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Readers Write: Democracy v. Dictatorship

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Among myriad political systems societies flirt with, the most fragile revolutionary experiment, and possibly least likely to endure might be Democracy. An ideal that people of different persuasions might willfully and collectively empower one another for the well-being of all defies odds. Democracy requires adherents to accept that all persons have value, and are entitled to safe, and satisfying lives, eschewing exploitation of any.

Dictatorship, the antithesis of Democracy, once entrenched may endure for generations before being dislodged, not a simple process. Differences between styles of government are generally understood. Fidel Castro’s reign illustrates totalitarianism, as does the current, cruel regime of Kim Jong Un. There have been many tyrannical overlords in history visiting chaos and misery upon vast numbers of hapless humans.

How could a functioning democracy, lofty in idealism and benefits, morph into a regressive Dictatorship, foreclosing millions from a decent life, so as to nurture a small number of privileged individuals?
  [Read more…]

Labor Solidarity – Despite Our Differences

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For those who read Jim Miller’s recent articles recounting the unfortunate splits in the local Labor movement, it may seem they result from just personal differences among labor leaders. Jim reported the events that led the AFL-CIO, the parent organization of the Labor Council, to take over the council and restore it to functioning as it should.

However that came about, that is what the AFL-CIO as the parent organization is supposed to do. It will be hard work.

This work will pay off if San Diego’s Labor Council is restored to the level it maintained for over two decades beginning in the late 1990s when it helped union families leverage their collective strength in improving wages and benefits, as well as playing a key role in local elections. It can be said definitively that the lives of hundreds of thousands of people improved in this region because San Diego had a strong, unified Labor Council.   [Read more…]

Progressive Candidate Gayle McLaughlin Speaking in San Diego

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From Our Revolution North County

Progressive activist Gayle McLaughlin, running for Lieutenant Governor of California as an independent, will be speaking in San Diego on Thursday, July 20 at the IBEW 569 Hall.

The Richmond, CA story (Population 107,000) should serve as a primer for progressives nationwide on what is possible with coalition building and grassroots organizing. McLaughlin was a founder of the Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA), a nonpartisan progressive group in western Contra Costa County, composed of members of the Green Party, Democratic Party, and the Peace and Freedom Party, as well as independent voters.

During McLaughlin’s term, voters defeated initiatives sponsored by Chevron, which has a refinery in the city, to the tune of millions of dollars aimed at undermining her leadership. After a fire at the refinery sent 15,000 residents to the hospital, the city sued the company for damages.      [Read more…]

Have We Lost The Spirit Of The Revolution?

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On June 27, I participated in two events – a climate change rally and a protest against the Senate’s latest effort to demolish health care. At both events, speakers called upon all Americans to keep on fighting against the punishing efforts of people in power to destroy any progress we have made in caring for the American people, protecting our environment, and preserving our democracy. Yet, there were troubling signs at these events that we have not yet formed the bonds of brotherhood that will be necessary if we are to win this crucial war for our precious American values.   [Read more…]

Readers Write: Stadium Sabotage — Mayor Faulconer Needs to Resign

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By George Mullen

Whether you loved or hated the San Diego Chargers isn’t important.

What’s important is the flagrant public and political breach of trust surrounding the team’s departure, as well as San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s push for the FS Investors/SoccerCity redevelopment to replace them.

This breach of trust is a major concern that all San Diego citizens and NFL fans nationwide should be paying close attention to. It could very well lead to the Mayor’s resignation or recall.   [Read more…]

The Mickey Kasparian Scandal, Six Months Later

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Democratic Party Leadership Moves Monthly Meeting to Avoid Protests

By Sara Kent

Six months ago the news broke about Sandy Naranjo, a young mother, progressive activist, and passionate labor advocate had filed a lawsuit against one of the most powerful men in San Diego. In the complaint, she outlined several claims of gender discrimination and retaliation she experienced while working for her former boss, Mickey Kasparian, President of United Foodservice and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 135.

It seems appropriate to set down a timeline for clarification and reflection on this unfortunate anniversary, given the many moving pieces, purposefully confusing narratives put forth by some involved, and events that have happened since.

The question of how we continue to decry the treatment of one bad actor at the center of harmful, divisive actions contrary to our values without undermining San Diego’s broader labor movement is the challenge those of us who are labor allies, former and current union members, and concerned progressives are now facing   [Read more…]

Big Pharma Is Coming! Big Pharma Is Coming!

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By Julie Trager

Like Paul Revere, riding from Boston to warn the American militia that the Redcoats were coming, I am warning of another force that is attempting to protect its way of life.   Now that SB 562, the bill for a single payer healthcare system, has passed the Senate, Big Pharma will likely roll out a massive disinformation campaign as it tries to stop it from passing through the California Assembly.   

As Big Pharma has the distinction of being the largest lobbying industry, beating out major oil companies and the Koch brothers in their spending to influence legislation and government officials, it’s worth understanding what’s at stake and what they plan to do about it.     [Read more…]

Why Good Journalism is Liberal

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. . . and conservative journalism isn’t news journalism

By Bill Adams

Mainstream news media has long been accused of having a “liberal bias.”  Some studies have supported this belief.  “Liberal bias” may be inherent in news journalism for reasons that aren’t flattering to conservatives.  

Defining Liberal and Conservative. While political views are neither immutable nor binary, certain characteristics have remained relatively consistent. Broadly speaking, liberal policies support labor, equality and a strong social safety net, strong public institutions, progressive taxation, diplomacy and the avoidance of military conflict, and protection of the environment.     [Read more…]

One Woman’s Story: Why I Will be Enrolling in the ACA (Obamacare) Marketplace

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By Lauree Benton

This 2013 article is a reminder of what is at stake in the efforts to repeal the ACA (Obamacare). The current GOP plan (AHCA) would let employers deny coverage for maternity and other care. Pregnancy would become a preexisting condition–again.

I didn’t know pregnancy was a preexisting condition until I was 8.5 months pregnant.

“You are uninsurable,” says the sales representative from Blue Cross of California. “Pregnancy is considered a preexisting condition.”

“You mean the preexisting condition that allows humanity to survive?” I snapped. I was furious.

To the sales rep’s credit, he thought it was ridiculous too.   [Read more…]

Readers Write: San Diego Tenants United on Rent Control

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By Rafael Bautista / San Diego Tenants United

San Diego is the 4th most expensive city in the United States. It is considered the second worst city for renters in the country and it is the largest city in California without rent control. Rents are increasing 4 times faster than incomes and the economic downturn actually created an upward spike in rental prices. According to Rent Jungle, as of March 2017, one bedroom apartments in San Diego rent for $1771/month on average and two bedroom apartment rents average $2197/month.

One full time minimum wage worker can’t even pay rent with their entire, pre-tax, monthly income. Thus, in America’s Finest City, two incomes are needed to live a life of mere subsistence. The truth is that too many working people are only one to two pay checks from being homeless. High rents, low incomes, a housing shortage and substandard living conditions are part of the 12 year housing crisis and the explosion in our homeless population.   [Read more…]

Readers Write: Proposed San Diego Budget Bad News for Urban Forestry

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By Anne Fege

The City’s FY 2018 budget was released on April 13 with a proposed cut of $880,000 for shade tree pruning—a grave disappointment. With the City’s commitment to the Climate Action Plan, existing and large trees provide the most canopy cover, and they need to be managed and protected to maximize their health and life span.

The proposed reduction diminishes the City’s capacity to prune more trees on a regular cycle, monitor and mitigate tree risks, and increases City liability.   [Read more…]

Readers Write: Piercing The North County Bubble I’ve Put My Children In

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My kids experience little socioeconomic diversity – am I doing them a disservice?

By Rachel Stewart Johnson, Ph.D.

I grew up in a working class neighborhood outside Denver. It was a suburban tract housing development of “starter homes” built in the early 1970s. One could find well-manicured properties, but also an abundance of crab grass and dandelions. An apartment complex occupied a large lot behind us, blocking much of our view of the Rocky Mountains to the west.

My children have different stories than mine. Here, in twenty-first century San Diego, the school district has a week off in February known as “Ski Week.” My kids have been to countless birthday celebrations through the years, where they have jumped on many square feet of trampolines, ridden ponies, petted exotic animals, played laser tag and paintball, and visited Snow White. Fourth graders at our elementary school can take a one-day trip to the state capitol by airplane, a 14-hour excursion with a $470 price tag.

This is a bubble, most definitely. The question is whether that matters, whether the affluence my children are surrounded by is a boon or harm to their moral compasses.   [Read more…]

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