5/26/09

There is a Wellstone training on Campaigning and being a Candidate. The training is June 5-6 and we are encouraging all Raza Unida members to consider participating.

Rise Up!

Reading the newspaper really brought me down. Reading about the little boy who was killed by his mother, more money for war, and they're not closing down Guantanamo...
So I wrote this to get some of the heaviness off my chest:

My eyes are tired from crying.
My heart is tired from being so heavy.
The destruction in this world is unbearable.
People don't have homes, food, or any basic needs.
So much violence and suffering...

My eyes are tired from crying.
My heart is tired from being so heavy.
I'm tired of being tired!

We as a people need to rise up!
Help one another, and make sure
Our governments serve us...

We need to fight for justice!
For a livable wage, health care for everyone,
a free higher education...

We need to rise up from this destruction!

Health and Health Care Reform

Women in Japan living the longest. Most of these news stories don't mention why people live longer in different countries. They sometimes talk about what an individual did to live so long, but don't mention the larger picture.

Health and public health professionals are talking about the need to change the dynamics of power ton improve health. It is very interesting. Vicente Navarro and others are taking a strong stand on the importance of politics and health.

No Caps on Execs?

Geithner keeps letting execs rip off American People. No exec works 100 or 300 times harder than anyone else in a company. This is just stealing the profits which could be shared more equitably and giving them to a few instead of to many.

This is why we are stuck on the idea of increasing credit. Just pay everyone fairly and ethically and more people would be able to live within their means and enjoy the common wealth created by everyone's work!

Maybe then college students wouldn't have such a hard time.

Quotes from Solidarity

From the article SOLIDARITY, published in Regeneración, October 29, 1910

"Solidarity is the consciousness of the common interest, and the actions that follow from this consciousness."

"Ignorance of humanity's common interest, that is, ignorance of solidarity, makes each man see in the other man a competitor who must be vanquished so that he can live."

"One must consider an injury to one an injury to all."

- Ricardo Flores Magón

Universal Health Care? Not Yet (5/13/09)

Well on the Ed Shultz show yesterday there was talk about how Obama was holding hands with corporations to continue screwing the people out of Universal Health Care. It was depressing and looking at the news it seems accurate. And Congressman Kucinich has introduced a Universal Health Care bill!

Physicians for a National Health Plan have lots of information from a doctor's point of view. I think it is safe to say that Single Payer is off the table. Exclusion is normal in a society with corporate sponsored political parties. I like where the video shows the person talking about "pay to play." I think Vicente Navarro does a good job at pointing out "why this situation persists." He even talks about solutions. He talks about the nature of the problem in the US (pdf) and does something that is not mentioned in the media. He actually looks at life expectancy and infant death rates and looks to see if the health system of a country makes a difference.

Instead of sadly comical news about terrorist doctors like the US. I think the final note in this article says more than just fear mongering of particular news stations.

Raza Healthcare Issues

Health of Latinos at Risk

A study undertaken by the organization Familias USA, using data from the U.S. Census and the Department of Health and Human Services, reveals that one out of every three people spent at least part of the past two years without health coverage.

European Policies Soften Blow of Economic Hard Times

With its tidy villages, orderly cities and atmospheric scenery, there are few outward signs that the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, home to historic Heidelberg and the famed Black Forest, is a victim of the current economic crisis.

But with the auto industry here hit especially hard — this is the home of Mercedes-Benz — things are tougher than they have been in decades. Unemployment is up 70 percent in the past year (albeit to a relatively low 5 percent total) and many employees have been forced to cut down their hours.

Misery below the surface, perhaps? Not at the bustling Fuerstenberger home just outside Heidelberg, where little has changed for the family's four children despite neither parent currently working.

Read more...

Rose Wilson Ebaugh

Rose Wilson Ebaugh

Sunrise November 11, 1959 Sunset May 4, 2009

Rose Wilson Ebaugh was born in Winslow, Arizona as the third daughter to James and Louise Wilson. She had five sisters—Elsie Barber (Richard), Elouise Lee (Randolph), Ella Wilson, Carol Wilson, Judy Wilson (Gilbert Packineau) who loved her very much.

Rose was the proud mother of three sons: Joseph James Ebaugh, Justin Jeremy Ebaugh and Carson Gilmore Lafferty. Joseph Caine Ebaugh, her grandson, was the apple of her eye. All of her boys brought her much joy and she went out of her way to find opportunities for her children’s enrichment.

Rose was fiercely independent and a leading community activist. She would take a stand for what she believed in; she would speak out for her beliefs and for the rights of others. She was very involved in her community and supported many social justices’ causes. Much of her work both paid and volunteer reflects her convictions. She was a SAGE Council Board Member, An Advisory Board member for the "All My Relations" program at 1st Nations, An active member of the Network of Indian Organization, Worked on the ABQ Dineh Voters Project as a member of National Indian Youth Council (NIYC) and the Navajo Vote Coordinator for Navajos in Albuquerque, Employed by 1st Nations and a long time DJ for Singing Wire on KUNM- FM. Rose and was an avid athlete and enjoyed many sports. She was a UNM Alumnus.

Rose was a very loving generous person who was willing to share what she had. However, she was also very humble … She gave to and touched more people then what any of us will ever know about.

She will be sorely missed by her family and many friends at the marches, the fundraisers, on the radio, the sports events, and the celebrations …..

Rose Wilson Ebaugh passed away on May 4, 2009. Her memorial services will be forthcoming.

Ex-Felon Voting Rights Change in Washington

Governor signs bill allowing some ex-felons voting rights. We're greatful that Ballot Access News keeps track of this important type of news. There is a lot going on now. Visit the site!

More May Day Pictures

Pictures from the SWOP Blogger!

Great May Day March!

Here are some of our members marching. More to come this week.