First, Republicans opposed extending the payroll tax cut that put an extra $20 a week in the pockets of 160 million working Americans. Next, they supported it. If the cost were offset the way they wanted. Even though Republicans previously had said that tax cuts never need be offset. After that, they opposed a stopgap… Continue Reading
Category Archives: FEATURED
Leo W. Gerard: Retirees Occupy Century Aluminum
On Dec. 18, a dozen retirees, men and women in their 60s, 70s, even 80s, began occupying a median strip along Route 33 in front of the closed Century Aluminum smelter in Ravenswood, W.Va. In tents and under tarps, a small group stays overnight, despite hypertension, arthritis and other old age ailments. One has suffered… Continue Reading
Emblematic of 1 Percenters, Cooper Tire Punk’d Workers
Four years ago, Cooper Tire told its workers they’d have to sacrifice to save the company. With a straight face, Cooper executives said it was essential for the corporation’s survival that workers take tens of millions in pay and benefit cuts. The workers understood the link between their livelihoods long term and Cooper’s success. Dedicated… Continue Reading
Americans Are Greater Together
It wasn’t so much a vote as a proclamation of ideology last Thursday when Republicans filibustered Obama’s nominee to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The rebuff had nothing to do with the person, Richard Cordary, who even Republican Senator Orrin Hatch said appeared well qualified. Rather, it was part of the GOP campaign to hobble… Continue Reading
Leo Gerard: Hey, GOP: Give the 99 Percent Some Lovin’
MTV needs to stop giving that creepy vampire guy and moony human girl in the “Twilight” series the “best kiss” prize in its annual movie awards because it’s Republicans who truly earned the trophy for the big wet smooches they lay on the 1 percent. Just think of the GOP lovin’ that went into the… Continue Reading
Leo Gerard: The 1 Percent Indifferent to Their Indebtedness
Most Americans, the 99 percent, feel the pressure of indebtedness. When they owe a friend a buck, their conscience bothers them until they’re square. They pay their bills, working second jobs if necessary. They meet mortgage obligations even when underwater. That’s why there was a deficit Super Committee. Americans don’t like debt, including bills owed… Continue Reading
LEO GERARD: Giving Thanks for the Occupation, Election, Demonstrations
I want to thank you, thank you Thank you, thank you, Thank you, thank you, Thank you, thank you. ~ Natalie Merchant, “Kind and Generous” This week’s holiday mandates giving thanks. For many Americans, that is complicated by the harsh years since 2008. There’s the bitterness of lost jobs, foreclosed homes and diminished opportunity. There’s… Continue Reading
Leo W. Gerard: Crash Tax: Wall Street Reparations
Wall Street waged war on the American economy and middle class with its reckless gambling. It wasn’t Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac that crashed the economy. It wasn’t the federal government. It wasn’t hapless homeowners who were sold mortgages they couldn’t afford. It was Wall Street financiers that aggressively sought and bought mortgages to package… Continue Reading
Leo W. Gerard : Traditional Voting Fails; Alternative Works
Voting doesn’t work anymore. If it did, Americans would get what they want — or at least some of it — from Washington. But they don’t. Instead of the people’s priority, which is jobs, country club conservatives in Congress stubbornly fixate on deficits. Instead of ensuring millionaires and corporations pay their fair share, House Republicans… Continue Reading
