Dear Gov. Paterson: Tax the Wall Street Greedy, Not the Main Street Needy of New York

BY Gloria Dulan-Wilson

BELOW IS THE TEXT OF THE MESSAGE I, AND PROBABLY MANY OF YOU, RECEIVED FROM GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON IN REFERENCE TO THE TAX ON SUGAR SWEETENED BEVERAGES. I URGE YOU TO MAKE YOUR OWN FEELINGS (PRO or CON) KNOWN AS WELL.


Gloria Dulan-Wilson ✆
to gloria, Governor

show details 12:13 PM (3 minutes ago)

Dear Governor Paterson:

If this is a tax to mitigate the ill effects of obesity, which is highly doubtful; I would also like to strongly suggest that you impose immediately a comprehensive tax on greed and ill gotten gains levied at Wall Street and publicly traded investment businesses and banks that have wrecked our economy. Let's call it the "modified tax on unscrupulous, ignorant, and incompetent business acts that adversely affect the population and citizens of New York Act." The tax can be between 2% to 10% (10% for the most egregious).

And on the basis of that tax, for every ill-gotten dollar (and I don't need to define that, I think DC, the President and the other analysts have already done so), that we get 10% back, since New York was faced with the double whammy of so many people being thrown out of jobs and homes as the result of our very own key industries ripping us off right under our very noses.

(This based on the propaganda that New York's economy is based on FIRE: FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL ESTATE) Somewhere in there the concept of manufacturing, research, and creativity has been relegated to other borders - more's the pity - because we can certainly use them now).

By implementing the "modified greed and unscrupulous, ignorant and incompetent business acts tax," we will gain an effective tool to combat greed, unemployment, and people suffering at the hands of arrogant, insensitive, acerbic business figures, who have taken a hold of our city and state's economy and trashed it. This plan will restore the citizen's confidence in you as well as in the legislators for the State of New York. It will also make up for the fact that many who have been thrust into unemployment, may be able to look to the state for some extended relieve while they try to put the shamble of their lives back together.

This one cent per ounce excise tax on beverages is still punishing the victims. Let's get punish the perpetrators for a change!! They seem to be adept at ducking and dodging their responsibility; getting around the consequences, and pointing fingers of blame in other directions. As great as we are, New York cannot continue to carry the burden of thieves who have literally made off with our livelihoods, and while we continue to struggle to put our lives back together, they sit in their homes (usually in Connecticut, or out on Long Island) counting their bonuses and making "just in case everything comes back" deals behind our backs.

Rather than the tax on sugary soft drinks, let's tax on those dollars that they are taking from our pockets. Additionally, let's stop warehousing homes and apartments, being held off the market by the real estate industry while so many families who have either lost their homes, or could not afford to be gouged at the higher price points, are living shelters, or doubling up with friends and families.

Pass the Project Restore program Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries as been working on. While you're at it, restore some of the programs and protections Pataki destroyed during his tenure as Governor, that left us pretty much unprotected and powerless.
Putting a tax on sugary soft drinks only takes more money from the pockets of more families that can't afford to pay it. Like most other smart New Yorkers, they'll just go to Jersey and buy in bulk and avoid it all together. It would be better served to stop nickel and dime-ing us to death and deal with some of the real intrinsic issues that really hit us where we live.

Reinstate Kermit Eady and the Black United Fund of New York, the charitable organization that made it possible for African American New Yorkers to pool their resources and underwrite some of the programs that may not have been in the State's budget, but were nevertheless necessary. It was destroyed by unfounded allegations leveled at them by Elliott Spitzer during the time he was aspiring to run for governor. The charges were unfounded. However, not only has Mr. Eady never been "made whole", but the people who benefited from the program were seriously damaged, losing homes, jobs, and so much more. In much the same way you have pardoned individuals who are serving or have served sentences (whether deserved or undeserved), Mr. Eady deserves pardon and reinstatement of his good name, organization and property. (Mind you - this is not an aside, nor is it off the subject, but goes to the heart of how we've lost the moral compass in New York of putting people first, things second.)

New York is not just a state for brainiacs; it is also a state of ingenuity and creativity. We have become prey to those outside our borders who now have the wherewithal to fabricate, design and develop new and innovative concepts, tools, materials. To that end, bring back some of those manufacturing concerns to our waterfronts -- shipping and manufacturing -- which then takes us off of soley relying on the so-called "smartest men in the room".

Rather than acting as though working with your hands is somehow lower class, you need to return vocational training to the schools so our youth can have some competitive skills, without having to import labor from other borders, while the people here go begging or on welfare, or worse yet, end up in the streets.

Make it mandatory for all students from the 5th grade on to have comprehensive training in financial literacy, including Wall Street (in all schools and make Wall Street underwrite the program). Make it possible for an adult education class so those of us who missed it during our formative years can also learn what it is that the "biggest industry" in New York is really about.

Ever wonder why most of the guys on Wall Street come from places other than New York? Why is it that the biggest industry in NY has the lowest placement from our own hallowed halls of education? We are not providing our own youth with the opportunities people from other countries receive.

In reference to education and the concern about limits on Charter Schools vs. Public Education: Neither avenues are that impressive. It is clear that more dollars are being thrown in the path of Charter Schools to the detriment of Public Schools by private concerns. Most feel there is an ulterior motive, which may or may not be the case. For the most part, there has to be some over all standards or criteria for quality education.

There has been a tendency to make it an either or situation. Perhaps it needs to be both, with the overarching criteria being set in place by both parents and teachers; and the resulting Charter Schools required to specialize in specific fields; while the Public schools also being required to improve, and being given the additional funds to do so. The two are not mutually exclusive. It is, however, relatively off putting to know that we could be losing over $700 million dollars, that we can't afford to lose, rather than figure out a way to have the best of both worlds.

I have always had the utmost respect for you. Still do. And you've always had the ability to make those kinds of empowering choices. I don't see that you've lost that faculty or capacity now that you're governor. I think those muscles should have been enhanced.

This tax on Wall Street's greedy will definitely help the People of New York, if it's allocated appropriately. And while you are our Governor, please focus on what that means and where that is. Don't let the greedy get away with walking on the backs of the needy.

Governor Paterson, New York needs you to be the Governor that brought balance back to the state. And you can only do that by putting the people of New York first. You have to look at what's for our enduring good. Do we need homes? Yes. Do we need better jobs with career paths to them? Yes. Do we need a Transit System that is clean, safe, affordable and reliable? Yes we do. Do we need educational programs that prepare our children to be competent, competitive, and respectful in an age of buffoonery? Yes we definitely do. It may be time for a resumption of those town meetings you initiated to get a sense of what people are concerned about. That way you're not isolated (or insulated) from what's really happening.

I think you can leave a very wonderful and important legacy by not trodding over the same go no where paths your predecessors did. You have really lived among the real people of New York. You know what they need. We're looking to you to make it happen. We want you to go down in History as the Governor who save New York from itself.

Thank you and stay blessed.
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

(by the way - I am sending this response back to the email I received from you. I will be curious to see whether or not you receive it. And would appreciate a response from you in reference to this recommendation. )

BELOW IS THE TEXT OF THE MESSAGE I, AND PROBABLY MANY OF YOU, RECEIVED FROM GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON IN REFERENCE TO THE TAX ON SUGAR SWEETENED BEVERAGES. I URGE YOU TO MAKE YOUR OWN FEELINGS (PRO or CON) KNOWN AS WELL.

My Fellow New Yorkers:
Obesity is a public health crisis. When over half the adults in this State, and one out of every four New Yorkers under the age of 18, are overweight or obese, we must recognize that there is a tremendous problem. Obesity is associated with life threatening conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer, and the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages is a major contributor to obesity. These health problems and costs will only increase in the future, unless we take steps to help all New Yorkers adopt healthier lifestyles.
By implementing my modified sugar-sweetened beverage tax, we will gain an effective tool to combat obesity. This plan will increase the price differential between the high sugar-high calorie and low sugar-low calorie beverages and encourage consumers to make healthier choices. A one cent per ounce excise tax would be added to sugary soft-drinks, bottled coffee and tea drinks with added sugar, powders and other sugary beverages, but my revised and improved plan will also eliminate the sales tax for bottled water and low-calorie drinks that have 10 or fewer calories per 8 oz.
New Yorkers spend an estimated $7.6 billion annually to treat obesity related health care costs. This initiative will help lower those costs over time, and improve the health and quality of life for all New Yorkers. Now is the time for us to take bold actions, and I again urge the Legislature to help me encourage healthy eating by approving this new tax on sugar sweetened beverages.
For more information about the modified sugar sweetened beverage tax package, please click here. Also, please share your views on this issue on Straight Talk from the Taxpayer.
Best,


David A. Paterson
Governor of New York State



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PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS: WE DON’T GIVE UP AND WE DON’T QUIT!!

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

You know, if I weren't more sophisticated, worldly and politically savvy, I would definitely have done a "happy dance" and flipped an "in your face" symbol to all the right wingers -- media, repugnantcans (oops, I mean Republicans), and religious fanatics of that ilk -- last night when President Obama wound up his first State of the Union Address. And I would not have been alone. I can just see millions of Americans who supported Obama, but who had had some trepidation about his standing, owing to the poisonous media coverage of late, and how he would be received on this most auspicious occasion.

Apparently, we need not have worried. For despite their best efforts to distort his image, to make him seem uncaring and out of touch; to even come up with some bogus popularity poll (by the way, they didn’t call me, did they call you?) that had him somewhere below 50% for the first time, President Barack Obama showed he was not only the same person we elected as president of these United States, but he was even better than ever!

Even Katie Couric on CBS announced that a poll they had gathered immediately after the speech had President Obama with a 70% approval rating! And after watching Charlie Rose's gathering of pundits, I realized that no one had actually checked in with us as to what our response to President Obama's State of the Union Address was. So allow me: IT WAS GREAT! FANTANSTIC, WONDERFUL, INSPIRATIONAL, MOTIVATIONAL, AND EMPHATIC!!!

Did you hear him? Did you absorb the information he delivered, practically without pencil or paper -- genius that he is -- as he stood before the joint House and Senate (Republicans and Democrats). The brother was brilliant!!! He was erudite!!! He was creative!!! He was candid!!! He was humorous!!! He was courageous!!! He was effective!!! And he was perfectly clear when he said: We Don’t Give Up and We Don’t Quit!!

Even thoughthere were some political missteps and mistakes in the recent past (i.e the Kennedy's lost Massachuetts), he didn’t roll over and play dead, he didn’t compromise, he didn’t pull out the political expediency card -- he was clear about what the country needed when he was elected, and that necessity has not changed. The time to get it done is now. He put Congress on notice that turning their backs on the American people because of a few minor setbacks was not an option. He pointed out that having a majority of Democrats in office for the first time in 40 years is supposed to mean something -- laws are supposed to get passed -- not people running for the hills, concerned about their next election to such an extent that they forsake their responsibility to their constituents. He made it plain that he expected the Democrats to do their jobs. Not waffle. Wow!!!

By the way, if anyone was wondering whether or not the Health Care Bill was DOA (dead on arrival), guess again -- it’s been needed for 40 years, it was needed yesterday, it's needed today, and will be needed tomorrow. Millions will lose their insurance by the time he ended the speech, he quipped, so it is still needed. It’s time to get it done. If you got a better plan, bring it, he’ll look at it, but if not, stop shortchanging the populace, and pass the bill. (One wonders what would they do if one of their family members was directly affected by the bill?).

Individuals already insured can keep their current insurance plan and their doctor; there would be a reduction in costs and premiums for millions of families; and it would bring the deficit down by over $1 trillion over the next two decades. The President observed that the longer the House and Senate harangued over the Health Care bill, with their incessant posturing to please the pharmaceutical lobbyists and private interest groups, the more confused Americans become as to what the health bill would do and who would benefit.

While he blamed himself for part of the confusion, stating that he should have better explained the program, I beg to differ. In point of fact, President Obama’s original proposal was perfectly clear! The only distortion was in mainstream, right wing-run media, who took particular pleasure in distorting the facts and throwing scare tactics into their distorted, and obviously slanted reports.

“Still,” he stated, “this is a complex issue, and the longer it was debated, the more skeptical people became. I take my share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the American people. And I know that with all the lobbying and horse-trading, the process left most Americans wondering, "What's in it for me?" Premiums will go up. Patients will be denied the care they need. Small business owners will continue to drop coverage altogether. I will not walk away from these Americans, and neither should the people in this chamber. “

The President’s aggressive program for bringing jobs back to America, the same one he articulated when he was running for President, was passed by the House a week ago, and is awaiting passage in the Senate. And woe betide the senator who does not step up to the plate with the whole world watching. In addition to green jobs, job training, and educational programs, there are major tax incentives to companies that bring the jobs back from overseas also on the table. There should be no quibbling on the part of the legislators who claim to stand for their constituents best interests. It puts the issue squarely where it belongs: are you for your constituents or for the foreign dollars.

Speaking of which, the President stated that it is time that the US become more competitive in the foreign trade markets, developing goods and services that can be sold overseas. This further expands opportunities for small businesses to present their products to a broader market base.

“Despite our hardships, our union is strong. We do not give up. We do not quit. We do not allow fear or division to break our spirit. In this new decade, it's time the American people get a government that matches their decency; that embodies their strength“.

For those with convenient amnesia, Obama briefly recounted the condition the government was in when he took office: Ten years ago, in 2000, there was a surplus from the Clinton Administration of $200 billion dollars; by the time the Bush administration finished in 2008, America was $3 trillion in the hole. And the gap was getting wider and wider by the day. If he had not supported the proposed bail out package at the time, American would most likely have been thrust into deep depression.

“So I supported the last administration's efforts to create the financial rescue program. And when we took that program over, we made it more transparent and more accountable. And as a result, the markets are now stabilized, and we've recovered most of the money we spent on the banks. Most but not all. To recover the rest, I've proposed a fee on the biggest banks. (YAAY!!!) Now, I know Wall Street isn't keen on this idea. But if these firms can afford to hand out big bonuses again, they can afford a modest fee to pay back the taxpayers who rescued them in their time of need. Now, as we stabilized the financial system, we also took steps to get our economy growing again, save as many jobs as possible, and help Americans who had become unemployed. That's why we extended or increased unemployment benefits for more than 18 million Americans; made health insurance 65 percent cheaper for families who get their coverage through COBRA; and passed 25 different tax cuts. Now, let me repeat: We cut taxes. We cut taxes for 95 percent of working families. We cut taxes for small businesses. We cut taxes for first-time homebuyers. We cut taxes for parents trying to care for their children. We cut taxes for 8 million Americans paying for college.”

Just for the record, it’s obvious that Republicans aren’t the only ones who know how to cut taxes-- so let’s disabuse ourselves from that myth now and forever. Tax cuts are not just in the province of the Republicans.

“I'm proposing that we take $30 billion of the money Wall Street banks have repaid and use it to help community banks give small businesses the credit they need to stay afloat. I'm also proposing a new small business tax credit- one that will go to over one million small businesses who hire new workers or raise wages. While we're at it, let's also eliminate all capital gains taxes on small business investment, and provide a tax incentive for all large businesses and all small businesses to invest in new plants and equipment. Next, we can put Americans to work today building the infrastructure of tomorrow. From the first railroads to the Interstate Highway System, our nation has always been built to compete. There's no reason Europe or China should have the fastest trains, or the new factories that manufacture clean energy products.”

Does that sound like a man who is out of touch with his fellow Americans, or who has no concern for the middle class’ economic well being or viability? Does that sound like a person who is prone to political expediency?

I’m sure Wall Street did not like the fact that the President has now put the whole world on notice that there will be no more days when they are treated like royalty while Main Street gets treated like cannon fodder. Stating that they can no longer play Russian roulet with American funds, the President outlined a financial integrity bill that must be passed, and not watered down. If it does not do what it is supposed to do, he has threatened/promised to send it back until they “get it right!”

Rather than the "sloganese" that leaves people feeling that you’re doing something while actually just the opposite is the case, President Obama focused on education and failing schools, stating, “we've broken through the stalemate between left and right by launching a national competition to improve our schools. Instead of rewarding failure, we only reward success. Instead of funding the status quo, we only invest in reform -- reform that raises student achievement; inspires students to excel in math and science; and turns around failing schools that steal the future of too many young Americans, from rural communities to the inner city. In the 21st century, the best anti-poverty program around is a world-class education. When we renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, we will work with Congress to expand these reforms to all 50 states. Still, in this economy, a high school diploma no longer guarantees a good job.”

He further p;roposed a bill to revitalize community colleges, make college more affordable. Gone will be the tax breaks for banks that make student loans. Instead there will be a $10,000 tax credit for four years of college and an increase in Pell Grants. “And let's tell another one million students that when they graduate, they will be required to pay only 10 percent of their income on student loans, and all of their debt will be forgiven after 20 years -- and forgiven after 10 years if they choose a career in public service, because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they chose to go to college”

My only reaction to this was GREAT!!! I just wish this had happened when I was struggling as a single parent to put my three through college by hook or crook. The Bush Administration definitely did not make it easy. Like many parents, I became good at the art of finagle -- so much so that I tell everyone now that I have absolutely no credit, but have absolutely fabulous investments in my three beautiful children, all of whom have graduated from college. Obama plan would have greatly added to my sanity, if not to my savings. So for those of you who don’t get the magnitude of what he is trying to do, figure that a college education now costs between $14,000 and $40,000 per year. Like he said, “you should not have to go into permanent debt trying to get an education.”

He is also working to lift the value of single family homes, by allowing them to refinance their homes at lower interest rates, and save an average of $1500 month on mortgages. “This year, we will step up refinancing so that homeowners can move into more affordable mortgages.”

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. There had been bets by pundits that the Health Care Bill was dead in the water. That Coakley’s defeat in Boston had sealed the deal. The salacious were licking their chops waiting for some sign of frustration, contrition, defeat. But not our President. With that wry smile of his, he continued, “And it is precisely to relieve the burden on middle-class families that we still need health insurance reform. Yes, we do. Now, let's clear a few things up. I didn't choose to tackle this issue to get some legislative victory under my belt. And by now it should be fairly obvious that I didn't take on health care because it was good politics.“

Ah, yes. That wonderful sardonic wit, for which he is so famous, came through once again: “I took on health care because of the stories I've heard from Americans with preexisting conditions whose lives depend on getting coverage; patients who've been denied coverage; families -- even those with insurance -- who are just one illness away from financial ruin. After nearly a century of trying -- Democratic administrations, Republican administrations -- we are closer than ever to bringing more security to the lives of so many Americans. The approach we've taken would protect every American from the worst practices of the insurance industry. It would give small businesses and uninsured Americans a chance to choose an affordable health care plan in a competitive market. It would require every insurance plan to cover preventive care.”

Adding to the charisma that is Obama, he announced that First Lady, Michelle Obama, is creating a national movement to tackle the epidemic of childhood obesity, and make kids healthier. Ms. Obama, who was sitting in the audience, stunning in a burgundy tafeta and knit dress, waived and smiled beautifully at the camera.

To further emphasize his determination to make a change in the way things get done in Washington, President Obama issued and executive order to establish a bipartisan fiscal commissin to provide a specific set of solutions dealing with line items in the budget that needed to be discontinued, thereby saving billions of dollars to the American taxpayer. This wil restore the pay-as-you-go-law which made it possible for the surpluses that came about under the Clinton Administration.

He further announced a freeze on government spending beginning in 2011, giving sufficient time for some of his proposed measures to take effect. Using his signature humor, he indicated that the right may suggest that they should “just make fewer investments in our people, extend tax cuts including those for the wealthier Americans, eliminate more regulations, maintain the status quo on health care, our deficits will go away. The problem is that's what we did for eight years. That's what helped us into this crisis. It's what helped lead to these deficits. We can't do it again. Rather than fight the same tired battles that have dominated Washington for decades, it's time to try something new. Let's invest in our people without leaving them a mountain of debt. Let's meet our responsibility to the citizens who sent us here. Let's try common sense. A novel concept.”

Further proof that President Barack Obama is a cut above his predecessors, he wisely noted that the discontent in American was not just about jobs, health care or education, but also a deficit of trust that permeates the country. “…deep and corrosive doubts about how Washington works that have been growing for years. To close that credibility gap we have to take action on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue -- to end the outsized influence of lobbyists; to do our work openly; to give our people the government they deserve. That's why -- for the first time in history -- my administration posts on our White House visitors online. That's why we've excluded lobbyists from policymaking jobs, or seats on federal boards and commissions.
But we can't stop there. It's time to require lobbyists to disclose each contact they make on behalf of a client with my administration or with Congress. It's time to put strict limits on the contributions that lobbyists give to candidates for federal office.”

He likewise cited the fact that a Republican packed Supreme Court “reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests -- including foreign corporations -- to spend without limit in our elections. I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people. And I'd urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to correct some of these problems.” Anyone who knows the definition of a corporation knows that it cannot be considered on the same par with human beings. A corporation lasts for ever, and therefore should not be accorded the same rights as an individual -- wonder who’s bankrolling the supreme court judges. Remember that little travesty of 2000 that gave us George Bush as President, in light of a recount that would most likely have proven Al Gore had actually won. Hmmmmm?)

To provide further transparency, President Obama has also asked Congress to continue earmark reform by posting all earmarks on a single website so the public can view them, and track the dollars and the votes as they proceed. While earmarks have been given a bad name, depending on whose side you sit on, they can actually be of significant importance to making sure that funds are allocated appropriately for key programs in different districts. (More on earmarks and what they mean to us in an upcoming article)

“Now, I'm not naïve. I never thought that the mere fact of my election would usher in peace and harmony -- (laughter) -- and some post-partisan era. I knew that both parties have fed divisions that are deeply entrenched. And on some issues, there are simply philosophical differences that will always cause us to part ways…” While I totally applaud President Obama’s efforts to take the high ground and appeal to both Democrats and Republicans to cease the lies, back biting, b.s. filibustering and political one gunmanship, the kind of stuff that makes Americans believe that neither side means them any good, I want to caution him against staking his Administration on it actually happening. In the past, as in the present, the Republicans seem to represent viciousness, ultra conservatism, trickery, lies, war mongering and deceit -- to put it mildly. It’s a very Machiavellian attitude at which they will stop at nothing to undermine his authority and his progress. So while he cautions that: “We can't wage a perpetual campaign where the only goal is to see who can get the most

"But what frustrates the American people is a Washington where every day is Election Day. We can't wage a perpetual campaign where the only goal is to see who can get the most embarrassing headlines about the other side -- a belief that if you lose, I win" (unfortunately, this is exactly how the Republicans operate)." Neither party should delay or obstruct every single bill just because they can. The confirmation of well-qualified public servants shouldn't be held hostage to the pet projects or grudges of a few individual senators." (once again, this is their stock in trade -- opposition for the sake of opposition). Washington may think that saying anything about the other side, no matter how false, no matter how malicious, is just part of the game. But it's precisely such politics that has stopped either party from helping the American people. Worse yet, it's sowing further division among our citizens, further distrust in our government (the bigger wedge they can drive between the people and the government, the happier they are -- it‘s a fact of life, and the very fiber of their existence. Blind opposition, greed, inhumane treatment).

This is not to say don’t try; just don’t stop the process of doing what needs to be done to bring them along, particularly if you are in the driver’s seat with your foot on the gas, and they have theirs on the brakes.)

The President also promised equal pay for equal work for women; jobs in green technology, bringing the troops home from Iraq by August of this year; a new and improved Veterans Administration for returning troops; a Civil Rights Division that is once again prosecuting civil rights violations and employment discrimination; and strongerlaws to protect against crimes driven by hate.

Summing it up he stated, “The spirit that has sustained this nation for more than two centuries lives on in you, its people. We have finished a difficult year. We have come through a difficult decade. But a new year has come. A new decade stretches before us. We don't quit. I don't quit. (Applause.) Let's seize this moment -- to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more.”

Now, I was tempted to post the entire transcript of President Obama’s speech on the blog. I may still do it, but you can really go online and download it for yourself.

I think each and every teacher in each and every school in the US should provide a copy of this speech for the students, who, in turn, should study his speeches for content and context. This is the stuff that history and heroes re made of, from Elementary school children through college level. Adults especially should be read this speech, because the President is going to need each and every one of us to help implement his plans. He's working for us, we need to do our part. There are 300 million of us in the US. That should be enough to make sure that Obama succeeds in giving us what we need to be the greatest nation ever. We cannot be ambivalent about issues concerning us while he's doing all he can to make the changes he promised a reality. We have to step up and be involved.

Like President Barack Obama, we don't give up and we don't quit until they get it right for all of us.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Wall Street has a lot of nerve!!! Main Street Needs to Protest Wall Street Bonuses

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Generally, I make it a rule to never go to sleep with the news on. (Yes! I’m one of those people who live with TV in the background.) However, I dozed off around 4:30AM after having spent the night “fighting material” (a Lincoln University old school term for studying hard). Around 6:25 I heard something so disturbing, I was compelled to get up and write this article: Wall Street is Leading a Protest Against President Barack Obama! Today!

My subconscious said, “That can’t be possible. You’re having a nightmare. Pay no attention to that nonsense. You know they have better sense than that.” But the other side of my brain argued, “No they don’t. They’ll do anything to duck responsibility, maintain the status quo, and continue to suck off society until not even the marrow is left, while they collect their bonuses, and we collect unemployment and welfare!” With that my eyes popped open, I couldn’t sleep.

So, here I am, 6:40 in the morning, writing this piece. If this true, and it most likely is, then Main Street (the rest of America) has to protest Wall Street. Main Street needs to put Wall Street on notice that we are not going to let this nonsense go unchallenged.

Of course, it’s no accident that they chose the day of President Obama’s State of the Union Address to pull this prank. They have been trying to weasel out of their responsibility for collapsing the economy for the past two years. They’ve turned a blind eye to the plight of Main Street for decades. They had the temerity and the gall to flip Main Street Mortgages, securitizing them, and selling them, over encumbering them (I.e. loading them up with debt), while the home owners were being gouged with higher and higher prices, for lower and lower valued properties -- and at the same time dealing with an economy where increasingly lower and lower salaries were being offered for fewer and fewer jobs (with the bulk of the better paid positions being sent overseas). So eventually, and inevitably, the house of cards collapsed, literally -- along with cars, banks, insurance companies -- whole systems that were being carried by frustrated and beleagured home owners.

When the great collapse came -- guess who was in charge of the United States of America? Bush and all his cronies. It was like having Dracula in the White House. Were they surprised that this happened? Probably not. Did they care? As long as their cash kept flowing, most definitely not. Were there prepared to -- or even interested in -- doing something to help the struggling families who suddenly found themselves without a roof over their heads? Not in the least!

Were they prepared to help the Wall Street investment firms who caused the problem, and were righteously teetering on the brink of disaster, brought on by their own greed, stupidity, avariciousness? Can you say cover up, boys and girls? Remember that taxing the poor to save the rich has been around at least as long as the Bible. It's nothing new. You can bet that when they came on TV that Sunday morning in 2008, saying to the American public that they should do absolutely nothing, but that the President (Bush) should give them billions of bail out dollars, they were not in the least bit concerned about you. You were going to foot the bill, no matter what. Foot it, but not benefit from it. They were only about covering their asses -- er, I mean assets (sorry).

These “smartest minds” as they called themselves, announced that they're planning to protest President Obama! How dare they! The smartest minds are who got us into this mess to begin with. We really need to send a signal to them. Ain’t no business as usual in Wall Street. The President, via our Attorney General, should not stop until a forensic investigation of every transaction that has negatively affected us and the US in general is conducted.

President Obama is calling for greater regulation of the financial sector, and it’s quite probably they are now feeling the heat breathing down their necks. And it’s about time. I suspect the reason we didn’t have financial literacy classes in elementary, middle, and high school, is because, armed with the appropriate information, Wall Street would have never have been able to undermine the stability of the economy. When everybody knows and understands how a system works, and has an interest and involvement in it, it’s pretty difficult to get away with what they’ve been able to get away with.

Think about it, we in New York City, live in a society where the biggest industry we have is money and investment, but I daresay, less that 12% of New Yorkers in the five boroughs of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island, have working knowledge of Wall Street; much less ongoing investments in the mid to high end stocks, let alone municipal bonds. It’s certainly not taught in any of the 19 schools Bloomberg’s henchmen just closed. Hmmmm! When adult education courses are offered, rarely are programs offered in financial literacy or demystifying Wall Street.

While the rank and file of Wall Street live in a home where the median income is $250,000 annually and upwards to $millions, we, the “little people” are acting as though $35,000 puts us in the middle class income bracket (well it does if both husband and wife are earning $35,000 each); but you’re struggling if it turns out that you have an over priced apartment, or if your mortgage exceeds $1200 a month, and you have children; possibly a car. You’re struggling.

I love money just as much as the next person. I'd love to be independently wealthy. But not by climbing on the backs of the rest of society to do so. And if my actions caused the severe privations currently faced with rampant foreclosures, business failures, people losing their jobs, how could I (or Wall Street) in clear consciousness, expect to receive a bonus?

Now, these same proposed Wall Street protesters who may have caused you to lose even your basic means of support, have the temerity and the gall to try to protest President Obama. Obama, who has assiduously worked to restructure the broken toy (the economy is like a broken toy that your big brother or sister gives you after he or she has ruined it, taken all the fun and life out of it, and then sits back smugly while you try to make it go, knowing all along they still have a key piece in their back pocket). These characters (oops! I almost called them cretins -- but how could the smartest guys in the room be cretins? Duh) want to protest him?

Don't you find it interesting that they didn't protest the bogus wars going on in Iraq and Afghanistan? Don't you find it amazing that none of them have been sent overseas? But you can bet that they are underwriting some of the weaponry that is purchased for the war. Remember elementary economics: Guns and Butter. Guns are more important than butter. (by the reason they are asking dumb questions about how the Health Care Bill will be paid for is because they are making far more money paying for a losing war -- their return on their investment (ROI) is through the stratosphere. And when it looks as if we are moving in the direction of pulling our troops and ending the war, the pull an old photo and recording of Bin Laudin out of somewhere with some new threat, and we end up sending more troops whether we needed to or not. They'd protest ending the war, not because we don't need to be there, but because it's messing with their favorite cash cow.

So let's protest Wall Street. Let’s protest them for trying to collect bonuses for a job poorly done. Let’s protest Wall Street for lying to the public. Let’s protest Wall Street until every penny of those so-called bonuses go to underwrite New York’s economy. Let’s protest them until every one of those homes that went up in flames via mortgage backed securities (please don’t put the blame on the so-called sub prime loans -- it’s really all Wall Street, either overt or covert), get’s at least $100,000 to pay down some of their mortgage or move into a new home, after their home was foreclosed upon. Let’s protest Wall Street, and put a freeze on any and all funds over and above salaries that they are trying to sneak and give to each other, while the rest of us go twisting in the wind.

In other words: Don’t let Wall Street get away with this garbage! Tie their feet to the fire. Make them understand that we are all human beings, and deserve to be treated with honesty, integrity, respect -- i.e. humanely! And at the same time, we should demand that our education system immediately implement ongoing financial literacy education and training programs, beginning with our first graders, and continuing through college FREE of charge; as well as a remedial Adult Education Financial Literacy program for those of us who went through this system and did not receive the basics.

By the way, for those of you who think that the Wall Street protest is nothing serious, just remember these facts: Barack Obama is the first Black President in the United States; he’s taken on a system that was morally bankrupt from beginning to end. He’s catching hell in the press, not because he’s not doing a good job. In fact, check the real records. He's doing an excellent job. But Mephistopheles is in the game; Machiavelli is setting the tone for the Republicans -- because this is the way Republicans operate -- and remember who runs the mainstream media and Wall Street -- oh, yes Right Wing, conservative, Republicans.

Remember two years ago when there were seas and seas of Obama buttons because America finally woke up and found itself in the middle of a mess (once again) thanks to the Bush Administration? We once a member of the opposition party gets into office, they do their best to try to make his life and administration a living hell. They did it Clinton. They did it to Carter. They will try to do it to Obama, too. But we’re not going to sit back and let that happen this time. This time we should be astute enough to recognize their m.o. (method of operaton/modus operandii ) by now.

So, with that in mind, let’s not only protest Wall Street protesters, because they are part and parcel the reason we’re in the mess we’re in now; but let’s get those financial literacy classes going -- whether in the schools, or in our many churches (probably better if done in church, it may actually keep the greed factor in church if economics is taught from the standpoint of being our brothers and sisters keepers).

And while you’re at it, get out your Obama buttons, tee shirts, posters, caps, cups, clips, pens; support OFA, and any other organizations that support President Obama, or form one of your own, locally, nationally, internationally. It’s going to be a long haul and a bumpy ride. If you think that you’ve done something by electing him -- you’re definitely right, and have a great deal to be proud of. But we now have to make sure that the agenda we helped him become elected on is implemented, and not circumvented via political expediency and yellow striped blue dogs, filibustering miscreants who are only concerned about party issues, not people issues.

Every time an election comes up, a referendum, or any measure, think "how does this affect Obama, therefore me and my family. You have to vote the same way you did when Obama was running for president. You have to line up to the polls the same way you did on November 4, 2008. You have to send a signal for all times that we are alive, large and in charge, and are using our activism and our constitutional right to vote to make sure the guy we put in office doesn't get sidelined by insidious, duplicitous activities that in the long run undermine us.

Now more than ever YES WE CAN has to be our watchword when it comes to supporting President Barack Obama. Supporting him is supporting America - black, brown, yellow; Red, white, blue.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Rainbow/Push WALL STREET PROJECT 2010 in New York City January 13 - 15

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

If it’s January, it must be time for Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Wall Street Project. And if you haven’t already done so, this is the time to register and get your business cards dusted off, your resumes ready and your business suits out of mothballs, because you just might meet your next employer there.

Below isthe basic information on the upcoming events being held at the Sheraton Hotel in Manhattan, 53rd and 7th Avenue. For further information or to register go on line an follow the prompts.

The concept of THE WALL STREET PROJECT was originated by Rev. Jesse Jackson when he realized that racism extended beyond segregation of neighborhoods, jobs and schools; it also encompassed economics (read MONEY) as well. Realizing that there was indeed a need for comprehensive involvement on the part of Black people in the realm of money and economic parity, he held the first Wall Street Project at the World Trade Center.

However, since 2008, it has never been more blatantly pointed up than in the past year during the aftermath of massive economic down turns, toxic mortgages, job shortages, lay offs and firings that ran over the Black community -- nationally and internationally -- like a mack truck on a mission.

Not only does the Black community financial literacy from the most elementary to the most advanced level, but we need to develop some serious "con-solidarity" (my word) -- a means by which we amalgamate our efforts to develop our own on-going financial institutions.

Hopefully this is what will be provided over the next few days that the WALL STREET PROJECT is in town. If it isn’t then perhaps you might want to come with some of your own ideas in order to help the project in the establishment of such a protocol. One which links our Main Street to our own new version of “Wall Street”. Where we develop our own mutual funds, triple tax free municipal bond funds; credit unions; home buying protocols. Art there some direct business linkages that can be developed between African Americans, Africans, Afri-Caribbeans, South Amercians, etc? that would be of mutual benefit to us all? These are some the burning questions that need to be answered. Our paradigm shift should be part and parcel of the upcoming Wall Street Project.

In the mean time, as always, there are plenty of opportunities and options for networking and uniting. See you there.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria Dulan-Wilson

INFO BELOW -- PLEASE PRINT, POST, PASS IT ON AND PARTICIPATE

RAINBOW PUSH WALL STREET PROJECT

Admission from $35 to $650, This Is In Your Budget!
Wednesday, January 13 - Friday, January 15, 2010
Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, 811 Seventh Avenue at 52nd Street,
New York, NY 10019

The 13th Annual Wall Street Project Economic Summit is a three-day summit for commerce and trade minded, entrepreneurial change agents with a penchant for developing and driving business opportunities.

Our workshops, plenaries, roundtables, breakfasts and luncheons, along with our 2010 Career, Professional Development and Health Expo accentuate the positive and the outstanding individuals and businesses in enterprise today, while addressing the economic, entrepreneurial, career, social justice and community interests and concerns that are unique to men, women and children of African American, Hispanic and other diverse cultures. The Economic Summit also spotlights the accomplishments, goals, progressive vision and strategies for success of those who although traditionally and systematically road-blocked from access to economic opportunities, continue to infuse American and International business with creative, value added propositions.

Special Guest Economic and Financial Experts:
Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League, Jim Reynolds, Loop Capital, Donna Sims Wilson, President M.R. Beal, Chris Williams, Williams Capital, Mellody Hobson, Ariel Investments, Bernard Beal, CEO M.R. Beal, Maceo Sloan, CEO NCM Capital Management and more!

2010 WSP Youth Daily Regular $35.00
Includes:
-Daily Summit Workshops ONLY.
-Does NOT include: any meals.
-Please present ID at ticket pickup.
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2010 WSP Summit Daily Regular $50.00
Includes:
-Daily Summit Workshops ONLY.
-Does NOT include: any meals.
-Please present ID at ticket pickup.
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2010 WSP Youth Full Regular $75.00
Includes:
-3 Days of summit workshops ONLY.
-Does NOT include any meals.
-Please present ID at ticket pickup.
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2010 WSP Adult Full Regular $125.00
Includes:
-All summit workshops ONLY.
-Does NOT include: any meals.
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2010 WSP Summit Mini Registration 3 $200.00
Includes:
-All summit workshops and activities on Friday, January 15 ONLY.
-Does NOT include: VIP Reception & Gala Fundraiser.
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2010 WSP Summit Mini Registration 2 $200.00
Includes:
-All summit workshops and activities on Thursday, January 14 ONLY.
-Does NOT include: VIP Reception & Gala Fundraiser.
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2010 WSP Summit Mini Registration 1 $200.00
Includes:
-All summit workshops and activities on Wednesday, January 13 ONLY.
-Does NOT include: VIP Reception & Gala Fundraiser.
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2010 WSP Women's Luncheon-Individual $125.00
Includes:
-Individual Ticket
-Entitles registrant to attend Women's Luncheon and Summit workshops.
-Includes lunch event on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010.
–Does NOT include Gala Reception.
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2010 WSP Women's Luncheon-Table of 10 $1,250.00
Includes:
-Entitles registrant to attend Women's Luncheon and Summit workshops.
-It includes: lunch event on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 for 10.
-Does NOT include Gala Reception.
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2010 WSP Ministers' Luncheon-Individual $100.00
Includes:
-Individual Tickets
-Entitles registrant to attend Ministers' Luncheon and Summit workshops.
-Luncheon event on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010. Does NOT include Gala Reception.
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2010 WSP Ministers' Luncheon (Table of 10) $1,000.00
Includes:
-Entitles registrant to attend Ministers' Luncheon and Summit workshops.
-It includes: lunch event on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010 for 10. Does NOT include Gala Reception.
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