When will we abolish slavery?

[Discombobula]

I don't know what it's like everywhere else, but here in Connecticut (the wealthiest state per capita in the country) minimum wage is $7.40 an hour. Most places cost at least $600 a month for rent alone, then you got utilities and food costs and if you don't live within walking distance of a store or your job you need transportation too.

So if you work 40 hours a week at $7.40 an hour you get $296 a week before taxes or social security or medicare that is automatically deducted from your paycheck. That's $1188 a month before taxes. Take out the rent for the cheapest place you can find and that's $588 a month. It's pretty cold during the winter without heat so most residents consider electricity a necessity. My bill for my apartment used to be anywhere between $80 for the hottest months and around 160 bucks month for the coldest months for electricity, and I don't use much.  So if we take the average of that and call it $120 we're down to $478 a month.

Now many of us have seen Supersize Me, the documentary about the guy who eats nothing but McDonalds for 30 days, and those of us who saw it know the impossibility of surviving on such cheap low quality food, but we'll say for the sake of argument that it is possible, and we won't even consider the medical bills that would be associated with such a diet.

A medium sized value meal (the smallest size available) at McDonalds in my town costs an average of 5 bucks. Sure, there are a few that cost 3.99 but 6% sales tax on 3.99 puts the real price at 4.23. The most expensive value meals are over $6, so I'd say that 5 bucks is a pretty low estimate of the average, but we'll go with it for simplicity. Once again, I don't know the price of shit anywhere else in the country, so please tell me how it is where you are.

Anyways, at 5 bucks a meal, the $478 a full time minimum wager has left over after rent and electricity (not to mention water if you have to pay for that) a person can afford 95.5 meals per month. In a month with 30 days, that gives the person 3 value meals at McDonalds every day plus $30 remainder. This is a hypothetical situation in which every dime is accounted for. Realistically, every month a person lives working full time at minimum wage and pays their own expenses is a month they get deeper in debt.

In my opinion, this is slavery repackaged and there is no escape. How does everyone eat this bullshit up?

[JC]

These minimum wage workers need to organize. Start a fast food workers union. The IWW is working to organize Starbucks

http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2006/10/77485.shtml

-JC

[Discombobula]

You know some corporations, like McDonalds and Walmart have actually shut down locations when their employees in that area have attempted to organize a union. It makes sense, financially. If you let one location have a union, very soon that union is going to spread to the rest of your locations and you're gonna have to start spending money on your workers.

McDonalds and Walmart have a lot of workers. They would lose tons more money than they would by simply shutting down the location where workers are trying to organize a union, and the shut down move sends a message to workers in all their other locations also. The message is don't try to organize or you will lose your jobs. Didn't the slavemasters have similarly public punishment messages after an attempted uprising or escape?

[Victor]

I like the idea of a union, but it's a little complicated.
I live in MA and have become close with alot of the families in my area.
The majority of them are from either Guatemala or El Salvador.
Most of them work 80 hours a week at Mcdonalds, are left with minimum wage to feed their children, and don't get payed overtime or extra for holidays.
The franchise owner makes them work at 2 of his stores, 40 hours at each one so he doesn't have to pay overtime.
I always try to encourage them to speak up for themselves because they don't deserve to be treated like slaves.
The only problem is that they're not here legally, so they're afraid which I can't blame them for.
They can't afford to set up a boycott similar to that of May 1st because they need to feed their children.

Anyone got any suggestions for that scenario?
These people help me out like fam, so I'd like to be able to contribute.

Right now the only solution I can really imagine is that the US stop funding fake democracies in Central/South America, and abolish the Washington Consensus in 3rd world countries so that people don't need to come here illegaly.

[Kessel]

I don't necessarily think that unions are the answer.

maybe a national standard for minimum wage for full time employment. but make it enough to live off of, not this <$10 bullshit.

[123456]

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, None but ourselves can free our minds.- Bob Marley

[Discombobula]

I like the idea of a union, but it's a little complicated.
I live in MA and have become close with alot of the families in my area.
The majority of them are from either Guatemala or El Salvador.
Most of them work 80 hours a week at Mcdonalds, are left with minimum wage to feed their children, and don't get payed overtime or extra for holidays.
The franchise owner makes them work at 2 of his stores, 40 hours at each one so he doesn't have to pay overtime.
I always try to encourage them to speak up for themselves because they don't deserve to be treated like slaves.
The only problem is that they're not here legally, so they're afraid which I can't blame them for.
They can't afford to set up a boycott similar to that of May 1st because they need to feed their children.

Anyone got any suggestions for that scenario?
These people help me out like fam, so I'd like to be able to contribute.

Right now the only solution I can really imagine is that the US stop funding fake democracies in Central/South America, and abolish the Washington Consensus in 3rd world countries so that people don't need to come here illegaly.

Often, family owned businesses are not as rigidly straight-laced as corporate enterprises. They are more apt to overlook certain things and pay under the table, and much more likely to feel responsible for the welfare of their employees.

Small family owned farms, landscaping companies, carpenters, masons, plumbers, housecleaners and restaurant owners are all examples of the types of companies who need help and are often willing to pay more than minimum wage and often willing to make under the table arrangements.

If someone has enough documentation to get hired at McDonalds they can probably get signed up at an employment agency also which could be beneficial to getting placed at a more interesting job than McDonalds, and possibly more compassionate superiors.

[atlien]

Discombobula,
I'm glad to find that you even exist.  Most people don't even know what the @uck you're talking about.  Most that do know (this is a small number of people) don't care about it.  So it's good to hear that someone is even pissed (and perhaps a little vexed) about this ish.  Down here in Atlanta, it's the same story.  People working for crumbs just to get deeper and deeper into debt.  Bad credit equals even crazier lending terms and even deeper debt.

The system is rigged against all non-whites, blacks especially and against the poor, of all ethnicities, generally.

The system aside for a second, many people say that it's difficult not to blame those that produce the ills through popular culture.  Rap artists like Jay-Z and others that convince kids that appearing to have money is the only way to gain respect.  What people conveniently leave out in that analysis is that Jay-Z, far from an independent artists, is part of the corporate structure and culture.  The corporate culture is the essence of our system.  So Jay-Z is just a part of the same system that is rigged against the poor. 

Organizing from the bottom is the only way out of this.  But before that, we need more folks like you and like the people on this board to devote more time changing the wind.  Helping people to see what is happening.  Breaking this shit down for our friends, associates and anyone else who might be listening.

One word of caution.  Don't waste time trying to convince the middle class or above of these realities.  People in that socioeconomic position rarely accept an analysis that threatens their corporate dreams.  And even if they sort of get down with what you're describing, they won't hang around when the going gets rough.  Those who have nothing (or very little) to lose, will be the ones that revolutionize the system.  Too many people get caught up trying to convince middle class and above folks.  Don't waste your time and get burnt out #uckin' with them.

[Victor]

I think that the problem with the middle class revolting is that it is usually out of greed.
They want to become the upperclass, and that is their only concern.
They use the tactic of promising the lower class equality and proper distribution of wealth for their aid in the struggle,
but as soon as the system is overturned they neglect all people, other than their own.
The lower class is back at the bottom, the upper class becomes the middle-working class, and the middle class becomes the elite and tries to re-establish a system based on the containment of power in their small group.

The lower class needs to be slapped into consciousness and woken the fuck up.
This definitely isn't a short term thing.
As of now there are more than enough people to overcome the opression, but there are far too many obstacles.
The system keeps them subordinate by overworking, pushing drugs, and imposing extreme individuality that ultimately leads to racism and complete annihilation of any sense of solidarity or community.
We are fed just enough to stay alive, but never to progress and forced to remain in stagnance.
The people need to realize that just because a hand feeds us, doesn't mean that we can't confront it.
Beacause it is that same hand that ultimately keeps us down.

[atlien]

The middle class Democrats, if/when confronted with the contradictions of their plan (the ones you just laid out, Victor) will have a partial revolt.  I believe there are some in the middle class that do what you described but are really just going along because that is what they know opposition to be.  I think that if it is made clear that they are the problem some of them will abandon the middle class oppressor role.

The most urgent concern remains lower working class consciousness.  We need to start talking to each other offline about everything from food stamps, schools, environmental racism, the war, wage slavery.  We need conversations to start happening with those who might be moved to action. 

People are lazy and most aren't going to lead anything no matter how dire things become.  However, there are many who are hurting enough and pissed off enough to follow in a direction that makes sense.  But we must start talking to each other in a major off the internet kind of way.

[JC]

I dont know if its appropriate to exclude poor white people. I think this is a socio-economic problem as much as a racism problem. Before I gave a shit, homelss whites where just as invisable to me as homeless blacks or anyone else.

I am certain organization is the answer. It may not have to be a union in the traditional sense but there has to be some solidarity and a strong sense of community between poor people. And its not a waste of time to appeal to the middle class some in the middle class will help selflessly. Not everyone is a greedy capitalist.

I make a descent living and I am still willing to help and speak out. Although I am a trades person I still have health care and a pension. To me its the answer for anyone who wants a stable descent income.

[atlien]

Sorry.  I agree.  We shouldn't exclude poor whites.  What we should do is build tactics to overcome the obstacle of racism by poor whites toward poor non-whites, into our plan.

I don't think it is a waste of time appealing to the middle class.  That is what I meant about some middle class folks defecting from the current model.  It is not a waste of time.   However, it should be the lowest priority.  Right now, it is the only priority.  Organizing the lower class working poor and unemployed should be first priority.  I say that because we are so inundated with propaganda that says we should talk to the middle class.  If one says we should prioritize them all equally, what ends up happening is more of the same, attention to the middle class which then abandons the program when it doesn't suit their narrow interest.

Focus has to be on the lower class working poor and unemployed.

My .02

[Paradigmatic]

The only people that can abolish slavery are slaves. Until slaves organise on a global scale the shit ain't going to change. Anyone that is born into a system with indebtedness, is a slave. Therefore we are all slaves. There are just different degrees of oppression and exploitation experianced. The elites don't give a fuck what your socioeconomic background is. All they care about is creating a debt around your neck and making you use the company shop to buy goods from. The way to defeat serfdom is to unite in the common fight regardless of your ethnicity.

[atlien]

I agree.  But we must identify the fractures and intentional divisions before we can do that.  That is where this site (and others) comes in.

[Discombobula]

Sorry. I agree. We shouldn't exclude poor whites. What we should do is build tactics to overcome the obstacle of racism by poor whites toward poor non-whites, into our plan.

I don't think it is a waste of time appealing to the middle class. That is what I meant about some middle class folks defecting from the current model. It is not a waste of time. However, it should be the lowest priority. Right now, it is the only priority. Organizing the lower class working poor and unemployed should be first priority. I say that because we are so inundated with propaganda that says we should talk to the middle class. If one says we should prioritize them all equally, what ends up happening is more of the same, attention to the middle class which then abandons the program when it doesn't suit their narrow interest.

Focus has to be on the lower class working poor and unemployed.

My .02

What we need to do is educate all members of society and let people make their own decisions. In my experience, poor white kids who become racist do so because it gives them an in with a WP gang. White kids in the ghetto are the minority and they want protection as much as anyone else, especially when blacks and hispanics are so kept down by a system controlled by whites that often it becomes a right of passage to fuck with the neighborhood poor white kid.

People desperate for protection will do almost anything in their power to feel safe, including harming others in an attempt to intimidate. It doesn't matter what race you are, if you are desperate and frightened enough you will do anything to send a "don't mess with me" message to others. This fear is exploited and used towards gang recruitment, which causes endless fighting among people who all have the same goal in the face of the same problem.

In my opinion most established gangs have begun to operate in a similar manner to the government. So many members, so much beaurocracy that they are really more a vehicle for personal gain of their high ranking members than a real instrument of protection for all the members.

Look at what has happened to the continent of Africa since the beginning of European colonization. Some groups have supported the Europeans out of fear, and some supported those who resisted the Europeans out of fear. Our presence there has divided the people and bred so much racism and hatred and now there is constant genocide, warfare, famine and poverty everywhere all over the continent.

The country is overrun by HIV and AIDS and field hospitals. And the whole while American and European corporations strip mine the continent of diamonds and precious metals that should be available to Africans. Instead, the puppet governments that were set up as a result of colonization co-own most mining sites, protect the sites from native populations and always take a cut of the profits and payoffs by companies like DeBeers diamonds.

What has happened in Africa is the same thing that has happened in America. The poor are kept under control by a fear of each other, and instead of attacking the prison guards we thin out the numbers of people who could be persuaded to our point of view by attacking those most like us. The American poor need to organize themselves instead of allowing the system to organize us into policemen, soldiers, prisoners and gangmembers all at odds with one another.

The truly organized are laughing at us.

[atlien]

The only truly organized is the tiny rich minority.  They got their shit together.  Everyone else is walking around aimlessly.

[Discombobula]

The only truly organized is the tiny rich minority. They got their shit together. Everyone else is walking around aimlessly.

That's right my man, and killing other aimless wanderers while we do it.

[LastNameForgotten]

The rich are organize, in making sure they stay rich individually, but not in a way of coming together and plotting ways to make themselves richer and others poorer because the system has already been set up that way by their predecessors, so the new rich are often unaware of how the system works. There are always a new influx of people in the economic classes of rich, middle, and poor, if you divide the economic classes into three categories.  The influx is not just from bottom up, but also from top to bottom. The problem that occurs is that for every person that becomes apart of the rich economic class there is a dramatic disproportional number of people that become apart of the poor economic class. Usually what happens when there is a massive gap between the rich class and everyone else is that a revolution of some sort takes place which allows the leaders of the revolution and others to become the new rich. The disheartening thing about it is that usually the new rich practices the same policies of the rich class that they drove out. The policies may look different from their predecessors, but the basic principles are still there with the same results.

With countries economies being globally connected the system of inequality is going to be tough to break because some else's poor is always someone else's rich until you get down to the poorest of the poor. It will take a broad collation across economic classes around the world to break the system of slavery on all levels.  Building a broad collation is going to be tough to do because of all the divisions that have been created and the new ones being created to block such a broad collation from forming. Remember that the greatest ally of the white slave owners in the United States where not others like them, but those whites who benefited the least from slavery.

[Paradigmatic]

Social structures are in place to enable the retention of power and wealth by the elites. You only have to look at the federal reserve. It's as federal as federal express. The elites via a process of dumbing down maintain their oppressive and exploitative apparatus. This behaviour is hidden behind the shield of government.

This hegemony is promoted as being in the national interest. So they are allowed to carry on with the hegemonistic behaviour and no one bats an eye. The smoke and mirrors game continues.

The mass deception is repeated ad infinitum. As long as gas prices drop in the run up to an election, the sheep are happy. The cultural artifact of political parties needs to be exposed for what it is. It is nothing but two sides of the same coin. People are told by the media that they have a choice. When in reality both candidates are backed by the Bilderbergs et al.