Michael Swayze's Community Resources

Category: Politics

  • The Monopoly Menace

    The recent issue (Volume 306, Number 7, March 12, 2018) of The Nation contains an article, “The Monopoly Menace”. It is worth reading. Here is an excerpt:

    “Today, a few corporations once again dominate sectors of our economy. In an interview with The Nation’s George Zornick, Senator Elizabeth Warren points out that two companies sell 70 percent of the beer in the country; four companies produce 85 percent of American beef; and four airlines account for 80 percent of domestic seats. With monopolies squeezing out the competition and underpaying workers, profits are funneled to a tiny elite. It’s no coincidence that the three richest American’s – Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Microsoft’s Bill Gates, and Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett – are together worth slightly more than the bottom half of the entire US population.”

    The first way to fight back is by becoming informed. That’s why I became a subscriber to The Nation last year. Another way is to buy local, craft beer and to buy local food. We do in our household.

  • Resistance, Part III

    People of conscience change history. 2017 began as a movement of people fighting for Democracy all across our country. At first it was rallies and letter writing. It has since become more organized with amazing election results in Virginia and Alabama.

    Earlier this year a list of Resistance and progressive groups were posted here and on my blog, titled Philadelphia Resistance and Progressive Groups and Resources For The Resistance. Today, a number of additional organizations and campaigns are highlighted. Working together we can make a difference.

    Listed below are organizations worth joining or supporting. They are:

    New Jersey groups that stepped up in 2017 include:

    Below is a description of each group in their own words; and links to their social media sites.

    ACLU of Pennsylvania. “The ACLU of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization dedicated to defending and expanding individual rights and personal freedoms.” Facebook Twitter

    Citizens for Better Elections. “A nonpartisan Montgomery County, Pennsylvania group dedicated to promoting election security and efficiency in both our county and our state. Our mission is to ensure accurate, verifiable and secure elections.” Facebook Twitter

    Committee of Seventy. “Learn how to run for committeeperson in May 2018. Nomination petitions are due March 6.” Facebook Twitter

    Fair Districts PA. “Pennsylvania has some of the most unfair congressional districts in the country. Gerrymandered district lines weaken the power of our votes – and politicians are working behind closed doors to keep it that way. We all pay the price.” Facebook Twitter

    Pennsylvania Together. “Pennsylvania Together is a statewide coalition of more than 100 grassroots resistance groups. Our members come together to build a better future for all, especially those who face oppression on a daily basis and now have reason to fear that it will be state sanctioned. Together, we resist racism, misogyny and fascism; advocate for policy change; increase civic engagement; reduce voter registration and turnout gaps; and demand accountability from our elected leaders to put people and planet first.” Facebook Twitter

    Philadelphia 3.0. “Our mission is to bring new voices into the city’s political discussions. We want to support leaders in their efforts to make smarter and better policy.” Facebook Twitter

    POWER. “Through the discipline of relationship building and the empowerment of everyday people, we hope to make lasting racial and economic policy change that benefits all.” Facebook Twitter

    Sara Johnson Rothman for State Representative (151st District). “A former prosecutor, a school board member, and a mom.” Facebook Twitter

    Swing Left. “It starts with the House. Don’t despair. Mobilize.” Facebook Twitter

    Turn PA Blue. “Turn PA Blue is changing the political landscape in PA by bringing volunteers together to work outside the gerrymandered boundaries that divide us.” Facebook Twitter

    Blue Jersey. “The voice of Progressive New Jersey since 2005.” Facebook Twitter

    Mikie Sherrill for Congress (11th Congressional District). “Naval Academy graduate, Navy pilot, former federal prosecutor and mother of four – Mikie Sherrill is running to represent New Jersey’s 11th District in Congress to fight back against Donald Trump and to fight for our future.” Facebook Twitter

    New Jersey Citizen Action. “NJ Citizen Action is New Jersey’s largest progressive citizen watchdog coalition.” Facebook Twitter

    New Jersey Working Families Alliance. “New Jersey Working Families Alliance is a grassroots independent political organization fighting for a government that represents the needs and values of working families.” Facebook Twitter

    NJ 11th For Change. “1643 days since Rep. Frelinghuysen’s last town hall.” Facebook

    STAND Central New Jersey. “Join the fight for social justice, economic opportunity and basic human rights.” Facebook Twitter

  • Congress To Block Consumer Protection Rule

    A Congressional vote is expected as early as Tuesday, July 25, on a resolution to block a new rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that prohibits class action bans in forced arbitration clauses of consumer contracts.

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rule “would make it easier for consumers to file or join an existing group lawsuit if they are harmed by a financial service provider, such as a bank or credit card company”, according to a statement appearing on the Board’s website.

    Action to prevent this consumer rule from going into effect is supported by Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee. The GOP’s bill, H.J. Resolution 111, sponsored by Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA) uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal the Bureau’s rule.

    What can you do to protect consumer rights and support the new protections against mandatory arbitration? You can take the following direct action, today:

    • Telephone Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who represents New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District and a member of the House Financial Services Committee. His Washington office number is 202-225-4465. We need as many calls as possible.
    • Ask,”Will the Congressman support ordinary New Jersey people hurt by bad actors and oppose any resolution to take away our day in court?”
    • Support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s force arbitration rule, which restores our 7th Amendment right to our day in court when companies like Wells Fargo engage in widespread wrongdoing.
    • Ask what is the Congressman’s position on H.J. Resolution 111.

    Please let me know if you hear anything back on his position by emailing me at my contact page.