Common Struggles

I think a lot about the Common People these days. Since the 11th of February when students marched on the Capitol in Madison, I've been trying to find the right words and pictures and connections to speak about the Common People. Don't get me wrong, it isn't difficult. The images swirl around all of us every day. The divisions between the wealthy elite and the Common People is widening like a fault line. I wonder what seismic events that gap will produce in to the near future?

We dropped off some items at the Goodwill on Saturday then went in to do some clothes shopping. We like it there because it fits our budget and because the clothes are recycled. The gentleman who took our recycled items gave us a slip with a story on it. The story of a Common Person named Creighton. Creighton, the story says, began having medical problems when he was just a little guy. He also needed frequent hospitalization and surgeries. Throughout all that struggle Creighton's dream was to be independent - like all of us wish to be. He applied at a Goodwill Store and waited. The slip reads: "He recalls the day he received a phone call that he got the job as 'the best day!'" It's not going to be a surprise that Creighton's health improved when he began working or even that he was able to move from assisted living to his own apartment. He's excited that some day he will be able to buy a car.

The following story highlights the situation for Common People in their fight for safety and dignity. Unlike Creighton who was fortunate to hire on with Goodwill, the people in this painful story were not nearly so fortunate. This is difficult to read.

http://www.care2.com/causes/civil-rights/blog/disabled-workers-at-turkey-plant-subjected-to-abuse-for-21-years/

In Bangladesh a story reminds us that everywhere The Common People are struggling:

April 11 is day we remember the 64 workers who were killed and the 80 who injured when the Spectrum factory in Bangladesh collapsed in 2005. Since then at least 200 more Bangladeshi garment workers died as a result of factory fires, and many more were injured, while producing garments for major European or the US brands.

Yesterday, the National Garment Workers Federation NGWF organized a “Garment Workers Condolence and Remembering Rally” reminding people that a safe workplace is a fundamental right.

Andy had an interesting conversation with a co-worker last week. They had their heads together at lunch quietly chatting about all things Wisconsin Politics. Unions are a topic not encouraged as appropriate table talk at his work place. The co-worker shared that he'd read an article warning that the elite money folks - far bigger than Water Boy Walker - are focusing on unions as the last bastion of organized Common People in the U.S. Makes the stories above take on more significance doesn't it? Gives the meeting of billionaire/corporate honchos in Rancho Mirage last year even more clarity.

Drop in on scottwalkerwatch.com to check out the news, upcoming events around the state and who and what to boycott. I am on my way today to share with the manager of our local Logli's (Schnucks) grocery store why I won't be shopping there any longer. They were backers of Walker.

I am also going to take a moment to remember the workers in Bangladesh, the workers in Bophal, the workers at the Massey mine, the young immigrant women in the Shirt Waist Factory fire and the story Sally Fields portrayed of Norma Rae (Crystal Lee Sutton) and working conditions in a garment mill. I'm also going to remember Creighton and how much he has gained by working, making enough to be independent and that I hope he is able to get his car soon.

Power To All The Common People!