There’s an over-used, often-modified, bullshit slogan along the lines of “If you are not a socialist at the age of 20 you have no heart; if you are still a socialist at the age of 40 you have no brain.” This pearl of supposed wisdom gets a lot of people’s
Continue readingTag: Socialism
The Ranting Canadian: Canadian provinces cooperate in order to save money
Canadian provinces cooperate in order to save money: Canada’s provincial and territorial premiers have worked out a deal to buy six generic drugs in bulk, which will save us an estimated $100 million. Imagine that, politicians from across the country working together for the common good! In today’s divided and
Continue readingwmtc: are we seeing the beginning of global people’s revolution?
“There’s something happening here, what it is ain’t exactly clear…” This week, I attended a talk put on by the International Socialists, featuring an organizer with OUR Walmart, by Skype from Texas, and a Toronto-based union activist. Both speakers were terrific and so inspiring, but although I took copious notes,
Continue readingwmtc: why you cannot save your way to a comfortable retirement
I was very pleased to see this run in the New York Times. I guess it was safe because the writer didn’t actually use the word socialism. But this Op-Ed is all about the dead-end of capitalism, choking the life out of the working person, and more recently, the middle
Continue readingwmtc: what i’m reading, children’s book edition: # 3: a war resister story of sorts
In this children’s book review, I look at a book about military war resistance and analyze its lessons and conclusions. Shot at Dawn deals with many unpleasant realities of war – including some shameful episodes in Canada’s past – with open eyes and without sugar coating. Ultimately, the author pulls
Continue readingThe Ranting Canadian: Happy 2013 to all good and decent people who deserve it. Fuck…
Happy 2013 to all good and decent people who deserve it. Fuck Off And Die to all enemies of freedom, justice, equality and truth. It’s a different year, but it’s the same old struggle. —————————————————————————————————— The video is for the song “Different Day” by The Rough Kutz.
Continue readingwmtc: unrelenting austerity and the promise of self-reliance: a blog from greece
A friend sent me a link to this blog, written by a man from the UK, a Socialist Workers Party activist, now retired and living on the Greek island of Samos. It’s a picture from of life under extreme austerity – how people are suffering, but also how they are
Continue readingwmtc: european general strike: "end this downward spiral"
Four European workers explain why their union is participating in the general strike: “Why we are striking against austerity in Europe” in The Guardian. In many sectors, union “leadership”, content to settle for crumbs, were dragged along by the organi…
Continue readingwmtc: n14: european general strike!
In a few hours, people all over Europe will wake up and begin their days. Many will find it difficult to get anywhere or do anything. Many more will not report to work or school, and will instead take to the streets.November 14, 2012 will mark a histor…
Continue readingThe Ranting Canadian: A claymation version of Ed Broadbent makes a clear and logical…
A claymation version of Ed Broadbent makes a clear and logical 3.5-minute presentation on income inequality and politics in Canada.
Continue readingThe Ranting Canadian: I’ve never reblogged something before, but this story…
I’ve never reblogged something before, but this story really impressed me so I had to share.
alittlecoconuttart:
Occupy Group Buys Consumer
Debt And Throws It Away
November 10, 2012
By Nathaniel Downes
The debt collection industry is one of the l…
wmtc: corporate greenwashing and the myth of consumer sovereignty
One of the wonderful things about no longer working for Evil Corporate Law Firm – and there are so many! – is no longer contributing to a firm that represents some of skeeviest organizations in the world, including the Conservative Party of Canada. I’ve worked for many a skeevy law
Continue readingPop The Stack: Yes David, the Conservative movement has two sides, but it also has two parties.
True words written by David Brooks. But the next step is for him to realize that the Democrats are not actually socialists at all but are the Traditional Conservatives he is talking about and pining for. In Canada we used to call them Progressive Conservatives and they’re all but dead
Continue readingPop The Stack: Yes David, the Conservative movement has two sides, but it also has two parties.
True words written by David Brooks. But the next step is for him to realize that the Democrats are not actually socialists at all but are the Traditional Conservatives he is talking about and pining for. In Canada we used to call them Progressive Conservatives and they’re all but dead
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Failures of Capitalism – Unquestioned Assumptions on Happiness
Did you ever wonder about economic growth? Take the time to question your assumptions on economic growth and how it effects you? Thomas Homer Dixon has and what he says is quite interesting. From The Upside of Down pages 192 – 193. “One might even say that we’re collectively fixated
Continue readingwmtc: revolutionary thought of the day
Revolutionary thought of the day: A voice cried out, I was killed in Maryland in 1877 When the railroad workers made their stand Well, I was killed in 1963 one sunday morning in Birmingham Well, I died last year crossing the southern desert My children left behind in San Pablo
Continue readingwmtc: why is "entitled" a dirty word? some thoughts on what we are all entitled to.
When did “entitled” become a dirty word? Why do we hear “entitled” being used as catch-all slur, a derogatory description to be thrown at progressive people working for change? And why should we permit this word to retain such a heavily negative connotation? Here are some people I have seen
Continue readingwmtc: marxism 2012 program notes: the 1965 postal workers strike
One of the best talks I attended at this year’s Marxism Conference was given by my friend Pam Johnson. I know little about Canadian labour history; my knowledge of labour struggles is mostly about the US. Learning about the 1965 postal workers strike was thrilling, both in the discovery of
Continue readingRedBedHead: Spain & The Madness of Europe
There’s a saying that defines madness as doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results. By that criteria, it’s clear that the European Union’s response to the long and painful crisis unfolding on that continent is utterly and completely mad. With the appearance a few years ago
Continue readingwmtc: rtod
Revolutionary thought of the day: That’s a very American value right there: if you screw up in your early 20s, you — and your children — are on your own for life. . . . Why does it seem like a reasonable policy suggestion to tell Jessica she needs a
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