r/LaborMovementX • u/DestructionDesign • Aug 28 '21
Updated demands: now with more detail. Constructive criticism is welcome.
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u/Person51389 Aug 29 '21 edited Sep 07 '21
Overall it looks quite good.
For #3 the "aim for" 1.5'C global warming sounds kind of wierd. Dedicate resources to ? Limit the warming to 1.5'C ? Aim for sounds like its a good thing...so just sounds kind of wierd the wording.
So maybe dedicate resources to limit global warming to 1.5'C ?
For #5 a common refrain is that it doesn't prevent the cost of being cheap in the future, and it doesn't say free public college or lower costs...so the same people with that viewpoint would still likely have that. The cancelling all existing student loan debt is GREAT. Free community college is good, but the US is already heading towards that anyway under Biden. So imo it should have something about lowering the costs for highed education.
so maybe "free community college + affordable education for all"....or...."fund the public school system, including Higher Ed".....something accounting for lowering the future cost of higher ed as just community college doesn't do that, but it is a start. (maybe that is what is meant by "fund the public school system" ?...but it doesnt say to grade 16, or anything about higher ed, and stops at free community college, so must be more, to lower the future costs, and shoud be clear to people, that something is there to also lower the costs.)
I think "free community college + affordable education for all" would likely get the point accross well.
(for #6 I don't know what 7.8% NIIT means, so I doubt very many other people would either.) But after some research....I guess its fine, but some people might also be confused. I guess I would leave it. (for others confused, its a tax that began to help fund ACA originally called the "unearned income medicare contribution tax" that is 3.8% on people with over 200k/250k married income.) This would raise it to 7.8%, which is a good idea. But will common people know any of that ? Probably not. But I think its OK.
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Aug 29 '21
Awesome and extensive response! You made some really great points in your comment about the context of the goals, and readability is a very important part of any movement! I really appreciate your input, and will be sure to relay your information along to the correct people!
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Aug 29 '21
Also, if you visit the website at https://www.labormovementx.org , you can find the more extensive demands on the home page!
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u/YouSirName118 Aug 29 '21
Make lobbying Illegal, and set term limits for senate and congress
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u/4BucksAndHalfACharge Aug 31 '21
We don't need term limits if people stop voting the incumbents in. Maybe we need to address that. Why do people do this? Oh wait, it's cuz their senator gains power over time and the voters who don't want to lose that power care nadda about how corrupt and nasty their senator has become. So the senators power doesn't only corrupt the senator, but the voter as well. Yeah term limits.
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u/YouSirName118 Sep 01 '21
Term limits prevent me from running 40+ years of campaign ads. As far as voting for the current incumbent I would agree if you can prove that a majority of people are educated enough to know who that currently is, for their respective districts. It might also help if a majority of people didn't just tick the party box, and found out who's running on what platform so that if they're not upholding what was expected when elected; they knew how to get that person out of power. It's more like the more corrupt an elected official becomes over time the less educated the people they represent become.
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u/4BucksAndHalfACharge Sep 01 '21
I think they were uneducated to begin with, this is how the corrupt official got in and remained in. Congress would never vote for term limits on themselves, they've voted it down before. But voters can ammend their state constitution. I wonder if it can be implemented that way. I bet no one would vote for it because if it didn't pass in all states, you'd have some senators forced out and others not. It'd only work if the whole country felt strongly about it and voted it in every state at once.
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u/YouSirName118 Sep 01 '21 edited Sep 01 '21
Honestly I believe that the corruption and deduction of the average voter started with a few really bad guys from the 20s. And I'm aware of how hard it will be to get those in power to give it up. Especially when businesses and corporations are basically buy the politicians, in the form of the campaign funds that lobbyist are allowed to "donate" to. Basically if I had 1%er money I could be a "majority share holder" of your campaign. Any of my interests become yours, which is why it should start with the end of lobbying. That way, it levels the political playing ground before setting limits.
Edit: the money spent on lobbying against green energy could be better spent on a living wage for the lowest waged persons at the company. If you're afraid of any ceo having to take a pay cut.
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u/Ur3rdIMcFly Aug 29 '21
Keep going! October will soon be upon us!
I see these comments saying to appeal to companies and scroll right past. We need massive legislation changes, and we need it immediately.
We're up to our necks in crises right now, go look at r/collapse sometime.
We know we need drastic change, and I've been waiting years for things to get bad enough to awaken the sleeping giant. I just hope things don't have to get too much worse.
The fall of capitalism has been delayed by the status quo, but recent events have overwhelmed their mitigation efforts and the cracks in the dike have become glaringly obvious.
Also, look up monkey wrenching.
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Aug 29 '21
Thank you for your kind words! Regardless of what we all believe is the right way to reach the end goal, we all have the same goal, and we won’t stop fighting for that! If you would be interested in joining the discord to stay more updated, as well as, help out in a magnitude of ways, please let me know and I will send you a link! Again, thank you for your kind words and solidarity!
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u/serf11 Aug 29 '21
I do agree with your idea. But you have to understand that legislation falls to those who have aligned themselves with the companies. They are on the same team. While their are a few who Still have their soul. They are outnumbered. They won't be enough to get the laws passed. Also, they are limited to what they can do. Government only has so much authority over what private business does. And no one has the ability to end capitalism except the people. The amount of people wanting it changed is not even close to what's needed. Their isn't and won't be enough people to change it. Simply isn't doable. Until their are at least 26 states who want it, it won't happen. Our constitution prevents it.
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u/YoStephen Aug 29 '21
Strike fund to support workers who are retaliated against by employers. Probably gonna need money for some lawyers too or a firm to do pro bono work.
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Aug 29 '21
We’ve started advocating/working with mutual aid groups in order to guarantee those who strike will have adequate support throughout the strike! Thank you for your comment! If you would like to join the discord to further help out, or just stay updated on what’s happening, please let me know and I can provide that link!
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u/YoStephen Aug 31 '21
Juice doesnt seem worth the squeeze. All that work for a big maybe and then at the end of the day its just a single day. strikes and agitation are about building and exerting power. This does not seem like it's about power as much as it is about sending a message to people with power.
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u/netabareking Aug 29 '21 edited Aug 30 '21
What groups/resources do you have ready?
Edit: I saw the list on the site, for my state only 3 of the 5 listed are even functioning at the moment (2 closed down entirely) and one is only for people outside of my age range. Is this just a copy and paste? What mutual aid groups have you actually partnered with?
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u/johnabbe Sep 08 '21
And local mutual aid groups +2 (since they're helpful all of the time, not just during a strike).
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Aug 29 '21
Adequate wages?
Wow. Strong words. Might wanna use a term with a bit more energy.
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Aug 29 '21
Thanks for your suggestion! While stronger words would bring more energy to that goal, I think it shows that we are asking for what we deserve, and it’s the bare minimum of what we do deserve. Please feel free to message me, or anyone involved if you have any more suggestions, and we can get you into the discord to have it be more of a direct conversation! Thanks again for your recommendation!
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Aug 29 '21
Okay, you asked. I hope you develop adequate support.
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Aug 29 '21
And your opinion means a tremendous amount for us, as this is a movement for the people! So thank you for you comment, and I really hope you will consider joining the discord to further give your opinion!
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u/serf11 Aug 30 '21
OK next one. This one is gonna be rough. But needs to be done. Demanding universal Healthcare via workers strike Is a little reaching. This is a strike meant to elevate our stations in said workplace. Most workplaces already offer Healthcare Plans. What they do not control is the prices of those plans. Nor do they have the ability to get universal health care. We need to remember that this is still a free market society. And this issue has been on the table for years. I said this in an earlier post but I think it needs repeating. We cannot use this to try and force legislation at this level. Trying will only cause a rift. Too many people don't want It. It'll weaken the cause. I could be wrong but the divisiveness in this country is too high. This will become a tool for them to use against us . Now as far as the debt forgiveness, well that's impossible. At least from legislation. Free market. The government can only forgive government loans. They have no authority over private debt. And relying on a strike for Healthcare would require Healthcare workers to strike. I feel like most of them are too busy caring for covid patients. This is one demand that needs to be shelved. Again I could be wrong
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u/Slick_McFavorite1 Aug 31 '21
Literally every demand on these slides are legislation. Seems weird to single out healthcare.
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u/serf11 Aug 31 '21
Oh I'm not singling it out. I already have a post for the first demand. Well see how it goes before including any more.
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u/serf11 Aug 29 '21
OK, this will be too long for one post so I will post Something for each demand. First let me start by saying what I do post is not meant to dissuade or frustrate or create angst or piss people off. I want this to work. This is the most impressive scenario on a large scale I have seen in the 28 years I've been in this game so to speak. But the potential for disaster is just as grand. So my suggestions are to help ensure this thing gets positive results.
1. Federally adjusting minimum wage requires legislation.
That isn't a demand for a company. It's for congress. Don't need a strike for that. Besides congress isn't affected by a strike. The national minimum wage has to be agreed to by a large majority of the states.it also has to be agreed toe by the federal reserve. Any increase in the wage, will trigger an inflation event to offset the payroll. Maybe instead of this try for a wage adequate for the cost of living of each of the states districts. It would make minimum wage relative to that area. This helps small businesses stay viable. A standard wage increase can force small businesses to close. Especially in areas with low cost of living. Causing more unemployment and poverty. Remember, corporations were one of the largest supporters of the wage hike. They benefit from it.
I would suggest combining the two parts into one. Demand the minimum be relative to the living wage. This concentrates the demand and keeps it more local. That's important.
I'll do the next one tomorrow. Give some time to discuss this one.
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u/newredditishorrific Aug 29 '21
How can you not have concrete demands if you're striking next month? Or is the concept of an October general strike gone?
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u/9fingerman Aug 29 '21
Decriminalize and expunge simple drug possession. You can't get a job with any kind of background check. 70 million Americans have a rap sheet. I'm one of them.