Evidence abounds as to what’s wrong with the US economy and society. The question of the day is what can or should be done to change it? Listen to my April 21 Alternative Visions Radio show, as I interview guest, Steve Early, a long time union-community activist, and discuss his new book about how unionists, activists, environmentalists, socialists, and Latino-African American community activists took back control of the town once ‘owned’ by the giant oil company, Chevron Corp.
To listen to the show go to:
http://www.alternativevisions.podbean.com
or to:
http://prn.fm/?s=Alternative+Visions
SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT:
“With a ‘false right populism’ of Trump replacing the previous ‘false left populism’ of Obama, Jack Rasmus raises the question ‘What Can Be Done’? Arguing against ‘inside-outside’ strategies to reform the two dominant political parties, against spontaneous rebellions from below that dissipate with little gained, and the dead-end of fragmenting identity politics—all of which go nowhere in terms of change—Jack interviews long time union and community activist, Steve Early, whose just published book, “Refinery Town: Big Oil, Big Money, and the Remaking of an American City”, documents the past 12 year history of Richmond, California where a progressive alliance of ethnic, environmental, union and socialist activists took over city government and achieved meaningful gains in rent control, policy accountability, labor standards, housing, environmental safety and other progressive goals. How the activists formed a new, democratic and accountable grass roots organization and membership based ‘party’, the Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA), and beat back the oil giant Chevron Corp. Author Steve Early explains ‘how it was done’ in the new book and how the RPA continues the struggle, not just focusing on elections but on continuous social, economic and class issue oriented politics. How to build a progressive organization, with dues membership and matching funds to defeat big corporations, as a ‘template’ for organizing progressively from the ‘ground up’, without relying on corporate money or becoming integrated with corporate political parties. Everyone interested in real change should definitely read Early’s book for its lessons and recommendations.
Dr. Jack Rasmus @drjackrasmus
Jack Rasmus 
EQUITABLE TAX RECONFIGURATION PLUS: Congress and the Administration are contemplating taxchanges. Sadly, it appears that bothmay be led by ignorance, bias, and axes to grind which is a losing formula forWe, the People. There should be a discussion regarding the concepts ofevolutionary versus revolutionary changes. There is substantially greater risk of problematic and unintendedconsequences when employing revolutionary changes. It is being promoted by “talking heads” andpoliticians that a reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20% wouldcreate jobs. The jobs created would beinsignificant, thus that promotion is nonsense, at best. Yes, it would offer greater profits forcorporations, which would benefit stockholders. That would reflect very limited economic benefits, which would befurther reduced by the hit to our national debt. The main catalyst to enable businesses to increase sales andprofits is energized consumers. What effect upon consumers would a permanent income taxcredit equal to 100% of the Social Security taxes paid on the first $40,000 ofincome? The maximum credit would be$2,480 per year ($206.67 per month). The effect upon consumers would be substantial, thusbenefiting business sales and profits, i.e., the old “two birds with onestone”. The funding of this tax credit would come from theelimination of the “ceiling” upon which Social Security taxes arelevied and by making all other types of income subject to SS tax, withoutlimitations. An additional “adjustment” to Social Securityshould be a ten percent increase to SS recipients. Since our economics would be greatly stimulated, a differentmethod of controlling the pace of the economy would be initiated. A separate withholding would be establishedand would be controlled by the Federal Reserve Board. The Fed, on a monthly basis, would publish a factor (a % of grosspay) which would cause a reduction or increase in net pay, thus affecting thestrength of our economics, immediately. Interest rates would be market based, i.e., the Fed wouldnot control rates via Discount and Federal Funds rates. PLUS: Eliminate the anti-trust exemption for unions. Reverse all minimum wage laws – http://writerbeat.com/articles/11328-THE-CONCEPT-OF-ldquo-MINIMUM-WAGE-rdquo-IS-A-CANCER-TO-OUR-NATION-S-ECONOMICS-SINCE-IT-TENDS-TO-CREATE-A-PERMANENT-UNDERCLASS-AND-
mz 04/21/17 mikiesmoky@aol.com
Michael Zitterman mikiesmoky@aol.com