Reckless reopening and universal guaranteed income

UAW President Walter Reuther (shaking hands at right) presided
at the opening of the new Local 879 Union Hall in 1955

Political Economy lesson for these times: The story goes that Henry Ford II once boasted to UAW leader Walter Reuther that he could build cars without workers.

 “Walter, how are you going to get those robots to pay your union dues." Without skipping a beat, Reuther replied, “Henry, how are you going to get them to buy your cars?”

Reuther won that one on points but the robots and offshoring production prevailed in the end. The current pandemic which has put millions out of work and driven many millions more into poverty is driving some deep questioning about the inequities in current society and new thinking about life in a post-pandemic world. Isn't it time to start talking seriously about universal basic income and health insurance?

Ameya Pawar

Brother Fred and I will be doing just that in upcoming editions of Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers. On Friday, May 22nd, 11-noon CT, we will be joined by former Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar. After leaving office, Ameya joined the Economic Security Project as a senior fellow and is working on narrative change efforts around guaranteed income and public options, including public banks. It should be an interesting show. Tune in to lumpenradio.com

Look at these numbers...As Trump and his right-wing band of media whores open fire on Dr. Fauci and the medical and scientific community, we take note of the fact that the overwhelming majority of Americans oppose their reckless "reopening" policies that place profit above human life.

According to this week's Washington Post-University of Maryland poll, a huge majority (78% to 22%) of Americans, believe it is “necessary” for people in their communities to stay at home as much as possible.

The spread is very similar among those of incomes below $50,000 (82-18), those of incomes of $50,000 to $100,000 (77-23), and those of incomes over $100,000 (71-29). It’s also much the same among rural voters (77-23) and non-college-educated whites (75-25), both demographics that tilt heavily towards supporting President Trump […]

Fifty-eight percent of Americans overall say current restrictions on businesses are “appropriate,” vs. only 21% who say they are “too restrictive.”

Right-wing gunman provided support to the owner of a bar in Odessa, Texas, which reopened last week in defiance of an order that it remain shut. 

That's the reason the premature openers need to call out gun thugs and militiamen with assault weapons to stand guard outside their businesses.

Let's not be cowed by the right-wing crowd. Their support is dwindling. Their leaders are flailing about in a state of panic. Their militias and gun thugs won't save them. Their days are numbered.