The real divide in the United States is not between so-called "red" and "blue" states, but between the wealthy corporations who control our lives and the rest of us, author Thomas Frank says.
Frank, who has written the best-selling, "What's the Matter with Kanas?" was featured speaker at the annual meeting of the JOBS NOW Coalition Dec. 9 at the Carpenters Hall. He also was one of five recipients of the organization's "Working Class Hero" award.
Along with Frank, the honorees included University of Minnesota economist Ann Markusen, for her recent work, ?The Case for a Substantial Raise in the Minimum Wage?; Stormy Trom, director of the Steele County Food Shelf in Owatonna; Herb Frey, director of Alliance Housing in Minneapolis; and the University of Minnesota Clerical Workers Union, AFSCME Local 3800.
Frank dissected the way wealthy corporations have used a conservative social message to advance their economic agenda ? causing people to vote against their own economic self-interest. "Cultural anger is marshaled to achieve economic ends," he asserted.
The Republican Party and the right wing have very effectively used issues like abortion, gay rights and prayer in the schools to capitalize on people's frustrations and turn them out to support Republican candidates, Frank said. At the same time, the GOP and its allies are silent on economic issues, like the Bush administration's massive tax cuts for the wealthy.
This cynical approach is all about winning elections and advancing a pro-corporate economic agenda, Frank said. "It'll never bring prayer back to the public schools but it has managed to roll back the economic reforms of the 1960s and the New Deal."
Frank challenged progressive organizations to expose the "fake populism" of the right and talk about the hidden corporate agenda. "Today the U.S. has achieved levels of wealth inequality that are unique among industrialized nations and we haven't seen in the United States since the 1920s," he said.
In 1980, the average American CEO made about 40 times the salary of the average worker, Frank noted. Today, CEOs take home more than 500 times what their workers earn.
The right also thrives on making people feel victimized, Frank said, adding that progressive organizations need to show that the average citizen can make a difference by getting involved. He cited JOBS NOW and its Working Class Hero awards as a good example.
Founded in 1982, JOBS NOW is the oldest and largest statewide jobs policy coalition of its kind in the nation. More than 100 religious, labor and community organizations ignore their differences to focus on what they have in common?their belief that all workers should have the opportunity to attain a decent standard of living.
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Author Thomas Frank (above) admires the windmill he received as part of his "Working Class Hero" Award from JOBS NOW. AFSCME Local 3800 President Phyllis Walker (below, left) accepts an award from JOBS NOW Executive Director Kris Jacobs on behalf of her union, which was honored for taking a stand by going on strike last year at the University of Minnesota. Workday Minnesota photos |
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For more information
Visit the JOBS NOW website, www.jobsnowcoalition.org
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The real divide in the United States is not between so-called “red” and “blue” states, but between the wealthy corporations who control our lives and the rest of us, author Thomas Frank says.
Frank, who has written the best-selling, “What’s the Matter with Kanas?” was featured speaker at the annual meeting of the JOBS NOW Coalition Dec. 9 at the Carpenters Hall. He also was one of five recipients of the organization’s “Working Class Hero” award.
Along with Frank, the honorees included University of Minnesota economist Ann Markusen, for her recent work, ?The Case for a Substantial Raise in the Minimum Wage?; Stormy Trom, director of the Steele County Food Shelf in Owatonna; Herb Frey, director of Alliance Housing in Minneapolis; and the University of Minnesota Clerical Workers Union, AFSCME Local 3800.
Frank dissected the way wealthy corporations have used a conservative social message to advance their economic agenda ? causing people to vote against their own economic self-interest. “Cultural anger is marshaled to achieve economic ends,” he asserted.
The Republican Party and the right wing have very effectively used issues like abortion, gay rights and prayer in the schools to capitalize on people’s frustrations and turn them out to support Republican candidates, Frank said. At the same time, the GOP and its allies are silent on economic issues, like the Bush administration’s massive tax cuts for the wealthy.
This cynical approach is all about winning elections and advancing a pro-corporate economic agenda, Frank said. “It’ll never bring prayer back to the public schools but it has managed to roll back the economic reforms of the 1960s and the New Deal.”
Frank challenged progressive organizations to expose the “fake populism” of the right and talk about the hidden corporate agenda. “Today the U.S. has achieved levels of wealth inequality that are unique among industrialized nations and we haven’t seen in the United States since the 1920s,” he said.
In 1980, the average American CEO made about 40 times the salary of the average worker, Frank noted. Today, CEOs take home more than 500 times what their workers earn.
The right also thrives on making people feel victimized, Frank said, adding that progressive organizations need to show that the average citizen can make a difference by getting involved. He cited JOBS NOW and its Working Class Hero awards as a good example.
Founded in 1982, JOBS NOW is the oldest and largest statewide jobs policy coalition of its kind in the nation. More than 100 religious, labor and community organizations ignore their differences to focus on what they have in common?their belief that all workers should have the opportunity to attain a decent standard of living.
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Author Thomas Frank (above) admires the windmill he received as part of his “Working Class Hero” Award from JOBS NOW. AFSCME Local 3800 President Phyllis Walker (below, left) accepts an award from JOBS NOW Executive Director Kris Jacobs on behalf of her union, which was honored for taking a stand by going on strike last year at the University of Minnesota. Workday Minnesota photos |
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For more information
Visit the JOBS NOW website, www.jobsnowcoalition.org