English

Letters from our readers

 

On “How I became a socialist

Great introduction and fascinating interview. Truly inspiring to “old-timers” such as myself.  I’m also proud to have known Ed Winn and can see why D’Artagnan was impressed by this man who had great courage and character as a rank and file leader of NYC transit workers while playing such an important role as a worker-socialist-Trotskyist. 

DF
New York, USA
31 July 2009

***

An excellent article that shows the struggles of workers through the life story and experiences of Collier. Looking forward to more such descriptive narratives of working class leaders.

Prashant B
Lebanon
2 August 2009

On “States cut social programs as deficits deepen

Obama has said that he is no FDR, and this story reveals that the non-affluent people of America can expect no “New Deal” from him. As your other article documenting Obama’s bonus payments to the banking community that caused this mess in the first place shows, this despicable person has more in common with Herbert Hoover than meets the eye. The only difference is that he is bailing out the rich in his own perverse version of the New Deal that is both hypocritical and ironic.

Many people voted for him hoping he would institute an FDR New Deal, including many senior citizens who grew up in the Depression and regarded this false Messiah as another version of an FDR savior. They have been bitterly disappointed but still perversely blind their eyes to the reality of the situation before them. Help is not coming to people in dire need, but the affluent parasites who caused this situation. I will conclude by wishing every success to D’Artganan Collier, who saw the light years ago according to the information and interview in this always informative and realistic site.

Tony W
1 August 2009

On “Ontario: Growing numbers of ‘working poor’

I was searching out information on LICO and came across this one. I am very well educated and have not once been hired in my field. I have had to take call centre jobs, which do not pay enough. I have now been doing a scary balancing act between Ontario Works and Unemployment Insurance. Ontario Works feels that $532 is enough to get by on, yet I have a mortgage, utilities and house insurance amongst other financial obligations. Unemployment Insurance has delayed my claim indefinitely. Currently, I will lose my house insurance on August 4, my house will be going into foreclosure and I’ve been living on nothing wondering why I keep trying. I have nowhere to go, but no one cares because I, like many others, am just another face, and apparently the system is set up so that a person can find the additional assistance they need. Well, I need to let someone know this is a grave fallacy and many of us are swept under the rug. I don’t deserve to be in this position because I have paid my dues and have strived very hard. I have always maintained a certain level of hope, yet I now feel like it is a wasted energy. It’s like an idea for a program is introduced and no one is monitoring its success. Like sheep, the administrators of the program follow it and proclaim like a ‘truth’ that it is working.

Glenda P
Ontario, Canada
2 August 2009

On “Obama touts economic ‘recovery’” 

 

This is so bad that I believe if I attempted to speak about it at the moment, I would sputter and spit. How these bald-faced lies can be pushed on the people so blithely is nearly beyond me. And if people continue to swallow the lies like befuddling potion, the country is in for a lot more pain than anyone, I think, is prepared to deal with.

If the proof of the existence of class war hasn’t penetrated the consciousness of the citizens of this screwed up country after this, I’m not sure what it will take. We must continue our efforts to bring the truth, the truth that John Lennon once famously demanded in a song that should be getting some fresh airplay. We cannot be tentative and quiet and amenable and diffident about it any longer. There is no such reticence coming from the other side.

Carolyn
California, USA
3 August 2009

On “500 Days of Summer: The eternally sunlit paradise that is Los Angeles

 

Thank you for your review of this film, which I don’t intend to see. Your description of it highlights the fact that most contemporary filmmakers are not only afraid of history, they are afraid of true romance—I mean portraying the real obstacles to people being able to love each other in the social context of their world, and how they strive to overcome those obstacles.  Great works of fiction (and some great films) with love as their theme, have always shown how love is genuinely subversive, a power that exists to bring meaning to our lives. In most contemporary films there appears to be no reason for relationships—they’re not about anything.

KV
Canada
4 August 2009

On “US-China talks: a fragile relationship

First it was going to be the American century. Now it is to be the American and Chinese century. Later it will be the Chinese and American century. Finally the Chinese century, as seen from Beijing. The truth that counts from the side of the American government is that devaluing the dollar devalues its debts. This will continue. The end of the British Empire was associated with a period characterized as managed decline. The hubris of the American elites makes it more likely that the end of Imperial America will be associated with a spectacular collapse.

Chris
30 July 2009

On “Strange case of North Carolina ‘jihadists’ used to heighten terror scare

Superbly written commentary. Thank you so much for writing this. I hope that many people will see this and agree, because this is precisely what is going on. I only hope to see more writings like this.

Jessica B
USA
31 July 2009

 

 

Loading