Elections: Growing poverty sets conditions for a new type of politics

Latest

A homeless veteran at a tent protest in Berkeley, CA. Neither of the corporate presidential candidates dared to address homelessness. Homelessness, which is primarily a result of joblessness, is an indictment of capitalism. The only solution is a new society where food, housing, and medical care is owned publicly and provided to all. PHOTO/DAVID BACON
A homeless veteran at a tent protest in Berkeley, CA. Neither of the corporate presidential candidates dared to address homelessness. Homelessness, which is primarily a result of joblessness, is an indictment of capitalism. The only solution is a new society where food, housing, and medical care is owned publicly and provided to all.
PHOTO/DAVID BACON

 
HERRIN, IL — On a recent trip to the northern part of Florida and in discussions with co-workers following the elections, I listened to the worries of workers who sit on the edge, living a precarious existence.
Their underlying concern is the economy. Many of my co-workers manned the factories and mines of Southern Illinois until they closed. We are worried about retirement—will we be able to live on our retirement and social security if we live long enough to do so? What about the future of our children and grandchildren? Will we be able to afford health care given the huge increases in premiums, co-pays and deductibles leaving many of us in debt?
These concerns motivated the vote, whether it was for or against Hillary or Trump, or for third party candidates. The growing impoverishment of the working class must be seen as a condition for a new type of politics. We must take this opportunity to unite as a class around a program and vision of a society that meets our needs.
The vision for a cooperative society where we, the people, own the social wealth as a whole and distribute it according to need, regardless of the color of our skin, our ethnicity, gender, or whether or not we have a “job.” Achieving this vision depends upon recognition of our common needs, and the necessity of our taking over the corporations, which currently have control of the economy and government.
The future is truly up to us now if we are to survive.

+ Articles by this author

Cathy Talbott is a former telephone operator, a job lost to automation. She was a homeless mother of two and fights for welfare rights.  A former co-host of a weekly community radio program out of Carbondale, IL, “Occupy the Airwaves,” Cathy is the Environmental Desk for the People’s Tribune.

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Trump’s Immigration Theater Ignores Whose Land ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Is

The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma joined Florida tribes in protesting "Alligator Alcatraz. The tribe says it insults their ancestral homeland and threatens ecosystem.

Nearly 80% of Americans Think Immigration is Good, Gallop Poll Shows

The eight-point increase in support for giving immigrants living in the U.S. illegally the chance to become U.S. citizens reflects increased support from all party groups according to Gallop poll.

Why Did Flash Floods in Texas Bring Such Death & Destruction?

Some lives could have been saved with better local warnings in the recent flood in TX, but federal government cuts to FEMA, National Weather Service and NOAA are leaving communities ill-prepared for disasters.

Farmworker in Critical Condition After Fall During California ICE Raid

A farmworker was critically injured during a California ICE raid after he fell from a greenhouse roof where he was hiding.

Winners and Losers in Trump’s ‘Ugly Bill’

Winners and losers: The greatest upward transfer of wealth in U.S. history cut Medicaid, SNAP, and other necessities to give massive tax breaks to billionaires.

More from the People's Tribune