Views in brief
The role of the lesser evil in Wisconsin
IN RESPONSE to "From labor uprising to election disaster": Waking up to the recall election result in Wisconsin was not surprising. The Democrats converged on Madison during the occupation of the capital not to assist, fund or support the thousands of trade unionists, students, teachers and activists. They were there to pave the way for the redirection of the movement and its amazing energy into feces-infested swamp know as the Democratic Party.
National Petroleum Radio (NPR) blathered ad naseum about the role of money in the recall election, out-of-state PAC's and the Citizens United Supreme Court decision. The recall results are a prime example of what happens when movements are diverted onto the electoral path.
This was NOT a referendum on Walker versus the unions. This was a referendum on Democratic Party centrism (aka "Republican Light"). Wisconsin voters don't drink light beer--why would they take their candidates that way?
The labor slogan "Don't mourn, organize" is something that obviously still rings true today. However, before we organize, let's be clear who we are up against.
To the supporters of "lesser-evilism": This is your Supreme Court that made Citizens United possible. This is your Democratic Party that called labor unions a "special interest" group. Your party machine used the same anti-working class tactics that Walker used to smash workers living standards in Milwaukee. Walker beat Walker.
Shane J., Columbia, Mo.
An alternative to defeat in Wisconsin
IN RESPONSE to "From labor uprising to election disaster": Imagine an alternate universe in March of 2011, where a fighting Richard Trumpka declared, "We are moving the headquarters of the AFL-CIO to Madison, and we are not leaving until we beat back the Walker agenda. We are spending the money that normally goes to supporting the Democratic Party to bring in all our best organizers to reach out to Wisconsin's workers and farmers. We will ask Jesse Jackson, who was so willing to speak at our rallies, to speak at every African American church in the state about our shared interests. We will stay visible and in the news every day until the working people of the United States realize what is at stake. No retreat. No surrender."
Something tells me we would not be singing the Wisconsin blues, but dancing in the streets.
Guy Miller, Chicago
Unanswered questions about SAFE
IN RESPONSE to "A closer look at SAFE California": I want to thank you for the analysis of the Savings, Accountability and Full Enforcement for California Act (SAFE).
After I had a private conversation with Ellen Eggers, an attorney with the Office of the State Public Defender, questions arose in my mind about SAFE. I was told that "these people are all guilty" and don't need decent attorneys and investigators for their underlying trials.
Each time I respond to SAFE's requests for donations with the question of whether life without parole inmates will be represented by attorneys to overturn false convictions, my question goes unanswered. I feel totally duped that I ever signed the petition for SAFE to go on the ballot.
Jean Miller, from the Internet
AMLO's uphill battle
IN RESPONSE to "Can a reformer win Mexico's presidency": It is possible that Andres Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) will win--again, since he did win in 2006, but the Electoral Tribunal received orders to not allow him to reach Los Pinos.
Without being a pessimist, I believe that the oligarchy in the U.S., Spain and Mexico (all of them tightly linked by the same financial interests) may entertain the idea of accepting AMLO in the presidency, as long as he would offer to not affect their present privileged status.
They would try to negotiate with him or could threaten to weaken his administration through handling the money markets, oil market and other staples of the enormously compromised Mexican economy. I do believe in AMLO's Alternative Project and proposals. I do believe in his sincerity and conviction. However, he is not naive and knows that he will face a humongous series of obstacles from the financial establishment.
Congratulations on for your splendid article.
Patricia Barba Ávila, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
