1,000 at "We Are One Rally" in Newburgh!

New Paltz Women in Black was well represented!

 

 

It was great being in Newburgh with about 1,000 on 3 corners standing up for their rights! Cars, buses and trucks honked enthusiastically in solidarity.This is a movement! 

From the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation-

Over 1,000 union members and allies rallied in Newburgh today to stand up for the middle class and honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated on April 4 while supporting the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike. The Newburgh rally was part of a nationwide mobilization in solidarity with working people in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and dozens of other states where well-funded, right-wing corporate politicians are trying to take away the rights Dr. King gave his life for.

"Martin Luther King died fighting for collective bargaining for the sanitation workers of Memphis.  The anniversary of his death should serve as a stark reminder that workers' rights are human rights. As President Reagan said, “Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost," said PEF Executive Board Member Janette Clark.

The workers united will never be defeated!

WAKING PLANET: Universe in a Brain Cell

WAKING PLANET: Universe in a Brain Cell

No Nuclear Power, No Fracking Day of Action, Workers' Rights Rally- We Are One!

1. NO to Nuclear Power! 

That anyone could still be a proponent of nuclear power in light of the out of control nuclear disaster in Japan is astounding to me. There were 130 tons of nuclear fuel at Chernobyl; there are 1,760 metric tons at Fukushima. Have you noticed the reporting has stopped? What is happening there now? There was a report the other day that radioactivity levels were a million times greater than normal and  that was quickly changed to 10,000 times. We know that babies in Tokyo cannot drink the water or the milk and that minute traces of radioactive dust have already circled the globe; yes, even here. Scientists say there is no safe threshold, that any contamination poses a threat to your health. At least one nuclear reactor core has been breached and as of today, three weeks after the tsunami crippled the plant, highly radioactive water is pouring into the Pacific Ocean and it is almost certain the worst is yet to come. 

Why do people think it could not happen here? The NRC called Indian Point the most dangerous plant in the US; the one most at risk of meltdown due to an earthquake (it sits on the intersection of two active seismic zones). The risk is 72% higher than previously thought. Entergy, the plant's owner, admits it could not handle a 7.0 quake, yet the NRC denied New York's demand that this issue be a part of the re-licensing review.

Additionally, there are 1,500 tons of radioactive waste on site. Tritium and Strontium 90 have been leaking from at least two spent fuel pools at Indian Point into the Hudson River and into groundwater. As we have seen at Fukushima the spent fuel pools have 2 to 10 times more radiation than the reactor core (the spent-fuel pools at New England's oldest nuclear plants now hold up to five times more radioactive material than they were initially designed to handle). To make matters even worse at Indian Point, the fact that 20 million live in a fifty mile radius of the plant makes evacuation impossible.

Not only do we have to close Indian Point, we must end nuclear power before it ends us. The radioactive waste issue alone is reason enough to ban nuclear power. It has to be contained for a half million years or more- a physical impossibility. As it leaks it will concentrate in the food chain causing epidemics of genetic diseases, leukemia and cancers in future generations.

Read the top 10 reasons to close Indian Point and then call Congress 1 202 224-3121 and President Obama 1 202 456-1414 and demand that we start shifting to a clean energy future and to begin by closing Indian Point! Sign the petition and join Mothers and Others to Close Indian Point May 8th!

"  The splitting of the atom changed everything save man's mode of thinking. Thus we drift towards unparalleled catastrophe. Nuclear power is a hell of a way to boil water."  Albert Einstein 

Citizens Campaign for the Environment

2. No Fracking Day of Action- April 11

Indian Point gets exemptions from safety regulations (according to the NY attorney general, the plant is currently in violation of established fire safety regulations and in seeking more than 100 exemptions from those regulations). Similarly, during the Bush administration, Cheney pushed for what is known as the Halliburton Loophole, exempting fracking fluids (the toxic mix that is the result of hydraulic fracturing) from the Clean Water Act. Water wells, groundwater and waterways are being severely polluted all across the nation as a result. As the New York Times recently reported in a three part series, "One well can produce over a million gallons of waste-water that is often laced with highly corrosive salts and carcinogens like benzene and radioactive elements."

Join the protest April 11 Show Albany the Cumulative Impact of People Who Want Clean Air, Land, and Water!

3. Stand for Workers' Rights!

April 4 is a National Day of Action to Support Workers' Rights!

From We Are One-

Join us in solidarity with working people in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and dozens of other states where well-funded, right-wing corporate politicians are trying to take away the rights Dr. King gave his life for: the freedom to bargain, to vote, to afford a college education and justice for all workers, immigrant and native-born. It’s a day to show movement. Teach-ins. Vigils. Faith events. A day to be creative, but clear: We are one. 

Please come out to support local workers' rights to collectively bargain for decent wages and safe working conditions- corner of Rt 17K and Union Ave, 4:30PM

Good News- Volunteers in Wisconsin were able to get enough signatures (in under half the time they had allotted to them) to trigger a recall election of state Senator Dan Kapanke (R)- One of eight Senate Republicans targeted after passing Walker's bill to end collective bargaining for public workers. One down- seven to go. Eight when you include Walker himself!

Keep Faith!

"Defend the Dream" Video, Public against Nuclear, No Fracking

1. New Video! Thanks to Ilene Cutler who made this video from our recent Defend the Dream Rally. Great job!


Update! Dade County, WI Judge Maryann Sumi put a hold on Walker's bill to strip bargaining rights form public workers, saying Republicans violated the states open-meeting laws to pass it! Another poll showed that if people had  known what Gov Walker was going to do, they would not have elected him! RECALL!

2. Nuclear Power is Inherently Dangerous
Our hearts go out to the people of Japan who are suffering so much. Seeing the nuclear nightmare unfold each day reminds us of why we have to support renewable green energy in our country! A new poll shows that over half of Americans want a moratorium on new reactors and would support "a halt to extending the operating lifespans of older nuclear reactors." About three fourths: oppose tax payer loan guarantees for new reactors (President Obama asked for $36 billion for that purpose) favor a shift from nuclear to renewables and would make companies liable for Fukushima- style disasters.

Demand a permanent shut down of all US GE Mark I reactors. There are 23 in the US. There are fundamental flaws in them that the industry has been warned about for 40 years!

Here is an informative map that measures radioactivity in our country in real time.

3. Fracking Update from Rosalyn Cherry
There is an environmental crisis in New York State and together we can take action
to prevent it. With only a few months until the moratorium on horizontal hydraulic
fracturing is lifted --- and with vertical fracking already causing problems across Western
NY --- we need to seize current momentum and widespread public concern to advocate
loud and clear for a statewide ban on fracking.

When the public hears the truth about fracking, the vast majority of the population will
stand with us in calling for a ban. We must not let the failure of imagination of what is
politically possible hold us back from calling loudly for what is necessary. If we make
our case to the citizens of New York, and work to create strong alliances in our
communities, we believe that we can win --- and win overwhelmingly.

If you share this vision, we invite you to join us on March 27th at the SUNY
Albany Lecture Center from 10AM to 6PM. Details below about car pooling.

Share this summit with friends on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/fU5URV
Register here: http://bit.ly/e5v9iG

And mark your calendars!
On Monday May 2nd, 2011, we're marching in Albany to demand a statewide ban.
Full march and rally details TBA.
If you would like to help mobilize for the march, join us at the summit on March 27th!

Carpools and caravans (all sharing gas and tolls):
Leaving NP Village Hall (25 Plattekill) at 7:45AM returning at 8PM. Contact Rosalyn
Cherry --- rosalyn@clutterkit.com
Leaving Kingston Park & Ride near the circle at 8AM. Contact Alexander Lines  ---
845.810.2716

Sponsored by Frack Action ( http://www.frackaction.com)
Goals and agenda at http://frackaction.com/content/summit-win-ban

Urgent Flash
We are sitting on top of Utica Shale in Sullivan, Ulster, Greene and Albany counties and
many counties to the west. Map at http://tinyurl.com/4jf3m3a
Gas drillers are eying the Utica Shale! Read about it at http://tinyurl.com/4S6ukok
Together we WILL ban fracking in New York State and keep our water unpolluted.

                                       __________________

And I just read that fracking emissions are thousands of times higher than first reported according to the EPA and that New Jersey is getting close to a ban on fracking! Power to the people!

4. 113 Arrested at White House Protesting Wars protests led by veterans

Watermelon Slim of Vietnam Veterans Against the War is taken into custody March 19. Photo by Ellen Davidson

Spirited "Defend the Dream" Rally in New Paltz!

New Paltz, 3/15 : A Good Day for Workers                              B Upton

Well over one hundred people (overflowing to all four corners!) took to the streets in New Paltz Tuesday to Defend the American Dream! They were joining thousands in MoveOn demonstrations across the country to protest the GOP attack on hard working American families and demand that the wealthy elite pay their share in these tough economic times.

People everywhere are rising up against the GOP agenda of busting unions, making painful cuts to vital programs, further enriching the rich and claiming new authoritarian powers. Take just one example: Michigan Governor Rick Snyder wants to cut the corporate tax rate by 86% or nearly $2 billion while increasing the state income tax by 31% with the largest burden being on the poor. Snyder also wants kingly powers to fire elected officials in cities and towns and replace them with his handpicked "emergency town managers" who could break all existing contracts, including collective bargaining ones. 

Lansing protesters chanted "This is our House" in the Capitol Building the day after our rally. They are not taking this lying down!

At the rally, we were thrilled to have great union representation! A big thank you to speakers: 
Jodie Jacobs and Jude Purnow, American Federation of Teachers, Beth Soto, coordinator for the Hudson Vally Area Labor Federation (HVALF); Gerard Lyons III, vice president of SEIU Local 200 and vice president of HVALF; Mike Lonigro, secretary/treaurer of the SEIU Local 200 and Anthony M Adamo, president of the CSEA SUNY New Paltz Local 610. They gave rousing talks and had the crowd going! Thanks to them, to all the union members and to everyone who came out for this rally! 


Linda Abbott, Ulster County MoveOn Council Coordinator, said that 45,000 jobs would be lost in New York State if Republican cuts to the federal budget were enacted, which is totally contrary to the goal of reviving our economy and creating jobs. She also thanked Rep Hinchey for consistently being on the side of the people.

A resounding theme was that politicians should not balance the budget  on the backs of the middle class and working poor, who had nothing to do with the economic recession we are in. Rather that they should get the money from tax dodging corporations, in the bloated Pentagon and in the vaults of the richest 400 who have more wealth than over 150 million Americans combined! Not letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest expire is costing us $830 billion over the next ten years! As Micheal Moore and others have said, "We are not broke!" It is just in the hands of an ever dwindling few.


Here is an article from the Kingston Freeman and front page coverage from the New Paltz Times on our rally. Forward!

Our Freedom Is at Stake - Rise Up against the Corporate Coup!

Firefighters at Madison after the Senate GOP Broke a Law to Pass Walker's Bill

 Defend the Dream Rally

Tuesday, March 15, 5:15PM

In front of Elting Library, 93 Main St, New Paltz

We are witnessing a hostile, corporate take over of our democracy and the longest undeclared war in America's history - the war on the middle class. When adjusted for inflation the middle class has less money today then in 1971, while America's richest have made out like the bandits they are. And no one has done better than the nation's richest 1/10 of 1% . Four hundred individuals now have more wealth than half of the American population- over 150 million people combined! Republican governors like Walker, Scott, Christie, Corbett and others are not out to only bust unions, but to also replace democracy with autocratic rule and do the bidding of their corporate benefactors; the well being of their constituents be damned.

Consider Corbett in PA, who wants to install a coal company executive (and large contributor) who would be given unilateral authority to override all state agencies, nullifying PA citizens protections (think fracking). Corbett also wants to cut $1billion from preK through college, while increasing the state's $2 billion prison budget by 11%. His call to cut state colleges and universities by 50% could close two of our country's oldest, black colleges. He refuses to impose an extraction tax on gas companies that could raise $200 million a year, but he wants to cut almost $50 million from state environmental programs charged with overseeing  the Marcellus Shale industry, already charged with polluting drinking water in the state.

The Republican governor in Michigan, Rick Snyder claims authority to fire elected officials in cities and towns and install his own person to dictate how those municipalities are run. Under the guise of financial emergency, these "Emergency Managers" would also have the power to nullify all contracts, including collective bargaining ones. Snyder can even hire a private company to declare a city is in a financial emergency and let that company take over the city, including its state contracts. All of this can be without any input from the voters. This is the antithesis of democracy and big government at its very worse.

Corporate dollars are fueling this antidemocratic agenda. In Wisconsin, Walker's bill also allows him to sell off state power plants and heating and cooling facilities, in a no- bid, Halliburton style way. Forbes identified the three companies that could most benefit from this stipulation and surprise- they are all owned by Koch Industries, that pumped over $1 million into Walker's campaign.

Forbes called this part of the bill "highly irregular" and added, "If governors begin giving away public utilities in exchange for campaign support, we are all in big trouble."

Meanwhile, back in DC, Republicans are trying to slash vital programs like food for needy women, children and infants, home heating oil help for seniors, eviscerating the EPA and other cuts that could cost up to one million jobs! Tax cuts for billionaires continue. Tax dodging by corporations  continues. Republicans want to balance the budget on the backs of hard working American families who have already sacrificed enough and have been hurt the most by an economic mess they did not create! The GOP wants to share sacrifice as long as it doesn't involve them or their rich friends.

ARE WE JUST GOING TO TAKE THIS? NO, WE ARE NOT!

Join us tomorrow night for a national day of action to Defend the Dream! We will be standing in solidarity with Wisconsin and all American workers and to demand that the rich and corporations pay their fair share! There are hundreds of these rallies planned for Tuesday, March 15, organized through MoveOn. Sign up to attend the one in New Paltz  here, or find one near you here. Or you can sign up on FaceBook. We hope to have many members of local unions joining us! We all need to stand strong together to Defend the American Dream!

"  If American workers are being denied their right to organize and collectively bargain when I'm in the White House, I'll put on a comfortable pair of shoes myself. I'll walk on that picket line with you as president of the United States of America because workers deserve to know that somebody is standing in their corner."   Remind President Obama of his campaign speech in 2007. 202 456-1414.

Then They Came for the Trade Unionists

Thursday 10 March 2011

by: William Rivers Pitt, t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed 

Excerpts from Mr Pitt's article

On this day, it behooves us to remember the words of Martin Niemoller.

"First they came for the communists," he wrote, "and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me."

Mr. Niemoller wrote his poem decades ago. It might read like this today:

First they declared corporations were "people," and I didn't complain because I'm already a person.

Then they made unlimited money "speech," and I didn't complain because the American Dream says I'll be rich someday, too.

Then they commandeered the means of production by shipping our greatest strength - manufacturing - overseas, because they don't have bothersome unions over there, and I didn't complain because WalMart has cheap stuff.

Then they bought Congress so they could write the laws, and I didn't complain because I can’t be bothered to vote.

Then they bought the Supreme Court so they could cement their rule, and I didn't complain because I don't have time to pay attention.

Then they bought the news so they could convince everyone it's always been this way, and I didn't complain because it's always been this way.

Then they manhandled an election and I didn't complain because I'm not from Florida.

Then they lied us into wars and I didn't complain because I'm not a soldier, or an Iraqi, or an Afghani.

Then millions died for profit and I didn't complain because the graphics on the news were totally awesome.

Then they started locking people up because they said they could and I didn't complain because nobody locked me up.

Then they started spying on everyone because they said they could and I didn't complain because I'm a real American.

Then they came for the worker, but thanks to supply-side trickle-down economics, I don't have a job.

This truth is self-evident.

They are coming for you, and they are relentless.

Stand up.

For your country, for your family, for yourself.

Stand up.

Be heard.

Strike!

Go.

The Story of Citizens United v FEC...

...and how it is undermining our democracy. Corporations are NOT people. Money is NOT speech!  This ruling, by five activist justices on the Supreme Court, gives corporations the ability to overwhelm our elections with their vast wealth. Obama has called it   a threat to our democracy. Let's ban together to return power to "We, the People"!

Birth of a Main Street Movement, End of Fracking? & More

From one of the protests in all 50 state capitols organized by MoveOn on Saturday

 Rally in New Paltz Saturday in solidarity with Wisconsin 

Tens of thousands all over the nation stood in solidarity with Wisconsin workers and workers everywhere on Saturday! In addition to hundreds of actions by the new organization US Uncut, more than 50,000 rallied in the capitols of all fifty states! This is the birth of the Main Street Movement (also called the American Dream Movement) that says stop stealing from and attacking the middle class! Make the rich pay their share!

I was heartened to hear a popular pizza place in Madison is deluged with orders for pizza to go to the crowd from all over our country! If you'd like to make a donation send to: AFT Wisconsin State Solidarity Fund
ATT: Rob Russell, 6602 Normandy Lane, Madison, WI 53719 Also, sign the letter of support for the brave Wisconsin 14 here.

1. 10 Ways Scott Walker Is Selling Out His Constituents to Corporations

Walker’s assault on public employees is only part of a larger radical agenda that will hurt the poor and middle class. Receiving little coverage are his plans to slash Medicaid, allow no-bid sell offs of public power plants to corporations, eviscerate environmental laws - banning wind power, repealing the clean water rule (despite the fact that 104 died and 400,000 fell sick from Milwaukee water in '93) and destroying wetlands, disenfranchising voters, cutting jobs, stifling innovation and installing autocratic rule. And for the GOP, Wisconsin is just the beginning. Geesh, no wonder record numbers of Americans are taking to the streets.

2. Don't take food out of the mouths of hungry women and children- make corporations pay their taxes instead! Last year, I paid more taxes than Exxon Mobil, GE, Bank of America and Citigroup combined, and so did you! This was the main theme of US Uncut protests held Saturday. They modeled themselves after UK Uncut that began when the UK threatened to cut programs for the poor totaling $7 billion. UK citizens asked "Why not make Vodophone pay the $7 billion they owe in taxes instead?" Read more on the movement to make corporations PAY UP!

 3.  Could this finally signal the end of fracking?

"Regulation Lax as Gas Wells’ Tainted Water Hits Rivers" NY Times 2/26

Thousands of EPA documents received by the New York Times "reveal that the wastewater, (from fracking) which is sometimes hauled to sewage plants not designed to treat it and then discharged into rivers that supply drinking water, contains radioactivity at levels higher than previously known, and far higher than the level that federal regulators say is safe for these treatment plants to handle. Thanks to Congressman Hinchey who got right on it! Add your name to halt fracking here. 

BREAKING- There were 2 earthquakes in Texas today close to fracking sites.This video uses satellite imagery to show the connection.

4. Clarence Thomas- Another Shocking Conflict of Interest Citizens United spent over $100,000 to attack Senators who opposed Thomas's nomination to the Supreme Court. Thomas must retroactively recuse himself from the Citizens United v FEC ruling! Join over 220,000 in signing the petition for him to do just that.

5. Baby Dolphins Dying in the Gulf
Baby and adult dolphins are washing up on shore in the Gulf at alarming rates. The BP oil spill happened at  the beginning of their gestation.



 

Rally for Workers' Rights Yesterday and One Tomorrow!

Protesters Standing with Wisconsin  in Kingston,NY                            B Upton

Next ACTION-  

Stand in Solidarity with Wisconsin Workers and 

Stop Corporate Tax Dodging! 

Saturday, Feb 26- In front of Elting Library, Main St, 

New Paltz- 12:30-1:30PM 
Sign up here

12 foot sign to show our military madness- Thanks to Shirley Warren!! B Upton

Hundreds of rallies are planned Saturday (2/26) all across the nation to protect workers' rights and 

demand corporations and the rich pay their fair share.
Hard working American families have sacrificed enough already! If you are not in the Hudson Valley find a rally near you at usuncut.org

  To sign up for the New Paltz rally click here!

Kingston, NY: On Thursday, about 75-100 people attended a spirited rally in front of Congressman Hinchey's office in Kingston to show their support for the workers of Wisconsin and to thank the congressman for consistently being on the side of the people.

“We’re here today to commend Hinchey for his stand against the Republicans’ incredibly dangerous proposed cuts to the budget and to urge him to keep up the fight,” said Linda Abbott,  the Coordinator of the Ulster County MoveOn Council that organized the rally. “The Republicans recently proposed over $100 billion in cuts to the federal budget, which would include cutting $123.1 million from New York State’s education budget. At a time when millions of Americans are struggling to make ends meet, it doesn’t make sense to cut programs that working families depend on. Instead, we should invest in America by making corporations and millionaires pay their fair share, not by punishing working Americans,” said Abbott.

Lori DuBord, Congressman Hinchey's District Representative addressed the crowd.

"Congressman Hinchey sides with people who actually work for a living unlike the Republican majority in Washington, who are siding with Wall Street, Big Oil and greedy CEO's. While he's working to end huge tax earmarks for big oil and corporate welfare, they are cutting investments in renewable energy jobs and heating assistance for the elderly. Congressman Hinchey understands how important it is that we win this fight and that the budget cannot and should not be balanced on the backs of working people," said DuBord.

Some participants spoke of the difficult, financial times they and their families are experiencing. A sixty-three year old woman spoke of losing her job, others said they were worried about home foreclosures and others spoke of how difficult it is to make ends meet.

Donna Goodman, a member of a public sector union, United University Professions at SUNY New Paltz, said it was important for people to remember the poor and middle class did not create the current economic disaster; Wall Street did and that they should be held to account. She added that the fight against unions is about power, not the budget and that collective bargaining gives workers a fighting chance for fair wages and benefits. The average union member with a bachelor's degree makes 25% less than those in the private sector according to Goodman.

Barbara Upton, also with the MoveOn Council, said, "I paid more taxes last year than GE and Exxon Mobil combined and so did each of you!" She urged lawmakers to collect the estimated $100 billion corporations currently dodge through offshore tax havens. She also spoke of the billions that could be cut from the Pentagon without jeopardizing our safety. She reminded the crowd that the day before 9/11/01, Sec of Defense Donald Rumsfeld told reporters that the Pentagon had lost $2.3 trillion. Protesters held up a 12 foot sign while she spoke that showed that the Defense Department currently makes up almost 60% of our budget.

"We need to move hundreds of billions spent on death and destruction and use that money to rebuild America, create good jobs, build a green economy and provide quality health care and education to the people," she said. "We need to use that money to renew the American dream."

Another rally with the same theme will be held Saturday in New Paltz, in front of the Elting Library, 93 Main Street from 12:30 to 1:30PM. All are welcome.

Stand up for Workers- Demand the Rich Pay Their Share!

JOIN US FOR THE RALLY TOMORROW!! 

Feb 24, Thursday, 12-12:30, 291 Wall St, Kingston

Ulster County MoveOn Council

Wisconsin Protester                                                                            buzzfeed.com

"Why is a 3% tax increase on the richest considered “socialism” but a 14% pay cut on middle class is “doing your part?” from a woman named Jennie on Twitter

The American people are "getting it". Rightwing political stooges, like Gov Scott Walker, are out to do the bidding of their billionaire, corporate masters; make draconian cuts to services for the poor and middle class, bust unions, remove regulations and continue to loot the middle class.There are well over 100 rallies planned all over the country tomorrow to support workers, oppose cuts to the neediest and demand the rich pay their share (click here to find one near you). In the case of Wisconsin, the Koch brothers who brought Scott Walker to power, not only want to destroy the unions, but they also want to be able to buy state-owned power plants for pennies on the dollar. Tucked into Walker's budget bill is a provision that allows him to sell off public utilities without competing bids. This guy is such an amateur. I just listened to the prank call, Walker took, thinking he was talking to David Koch. You can tell Walker is excited to be talking to his big honcho patron. In the 20 minutes they talked, Walker details his plans to bust the unions, compares himself to Reagan, talks of his growing popularity and says "This is our time to change the course of history." N'er a mention of the budget crisis.  At one point "Koch" suggests planting some trouble makers in the crowd of peacefully protesting workers. Walker decides not to, but admits "We already thought of that."

States across the country are experiencing budget shortfalls- not because of union demands (the protesters in WI said they were willing to cut benefits- but Walker is holding out for the end of collective bargaining for public employees) but because of the fraud and recklessness of Wall Street that depleted pension funds. The states have a collective budget shortfall of about one hundred billion and I know just the place they can find it!

Corporations in our country have not been paying their share for years. Yes, we have a high corporate tax rate- but what good is it if everyone uses loopholes like offshore havens to avoid paying, in many cases, anything at all. It is estimated that we taxpayers every year have to make up the hundred billion they are dodging. UK Uncut is a grassroots movement that is exposing the corruption there and US Uncut just launched in this country (they are having rallies across the country Saturday and MoveOn is calling for a 50 state response in the state capitols that day too!). The IRS estimates that very rich individuals and corporations are hiding $5 trillion in tax havens. End corporate tax dodging- it is economic treason!

We also need to seriously cut the Pentagon. With interest on the debt to pay for unfunded wars, we are paying over one trillion a year on "defense". A thousand billion dollars. Please don't forget that on the day before 9/11, Rumsfeld announced that the Pentagon could not account for $2.3 trillion! They just did not know where it went. They routinely cannot account for 25% of their money due to waste, incompetence and corruption. We should be looking for billions there so that we don't have to take food from hungry children, or let old people freeze in their homes.

Tomorrow, we will be thanking Rep Hinchey for standing up for the poor and middle class, but we will be making demands too- may the demands from thousands across the country reverberate and begin to take down some sacred cows that if left unchecked will turn us into a third world oligarchy. Sign up here.

And here is a great video of the Wisconsin movement. It's hard to believe a right wing deputy attorney general in Wisconsin suggested using live ammunition against these upstanding Americans. Jeff Fox should be fired! (update- sometimes justice is swift!)

If you live in the Hudson Valley, hope to see you tomorrow!


Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill Protest from Matt Wisniewski on Vimeo.