ripe old age of 88 and 89
respectively.
Education far surpasses the public education here in California. I know that
first hand too as my wife is a teacher and my daughter is a student. This
will become more apparent if the Terminator's education initiative passes.
The overall social service for Canadians blows California away. With the
republicans at the helm this will only get worse.
Yup what Californians need is a party that actually represents the rights
of the people.
A party that comprises all factions of the working class. All unions under
one umbrella working soley for the betterment of the working class. No
compromised politicians. No more Vons Workers on strike without back up left
to be crushed by the corporate giant.
No more phonies like Juan Vargas. A party that can run a candidate against
people like him if they stab their constituency in the back. Nor more free
rides for Benedick Arnold democrats. Toll the line or deal with the NDP.
The democrats have become the party of the lesser of two evils. They don't
stand for the working class as they also represent business under their
"liberal" umbrella. They succumb to corporate pressure and their own greed.
Representation in the legislature that's what will win the day. The next
time an anti worker or consumer law is proposed they have to listen to our
demands. A party that grows and has enough power to be the swing vote in any
given piece of legislation.
You we'll give some corporate tax relief but you give us repeal of SB 899. No
WC insurance companies don't need to make a 200% profit 15% of billions
should be enough. The workers who run your businesses need decent conditions
and decent benefits if they sacrifice an arm or a leg while making you
profit.
A party that can vote with the democrats if they are acting like democrats
and say no when they are not.
I would never recommend such an outrageous idea as a party that actually
represents the working class in a red state but this is a bright blue state
ripe for such a party.
So what do ya all think?
DAVID DUGAN, friend of the injured workers and all of the people of the
State of California for governor.
A leader of a party that stands by the principle we are legally entitled to.
Government of the people by the people and for the people.
I say down with the government run by a megalomaniac who believes the
Constitution and Declaration of Independence mean government by the
corporation, of the corporation and for the corporation.
Let me ask you one question. If such a party actually existed would you vote
for it?
I would.
In the end two things motivate politicians. Money and votes.
We don't have money but if we can deliver votes the Juan Vargasses will
listen more carefully when he has a meeting with DAVID DUGAN.
We have nothing left to loose.
Link to NDP.
New Bill Will Protect Employees' Wages, Benefits And Pensions
Debate begins Friday on changes to Canada's Bankruptcy Laws
NDP MP Pat Martin will lead off debate Friday in the House of Commons on
changing Canada's Bankruptcy laws to better protect Canadian workers.
"It is time for MPs to come together and agree to better protect Canadians.
There have been too many tragic stories of lives shattered by companies
going bankrupt," said Martin. "We have a responsibility and an obligation to
stand up for employees and act in their best interests."
89% of Canadians support changing Canada's bankruptcy laws, according to a
Vector Research poll conducted on behalf of the United Steelworkers. 84% of
Canadians said that the present laws are unfair to employees.
Martin's Bill C-281 would put paying employees at the front of the line when
a company goes bankrupt. Under present laws, employees are the last to
receive money - after other creditors and suppliers are paid there's often
not enough money left.
"I look forward to working with MPs from all parties to finally reform these
laws. We must make sure that we are living up to our responsibilities to
Canadian employees and not only to the banks," said Martin. "Workers deserve
these changes, Canadians want these changes, so let's get to work and get
the job done."
Hamilton Centre MP David Christopherson, who seconded the Bill, said that
these changes are urgently needed for Canadian workers. "I have seen these
personal tragedies repeated far too often in Hamilton and across the
country. I look forward to working with Pat to make sure that we finally
bring fairness to Canada's bankruptcy laws."
At stake are employees' back wages, vacation pay, severance pay and the
prospect of severely reduced pension benefits. Martin's Private Member's
Bill will be debated on Friday December 3, 2004 at 1:30 PM.
Boy we could have used a few of these NDP people in the legislature when SB
899 was being "debated."
Why haven't the democrats sponsored bills like that in our legislature? No they sign off workers' rights without even reading the damn thing.
And finally more words of inspiration, click on airplane pic.
- J. Geller
March 4, 2005
