Income Inequality and Violence 1-20-12

PRIDE 2011

La Raza Unida stood up for freedom for relationships and sexuality while standing against homophobia, racism, sexism, and classism at the Albuquerque Pride Parade today.

We had a small dedicated and lively group which helped to fire up

the crowd with yells of Viva La Raza and La Raza Unida, Jamas Sera Vencida!

We are clear that homophobia is used like racism, sexism and classism in order to keep us divided. We refuse to be confused about that and will stand in solidarity with all in fighting for justice.

Beyond Elections Part 15

Democratizing Democracy! That decisions go beyond a hand full of people is a major shift. Much of the "Progressive" movement now doesn't question that it should be a handful. In fact their idea of "revolution" is to change the handful of decision makers to a nicer gentler type of decision makers.

Beyond Elections Part 14

Given that in Brazil the Worker's Party has elected Brazil's first female President this video becomes more important to understand. And given that it takes a Worker Party candidate to declare the goal of ending poverty while neo-liberal and neo-conservative parties take poverty as a permanent part of the landscape it will be interesting to watch how "liberal" countries (US, Canada, Australia, and England) respond to her and working-class policies!

Beyond Elections Part 2

It is amazing that they share this!





If only the supposedly "progressive politicians" would get us to this type of democracy. It is obvious that electoral representation only is not enough!

The Gap Between Rich and Poor is at its WIDEST

From Census: Gap Between Rich and Poor is at its Widest:

"highlights"

The income gap between rich and poor Americans grew to the widest amount on record and represents the greatest disparity among Western industrialized nations, according to U.S. Census data.

The census finds that the top-earning 20% of Americans (those making $100,000 each year) received 49.4% of all income generated in the U.S., compared with the 3.4% earned by those below the poverty line.

That ratio of 14.5-to-1 was an increase from 13.6 in 2008 and nearly double a low of 7.69 in 1968, the Associated Press reports.

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A clear goal would be to get back to 7-to-1!

If we've done it before we can do it again. It is disappointing for the US to have the greatest disparity among industrialized countries. We should expect better.

World Health Day 2010

In New Mexico we often view the state as a rural place. In truth, much of it is. But it is fairly safe to say that about half of the state population now lives in an urban environment. This is challenging because of the traditional New Mexican cultures are tied to land.

The work of maintaining and supporting traditional land uses and healthy urban development in balance will require vision, leadership, and dedication. Urban health is best approached by dealing with a regional perspective rather than a city only view. Food, water, clean air, housing, jobs, and so much more really benefit from the regional coordination.

Today is World Health Day, and the focus is urbanization. So even if you only have a few minutes reflect on our cities and health. Cities are great for bringing lots of interesting things together. They are also places for the development of great inequities. Take a minute and think about what you can do to improve your local environment or social conditions.

How class works

Easy to read presentation talks about class. It is a straightforward look at class in the US. It is not political and still has some value.

Check it out and post your thoughts. How Class Works

More on Inequality

The debate on health care often skips talking about inequality. It has become hard to keep up with all the changes in direction.

If you take into account that one out of four children in NM lives in poverty we see that things like health care are important to flourishing. Not just for the children but for the parents. Unhealthy parents will obviously have a much harder time raising healthy children.

There is a lot of talk about working to end violence, obesity, drop-outs, and other problems with youth. But the reality of our inequality is often ignored. Not just that "kids in China don't have shoes" type of inequality, but the type that attacks your senses, often without you knowing it. There is a lot of interesting information in the video link above.

Here are some facts about NM Inequality. One of the important things is the NM is 6th in greatest inequality between rich and poor. And the site mentions some specific strategies to reduce that.

Social Mobility

Here is a great article about social mobility and equality.

And one on Equality, Social Mobility and Poverty.