It appears that the Tea Party has taken a firm grasp on Congress, as evidenced by the recent hostage crisis over the debt ceiling. But remember, the first place the TeaPublicans exerted their power this year was in Wisconsin by manufacturing a debt crisis there to get rid of collective bargaining for public employees. (Gov. Walker and his wrecking crew have also been terrible for unemployment in WI.) The time is now to fight back! Next Tuesday six Republicans are up for recall elections and with your help they will be retired.
The Debt Ceiling Deal
Nearly every progressive organization, elected official and public figure has come out against this "deal" foisted onto America by the Tea Party Congress. The AFL-CIO and People's World reminds us that there were no jobs in the budget deal and the jobs deficit is the real crisis.
Ending Discrimination Against Unemployed Workers
Over and over we have read the story: "Unemployed Need Not Apply." Finally, something is being done. In Michigan, State Representative Jim Ananich (D-Flint) has written a bill to end unemployment discrimination, and on the federal level Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) has put forward similar legislation. Two other noteworthy bills by DeLauro are The Layoff Prevention Act of 2011 to help struggling companies reduce hours instead of their workforce and the Women and Workforce Investment for Nontraditional Jobs ( Women WIN Jobs) Act which would provide women with a pathway to higher paying job fields in which they are currently underrepresented.
In Chicago, young people are unemployed in record numbers and all people need to stand up and fight for the future of our country, which is dependent on young people being able to find work! If you are in the Chicagoland area, join Jobs With Justice, the Unemployment Action Council and the Young Communist League for this action on Friday, August 5th.
Unemployment, the Environment and Cars
According to an article in Bloomberg News, the high unemployment rate has affected something else: car sales. "U.S. auto sales have stalled, casting doubt on a rebound this year as persistent unemployment and tighter lending deter buyers." Another item in this vein from the United Auto Workers is a press release giving strong support to the Obama administration's proposal to extend the National Program for light-duty vehicle fuel efficiency and tailpipe emissions reductions.
One thing the high unemployment rate hasn't hurt is corporate profits. Major US companies are packing away record profits even as the economy falters. Unemployment remains high and the debt-ceiling crisis has shaken confidence in the country, according to The Raw Story.
Presidential Primaries and the Unemployed
The Union of Unemployed (also known as UCubed) has put together something they call the " Pink Slip Primaries" to find the candidate for president who will best represent unemployed workers. Our suggestion is to vote "none of the above" in the Republican Primary and rally behind Obama to let him know unemployed workers want to be on his radar during the campaign season - and afterwards in job-creation bills.
Please make sure to visit the People's World online for the best in worker's news!
In solidarity,
Scott Marshall
Labor Chair, CPUSA
Source: letter from CPUSA
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