Bring Back the WPA

“The overwhelming majority of unemployed Americans, who are now walking the streets and receiving private or public relief, would infinitely prefer to work.” FDR, 1933

It may seem hard to believe, but back in the 1930s the Federal government put Americans to work who couldn’t find a job in the private sector. Imagine that, the government assisting the unemployed by providing them a job. Instead of giving them a handout, able bodied men and women out of work joined Federal programs such as the WPA (Works Progress Administration). The WPA was and still is considered to be one of the most successful New Deal programs, yet it’s largely forgotten today.

The WPA employed over 8 million Americans from 1935 to 1943 and pumped $11 billion into the economy($170 billion total/$19 billion each year by today’s standards). In the first year alone, the WPA employed over 3 million Americans on public works projects across the nation. In total, the WPA constructed 116,000 buildings, 78,000 bridges, 651,000 miles of road and improved 800 airports.

An interesting aspect of the WPA is that the military, more specifically the Army Corps of Engineers, used its logistical and organizing skills effectively and enthusiastically to help the program be the success that it was. General George C. Marshall, chief of staff of the Army during the formation of the WPA, saw the great potential of putting Army officers in charge of public works programs. The WPA gave many officers practical experience later used in World War II and also saved military jobs. Today, veterans are among the highest unemployed.

Additionally, while the national unemployment rate has dropped below 8%, specific sectors such as construction are well above 11%. These unemployed construction workers are skilled, blue collar workers looking for an honest day’s work.

Why not bring back the WPA? The current welfare system doesn’t adequately represent the “general welfare” clause of the Constitution. Ask yourself this, is modern welfare helping the general population? A true welfare system would serve the interests of all Americans. Currently, the welfare system is one sided and taxpayers are growing tired of supporting those on welfare because of the seemingly diminishing returns. In 2011 alone, it was found that $14 billion was overpaid in unemployment benefits. In the past four years, unemployed Americans have collected $438 billion in Federal unemployment benefits. Shift that revenue over to creating a new WPA and restore the true meaning of “general welfare” to the Constitution.

The idea is simple, give WPA workers a living wage so that they in turn can spend that money on businesses. Businesses need costumers and with a million or more men and women employed in the WPA that’s what they’ll get. Bottom line, the government must be willing to spend and build in order for Americans to spend and grow once again. Lowering taxes and cutting spending won’t help the unemployed pay rent or buy food; giving them a job will.

On the home front there is much to be done, yet time and again chances are squandered to rebuild America. Several states along the east coast were devastated by hurricane Sandy. In 1937, FDR sent over 200,000 WPA workers to assist in disaster relief after a major flood along the Ohio River Valley devastated the area. In 1938, a hurricane similar to Sandy hammered the east coast. Hundreds died and hundreds of thousands more were left without shelter. FDR once again sent WPA workers to assist in disaster relief. The Red Cross Chairman at the time, Morman Davis, credited the WPA as being part of “one of the most amazing disaster recoveries this organization has ever known.” We need another coordinated effort to rebuild and restore the east coast after Sandy.

This article is meant to remind Americans there was a time in our history where we were united in our common interests. That when things needed to be done, the American people carried on with great courage and determination. Today, there is a prevailing view that government can do no right and that the best government is limited government. Well I strongly disagree. As I stated in a previous articles, I want a government that works for all the people. I don’t care about the shape or size, as long as it serves the interests of all Americans.

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Stephen Seufert, Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, has a bachelor’s degree in government and political affairs. He was communications director of the Pennsylvania College Democrats and president of the Millersville Chapter of College Democrats from 2010-2011. He maintains a blog at http://seufert.blogspot.com/ .

An Incentive to Work

We've been told time and time again that Socialism won't work because there's no incentive to work hard. If everybody gets paid the same amount, why would anybody bother becoming a doctor, lawyer, or scientist?

Obviously, it's because the people who tell us this always think that everything we do is for money. However, this is not so. Perhaps the Scientist studies science because they like to. Perhaps the doctor studies medicine because they like to help people, or because they like medical research. Perhaps the Lawyer likes to help people and is interested in law. 

Moreover, while greed is a natural human instinct, we must remember that we don't live and do everything we do solely to make money. After all, the majority of people who have sex (and don't procreate) don't make money off of it, and yet they continue doing it. Most people don't get paid to sit around and play video games. And nobody gets paid to do volunteer work. So why do they do it? Because they like to. Because they like to help, and enjoy doing something nice for others. And even if you just help a neighbor or a friend, you still go home with a feeling of pride and accomplishment. Even if you're not doing something fun or helpful to a great number of people, you're still doing something for someone, and that should give you a good feeling inside.

So the next time you hear someone try to dismiss Socialism by saying there's no incentive to work, think again. There is more to life than living on your knees, grovelling for money.

And, that's the Truth!

Progressive Manifesto

"No punishment is too great for the man who seeks to build his greatness upon his Country's ruin." ~~ George Washington

A Progressive Manifesto

1.- Every citizen should be educated to his or her highest potential. This education should not be a function of the citizens ability to pay, but should be treated as the nations investment in its own future.

2.- No citizen should go hungry due to poverty.

3.- All citizens should take for granted access to basic, comprehensive health care.

4.- The same restrictions against government intrusion into a citizens life accorded by the US Constitution should safeguard us against similar abuses by private, corporate and other business entities.

5.- Every business operating in America should act in accordance with triple bottom line principles: maximizing profit must be balanced by an equal responsibility to serving the best interests of people and the planet.

6.-  Bias based on race, gender, class, sexual orientation, religious affiliation or any other form of categorization by which we have historically restricted opportunity for other citizens should be nothing more than an embarrassing artifact of our past. Any right enjoyed by one citizen or group of citizens should be enjoyed by all.

7.- Every citizen should face a landscape of opportunity that is defined by a level playing field. We accept that inequities will always exist and that some people will always have a head start in whatever they pursue, but the relative advantages of one person or group should not mean a corresponding disadvantage for another. Some may be positioned to achieve more, but all should be empowered to achieve enough.

8.- All technological development should be undertaken subject to a professional ethical code that emphasizes social value instead of mere profit motive.

9.- US foreign policy will be conducted in such as way as to promote as much goodwill as possible. While international conflict is likely to be an unfortunate reality for the foreseeable future, it should be recognized that foreign policy based on military domination and the establishment of corporate consumer markets are guaranteed to breed ill will that fosters more conflict over time.

10.- Americans should view themselves as citizens first and consumers last.

11.- The world should be free of weapons of mass destruction.

12.- Citizen participation in the democratic process should be ubiquitous and all votes should be informed votes.

13.- A citizens satisfaction with life should no longer be a function of how much money he or she spends on material distractions.

14.- Our educational system will assure that our right brains are nurtured as well as our left, preparing students to be successful in life as well as their careers.

15.- America's standards for leadership and public service should be so high that only the brightest and best even bother to seek public office.

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Walmart Strike

Progress Report

We have won the election. President Obama stays in office for another four years. Which poses the question: What kind of victory is that?

There are different schools of thought, when it comes to National politics:

1. We should promote those things which will lead to the downfall of the System. The sooner the better. Which means, we should get behind Mitt Romney and the 'tea baggers', because they stand the greatest chance of wrecking the country, and, that will consequently speed up the revolution.
   
2. We should follow the path that serves the immediate needs of the majority of the people. (Which, in this case, is President Obama and the Democratic Party). This will enhance our prestige and popularity with the masses.
   
3. We should remain aloof from party politics, point the finger and say, “See, we told you so.” Then, hopefully, the advanced elements would say, “Hey, maybe they are right – let's check them out!”
   
4. We should ignore everything that is happening in the present and concentrate on the future. If we honestly believe what we say, it is only going to get worse and worse... Therefore, time is on our side. We wait, plan, and then make our move.
   
5. We work constantly to agitate and educate the masses. To propagate our version of what the future could be. We help the people and educate them on how to survive the coming collapse. We strive to become the friend and defender of the people.
   

Well, you see what I mean about different schools of thought. I am sure you could supply a few suggestions. You are certainly welcome to do so.

The Black Dragon Society continues to educate the youth as future leaders of the Party. The work goes slowly, as most young people today are not interested in politics. But, the atmosphere is relaxed and we are making new friends. We respect them and they respect us... that's a good start.

We stand in solidarity with Walmart associates, who are demonstrating for respect, an end to retaliation, and a decent living wage.

This is the battleground of today. This is the place where the big corporations can be thwarted. We encourage everyone to stand behind Walmart workers!

Corporations are NOT people – no matter what the Supreme Court says! Corporate Capitalism is a plague! If left unchecked it will destroy the world!

So, now we blog again... We welcome any and all feedback from our readers.

Together we can make a difference!

And, that's the Truth....

America's 'Mercenary' Military is a Failure

The idea, born in the Vietnam War, that the Pentagon could no longer control a military made up of 'Civilians' resulted in the abolishment of the Draft and the creation of an 'All Volunteer' military - A 'mercenary' Force made up of highly paid 'volunteers'.

In history, we see the results of such a move in Rome. Where a mercenary military preceded the collapse of the Roman Empire.

So, what is the difference between a 'Civilian' military and a 'Mercenary' one?

Simple: A civilian military is made up of citizens who are drafted and who are loyal to the Constitution. A mercenary military is made up of men who serve for money and who are loyal to those who pay them. A large percentage of which are contractors who work for the big corporations.

The military of the United States is no longer and instrument of the American people - it has become a tool of Corporate Capitalism!

The result:

An American soldier opened fire on villagers near his base in southern Afghanistan Sunday and killed 16 civilians, according to President Hamid Karzai who called it an "assassination" and furiously demanded an explanation from Washington. Nine children and three women were among the dead.

The killing spree deepened a crisis between U.S. forces and their Afghan hosts over Americans burning Muslim holy books on a base in Afghanistan. The burnings sparked weeks of violent protests and attacks that left some 30 people dead. Six U.S. service members have been killed by their Afghan colleagues since the Quran burnings came to light, but the violence had just started to calm down.

Four soldiers from a Stryker brigade out of Lewis-McChord, Washington, have been sent to prison in connection with the 2010 killings of three unarmed men during patrols in Kandahar province's Maiwand district, which is just northwest of Panjwai. They were accused of forming a "kill team" that murdered Afghan civilians for sport — slaughtering victims with grenades and powerful machine guns during patrols, then dropping weapons near their bodies to make them appear to have been combatants.

And in January, before the Quran burning incident, a video that purportedly showed U.S. Marines urinating on corpses of men they had killed sparked widespread outrage.

NATO officials apologized for the shootings.

The problem:

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Officers are losing control of their troops - obviously - the men have no respect for their leaders and the rule of law or common decency - obviously - and, who the fuck is NATO to apologize for the United States armed forces?

The other day, as the two F-15s that protect the city of Long Beach were scrambling, I had an epiphany. The United States has no defense against a real war. When the Chinese (or whoever) come they will come with thousands of fighters and blow those F-15s out of the sky... All of our shit is overseas (serving the interests of the big corporations and playing the part of the world's bully). And, what about nuclear weapons? Boom! The whole city goes up in flames. For what? Because the Government no longer serves the interests of the American people? Because the corporations are greedy, and cruel? Because the military is out of control?

The whole country is turning to shit. And, the politicians say we need to go to war with Iran because that's what Israel wants. Fuck Israel! The politicians have already bankrupted the United States and screwed the American people - while the Corporate Capitalists (the tiny 1%) have raked in record profits.

Ron Paul is right about one thing: We need to bring the troops home and quit playing 'Rambo' in the world. Because we are going to need every one of them to defend the United States.

And, that's the Truth!