There is a lot of repression going on in the US

[Charleston Chew]

Run time: 01:45 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NAOS4Ndx1U   Posted on YouTube: March 06, 2011 By YouTube Member: Presstvusdesk Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: March 06, 2011 By DU Member: Charleston Chew Views on DU: 2335

 
'There is a lot of repression going on in the US'

Experts believe that the populous uprising in Tunisia triggered a domino effect that eventually engulfed the Arab World. Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain and Libya along with a number of other Arab states are going through fundamental changes.


But, what about the latest protests in the United States? Are they, somehow, linked to what is happening in the Middle East and North Africa?


Here at the US Desk in Press TV, we spoke with Jennifer Van Bergen from Florida about this topic. Jennifer is the author of “The Twilight of Democracy.”


Van Bergen argues that even though there is no direct link between these events, we cannot however ignore the similarities among them-including what's happening now in Wisconsin. She says: “There is a lot of repression going on in this country. You look at some hot spots in the Middle East and other places in the world and you think the United States is still the land of liberty, but it is not.”


To prove her point, Van Bergen discusses suppression, oppression, state secrecy and birth of a police state in the U.S. “United States has created so much grief and suffering in other places in the world and we are in a bubble,” Van Bergen says. In conclusion, Jennifer talks about the U.S. middle class and how its suffering has led to the current awakening in the country.



FACTS & FIGURES

States face deficits that may reach a combined $125 billion in the next fiscal year, and Republican governors, including Wisconsin's Scott Walker, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and New Jersey's Chris Christie, are trying to change the rules for collective bargaining and worker contributions for health care and pensions. The Province


Under the Wisconsin's governor's bill, state workers must increase contributions to their pensions to 5.8 percent of salary, and double contributions to their health insurance premiums to 12.6 percent. This would result in a cut in take-home pay of about 8 percent. Reuters


The budget battle in the U.S. state of Wisconsin brought tens of thousands of protesters onto the streets, starting on February 15.


Critics say the bill is an attack on working-class America thinly veiled as an attempt to balance the budget.


According to a recent poll by WisconsinReporter.com, fifty-six percent of the 500 likely voters said that Wisconsin state employees and public employee unions should have collective bargaining powers, with 32 percent disagreeing. Twelve percent were not sure.

http://www.presstv.ir/usdetail/168376.html

[xchrom]

1. 'a gentle awakening...' -- we will see. nt

[nebenaube]

2. Under Wisconsin Governer Scott Walker

Somebody will get to purchase the state utility plants (heating for university campuses) with no-bid sales. Ending collective bargaining rights, Punishment of Academics and Executives on Tier 2 Pension payout formula, reducing a major factor in the calculation by 4%; taking large portion of the total payout. (the fund is worth $147 billion and they want it). The excess contributions seem to be going to fund a hedge fund. Power consolidation, elimination of approx 21,000 state positions, increase political appointees. Spin off and privatization of State Universities. Privatization of public schools, privatization of prisons. It's a flurry of fascist restructuring.

[Marblehead]

3. sad that

we thought obama could stop any of this

[trungpa ricochet]

4. The message may be factual, but...

...anything sponsored by the government of Iran is tainted with a rather sour theocratic flavor. I realize any reasonable person knows this as well, but Iran itself needs to undergo a genuine internal revolution. Press TV will not be there except to report for the Ayatollas.

[Charleston Chew]

5. Welcome to DU!

How did we ever get along without you?

[trungpa ricochet]

6. Um... thanks

I have been a reader for years. I don't post much. I would also be a donor, had I the resources. I am an expat who left for political reasons. My general opinion of the Democratic machine is not good, nor is my opinion of Mr. Obama, who has turned out to be a corporate shill. Sorry..in my advancing years I have chosen to be blunt, since I now have less time for good manners.

[defendandprotect]

9. Iran had nothing whatsoever to do with the financial coup pulled off in US ...

see Catherine Austin Fitts -- google --

[2banon]

15. yes, see my post down the thread... n/t

[defendandprotect]

7. Basically, USA has had much to do with the suffering all over the planet ....

and, yes, we have been in a kind of bubble -- not really understanding that the chaos and

mayhem US/CIA had brought to the world will soon be visited upon us!!

As we are coming to realize, much of it has already -- i.e., right wing political violence

over decades which took liberal leadership -- our Pres. John F. Kennedy and our people's government!


With the rise of TORTURE here again in the US, you can be sure that it is intended to control not

only alleged enemies, but US's own citizens!!


It is impossible to oppress any people anywhere without using violence -- and TORTURE is always

the preferred method!!

[defendandprotect]

8. One of the things I've wanted to begin to point out here has to do with Shock & Awe ...

and all we have learned from Naomi Klein --

but especially want to point out to DU'ers who are very aware of her warnings that

we must remember that there is little new under the sun and that most of what the

Repugs are bringing back and "shocking" us with are old issues which were long ago

settled and put aside! Especially the issue of TORTURE!!

It may come back in a new package, but it comes back in the same old ways -- pushed

by elite $$$$$$$$$$$$$ -- and in often in new propaganda packaging!!

Remember when "Welfare Queen" was new?

And "Patrial Birth Abortion" -- ?

All of this funded by the right wing in order to continue to exploit various classes

of people -- women and reproduction for LABOR -- attacking the vulnerable and helpless

among us -- you can still read Pres. John F. Kennedy talking about that!!

On any of these issues, reach back in history -- via internet -- to FDR who discussed

just about everything the Robber Barons were trying to do --

and to JFK -- and RFK -- on all of these issues!!

Yes, we continue to be shocked and in awe that the right wing is still pushing their lies

and failed programs -- but they never tire of it!

Just remember -- it's all been dealt with before -- settled -- argued/debated -- and put

aside as rotten ideas!!


:)

[bertman]

10. Well said, defendandprotect. The ultimate in political recycling of excrement.

[defendandprotect]

16. And,

I love the way you summed that up!!

[bongbong]

12. Health Insurance

Part of the Democratic plank for the 1948 election was national health insurance.

The billionaires never sleep in their opposition to people.

[defendandprotect]

17. Exactly --

and also, the Dem Party platform that JFK ran on in 1960 called for

NATIONALIZING the oil industry!

Imagine had FDR or Truman been able to get MEDICARE FOR ALL THRU --

and we had nationalized oil -- would be a different nation and a different

world today!!

Alas -- !!


:)

[sulphurdunn]

11. The first casualty of war is truth.

Truths and lies are merely weapons of war, one is as good as the other. We are fighting the final battle in the great class war for America. That's the truth. If we loose the only truth left that means anything will be that we lost. The consequences of that are unthinkable.

[vicarofrevelwood]

13. I think gentle not,

:sarcasm: gently, yeah right!

[2banon]

14. Iranian State Television reporting on Repression outside it's own borders?

Iranian State Tv reminds me of U.S. Cable and Network News stations. Fairly accurate in pointing out repression, and other human rights problems in other countries including the U.S. but ironically, censors and represses reporting of it's own similar issues and problems..

Really, quite fascinating. (uh hm)

[trungpa ricochet]

18. That was my point too

Iranian State TV has an agenda that does not include self-criticism. The Iranian government is cruel and unjust and should be dismantled...by the Iranians.

http://www.truth-out.org/womens-day-rallies-planned-iran-despite-crackdown68251

[2banon]

20. yes, i caught that up thread after i posted...

I notice that happens on occasions.. total agreement with you.. :hi:

[sasquuatch55]

19. Absolutely!

nt