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Peter Mathews speaks with Michelle Lecours on IE News at Long Beach City College. |
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The Rich Have Gotten Richer,
The Middle Class Is Getting Poorer!
We can and must change direction:a 21st Century New Deal |
by Peter Mathews, Professor of Political Science, Cypress College
Updated: April 20, 2012
In the present so-called "recovery" of the last three years, the top 1% has captured 93% of the total growth in income, according to UC Berkeley economist Emmanuel Saez. That left only 7% of the new income to be shared by the 99% of Americans. This was the result of tax cuts on the super rich, tax loopholes and subsidies for big corporations, such as big oil companies, and cuts in public education that would have created opportunity for working Middle Class Americans.
A recent study indicated that 47% of Americans were either struggling to make ends meet or living in poverty. Most of these are Americans who are the Working Poor. At the same time, the top 400 income earners in this nation each received an average of $214,000,000 last year. The average American’s individual income was $26,000 last year. Since the beginning of 2008, 4.6 million plus jobs were lost. All of this and more were the direct result of former President Bush’s and Congress’ wrong headed policies of eight years: “Trickle Down Economics” with huge tax cuts for the super rich; An unjustified, costly and debt generating war in Iraq; Unregulated, Free Trade (not Fair Trade), job exporting, trade deficit generating, anti-worker policies; Further deregulation of banks and finance, allowing Wall Street to go wild.
The best way out of this mess, and to restore the shattered American Dream, is to learn from the spirit and substance of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. While faced with the worst economic Depression in history, FDR inspired us to believe that government should be made a positive instrument that helps provide full-fledged opportunity for all Americans to achieve the American Dream (at the very least, entry to the Middle Class). This must include new government policies that promote:
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Full employment with high paying private sector and public works jobs in a strong Green Economy.
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Increased Competiveness for American Businesses by relieving them of burdensome health care costs, by establishing:
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A Universal Single Payer Health Care System (Medicare for All) which will cost 40% less per person than the present wasteful, inefficient, profit driven system that mainly benefits the insurance companies, drug companies, and HMOs at the expense of American patients, and increases the cost of American products.
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Universal Free Public Education of all types preschool through college, including academic, technical, trade school and apprenticeship programs that will prepare American workers for the 21st Century workforce.
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Fair trade between the United States and other countries that will create high paying jobs and new wealth for American workers and others in the world, not just for corporate owners.
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Pro-worker policies that will strengthen labor unions and once again grow the working middle class.
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The resurrection of a modern version of FDR’s Works Progress Administration (WPA), Public Works Administration (PWA), Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC),, and other public employment agencies in high tech, manufacturing, and scientific and technological areas. This will stimulate and supplement the private sector by creating high paying government employment: building Maglev high speed trains; alternative energy such as wind, solar, tide and wave power; building K-12 classrooms to reduce class sizes; building hospitals, and dental and health clinics to ensure health care for all Americans.
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Promote strong support for small businesses through lower taxes and low interest loans for expansion.
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Full funding for the above programs by closing unfair corporate tax loopholes (ctj.org), eliminating corporate welfare, canceling the Bush tax cuts for the super rich, and ending the war in Afghanistan rapidly and responsibly. President Obama has claimed, “We’ve got over $1 trillion worth of loopholes in the corporate tax code” (LA Times, Michael Finnegan 9/19/07).
Under the Bush tax cuts, a person earning one million dollars received $97,000 in tax cuts per year for 10 years while a person earning $40,000 received $350. We need to urge President Obama to immediately get Congress to carry out his campaign promise of canceling the Bush tax cuts for the super rich, bringing in $300 billion more. This $1.3 trillion dollars is real money, not borrowed money like the Bush Administration stimulus and bailout packages were. This Real Money can fully fund the 21st Century New Deal and pay down our federal debt, bringing fiscal responsibility and increased income and greater wealth for all Americans, not just the wealthy few at the top.
The KPFA Evening News (Weekend) - March 10, 2012 at 6:00pm
In radio interview, Peter Mathews announces why he's running for Congress. ( Click to listen ) [3 min.] |
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Peter Mathews Shows Solidarity with Union Locals!Peter Mathews joined Local 433 Ironworkers in Compton to show solidarity for their Labor dispute with the Ralph’s/Food4Less Corporation. The union workers were demonstrating against Ralph's construction of a 300,000 ...Article by Online Advocate |
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No Need to Shout at This Town HallAbout 90 people attended a town hall meeting on healthcare reform this weekend in Long Beach, and most said they support President Obama's proposal for health care reform. ...Article by City News Service |
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HealthcareToday, more than 47 million Americans are without any kind of health care insurance, and that number is growing fast. The Big Banks, Health Care Insurers and Drug Industry are spending millions right now to make sure that your voice is not heard...Article by Peter Mathews - updated: October 1, 2009 |
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Peter Mathews Shows Solidarity with Union Localsby Online Advocate January 13, 2010 |
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| Democratic Congressional Candidate Professor Peter Mathews joined Local 433 Ironworkers in Compton on Monday to show solidarity for their Labor dispute with the Ralph’s/Food4Less Corporation. The union workers were demonstrating against Ralph's construction of a 300,000 sq. foot warehouse facility in Compton, CA, without the use of local unionized labor. “It is disheartening to know that a company as profitable as Ralph’s, whose corporate headquarters resides in the City of Compton, would not utilize the skills of |  |
Updated 9:15 AM PDT, Monday Sept. 14, 2009, Associated Press
Democratic congressional candidate, Peter Mathews, who is seeking the seat currently held by Rep. Laura Richardson, D-Long Beach, hosted the town hall at Long Beach's Sipology Coffee shop.
Nearly everyone was able to speak, and according to Mathews, most spoke in favor of a universal single-payer system or for a public option to be added to a reformed private health insurance system.
Similar town hall meetings on healthcare reform have turned into shouting matches by people opposed to President Barack Obama’s plan.
Under single-pay, a government system like Medicare or Medicaid would replace the health insurance industry. Under a public option, the federal government would offer a Medicaid-type program to compete with private or employer-based health insurance.
Opponents of healthcare reform say both proposals would result in a ``government takeover'' of healthcare, endanger the health insurance industry and increase the federal budget deficit.
Mathews, a professor of political science at Cypress College, opened the meeting by stating that "more than 47 million Americans are without any kind of health insurance, and that number is growing by over 1 million per year. The private healthcare insurers, drug industry and big banks are spending millions right now to make sure that your voice is not heard." Mathews also said that the Canadian and French healthcare systems, which are financed by their governments, are ranked the best by the World Health Organization, while the American health system is ranked 37th.
"A government funded public option is absolutely necessary in American healthcare reform because it will keep private healthcare honest, efficient and cost effective," he said. "A single-payer healthcare system such as Medicare is the best. It will not bankrupt our nation or destroy our economy. Healthcare is a right and should have little to do with profit."
He said exorbitant co-payments and deductibles are causing financial strain and bankruptcy for thousands of insured Americans, while others are being dropped or denied coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Copyright City News Service
First Published Sept. 14, 2009 7:35 AM PDT
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Today, more than 47 million Americans are without any kind of health care insurance, and that number is growing fast. The Big Banks, Health Care Insurers and Drug Industry are spending millions right now to make sure that your voice is not heard, or at best it is only a whisper. Don't be fooled. The Canadian and French healthcare systems are ranked the best in the world by the World Health Organization, while the American System ranks 37th.
A government funded public option is absolutely necessary in American Health Care reform because it will keep private sector health care honest, efficient and cost effective. A Single-payer healthcare system is the best. It will not bankrupt our nation or destroy our economy. In fact, like Social Security during President Franklin Roosevelt's time, it will serve to strengthen us and add to our prosperity and economic security for many years to come. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness are basic human rights. Healthcare is a right and should have little to do with profit. But don't just take my word for it. You have a voice of your own, and one which must be heard. Now is your chance. Please speak out and let your congressman know where you stand on this most important issue. We have an opportunity to send a strong and clear message to our President and our Congress.
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FACT #1: 47 million Americans have no health insurance.
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FACT #2: Over 1 million Americans are losing their health care coverage each year. You could be next!
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FACT #3: Exorbitant co-payments and deductibles are causing financial strain and bankruptcy for thousands of insured Americans.
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FACT #4: The cost of health insurance premiums is skyrocketing by over 12% per year.
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FACT #5: Hundreds of health clinics and hospitals are being shut down, creating long waits for Americans needing treatment.
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FACT #6: The cost of prescription drugs is skyrocketing.
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FACT #7: Dozens of emergency rooms have closed and waiting time is up to 13 hours.
All those interested in this historic campaign are invited to contact Mathews for Congress and talk to Peter personally. The contact information is: Peter Mathews' cellphone (562) 234-3319, Campaign headquarters phone (562) 438-0505, E-mail address: peter@mathewsforcongress.org
College Professor/Educator |
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Rescue Education Founder and State Coordinator, Peter Mathews, Professor of Political Science, Cypress College. |
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Mathews Network
Contact Information
Cellphone: (562) 234-3319
Mail: PO Box 2857
Long Beach, CA 90801
E-mail: peter@mathewsforcongress.org
Gwen Stefani campaigns for Peter Mathews in his first Democratic primary election victory. |