This morning I woke up and tuned into the news. I see Libya continuing their protests and fight. I see people fleeing from the country they know to escape violence and instability. I was saddened that the situation had gone from horrific to worse. Then I checked on the state of our nation and my blood turned to ice. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker made headlines a few weeks ago with a huge corporate tax cut. He was proud and happy of his accomplishment. He then took the deficit that said cut created and blamed the workers for being, “Greedy”. His proposed agenda to solving this self made deficit was to take away the bargaining rights of our laborers, our unions, our teacher, our firefighter, our nurses, our doctors.... The list goes on. The response to this blatant betrayal of his constituents is a protest that has rocked America. February 15, 2011 marked the first day of protests in Madison. Tens of thousands have multiplied and their argument and voices are heard throughout our nation. The out pouring of support and demonstration can not be ignored. The working class want answers. The unions have been pivotal in this battle organizing and tirelessly working for the rights of our citizens to be able to rally together and negotiate their own futures.
This is where the story becomes disturbing to all red blooded Americans who still believe we function under the umbrella of freedom and democracy. Internet sites have been blocked that were used to organize this peaceful demonstration. (http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/22/wisconsin.budget/index.html?hpt=T2) Governor Walker was recorded believing he was in a conversation with David Koch. (http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/23/6116445-walker-in-prank-call-this-is-our-moment) In the course of this conversation he rails about this being, “his moment”. David Koch, as you may well know, is an oilman and financier to the Republican party. According to the NY Times the Koch Brothers began their war on unions and laborers before the Governor ever took office. “State records also show that Koch Industries, their energy and consumer products conglomerate based in Wichita, Kan., was one of the biggest contributors to the election campaign of Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, a Republican who has championed the proposed cuts.” They go on to explain that Koch has a bone to pick with the unions and worker. He mentions blatantly the vested interest in this situation. The idea they have planted is that state debt stems from the pay and benefits given to the state workers. The concept while irrational and unjustified is that giving people the power to negotiate their pay and benefits will cripple our nation. The truth of the matter is without the ability to collectively negotiate, the corporations will maintain a monopolistic hold over us all, policing themselves, paying workers as little as they can get away with, and still pay no taxes. This leaves us to further fill in the gap and ultimately gives them control. The debt that stands on the shoulders of our great land was placed there by means of bail outs, war, tax cuts for the rich and tax benefits for corporations, all stemming from the Bush administration. Lest we forget the country carried a surplus while Clinton was in office. Until Americans begin to recognize who has control of this nation we will continue to be used and bled dry by these companies that tie up 100 billion dollars of our tax money just to maintain their offshore accounts and exclude them from reporting their profits and paying their share of taxes. Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania are all seeing the dream child of these corporate takeovers. This is a full lock down of the unions. This will leave the lower middle class out on a hook. This would give corporations the right to curb or cut benefits. It is my suspicion that this move is in response to the limp health care bill signed by our Commander and Chief. A bill that truly is little or no help to those of us struggling to live day to day. Those who have mounting medical bills and debt from various treatments. Those who are still UN-insurable due to “preexisting conditions”. While the struggles here and abroad rage on, a movement has come out of the UK. A movement that is calling for corporate accountability. Their message is simple and forthright, "Make them pay their fair share". The Uncut movement started as a response to the bail outs that both America and United Kingdom's people shouldered. We watched billions of our tax dollars be squandered away by irresponsible money men. While the Government bailed them out with no measures in place to account for this money. They paid themselves bonuses for losing pensions and 401 K plans. They used interest arms to steal peoples money and homes. Then they did the unthinkable and sued the Federal Government for tax refunds. So, the birth of US Uncut a sister organization to UK Uncut has stepped forward. The people are calling for corporate tax evaders and non paying banks to be called out. Small factions have popped up all over the country. With the help of social networks we are seeing an organized and focused group of individuals. They range in age from late teens and early twenties all the way through. February 26, 2011 is an international day of protest. UK Uncut and US Uncut are working together in a fun and creative method of protest. They are using humor and visual props to prove a point. They are engaging, funny and understanding. This movement is shockingly well organized by normal citizens. They give you everything you need to have a peaceful and organized gathering in the name of fair taxing. As a thirty something who has paid into and still continues to pay into a system where I am not even represented in Washington, I will be speaking out with this movement. It is time for small business owners and freelance journalist to take the reigns and do what we do best, organize and inform. Please visit their website and take a look.
We are active and support US Uncut. We have created Uncut Action Posters, you are invited to download, print and use! |
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